Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Monday,June1,2026
TOUR OF INSPECTION - 2:30 PM
City Council conducted an on-site tour of inspection of the properties listed below:
A. Scenic Road 5 north-west of 8th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea (APP 26134 - Diamond) B. San Carlos Street 2 south-west of 7th Avenue, Carmel-by-the-Sea (APP 26148 - Stonehouse Terrace)
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byrne called the meeting to order in the Chambers at 3:17 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Robert Delves, Alissandra Dramov, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS
C. Receive an informational report on the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Vacancies Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3 (AB 2561)
Acting Assistant City Administrator Marisa Bermudez presented the report and answered questions from Council.
No action was taken; Council received the report.
CONSENT AGENDA
Consent Item #2 was pulled by a member of the public. Councilmember Buder pulled item #6, and Councilmember Dramov pulled item #7.
Motion by Councilmember Baron to approve the consent agenda items #1, 3, 4, 5, and 8, seconded by Councilmember Buder, and approved 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
Item 1 - Approval of City Council Meeting Minutes of April 6 & 7, 2026, and May 4, 5, & 12, 2026 - Approved 5-0-0-0
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F Item 3 -April 2026 Check Register Summary - Approved 5-0-0-0 Item 4 -Approve a $1,000 Fiscal Year 2026-2027 City Council Discretionary Grant Award to the Carmel Youth Center for their Discretionary Grant Application submitted on March 10, 2026 - Approved 5-0-0-0
Item 6 - Resolution 2026-030 authorizing the City Administrator, or designee, to enter into a renewal agreement for 9-1-1 Emergency Communication Services and Governance with the County of Monterey and other local agencies - Approved 5-0-0-0 Item 8 - Letter authorizing the County of Monterey to execute all documents necessary to continue implementing the annual Used Oil Payment Program on behalf of the City during Fiscal Year 2026/27 - Approved 5-0-0-0
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT
Item 2 -April 2026 Monthly Reports - Approved 5-0-0-0
A member of the public commented on the short-term rentals code compliance report, and requested a City audit of all rental companies to ensure compliance with the 30-day minimum stay prohibition.
Public comment:
Karen Ferlito
Fred Kern
Mark Stillwell
Councilmember Buder asked if short term rental violators receive warnings. Acting City Administrator Brandon Swanson confirmed that Code Compliance policy typically involves 1-2 warnings before fines are issued, consistent with the process for all other code compliance citations.
Item 6 - Resolution 2026-031 Approving Amendments to the FY 2025-2026 Adopted Budget - Approved 5-0-0-0
Councilmember Buder commended Finance Manager Fields for more than doubling interest income on cash reserves. He questioned if the $305,000 Fire budget overage, caused by vehicle maintenance and overtime, would recur despite the new Monterey Fire agreement and fire engine purchase. Acting City Administrator Swanson stated such overages are very unlikely to happen again.
Item 7 - Resolution 2026-032 Approving Appointments to the Building Code Board of Appeals, Harrison Memorial Library Board of Trustees, Historic Resources Board, Forest and Beach Commission and the Planning Commission - Approved 5-0-0-0
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F Councilmember Dramov advocated for enhanced training and onboarding for new Board and Commission members, citing recent appointments. She emphasized the need for a deeper understanding of the City's history, General Plan, Municipal Code, and specific roles. Mayor Byrne, Mayor Pro Tern Delves, and Councilmember Buder expressed their agreement.
Public comment:
Maria Ruess
Ian Martin
Lee Morcus
Councilmember Baron noted that a revised Board and Commission handbook was agendized for review in 2024, but was pulled without discussion. He requested that the previous materials, including policy manual updates and the potential adoption of Rosenberg's Rules of Order over Robert's Rules of Order, be shared for future Council discussion.
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Delves to approve Consent Items #2, 6, and 7, seconded by Councilmember Dramov, and approve 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
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 9 - Receive a Presentation regarding Parking Management through paid parking and provide direction to staff
Police Chief Trayer provided an overview of Carmel's parking history, current conditions, and options for implementing managed or paid parking, as well as current upgrades to enforcement technology and staffing.
Councilmember Baron asked about the potential for downtown businesses to act as in-person pay stations. Councilmember Dramov asked about the requirement to submit a portion of the citation fees to Monterey County. Chief Trayer said that having downtown businesses assist with collecting in person parking fee payments is an option, and that the fees that go to the County go toward Monterey County Traffic Court costs. Mayor Byrne asked how many physical parking kiosks would be located downtown, and Chief Trayer responded that there would likely be at least four, located in visible areas on Ocean Avenue and designed to fit Carmel's character.
Public comment:
Fred Kern
Nancy Twomey
Karen Ferlito
Tim Twomey
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C88-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F Carrie Theis
Kristi Reimers
Ian Martin
Kevin Ruess
Maria Ruess
Mark Stillwell
Pam Shepherd
Council discussed a paid parking pilot program for the central downtown area, focusing on Ocean Avenue from Junipero to Monte Verde. Councilmember Baron, Mayor Pro Tern Delves, and Mayor Byrne supported moving forward with the pilot, emphasizing the need for employee parking strategies, and clear success metrics. Councilmembers Dramov and Buder opposed the program, citing concerns over community character, visual impacts, and potential parking shifts into residential neighborhoods, instead favoring increased enforcement and improved employee parking options. Mayor Byrne suggested forming a community working group to work with the Chief, since that worked well for the Street Address Program.
Council provided consensus direction for the Police Chief to form a working group of six to ten people to develop a parking management program for future consideration.
