Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, June 2, 2026
ADJOURNED MEETING - 4:00 PM
Mayor Byrne called the June 1,2026, Adjourned Meeting to order in the Chambers at 4:00 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Robert Delves, Alissandra Dramov, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
Public comment: None
Council convened into closed session. The closed session adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Mayor Byrne called the regular meeting to order in the Chambers at 4:47 p.m.
Roll call: Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Robert Delves, Alissandra Dramov, and Mayor Dale Byrne were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Buder led the pledge of allegiance.
EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS
A. Pride Month Proclamation - Councilmember Baron read the proclamation.
B. Monterey Airport District Presentation - Monterey Airport Board Director Dino Pick introduced the item, and Chris Morello gave a presentation on the Monterey Peninsula Regional Airport District air service locations, Airport Master Plan, and upcoming terminal and airport improvements.
PUBLIC APPEARANCES
Janet
Paul Fallworth
Drew Galy
Sara Hinds
Amy Herzog
Brian Sours
Maria Ruess
Karen Ferlito
Nina Beety
Connie Hess
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Acting City Administrator Brandon Swanson summarized the City's fuel mitigation efforts in Pescadero Canyon, including work on City-owned parcels and coordination with partner agencies for the broader canyon. He stated that the City would provide more regular updates through the Friday Letter. He also announced the Summer Reading Program kickoff and thanked everyone involved in Saturday's evacuation drill.
City Attorney - nothing to report from closed session.
Mayor Byrne and Councilmembers expressed gratitude to Chief Trayer, public safety personnel, City staff, CERT, and volunteers for their work Saturday's Evacuation Drill.
Councilmember Buder thanked Mayor Byrne for his quick response during the Art Festival when the Devendorf Park sprinklers went off and damaged artwork. He said the Mayor jumped into action to tum off sprinklers, assisted artists, and purchased damaged pieces.
Councilmember Dramov reported that the Police and Public Works Building Architect selection committee met in May and will meet again in June. She will provide an update in the near future.
Mayor Byrne noted the Carmel Area Wastewater District sewer and paving project is nearly complete. He highlighted progress on the Harrison Memorial Library Renovation Project design phase and mentioned the library's upcoming move to a temporary site during construction.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 1 - Resolution 2026-035 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Operating and Capital Budget, and provide staff direction on Budget Policy
Finance Manager Jayme Fields presented the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Operating and Capital Budget.
Council asked questions regarding the Sand Ramp project, the Piccadilly restroom project, the Community Activities Department staffing structure, and future options for increasing parking citation amounts. City Attorney Pierik stated that options related to parking citations, including possible higher fines during holidays or Car Week, would be researched and brought back as part of the July fee schedule discussion.
Public comment:
Brian Sours
Beth Bowman
Scott Lonergan
Jim Beck
Amy Herzog
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
Mark Stillwell
Maria Ruess
Council discussed whether to adopt the budget as presented or make an amendment to the marketing budget before adoption. Council discussed the option of adopting the budget while bringing back future discussions on the See Monterey marketing budget, the Piccadilly restroom project, and the Sand Ramp project.
Mayor Byrne made a motion to adopt Resolution 2026-035 approving the budget as presented, with the understanding that the Piccadilly restroom and Sand Ramp projects would return for future discussion and direction. The motion failed for a lack of a second.
Motion by Councilmember Baron to adopt Resolution 2026-035, adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Annual Operating and Capital Budget, with the following amendments and direction:
1) Set the See Monterey marketing budget to $0;
2) Bring back a discussion in July on the See Monterey marketing budget; and 3) Approve the Capital Improvement Program project list, with the direction that the Picadilly restroom and Sand Ramp projects not have any action taken on them or money spent until they return to Council for further discussion and direction.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Dramov 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
Council also provided direction to move forward with a budget policy goal of 85% Operating Budget and 15% Capital Improvement Program Budget. Councilmember Baron requested that the final budget books not be printed until after July when a decision is made regarding the See Monterey marketing budget.
Item 2 - Resolution 2026-036 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Appropriations Limit Finance Manager Jayme Fields presented the item and answered questions from Council.
Public Comment:
None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Delves to adopt Resolution 2026-036 Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Appropriations Limit, 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
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
RECESS
Council took a break at 7:15 p.m. and returned at 7:47 p.m.
ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Item 3 - Resolution 2026-037, implementing an address identification system consistent with the requirements of the California Building Standards Code and adopting the Street Addressing Map identifying assigned property addresses citywide
Administrative Analyst Emily Garay presented the Street Address Program history, development process, completed program elements, and anticipated timing for implementation of the new address numbering system. She also answered questions from Council.
Councilmember Baron asked how voter registration would be updated. Ms. Garay explained that once the County approved the City's address map, the City will send official letters to all property owners to notify them of their new address, and the County Elections Department will simultaneously send mailers to registered voters notifying them of the update to their voter registration address. She also stated that the County Assessor plans to send separate mailers to property owners regarding address updates for property tax purposes.
