Shining a Light on Local Government:
The Role of the City Clerk
City Council Regular
Meeting
July 7, 2026
Presented by
Nova Romero, MMC, City Clerk
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 1
To help demystify the role of the City Clerk –
the person behind the agendas, minutes,
records, elections, and public process.
To explain how the City Clerk helps keep local
government transparent, organized,
accessible, and accountable.
To highlight the upcoming election, and
candidate nomination period which begins on
Monday, July 13ᵗʰ
Why I’m Here Today
Why I’m Here Today
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The City Clerk is the City’s official recordkeeper
and helps ensure that the public process is
transparent, accessible, and properly
documented.
Core Responsibilities
Legislative process
Records management
Elections administration
Public access and transparency
Link between the public and City Council
What is a City Clerk?
What is a City Clerk?
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Before decisions are made
Agendas, notices, public hearings, and meeting access help the public know what is coming.
When decisions are made
Minutes, motions, votes, ordinances, and resolutions create the official record.
After decisions are made
Records, archives, contracts, policies, the municipal Code, help the public find and understand what happened.
The Clerk helps make government visible, documented, and accessible.
Why It Matters: Before, During, and After the Decision
Why It Matters: Before, During, and After the Decision
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Fair and open meetings
The process matters because it protects the public’s right to participate.
Public Access to Information
Public Records Act requests help the public find information, understand decisions, and hold government accountable.
A helpful starting point
When residents, candidates, board members, or staff do not know where to begin, the Clerk helps point them in the right direction.
The Clerk’s Office helps connect people to the process.
Why It Matters: Protecting Public Trust
Why It Matters: Protecting Public Trust
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As the Elections Official, the City Clerk helps support a fair, transparent, and organized local election process.
Candidates - Filing appointments, nomination papers, deadlines, and forms Ballot Measures - Resolutions, notices, arguments, voter information materials Campaign Disclosure - Campaign statements, Form 700 filings, and public access to filings County Coordination - Works with Monterey County Elections to consolidate and administer the election Why It Matters: Democracy and Elections
Why It Matters: Democracy and Elections
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This year, the City will hold a General Municipal Election to elect:
1 Mayor
2 City Councilmembers
Candidate filing begins Monday, July 13, and ends August 7 Interested in running?
Make an appointment with the City Clerk early
Visit the City’s Elections webpage for notices, key dates, ballot measures, the Candidate Guidebook, campaign
filing information, and more
Upcoming Election: November 3, 2026
Upcoming Election: November 3, 2026
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Candidate Information Workshop –
Friday, July 10th at 10 a.m.
Candidate Information Workshop –
Friday, July 10th at 10 a.m.
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The City Clerk will be hosting the City’s first annual Candidate Information Workshop!
When: Friday, July 10th at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Council Chambers – in person only
Topics include:
• Requirements for running for Mayor or Councilmember
• Overview of the nomination process and Candidate filing forms • Important filing dates
• Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) forms
Can’t attend?
An online version of the presentation will be available on the City’s Elections webpage by Friday afternoon.
Behind the Scenes — Keeping
Democracy Visible
The City Clerk's work helps keep local government:
Fair
Open
Accessible
Accountable
Documented
At its heart, this work is about public trust.
Summary
Summary
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 9
Thank you!!
Nova Romero, MMC, City Clerk
[email protected]
831-620-2016
ci.carmel.ca.us/elections
ci.carmel.ca.us/city-clerk
End of Presentation
End of Presentation
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 1
0 Financial Stewardship
Workgroup Recap
July 7, 2026
1 Working Group operations (per 2/2025 presentation)
• Two (2) Councilmembers, Finance Manager, Assistant City Administrator and City Administrator
• Purpose is to increase public awareness of City finance topics • Conducts quarterly meetings on finance-related topics such as: adopted financial policies, investment policies and year-end budget-to-actuals • Desired outcomes are to assist in process improvements and communication
• Put forward information and recommendations for the whole Council to consider in making decisions
• Communicate desires and needs to City Administrator 2 Workgroup Deliverables
• New Reserve Policy Analysis of funding volatility and peer comparisons
• Revised Budgeting Procedures Analysis of detailed schedules and reports.
