CITY OF CARiIEL.BY.THE.SEA
CITY GOUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order in the Council Chambers at 4:30 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Alissandra Dramov, Mayor Pro Tem Delves, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Byrne led the pledge of allegiance
EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS
o Carmel High School Report Out: Drew Galy, CHS ASB President, provided a report on last month's high school events, sports, and programs to Council. o Nonprofit Spotlight - Living Breath Foundation: continued to a future meeting o Monterey Airport District Presentation: continued to a future meeting.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Cindy Lloyd
Fred Kern
Maria Ruess
Lillian Barbeito
Theresa Buccola
Craig Rose
Joe DiNucci
Linda Califiore
ANNOUNCEIUIENTS
City Administrator - no announcements
City Atorney - no announcements
Mayor Byrne announced the recent passing of Donald Goodhue, a former Planning Commissioner and community stalwart. He said the meeting will be adjourned in Mr. Goodhue's memory, noting that he was a true steward of Carmel who cared deeply about the community and significantly contributed to the cunent design guidelines update.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - February 3,2026
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Councilmember Baron said he was sad to hear of Don Goodhue's passing, a former Planning commissioner, loca! architect, and friend; it's a great loss to the community.
Councilmember Buder reported that the City received HCD comments on the Housing Etement Amendment, and staff is preparing technical updates and will proceed with public review and resubmittal.
Councilmember Dramov sadly announced the recent passing of longtime resident, former Planning Commissioner, and Councilmember, Michael Cunningham.
Mayor Pro Tem Delves thanked staff for excellent customer service after they quickly resolved a resident's issue regarding unapproved construction work.
CONSENT AGENDA
Public Comment: None
Motion by Councilmember Buder to approve consent agenda item #1, adoption of Ordinance 2026-001, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delves, and adopted 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmemberc Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and llllayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 1 - Second reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-001. amending Carmel-bythe-Sea Municipal Code Title 15 (Buildings and Construction) by adopting the 2025 editions of the California Administrative Code, California Building Code (CBC) and appendices, California Residential Code CRC), California Energy Code (CEnC), California Fire Code (CFC), California Mechanica! Code (CMC), California Plumbing Code (CPC), California Electrical Code (CEC), California Green Building Standards Code (CGBSC), Historic Building Code (HBC), Existing Building Code (EBC) and Wildland-Urban lnterface Code (WUl) and 2024lnternational Property Maintenance Codes (IPMC) with local amendments - Adopfed Ordinance 202&001
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 2 - Receive a presentation on the updated Council Strategic Priorities list following the January 22nd workshop, and provide direction to staff
Acting City Administrator Swanson presented the item, asking for Council direction and prioritization level on each item, with 1 being the highest priority, 2 being medium priority, and 3 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - February 3,2026
being low priority. Mayor Pro Tem Delves and Councilmember Baron suggested that the priority be based on the fiscal year to align with the budget, rather than based on calendar year.
Public Comment:
Maria Ruess
Nancy Twomey
Doug Schmitz
Kristi Reimers
Council gave direction to update the goals under Strategic Priority #1 (S-1) Exercise Financial Sustainability, Accountability and Transparency with priority levels as follows:
Budset Claritv (P-1.1)
Goal Prioritv Level
Increase usability/clarity of financial reports to Council 3 Create an online public-facing CIP tracking dashboard 2 Financial Health (P-1.2)
Goal Pioritv Level
Receive Council approval on revised investment portfolio approach Future lmplement new HR, Finance and Payroll management system 1 Develop menu of potentialfunding sources to address funding shortfalls 1 Provide Council a presentation on placing a TOT increase on the Nov 2026 ballot and receive direction
1 Provide Councilwith a presentation on options for paid parking as a management tool
2 Council gave direction to update the goals under Strategic Priority #2 (S-2) Stewarding the Natural Environment with priority levels as follows:
Goal Pioritv Level
Rebuild 8th Ave. Sand Ramp 1
Complete 4th Ave. outfall repair/replacement 2
Rebuild 1Oth Ave. stairs 1
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - February 3,2026
Rebuild 12th Ave. stairs 1
Complete maintenance/repair of bl uff revetments 1 - ongoing Implement Coastline related items from Climate Action and Adaptation Plan ongoing Wildfire Mitioation and Prevention (P. 2.2)
Goal Prioritv Level
City Council adoption of updated Carmel Forest Management Plan 2 Adopt additional citywide wildfire and prevention measures (e.9. allowed materials, building code, etc), and created and distribute home hardening rules to the community
2 Complete alltasks on the approved list of prioritized fuel mitigation projects 1 Execute a citywide evacuation drill 1
Council decided to take a break on this item, and when they return, they will begin item #3, TOT item.
