Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council
September 1, 2026

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Contact: 831.620.2000 www.ci.carmel.ca.us
Mayor Dale Byrne
Councilmembers Jeff Baron, Hans Buder, Bob Delves, and
Alissandra Dramov
All meetings are held in the City Council Chambers
East Side of Monte Verde Street
Between Ocean and 7th Avenues
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
4:30 PM
Amended Agenda

HYBRID MEETING ATTENDANCE OPTIONS
This meeting will be held in person and via teleconference ("hybrid"). The public is welcome to attend the meeting in person or remotely via Zoom, however, the meeting will proceed as normal even if there are technical difficulties accessing Zoom. The City will do its best to resolve any technical issues as quickly as possible. To view or listen to the meeting from home, you may also watch the live stream on the City's YouTube page at: https://www.youtube.com/@CityofCarmelbytheSea/streams. To participate in the meeting via Zoom, copy and paste the link below into your browser and enter the passcode. https://ci-carmel-ca-us.zoom.us/j/83138976374
Webinar ID: 831 3897 6374
Passcode: 862068
Dial in: (253) 215-8782

HOW TO OFFER PUBLIC COMMENT
The public may give public comment at this meeting in person, or use the Zoom teleconference module, provided that there is access to Zoom during the meeting. Zoom comments will be taken after the inperson comments. The public can also email comments to [email protected]. Comments must be received at least 2 hours before the meeting in order to be provided to the legislative body. Comments received after that time and up to the beginning of the meeting will be made part of the record.

CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESS
A. Carmel High School Report Out
B. Non-profit spotlight: Monterey Peninsula College
C. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Proclamation

PUBLIC APPEARANCES

Members of the public are entitled to speak on matters of municipal concern not on the agenda during Public Appearances. Each person's comments shall be limited to 3 minutes, or as otherwise established by the Chair. While stating your name is optional, it helps to identify speakers in the meeting minutes. Under the Brown Act, public comment for matters on the agenda must relate to that agenda item, and public comments for matters not on the agenda must relate to the subject matter jurisdiction of this legislative body. Remote or in-person participants who do not comply with the requirements of the Brown Act will be muted.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
City Administrator Announcements
City Attorney Announcements
Councilmember Announcements

PUBLIC HEARINGS
1) Resolution 2026-066 adopting the revised Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Fee Schedule for Citywide services
2) Adoption of Urgency Ordinance 2026-004 Establishing Interim Home Hardening Regulations Citywide

ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Orders of Business are agenda items that require City Council discussion, debate, direction to staff, and/or action.
3) Receive an update regarding the status of the City Administrator recruitment; provide direction to staff regarding the recruitment process, schedule, and next steps; and consider adoption of Resolution 2026-067 establishing a revised salary range for the City Administrator position.
4) Receive a report and provide Direction Regarding the Development of a Streetscape Plan for Downtown
5) Resolution 2026-065 approving the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 At-Will (Unrepresented) Compensation and Benefits Plan, including a 0% cost-of-living adjustment, a reduction in employee CalPERS retirement contributions, and special market equity adjustments for certain classifications.

RECESS
The City Council will take a 30-minute break around 6:30 p.m.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

ADJOURNMENT
This agenda was posted at City Hall, Monte Verde Street between Ocean Avenue and 7th Avenue, Harrison Memorial Library, located on the NE corner of Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Street, the Carmel-bythe-Sea Post Office, 5th Avenue between Dolores Street and San Carlos Street, and the City's webpage (http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us) in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AFTER THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA Any correspondence or supplemental materials related to items on this agenda that are received after the agenda has been posted will be distributed to the City Council and made available for public review at City Hall (Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues) during regular business hours.

Written comments emailed to the City Clerk will not be read aloud, but will be posted online with the related agenda at: https://carmelbytheseaca.portal.civicclerk.com/.

SPECIAL NOTICES TO PUBLIC
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk's Office at 831-620-2000 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting to ensure that reasonable arrangements can be made to provide accessibility to the meeting (28CFR

35.102-35.104 ADA Title II).