Discussions of operating plans, risks and
philosophies
• New Revenue Opportunities Matrices of options, calculations of fiscal impact and discussions of feasibility
• Pension and 115 Trust Explained Phone calls, Zoom calls and report analysis
• Tri-Annual Budget Reporting Discussion of needs, questions, ideas and walkthroughs of existing reports
Studies reviewed, estimates • Deferred Maintenance identified, Plan Initiated discussed, vendors presenting 3
Going Forward
Workgroup Structure Options:
• Workgroup – flexible, temporary, mission-focused
• Committee – same overhead as City Council, reports to City Council • City Council – ultimately responsible for all financial matters 4 “Same Overhead” (Cost vs Benefit)
5 0
1 2
3 4
5 6
7 8
9 Council Workgroup Finance Committee
Additional Staff Time per Hour of Meeting
Additional Meeting Time Additional Preparation Time
Summary
•City Council is responsible for financial condition
of the City
• Workgroup has given them better tools
• Public has benefitted from increased discussions
6 Conclusion
Council to provide direction on Financial
Stewardship Workgroup
Thank you
7 6th Cycle Housing Element Amendment:
Adoption Hearings
City Council Meeting
July 7, 2026
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 2
The City Council is being asked to:
❏ Consider the Planning Commission’s
recommendation
• Environmental Review
• General Plan/Housing Element Amendment
❏ Consider a Resolution to adopt an Addendum to
the Mitigated Negative Declaration
❏ Consider a Resolution to approve the Housing
Element Amendment
Housing Element Amendment
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Amendment Timeline
• 6th cycle Housing Element was
adopted in April 2024
• Directed to begin exploring an
Amendment in July 2024
• HCD issued a letter of substantial
compliance in May 2026 (22
months)
• Proceed with adoption hearings
https://ci.carmel.ca.us/post/housing
Public Comments:
November 2025
March 2026
May 2026
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 4
The Five Strategies:
Leveraging Constraints into Opportunities
Hotel-to-Residential
Conversion
(Hotel ‘Key’ Transfer)
Downtown
Live/Work Program
(new)
Downtown MixedIncome
Incentive Program
Housing on
Religious Facility
Owned Property
Accessory
Dwelling Units
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 5
Housing Sites Inventory
Adopted Proposed
Housing Units
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Very Low Low Moderate Above
Moderate Total
RHNA 113 74 44 118 349
Adopted HE 114 87 58 151 410
HE
Amendment 135 136 63 100* 434
Buffer =
*52 permits for new housing
units have been issued for this
planning period for a total of 152
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What is considered
affordable?
Housing Affordability
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2026 Annual Income Limits
Monterey County
Source: 2026 State Income Limits (May 29, 2026)
Affordability is based on the Area Median Income for a household of four.
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2026 Monthly Rent Limits
Monterey County
30-percent of Monthly Income Limit
Source: 2026 Fair Market
Rent Salinas, CA MSA Small
Area FMRs
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The Five Strategies
Housing Element Amendment
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Hotel-to-Residential
Projected Housing Units
Hotel Room Conversion Potential Rooms/Units
Hotel Rooms within Group 4 and 5 (Underperforming) 379
Hotel Rooms to Housing Units Conversions (85%) 322
Hotel Conversions During 6th Cycle Planning Period (50%) 161 Income Mix
Very Low Income (25%) 40
Low Income (25%) 40
Moderate Income (25%) 40
Above Moderate Income (25%) 41
(out of 948+)
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 12
• 2 sites proposed to be included for RHNA credit
• Su Vecino Court and GBG building
• Program available throughout the commercial district
Downtown Mixed-Income
Projected Housing Units
Site No.
APN/
Parcel Size
Property
Name Zoning
General
Plan Land
Use
Property
Owner
Interest
Utilization
(% Vacant or
Underutilized)
Condition Year
Built
Improvement
to Land
Value Ratio
FAR < / =
50% of
Allowable
Units @
40 du/ac
Income
Distribution
M-1
010-138-020
8,000 SF
Su Vecino
Court
Central
Commercial
(CC)
Core
Commercial Yes 0% C4 1963 0.55 No 6 1/1/1/3
M-2
010-142-001
8,000 SF
GBG building
Service
Commercial
(SC)
Core
Commercial Yes 0% C3 1975 0.51 Yes 6 1/1/1/3
Total 12
Note: 1/1/1/3 = 1 Very Low, 1 Low, 1 Moderate, 3 Above Moderate CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 13
Downtown Live/Work
Projected Housing Units
Site No.