Public comment:
Nancy Twomey
Kevin Ruess
Karen Ferlito
Donna Jett
Maria Ruess
Cindy Lloyd
Council thanked Emily Garay, the Street Address Working Group members, Mayor Pro Tern Delves, and former Councilmember Ferlito for their work and support of the Street Address Program. Council noted that the program benefited from significant community involvement and support.
Motion by Councilmember Baron to adopt Resolution 2026-037, implementing an address identification system consistent with the requirements of the California Building Standards Code and adopting the Street Addressing Map identifying assigned property addresses citywide, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Delves, 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
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
Item 4 - Resolution 2026-038 approving a 3.04 percent rate increase to charges by the City's franchise hauler, GreenWaste Recovery, for collection of solid waste, recycling, and organics, effective July 1, 2026, and approving Amendment No. 5 to the MOU between ReGen Monterey and Member Agencies for Fiscal Year 2026/27
Environmental Programs Manager Mary Bilse presented the item and answered questions from Council.
Public comment: None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tern Delves to adopt the Reso 2026-038 approving a 3.04 percent rate increase to charges by the City's franchise hauler, GreenWaste Recovery, for collection of solid waste, recycling, and organics, effective July 1, 2026, and approving Amendment No. 5 to the MOU between ReGen Monterey and Member Agencies for Fiscal Year 2026/27, 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
Item 5 - Consider Resolution 2026-039 Rejecting all Bids for the Project for Beach Access 12th Avenue Stairs Repair (Carmel Beach Coastal Protection and Access Improvement) BID 25-26- 006 and request for direction
Acting Public Works Director Shari Carlet presented the item and answered questions from Council. City Attorney Pierik stated that Council could provide direction for him to work with staff to include language in the re-bid documents allowing staff to address mathematical errors, so that future bids would not need to be rejected solely due to correctable calculation errors.
Public Comment: None
Motion by Mayor Pro Tem Delves to adopt Resolution 2026-039 Rejecting all Bids for the Project for Beach Access 12th Avenue Stairs Repair Project and directed staff to re-bid the project with language to address mathematical errors, seconded by Councilmember Dramov, 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 6 - Resolution 2026-040 Calling for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election, Requesting Consolidation with the Monterey County Elections Department, and Establishing Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
Procedures for Resolving a Tie Vote; and Resolution 2026-041 Establishing Regulations for Candidate Statements; and approving a Service Agreement for the Provision of Election Services by the County of Monterey Department of Elections
City Clerk Nova Romero presented the item and answered questions from Council. She noted that the motion to approve Resolution 2026-041 should include a correction to a typographical error on the first page, correcting the election date from November 2 to November 3.
Public comment: None
Motion by Councilmember Buder to:
1) Adopt Resolution 2026-040 calling for the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election, Requesting Consolidation with the Monterey County Elections Department, and Establishing Procedures for Resolving a Tie Vote; and 2) Adopt Resolution 2026-041 Establishing Regulations for Candidate Statements with the correction to the typo; and
3) Approve a Service Agreement for the Provision of Election Services by the County of Monterey Department of Elections
Motion was 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
Item 7 - Resolution 2026-042 Submitting To The Qualified Electors Of The City Of Carmel-ByThe-Sea A Measure To Adopt A New Two Percent Transient Occupancy Tax, In Addition To Existing Ten Percent Transient Occupancy Tax, And Approving The Form Of The Ordinance To Be Submitted To The Voters; Requesting The Monterey County Elections Department To Conduct The Election And Requesting Consolidation Of The General Municipal Election With The Statewide General Election To Be Held On November 3, 2026; Directing The City Attorney To Prepare An Impartial Analysis Concerning Such Measure; Authorizing The Drafting Of Primary Arguments And Rebuttals Concerning Such Measure or, in the alternative, provide direction and Motion to approve Draft Primary Argument in support of Proposed Measure City Attorney Pierik presented the item and requested Council direction. He summarized the requirements for placing a measure on the ballot, vote requirements, proposed ballot question options, argument and rebuttal deadlines, permissible City informational activities, and the election timeline. Mayor Pro Tern Delves worked on the draft Primary Argument for this ballot measure with Councilmember Buder. He read the draft Primary Argument.
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
Council decided to have the discussion on the Sales Tax Ballot measure (item #8) and then open up public comment on both ballot measures, and then deliberate and make separate motions on each item.
Public comment for items #7 and #8:
Nancy Twomey
Janine Chiccorat
Kevin Ruess
Mark Stillwell
Maria Ruess
Kelly Brezoczky
Donna Jett
Andi Carr
City Attorney Pierik said Council does not have to approve the Primary Argument language at this meeting, Council has the option to have further discussion at the July meeting to finalize the Primary Argument. He also said that a special meeting can be scheduled in August to draft the rebuttal argument. Councilmember Baron said that he may not be here for the August special meeting, but he would still like his name as an author for the rebuttal argument.
Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Dramov and Mayor Pro Tern Delves generally supported moving forward with a TOT ballot measure, noting that the City needs more revenue to keep up with the $100 million in deferred maintenance, and would like to leave it up to the voters to decide.