RECESS
Council took a recess at 5:34 pm and returned at 5:44 pm.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 10- Resolution 2026-033 - Consideration of an Appeal (APP 26134, Diamond) by John and Patricia Dilks, of the Planning Commission's approval of Design Study and Coastal Development Permit application DS 25206 (Diamond) for non-excluded development (ground disturbance for an 800 square accessory dwelling unit attached to an existing rear terrace, landscaping, drainage improvements and associated site work) and the installation landscaping consistent with the proposed landscaping plan as authorized by the Coastal Development Permit, located at Scenic Road 5 northwest of 8th Avenue in the Single-Family Residential (R-1) District, Archaeological Significance (AS) Overlay District, Park (P) Overlay District, and Beach and Riparian (BR) Overlay. APN: 010-312-012-000.
Senior Planner Evan Kort presented the appeal regarding a proposed 800-square-foot accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on Scenic Road. He summarized the appeal review criteria, Beach and Riparian Overlay District standards, as well as setback requirements, concluding with staffs recommendation for Council direction.
Council members inquired about the intersection of State ADU law, which limits the City's ability to deny projects based on floor area, and the Local Coastal Program's setback requirements, noting that the existing residence already exceeds the maximum floor area. Staff explained that State ADU law limits the City's ability to deny an ADU based on maximum floor area requirements, but that applicable coastal setback requirements continue to apply and that State Law doesn't
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F override the City's LCP. Councilmember Baron asked about the possibility of requiring the owner to waive future shoreline armoring rights. City Attorney Pierik stated that additional legal research would be needed regarding what conditions may be imposed if the property owner does not agree.
Public Comment:
John Dilks, appellant, addressed the Council in favor of approving the appeal.
Tony Lombardo, Dr. Griggs, and Jun Silano, representatives of the property owners (Diamonds), addressed the Council in favor of denying the appeal.
Ian Martin
Larry Jason
Patricia Dilks
Earl Meyers
Donna Jett
Chris Campbell
Ms. Diamond
Councilmember Baron raised concerns regarding conflicts between State ADU law and the City's Local Coastal Program (LCP) regarding floor area. Mayor Pro Tern Delves favored denial, citing setback compliance and precedent, and Councilmember Buder noted the ADU's quality design and minimal impact on views. Council discussed the need for a future ADU policy review. City Attorney Pierik recommended continuing the hearing for further legal research and preparation of draft resolutions for both granting and denying the appeal for consideration.
Motion by Councilmember Dramov to continue this hearing to a date uncertain to gather more information about and legal analysis, and that a separate policy discussion be brought back at the same meeting, seconded by Councilmember Baron, and approved 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
RECESS
Council took a recess at 7:30 pm and returned at 8:01 p.m.
Item 11 - Resolution 2026-034 - Consideration of an appeal, APP 26148 (Stonehouse Terrace), by Esperanza Carmel Commercial LLC, of the Historic Resources Board's April 20, 2026 decision to support a property owner-sponsored National Register of Historic Places Nomination for the "Reimers' Stonehouse Terrace" located at San Carlos Street 2 southwest of 7th Avenue in the Service Commercial (SC) District. APN: 010-145-018-000. Consideration of options including a resolution to deny the appeal, a resolution to grant the appeal or other actions related to the appeal as directed by Council
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F City Attorney Pierik confirmed that Mayor Byrne had no conflicts and would not recuse himself from the item.
Associate Planner Katherine Wallace gave a presentation regarding the action of the Historic Resources Board (HRB) that is being appealed, summarized the appellants reasons for appeal, and the options for Council to consider, such as to approve or deny the appeal.
Councilmember Buder
Public Comment:
Paul Lopez, Dana Supernowitz, representing the appellant, Esperanza Carmel, addressed the Council in favor of the appeal.
Tom Lippe, and Ian Martin, representing the property owner (Reimers), addressed the Council in favor of denying the appeal.
Cindy Lloyd
Mike Brown
Arlene lchien
Jun Silano
Pierluigi Serraino
Lee Morcus
Chris Campbell
Nancy Twomey
Victoria Beach
Kristi Reimers
Council discussed whether to remand an appeal regarding Stonehouse Terrace back to the HRS.
Mayor Pro Tern Delves and Councilmember Buder advocated for a remand to allow the HRB to evaluate new information brought forward during the de novo hearing. Mayor Byrne supported this, noting that the Council are not historic experts and that the HRS would soon have a full fivemember board. Councilmember Baron expressed concern that a remand would be unnecessarily complicated and suggested instead adding Council comments to the city's letter to the state. City Attorney Pierik clarified that the Council could choose to remand the matter or evaluate the appeal and forward additional materials to the State.
Motion by Councilmember Buder not to adopt a Resolution approving or denying the appeal, and instead to remand this matter back to the HRB with the additional information that was provided at this hearing, and to direct staff to have the city's historic consultant to do the requisite historic context and comparative analysis, and authorize staff to write a letter to the state stating what their direction was tonight, seconded by Councilmember Dramov and approved 4-1-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Buder, Delves, Dramov, and Mayor Byrne NOES: Councilmember Baron
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6;
Agency Designated Representatives: Acting Assistant City Administrator Marisa Bermudez, Police Chief Todd Trayer, and Zachery Lopes, Burke Williams & Sorensen; Employee Organization: General Employees Unit, an Affiliated Unit of LiUNA, and Management Employees Unit, an Affiliated Unit of LiUNA
City Attorney Pierik read the closed session title.
Public Comment:
None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Delves adjourn this meeting until tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., seconded by Councilmember Buder, and approved 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
The City Clerk will post the notice of the adjourned meeting on the City's website, on the Chamber's door, and the notice boards.
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned the meeting at 10:36 p.m.
APPROVED: ATTEST:
Dale Byrne, Mayor