APN Property Name GP/ Zoning General Plan
Land Use
Property
Owner
Interest
Condition Year
Built
Improvement to
Land Value
Ratio
Potential
Live/ Work
Spaces
Conversion
Rate
Applied
Total
Potential
Units
L-1
010-135-026 Serena Court Central Commercial (CC)
Core
Commercial Yes C4 1972 0.69 7 100% 7
L-2
010-146-017 Doud Arcade Central Commercial (CC)
Core
Commercial Yes C5 1930 2.02 12 100% 12
L-3
010-131-027
Villa Carmel
mixed use
Residential & Limited
Commercial (RC)
Residential/
Commercial Yes C4 1987 0.66 13 100% 13
L-4
010-135-028
Eastwood
Building
Service Commercial
(SC)
Core
Commercial Yes C4 1972 0.69 8 100% 8
L-5
010-138-010
El Prado de Su
Vecino
Service Commercial
(SC)
Core
Commercial Yes C4 1968 1.07 10 100% 10
L-6
010-145-018
Stonehouse
Terrace
Service Commercial
(SC)
Core
Commercial Yes C3 1978 5.49 12 100% 12
L-7
010-132-003 Tejido Building Central Commercial (CC)
Core
Commercial No C4 1973 1.26 10 75% 8
L-8
010-132-016 Ivy Courtyard Central Commercial Core Commercial No C4 1976 0.50 10 75% 8 Totals 82 78
(6 ELI/ 29 VL/ 39 L)
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 14
Accessory Dwelling Units
Projected Housing Units
• Average 10.2 ADUs issued building permits per year between 2019 and 2024 • Projecting 10 ADUs per year over the next 7 years (2025 - 2031) • Affordable breakdown: 21/21/21/7 = 70 units
2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 Total
Estimated – – 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 70
Actual 13 21 15 49
Table A. Number of Building Permits Issued By Year for the 6th Cycle Planning Period CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 15
Religious Facilities
Site
No.*
Church
Address APNs SiteSize
General Plan
Land Use Zoning Allowable Density Height
Estimated Capacity
(Excluding Density
Bonus)
C-1 All Saints’ Episcopal
SWC Dolores Street &
9th Avenue
010-157-012
010-157-013
1.01 Single Family
Residential
Single Family
Residential (R-1)
20 du/ac 2-Story
24 feet
20 Lower
Income
C-2 First Church of Christ,
Scientist
Monte Verde 2 NE of
6th Avenue
010-212-004
010-212-021
010-212-026
010-212-027
010-212-028
010-212-029
010-212-030
0.63 Single Family
Residential
Single Family
Residential (R-1)
20 du/ac 2-Story
24 feet
13 Lower
Income
C-3 Church of the Wayfarer
NWC Lincoln & 7th
Avenue
010-191-002 0.37 Residential/
Commercial
Residential and
Limited Commercial
(RC)
88 du/ac 2-Story
26 feet
32 Lower
Income
Total 2.01 65 Lower Income
(6 ELI/29 VL/30 L)
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 16
Sites Inventory Summary
Buffer:
15-30%
recommended
No Net Loss:
Gov. Code
Sec. 65853
• Housing Element update/amendment is a General Plan Amendment • General Plan Amendment is a project under CEQA
• Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) adopted by City Council Resolution 2024-028 • Initial Study/Addendum prepared
• Analysis and conclusions of the adopted IS/MND remain unchanged • Mitigation measures remain adequate
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 17
Environmental Review
Staff recommends the Planning Commission:
1. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 1) recommending that the City Council adopt a Resolution approving an Addendum (Exhibit A to Attachment 1) to the adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration and associated Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the 6th cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element Amendment; and
2. Adopt a Resolution (Attachment 2) recommending that the City Council adopt a Resolution to amend the General Plan by adopting the 6th cycle 2023-2031 Housing Element Amendment (Exhibit A to Attachment 2) in compliance with State Housing Element Law.