RECESS
Counciltook a recess at 6:30 p.m. and returned at 7:00 p.m.
Item 3 - Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Discussion and Direction on Potential 2026 Ballot Measure
Acting Assistant City Administrator Marisa Bermudez gave a presentation regarding a potential ballot measure to increase the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). She asked for Council consideration and direction on whether or not to pursue a TOT increase as a way to address budget shortfalls and fund the repair of aging and deteriorating infrastructure. City Clerk Nova Romero presented on the election timing options and answered questions from Council. Finance Manager Jayme Fields also answered questions related to occupancy behaviour comparisons and projected revenue.
Public Comment:
Nancy Twomey
Mark Watson
Carrie Theis
Sygale Lomas
Susan Bjerre
Mark Stillwell
Kelly Brezoczky
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - February 3,2026
Councilmember Baron said when the TOT subject was brought up in May 2024, hoteliers said there wasn't enough time to prepare for a TOT increase, and 2 years later are continuing to say they need more time. He said he remains open to suggestions on how to have this conversation with hoteliers, but what he is hearing is that they will always be against a TOT increase regardless of the timing.
Councilmember Buder said that he would have preferred to evaluate multiple revenue options, not just TOT, and that there would have been stronger outreach. He noted that TOT has repeatedly surfaced as a viable option through the Financial Stewardship Ad Hoc. He presented research he did on Half Moon Bay's TOT increase from 12o/oto 15% as a reference point to show that the increase was successful.
Mayor Pro Tem Delves voiced agreementwith Councilmember Buder. He acknowledged the hotel sector's efforts through creating the Carmel Hostelry lmprovement District (CHID) 2olo ?SSeSSrn€ht to fund their marketing investments, but emphasized that the City also needs revenue to keep pace with infrastructure needs.
Councilmember Dramov echoed the Councilmembers comments, stating hotels asked for more time in 2024 and that 2 years later the City now faces a more urgent revenue need for infrastructure.
Councilmembers Buder, Delves, and Dramov supported exploring a2o/oincrease (10% to 12o/ol forthe November 2026 election, with funds functionally directed towards capital and infrastructure needs. Mayor Byrne stated he did not support pursuing a TOT measure at this time and preferred further research and evaluation of additional revenue options.
Mayor Byrne reopened public comment:
Carrie Theis
Mark Watson
Councilmember Baron noted there is still time until April for Council to discuss the subject with hotel owners, hoping for beneficial and meaningful conversations.
Motion by Councilmember Baron directing staff to proceed with exploration of a TOT ballot measure and return to Council in April with draft ballot measure language, seconded by Councilmember Buder, and adopted 4-1-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov
NOES: Mayor Byrne
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECESS
Counciltook a recess al8,.21pm and returned al8:27 pm.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - February 3,2026
Council resumed discussion on agenda item #2, Council priorities, beginning with the Public Safety Priority.
Public comment:
Kristi Reimers
Council gave direction to update the priorities under Strategic Priority #3 (S-3) Maintain Public Safety lnfrastructure with priority levels as follows:
Public Safetv (P-3.1)
Goal Prioritv Level
Select Architect 1
Construction plans and financing approved by Council 1
Goal Prioritv Level
Ambulance mutual aid contract 1
lmplement street address program 1
Create a plan to improve the resiliency of the City's power grid and present to Council
2 Complete the City's Rule 20-A project at Del Mar Parking Lot 3 Goal Pioritv Level
Conduct condition assessment of all City buildings and develop maintenance plans
2 Provide presentation to Council on process required to sell the Scout House and receive direction
future
Receive presentation from the Friends of MTNP for a Rio Park project 2 Ci$ Council Regular Meeting Minutes - February 3,2026
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Goal Prioritv Level
Complete an lT audit, including cyber-security ,l
Develop and adopt an lT Strategic Plan 1
Goal Prioritv Level
Complete repairs to get current on all sidewalk and ADA improvements 2 Significantly increase parking enforcement capabilities 1 Council gave consensus direction to continue the discussion on Strategic Priorities #4 and#5 at a future Council meeting due to the lateness of the evening.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned in memory of Donald Goodhue at 9:26 p.m APPROVED:
Dale Byrne, Mayor Nova