CITY OF CARIUEL.BY.THE.SEA
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING IUINUTES
May 5, 2026
GALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order in the Chambers at 4:30 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Robert Delves, Alissandra Dramov, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Byrne led the pledge of allegiance
A. Carmel High School Report Out - Drew Galy, ASB Student President, provided an update on recent schoolevents, sports, and programs.
B. Non-Profit Spotlight - Set Free Monterey Bay - Kayla Trono gave a presentation on their mission to fight human trafficking. She summarized that the organization is creating new futures through prevention, awareness, and restoration.
C. City Partner Presentations and Fiscal year 202612027 budget requests - Representatives from the Carmel Chamber of Commerce, Visit Carmel, and See Monterey each gave presentations regarding their community investment, measurable impact, Iong-term strategies, and highlighted the organizations' value, return on City investment, and plans for future success and enhanced partnership.
Carmel Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kati Enea, Visit Carmel Executive Director Amy Hezog, and See Monterey President and CEO Rob O'Keefe addressed Council questions on performance metrics, accountability, ROl, and alignment with City priorities.
Public comment:
Carrie Theis
Patricia Qualls
Chris Morello
Helen Rothwell
Amrish Patel
Edi Matsumoto
Bashar Sneeh
Council thanked them for their presentations and received the information for upcoming budget deliberations.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - May 5,2026
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Laura Bolling
Patrick Reeves
Nicholas Crout
Matt David
Megan Range
Kati Enea
Nina Beety
ANNOUNCEIIIIENTS
City Attorney Pierik reported there is no reportable action from last night's Closed Session.
Councilmember Dramov thanked Ken \A/ysocki, Public Works Director, for his year of service and CIP contributions, and Cindi Mitchell, Police Services and Animal Control Officer, for her 30+ years of dedication as she approaches retirement.
Mayor Pro Tem Delves reported that the street addressing project is nearly complete, with final data submission to the County expected by May 8th. He said that following a review period of two weeks to two months, official approval and implementation is anticipated by July.
Mayor Byrne reported on the following:
r Ken Spilfogel's memorial service was attended by over 150 people. o The public is invited to the Fire Station on Thursday for the engine push-in event. o Updates on city projects include work on the DG scenic pathway and a paving project on Scenic now that CAWD's sewer project is complete.
r Monterey High and MPC Theatre will perform Once Upon a Mattress. r Steam cleaning is underway for the Forest Theatre seats.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 1 - Adopt Resolution 2026-029 adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Fee Schedule for Citywide services
Finance Manager Jayme Fields presented the item, highlighting the changes made to the proposed fee schedule based on the direction from Council at the last meeting, and answered questions from Council.
Public Comment:
Nancy Twomey
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - May 5,2026
Motion by Councilmember Baron to Adopt Resolution 2026-029 adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Fee Schedule for Gitywide services as presented, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Delves, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll callvote:
AYES: Gouncilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 2 - Receive a presentation and consider approving the TechnicalAdvisory Committee (TAC) Franchise Agreement Subgroup's recommendation on the 2030 Collection Franchise Planning Process
Environmental Programs Manager Mary Bilse introduced Rob Hilton (HF&H), who presented the 2030 waste management franchise planning recommendation. Mr. Hilton reported that the TAC agreement subgroup recommended issuing an RFP for solid waste, recycling, and organics collection, open to Green Waste Recovery, LLC and other service providers, and asked Council to approve the Process lntegrity Policy.
Council discussed whether the City could preserve the option of a five-year renewal with Green Waste while also proceeding with an RFP. Mr. Hilton confirmed that the RFP process would allow Councilto retain that option.
Public Comment:
Carrie Theis
Tim Morris
Zoe Shoats
Jo Todd
Manny Guye
Nick Becker
Emily Hanson
Council reached a consensus agreement that proceeding with the Request for Proposals (RFP) is the best method to ensure competitiveness, while also preserving the option to extend or maintain the current contract.
Councilmember Buder moved to approve the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Franchise Agreement Subgroup's recommendation to begin a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process for solid waste, recycling, and organics collection services, allowing Green Waste Recovery, LLC (Green Waste) and others to compete, and to approve the Process lntegrity Policy. Mayor Pro Tem Delves seconded the motion, which passed 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - May 5,2026
AYES: Councilmemberc Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
RECESS
Counciltook a recess at 7:30 pm and returned at 8:00 pm.
