CITY OF GARME.BY-THE.SEA
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, March 3,2026
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Dale Byrne called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Eluder, Robert Delves, Alissandra Dramov, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Dramov led the pledge of allegiance
EXTRAORDI NARY BUSI N ESS
A. Carmel High School Report Out
Drew Galy, ASB Student President, provided an update on recent school events, sports, and programs.
B. Volunteer Spotlight - Power Over Parkinson's
Terry Dahl presented on the organization's mission to support exercise, wellness, and education for individuals with Parkinson's Disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
G. Presentation by Montage Health
Dr. Michael McDermott, CEO of Montage Health, presented on healthcare access, including the new Community Hospitalstroke center, workforce recruitment and retention, and Montage Health's partnership with the Carmel Foundation to support senior wellness through renovation of the former Red Cross building.
D. lntroduction of Library Director Heather Cousin
Acting Assistant City Administrator Marisa Bermudez introduced the City's new Library Director.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Jeffrey Beckham
John Cromwell
Ken White
Maria Ruess
Katie Enea
Burcu Mousa
Vince KoHer
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - March 3,2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Acting City Administrator Brandon Swanson announced that Police Chief Trayer is planning a citywide evacuation drillfor Saturday, May 30, 2026, with additional information to be provided in April.
City Attorney - No announcements.
Councilmember Buder reported his work with the Fire Wise Group, which is focused on educating residents about home hardening and defensible space and encouraged anyone interested in learning more to come to the meeting or reach out with any questions.
Councilmember Dramov reported that Public Works has engineers addressing beach walk erosion and more information will be provided at the March 24 special budget meeting. She also noted that she and Councilmember Baron have been meeting with staff to review proposals for the Police and Public Works architect projects.
Mayor Pro Tem Delves announced that the first special budget meeting is scheduled for March 24,2026, at 4:00 p.m., and encouraged public participation.
Mayor Byrne shared that he recently attended a successful Sunset Centre ballet and concert event, thanked Lillian Barbeito for helping secure the event, and commented positively on improvements to the garden at the former Red Cross Center by the Carmel Foundation and CarmelCares.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Dramov pulled ltem #9, and Councilmember Baron pulled ltem #8 Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to approve consent agenda items #1-7, seconded by Gouncilmember Dramov, and passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ltem 1 - January 22 and February 2,2026, Special Meeting Minutes, February 3, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes - Approved 5-0-40
Item 2 - January 2026 Monthly Reports - Approved 5-0-0-0 Item 3 - January 2026 Check Register Summary - Approved 5-0-0-0 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - March 3,2026
Item 4 - Resolution 2026-015, authorizing the serving of alcohol on public property for the Carmel Public Library Foundation's Donor Salute event on Sunday, March 8,2026, and the Sterling Circle event, Sunday, June 7, 2026 - Approved 5-O-O-0
ltem 5 - Resolution 2026-016 Adopting a Policy on the Distribution of Tickets and Passes to City Employees - Approved 5-0-0-0
Item 6 - Resolution 2026-017 Approving loan of City Art to the Monterey Museum of Art Approved 5-G0-0
Item 7 - Resolution 2026-018 authorizing a free use day of the authorizing one (1) free use day of the Sunset Centertheater and lobby forthe AIM forAwareness Art & Design Challenge Exhibit and Reception April 21,2026 - Approved 5-0-0-0
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
Item 8 - Resolution 2026-020 recognizing and honoring Robin McCrae for her 33 years of leadership and service as Chief Executive Officer of Community Human Services on the occasion of her retirement - Approved 5-GO-0
Councilmember Baron thanked Robin McCrae for her longstanding leadership as the head of Community Human Services, which is a local JPA dedicated to providing mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness services throughout Monterey County.
Motion by Councilmember Dramov to approve consent agenda item #8, seconded by Gouncilmember Buder, and passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 9 - Resolution 2O26-021 approving the current salary schedule for Carmel Police Officers Association (POA) and Temporary/Hourly in compliance with California Public Employees Retirement Law (PERL) and the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 2, Section 570.5 - Approved 5-0-0-0
Councilmember Dramov asked about the status of Police Department hiring. Chief Trayer reported that a candidate is expected to begin the Police Academy in April.