Councilmember Buder presented slides showing an independent poll of residents which demonstrates strong support for a TOT increase. Mayor Byrne said he is more in favor of a sales tax increase than a TOT increase, but he would support the majority of Council to move forward with the TOT ballot measure.
Motion by Councilmember Buder to Adopt Resolution 2026-042, as amended, submitting to the voters a measure to adopt a new 2% Transient Occupancy Tax, in addition to the City's existing 10% Transient Occupancy Tax, and approving the form of the ordinance to be submitted to the voters at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election; and that the amendments to the Resolution include selecting Ballot Measure Question Option No. 2, rounding the dollar amounts in the ballot question language, and revising Section 1 0.A(i) to authorize the Mayor and Councilmembers to submit rebuttal arguments concerning the measure. The Motion was 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
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
Council took a break at 9:20 p.m. and returned at 9:25 p.m.
Item 8 - Resolution 2026-043 ordering the submission to the qualified electors of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea at the General Municipal Election to be held on November 3, 2026, a Measure increasing the City's current Transactions and Use Tax rate from 1.5% to 1.875%, extending the duration of such Transactions and Use Tax so that it remains in effect until ended by voters of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and approving the Ordinance to be submitted to the voters pursuant to Revenue and Taxation Code Section 7285.9; requesting the Monterey County elections department to conduct the Election and requesting consolidation of the General Municipal Election with the Statewide General Election to be held on November 3, 2026; directing the City Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis concerning such Measure; authorizing the drafting of primary arguments and rebuttals concerning such Measure; or, in the alternative, provide direction and Motion to approve proposed Primary Argument in support of ballot measure City Attorney Pierik presented the item, which involves a proposed increase to the Transactions and Use Tax, commonly referred to as "Sales Tax". He summarized the requirements for placing a measure on the ballot, vote requirements, proposed ballot question options, argument and rebuttal deadlines, permissible City informational activities, and the election timeline. He answered questions from Council and the public. Mayor Pro Tern Delves said that he worked on the draft Primary Argument for this ballot measure with Councilmember Buder. He read the draft Primary Argument.
Public comment:
Received under the previous item.
Council debated adding a Sales Tax increase to the November ballot alongside the TOT measure.
Councilmember Buder supported the sales tax measure to retain local control before the County attempts to collect it. Councilmember Dramov opposed the proposal, citing the added burden a sales tax would have on residents.
Council discussed withholding approval of the primary arguments for both the TOT and Sales Tax Ballot Measures until the July meeting. Councilmember Dramov asked whether voting no on the item would affect her ability to decide whether to sign the primary argument or rebuttal argument for the ballot measure. City Attorney Pierik confirmed that each Councilmember may choose whether or not to be listed as an author.
Motion by Councilmember Buder to adopt Resolution 2026-043, as amended, submitting to the voters a measure to increase the City's current Transactions and Use Tax (sales tax) rate from 1.5% to 1.875%, until it is repealed by the voters, and approving the form of the ordinance to be submitted to the voters at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election; and that the amendments to the Resolution include selecting Ballot Measure Question Option No. 2, rounding the dollar amounts in the ballot question language in section 2, and revising Section 1 0.A(i) to authorize the Mayor and Councilmembers to submit rebuttal arguments concerning the measure, and amendment to the Ordinance that Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5830F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
would include the language to the end of Section 1 (3.28.170 code amendment) to say "The revenue from the Transaction and Use Tax shall be subject to the City's annual independent financial audit". Motion seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Delves, and approved 4- 1-0-0 by the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Baron, Buder, Delves, and Mayor Byrne NOES: Councilmember Dramov
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Council discussed draft primary arguments for the TOT and Sales Tax measures, suggesting they be tailored for voters. Councilmember Baron recommended highlighting the need for new police and public works facilities, removing redundant "use it or lose it" phrasing, and streamlining details on the State sales tax cap. He also questioned if the extensive list of comparable cities in the TOT argument might overwhelm readers.
Councilmembers Buder and Dramov favored keeping the comparable cities list to show that Carmel's 10% TOT rate is lower than the 13% or 14% rates elsewhere. Councilmember Dramov also suggested using the exact number of years since the last TOT increase rather than rounding to 30.
Item 9 - Consider Resolution 2026-044 Approving First Amendment to Acting City Administrator At-Will Employment Agreement
City Attorney Brian summarized the item and answered questions from Council.
Public comment: None
Motion by Councilmember Dramov, to adopt
seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Delves, 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
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Councilmember Dramov requested a future agenda item regarding City staff training, orientation, and onboarding for new Board and Commission members. Mayor Byrne supported the request and asked for another future item to discuss the Community Activities Commission's role, responsibilities, related policies, and the Director of Community Activities position.
Docusign Envelope ID: 86802C8B-7AF9-8A33-83A1-301CECE5B30F City Council Regular Meeting Minutes - June 2, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Council adjourned the meeting at 11 :27 p.m.
APPROVED:
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Dale Byrne, Mayor
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