Item 3 - Receive the FiscalYear 2026-2027 Recommended Budget Finance Manager Jayme Fields presented the Fisca! Year 2026-2027 Recommended Budget.
Ms. Fields stated that the proposed budget reflects a more realistic approach to the City's longterm financial challenges and was developed in collaboration with the Council's Financial Stewardship Work Group. She summarized the major components of the budget, including operating expenses, capital expenses, revenues, and proposed budget reductions. She noted that the Recommended Budget exceeds the Council's goal of reducing operating costs in order to increase funding for capital improvements. She requested Counci! and public feedback in advance of the May 12,2026, Budget Workshop.
Counci! asked questions regarding proposed operating expenditure reductions, the proposed $1 million housing trust allocation, City interest revenue and investments, and how the budget accounts for new CIP funding and carryover funding for incomplete projects.
Public Comment:
Nancy Twomey
Canie Theis
Councildiscussed the need to balance destination marketing with the impacts of increased visitor traffic on residents. Councilmembers Baron, Buder, and Dramov expressed interest in a more targeted marketing strategy and asked whetherVisit Carmel or See Monterey could help mitigate community impacts. Councilmember Baron also raised concerns regarding the City's annual $700,000 infrastructure contribution to Sunset Center, including the status of the required endowment fund and financial reporting under the lease agreement.
Councilmembers also discussed opportunities to dedicate additional funding to long-term infrastructure and pension obligations. Mayor Pro Tem Delves thanked staff for achieving an 857o operating and 15o/o capital allocation and suggested maintaining a goal of dedicating at least 10olo of the budget to capital expenses. Councilmember Buder suggested considering a policy to dedicate ambulance service revenue to capital improvements and supported a future discussion regarding the Section 115 pension trust. Mayor Byrne noted that paid parking would be discussed at an upcoming meeting and may provide an opportunity to address vehicle impacts and generate revenue.
Staff received feedback from Council; no forma! action was taken.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - May 5,2026
Item 4 - Review Proposed Revocable License Agreement for Parking Management by Good Roots lnc during Car Week 2O26 and Adoption of Resolution 2026-028 Approving Execution of Agreement
Police Chief Todd Trayer presented the proposed Managed Parking Pilot Program for Car Week 2026, including a potential partnership with Good Roots, lnc. He explained that the proposalwas intended to better manage parking and access, reduce cruising, congestion, noise, and vehiclerelated impacts, improve pedestrian safety, and support access to downtown businesses. He emphasized that the proposa! was not intended to create a car show.
Chief Trayer stated that the Good Roots plan would use existing downtown side-street parking, with overflow parking at Larson Field and shuttle service to downtown. He also summarized Car Week strategies the Police Department planned to implement with or without Good Roots, including enhanced enforcement, additional staffing, traffic control measures, public messaging, and data collection. He requested Council direction on whether to proceed with the Good Roots partnership or move forward with the Police Department's Car Week management plan without the partnership.
Public comment:
Nancy Twomey
Scott Lonergan
Rob O'Keefe
Mayor Pro Tem Delves stated that, after hearing Chief Trayer's proposed Car Week management plan, and after hearing the community's feedback, he is confident the Police Department's plan would be effective without the Good Roots partnership. Councilmember Dramov agreed and stated that she is opposed to the Good Roots proposal, noting that many residents also expressed opposition and that their proposal did not fit the character of Carmel. Councilmember Buder concurred with the comments made by Mayor Pro Tem Delves and Councilmember Dramov.
Councilmember Baron said it appears that the majority of Counci! is not interested in proceeding with the Good Roots pilot program. Mayor Byrne thanked Good Roots team, Nile Estep and Ashlee Wright, for the effort and innovation they put into their proposal and said that hopefully they will come back next year with more good ideas for Car Week to partner with the City on.
Motion by Councilmember Buder to not proceed with an agreement with Good Root or adopt the Resolution, and have the Police Chief proceed with his proposed management plan strategies for Gar Week, seconded by Councilmember Dramov, and approved 5-0-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Gouncilmemberc Baron, Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - May 5,2026
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Buder requested future agenda items to discuss a budget policy related to operating and capital allocations, the Section 115 Trust, and a potential policy for ambulance revenue.
CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney read the closed session title.
Public Comment: None
Item 5 - CONFERENCE WTH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE sEcTloN 54957.6
Title of unrepresented employee: Acting City Administrator
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned to closed session at 9:50 p.m.
APPROVED:
I
Dale Byrne, Mayor Nova