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Recommendation
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Contact Information
Email:
[email protected]
Housing Resources:
https://ci.carmel.ca.us/post/housing
Contact:
Marnie R. Waffle, AICP
Principal Planner
Community Planning & Building
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
[email protected]
(831) 620-2010
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History
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THESEA
Overview
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THESEA
Evaluation Criteria
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THESEA
Proposal Scoring
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Discussion
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Discussion
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Discussion
• F
July to November, and onward.
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Discussion
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THESEA
Recap
DISCUSS PRIMARY ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR OF BALLOT
MEASURES FOR TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (TOT) AND
TRANSACTIONS AND USE (SALES) TAX AND APPROVE PRIMARY
ARGUMENTS OR PROVIDE OTHER DIRECTION
City Council Regular Meeting
July 7, 2026
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Background
This Agenda item is based on the direction from the City Council at its meeting on June 2, 2026 to discuss and consider on July 7, 2026 approving the Primary Argument in favor of the ballot measure for the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) ballot measure and the Transactions and Use (Sales) Tax ballot measure
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA 2
Section 10 a i of Resolutions on TOT
2026-042 and TUT (Sales) 2026-043
•i. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9282, the City Council authorizes the Mayor and City Councilmembers to author and submit the primary argument in favor of the Measure not exceeding 300 words, accompanied by the printed name(s) and signature(s) of the author(s) submitting it, in accordance with Article 4, Chapter 3, Division 9 of the Elections Code, and authorizes the Mayor and City Councilmembers, to submit a rebuttal argument to the argument against the Measure pursuant to Section 10(c).
TOT Ballot Question
To upgrade streets/sidewalks, address beach erosion, enhance wildfire preparedness, maintain City trees, and fund other general government purposes in City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, shall the measure establishing a new 2% transient occupancy tax, paid by lodging guests, in addition to the existing 10% transient occupancy tax, increasing the total tax rate to 12%, with the new 2% tax generating approximately $1,900,000 annually, and the total 12% tax generating $11,700,000 annually, until ended by voters, be adopted?
Draft Primary Argument in Support of
TOT Ballot Measure – Attachment 3
Your approval of Measure X would ask visitors staying in hotels and other overnight accommodations to contribute a little more to help improve our village. Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is paid entirely by overnight lodging guests.
Carmel’s TOT rate has remained at 10% for 28 years, and is well below neighboring cities and other comparable destination communities, which have TOT rates ranging from 12-15%, as shown below:
• Half Moon Bay – 15%
• Malibu – 15%
• Sausalito – 14%
• Marina – 14%
• Healdsburg – 14%
• St Helena – 13%
• Calistoga – 13%
• Sonoma – 13%
• Yountville – 13%
• Pacific Grove – 12%
• Monterey – 12%
Draft Primary Argument in Support of
TOT Ballot Measure – continued
Carmel-by-the-Sea remains at 10%.
Measure X would increase Carmel’s TOT to 12%, bringing us more in line with neighboring communities and generating approximately $1.9 million in annual revenue for the city. This would add just $5 to a $250 hotel room.
Visitors support local businesses, and related taxes help fund our city government, but tourism creates impacts for our residents.
Our city’s infrastructure is also heavily impacted. It is old, deteriorating, under constant stress, and in need of immediate repair. The current City Council estimates the cost to address this deferred maintenance in streets, sidewalks, facilities, stormwater management, beach hardening, and erosion control at over $100 million. Addressing this problem is important and urgent.
Draft Primary Argument in Support of
TOT Ballot Measure – continued
Before asking voters for this additional revenue, the current City Council made difficult decisions to limit operational spending, reallocating millions of dollars toward rehabilitating our aging infrastructure. But those efforts alone are not enough. We simply need more revenue to address these critical infrastructure needs and other city needs. Asking overnight lodging guests to contribute a little more will help.
Please join us by voting YES on measure X.
A little more from visitors. A lot more for Carmel.
TUT (Sales) Ballot Question
To upgrade streets/sidewalks, address beach erosion, enhance wildfire preparedness, maintain City trees, and fund other general government purposes in City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, shall the measure increasing the transaction and use tax (also known as sales tax) by 0.375%, from 1.50% to 1.875%, providing
approximately $1,800,000 annually in additional revenue and approximately $9,400,000 annually in total revenue, and extending the total 1.875% tax until ended by voters, with independent audits and all funds benefitting Carmel-by-the-Sea, be adopted? Draft Argument in Support of TUT Ballot
Measure (Attachment 4)
Measure Y presents Carmel voters with an important choice: keep local sales tax revenue in Carmel or risk having Monterey County or another regional agency claim it instead.