Motion by Councilmember Dramov to approve consent agenda item #9, seconded by Gouncilmernber Buder, and passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Gouncilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - March 3,2026
ABSTAIN: None
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 10 - Resolution 2026-019 Accepting the General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports for the Calendar Year 2025
Principal Planner Marnie Waffle presented the 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Report and explained the City's annual reporting obligations related to housing production and implementation of Housing Element programs.
Public comment:
Nancy Twomey
Maria Ruess
Victoria Beach
Councilmember Baron expressed concern about the limited number of new housing units produced since the adoption of the 2024 Housing Element. He asked about ADU tracking and occupancy, as well as the status of the commercial water allocation and whether additional allocation may be available. Mayor Pro Tem Delves also noted the need to balance tracking requirements with staff capacity and supported returning with a future update on commercial district water allocation.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to adopt Resolution 2026-019, Accepting the General Plan and Housing Element Annua! Progress Reports for 2025, seconded by Councilmember Dramov, and passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Councilrnembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Item 11 - 2026 Car Week Discussion and Direction
Police Chief Trayer presented a report on two community listening sessions regarding CarWeek, including impacts on residents, businesses, and City operations. He also outlined options for improving management of Car Week in 2026, including a proposed Managed Parking Pilot Program presented by Good Roots which is supported by the Community Activities Commission.
Council asked questions about neighborhood impacts, detours, downtown access, staffing, parking enforcement, program revenue, and how funds from the pilot parking program would be used. Chief Trayer explained that program revenue would help offset costs associated with traffic control, Public Works support, and police overtime.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - March 3,2026
Public comment:
Donna Jett
Nancy Twomey
Joe DiNucci
Kevin Ruess
Linda Califiore
Maria Ruess
Ashley Wright of Good Roots spoke about the proposed pilot parking management program and answered questions from Council.
Councilmember Dramov and Mayor Byrne agreed that Car Week traffic and safety issues need to be addressed and that doing nothing was not a desirable option. Councilmember Buder expressed concern that the pilot program could unintentionally create three nighttime events, which would conflict with the community's desire for a quieter and more normal downtown environment. Mayor Pro Tem Delves and Councilmember Baron voiced cautious support for continuing to explore the Good Roots proposal as a practical and professionally managed approach to improving traffic circulation, pedestrian safety, and parking control during Car Week.
Council agreed that since this is a pilot program, they need the ability to pullthe plug on the event at any time that it is deemed to be unsafe or not working as intended.
Council directed that the proposal from Good Roots return to the Community Activities Commission for further development and later come back to the City Councilfor consideration of an agreement. Councilmember Baron requested an expedited timeline, with review by the Community Activities Commission in April and return to the Council in May if possible. Council also directed the City Attorney's Office to begin preparing a draft revocable license agreement for potential partnership with Good Roots for the pilot parking management program for Car Week.
RECESS
Council took a recess at7:21 pm and returned at7:52 pm
Item 12 - Design Traditions 1.5 Discussion and Direction Acting City Administrator Swanson provided an update on the Design Traditions 1.5 project, including the Planning Commission's feedback on two draft versions of the Design Guidelines.
He reported that the Planning Commission recommended moving forward with the Steering Committee's version.
Victoria Beach, a Steering Committee member, thanked the Council for its support and emphasized the importance of moving the document forward through the Planning Commission before it returns to the Council for final review.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - March 3,2026
Public comment:
Nancy Twomey
During Council discussion, Councilmembers generally agreed that the Steering Committee's version represented meaningful progress and should move fonuard. Councilmembers noted that the addition of images, diagrams, and narrative context made the document more useful, but also expressed concern that the document remains dense and that a redlined comparison is still needed to clearly show changes from prior drafts. Council also emphasized the need for stronger project management, clearer timelines, and a more disciplined process to ensure the document is completed without further delay.
Council discussed the need for the updated Design Guidelines to have Planning Commission buy-in, staff support, and a project manager to bring the document to completion. Councilmember Baron and Mayor Pro Tem Delves agreed to serve as Council sponsors for the Design Guidelines update, and to return within one month with a proposed project management approach, tentative deadlines, and next steps for moving the project toward completion.
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Dale Byrne, Mayor
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