The total sales tax in Carmel-by-the-Sea is 9.25%, but only a fraction comes to the city. State law has long capped the locally controlled portion of the sales tax rate, but Carmel now has an opportunity to increase its 1.50% local share by 0.375%, to 1.875%. Because this recently identified 0.375% is also available to other government entities, Measure Y presents a "use it or lose it" opportunity. If Carmel does not act first, Monterey County or another regional agency could permanently divert these locally generated tax dollars away from Carmel.
Draft Argument in Support of TUT Ballot
Measure - Continued
In a tourist destination like ours, a substantial portion of sales tax is paid by visitors shopping and dining locally. Approving Measure Y would ask them to contribute a little more to help improve our village. It would add just 19 cents to a $50 restaurant bill while generating approximately $1.9 million in annual revenue for the city. Most food purchased in grocery stores is exempt.
Approving Measure Y would help fund long-overdue investments in critical infrastructure. Our infrastructure is old, deteriorating, and in need of immediate repair. The City Council estimates the cost to address this deferred maintenance in streets, sidewalks, facilities, stormwater management, beach hardening, and erosion control at over $100 million.
Addressing this challenge is urgent.
Draft Argument in Support of TUT Ballot
Measure - Continued
Before asking voters for this additional revenue, the City Council made difficult choices to limit operational spending, reallocating millions of dollars toward rehabilitating our aging infrastructure. But those efforts alone are not enough. We simply need more revenue to address these critical infrastructure needs and other city needs.
Please join us in voting YES on Measure Y.
Keep these dollars in Carmel.
Deadline to Submit Arguments
The deadline to submit the Primary Argument to the City Clerk is August 7, 2026 at 5:00 pm and the deadline to submit the Rebuttal Argument if an Opposition Primary Argument has been submitted is August 17, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Election Timeline
4 May 2026
Review Draft Resolution
and Ordinance
2 June
2026
If directed by Council,
consider adoption of
Resolution calling for the
general municipal
election and requesting
consolidation.
7 July
2026
Practical deadline to
adopt Resolution to add a
ballot measure
July–Oct.
2026
Public
outreach/engagement
11–16
Aug.
Filing period for primary
ballot arguments.
16–23
Aug.
City Attorney files
impartial analysis,
rebuttal
3 Nov. 2026
Election Day
Recommendations
1. Motion to approve Primary Argument in Favor of TOT Ballot Measure and authorize the City Administrator to revise the Primary Argument if necessary to comply with any requirements of the Monterey County Elections Department in consultation with Mayor Pro Tem Robert Delves and Councilmember Hans Buder.
2. Motion to approve Primary Argument in Favor of TUT (Sales)Tax Ballot Measure and authorize the City Administrator to revise the Primary Argument if necessary to comply with any requirements of the Monterey County Elections Department in consultation with Mayor Pro Tem Robert Delves and Councilmember Hans Buder.
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End of Presentation
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Questions?
Review of Fiscal Year
Revised 2026-2027 Fee Schedule
City Council Meeting
July 7, 2026
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
1 Present revisions to the fee and citation schedule,
seeking Council direction and approval
Purpose
2 Background
3 Previous Council Action:
• The FY 26/27 Fee Schedule was approved by Council on
May 5, 2026
• Council asked for updates and improvements
1. Waiver of Fees
2. Parking Citation Update
3. Simplified Descriptions, including Legal Costs
4. Unusual Services
Updates to Fee Schedule
4 Waiver of Fees
● General language allowing for the modification
of fees
● Specific examples of reasons for waivers
● Tied into current signing authorities
1. Waiver of Fees
5 Current Parking Citation Schedules
2. Parking Citation Update
6 Example:
3. Simplified Descriptions, including Legal Costs
7 True cost recovery option for unusual services:
4. Unusual Services
8 ● Fees = true cost to provide services to individuals ● Schedule effective 60 days after adoption
(September 29, 2026) per State of California Government Code Section 66017 (a).
Summary
9 Council to Provide Direction on the following:
• Recommend adoption of FY 26-27 fees as
proposed or as amended
Conclusion
10