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

CITY COUNCIL

PROCLAMATION
HONORING JACOB’S HEART CHILDREN’S CANCER SUPPORT SERVICES AND DECLARING SEPTEMBER 2026 AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH WHEREAS, the character of our community is revealed in how we treat our most vulnerable; and WHEREAS, each year, 19.2 in every 100,000 children in our community will be diagnosed with cancer; and WHEREAS, cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease among children— more than asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies, and AIDS combined; and WHEREAS, Jacob’s Heart has been keeping medically fragile children and families housed, fed, and emotionally supported by steadfastly adhering to the following commitments:
1) Parents of children with cancer and other serious illnesses will be relieved of financial fears and able to focus attention on their children; and
2) No child undergoing intensive treatment in our community will be homeless; and 3) Families of seriously ill children will not experience food insecurity; and 4) No seriously ill child in our community will ever miss a medical appointment because of a lack of transportation; and
WHEREAS, Jacob’s Heart holds the memories and honors legacies of hundreds of children from our local community who have been lost to cancer, ensuring that their memories will never be forgotten; and WHEREAS, the oncology department at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford has worked closely with Jacob's Heart for the past 28 years as a trusted community partner in providing family-centered care that addresses the emotional, practical, and financial struggles of families of children with cancer in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea; and
WHEREAS, it is important for all Carmel-by-the-Sea City residents to recognize the impact of pediatric cancer on families within our community and honor the children in our community whose lives have been cut short by cancer.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED THAT I, Dale Byrne, Mayor of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, on behalf of the City Council and the citizens of Carmel hereby proclaim September 2026, as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, and do hereby honor Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services for their outstanding support to our community and acknowledge the organization’s contributions to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of September 2026, in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California.
______________________________
Dale Byrne, Mayor

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council
Staff Report
September 1, 2026

PUBLIC HEARINGS
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Jayme Fields, Finance Manager
APPROVED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-066 adopting the revised Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Fee Schedule for Citywide services
RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Resolution 2027-066 (Attachment 1) adopting the revised Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Fee Schedule for Citywide services.

BACKGROUND / SUMMARY:

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea is a unique coastal community that takes pride in providing high-quality services to its residents and visitors. As a small city, our financial health is heavily dependent on volatile revenue sources, specifically Sales Tax and Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT). These sources are subject to economic fluctuations beyond the City’s control. To maintain essential services—such as public safety, forest and beach maintenance, and library services—the City must ensure that its feesupported services are accurately priced to recover the actual cost of providing them.

The City provides a variety of services that benefit specific customers, such as the issuance of business licenses, planning and building permits, and tree removal permits.  In accordance with State law, the City is legally allowed to charge a fee to the user of a specific service to recover the cost of providing the service.  To help determine the cost of providing certain services, as well as to develop alternative and more equitable ways to finance some services, the City commissioned Pace Productivity to perform a comprehensive 2026 Fee Study, updating the previous study conducted by Revenue & Cost Specialists (RCS). Together these studies move the City from estimated inflationary adjustments to a data-driven model based on actual staff

time and overhead costs.  The amended Fiscal Year 2026-2027 fee schedule (“FY 26- 27”) is based on these studies, with enhancements based on further studies of operations.

Along with enhancing several fee descriptions, the attached schedule (Attachment 2) removes the proposed fee waiver process and includes an adjustment to the fee schedule that was discussed at the August 4, 2026 meeting (see "Encroachment Permits" below).

Encroachment Permits
TEMPORARY ENCROACHMENT PERMIT $ 453 per permit

POWER WASHING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT
(NEW)
$ 209 per permit
The above revision is based on discussions with the Planning and Public Works departments. Per analysis of time spent, power washing projects generally take less time than the average temporary encroachment permit. The above cost represents that estimated reduced time.

In addition to the above, the Council asked whether the Landscaping Plan Check/Inspection fee might be broken into a tiered structure, based on the complexity of the project. Per the recent cost study, the current Landscaping Plan Check is calculated as follows:

LANDSCAPE PLAN CHECK/INSPECTION
Cost per
Transaction
Hours per Transaction
total amount 875.29 4.61
ADMIN

COORDINATOR

55.89 0.49

PROJECT

PLANNER
480.14 2.63
CITY FORESTER 279.48 0.99
MAINT WORKER 59.79 0.49

The detail of current operating procedures was reviewed with the Planning Department, Public Works Supervisor and City Forester. Together they were able to clarify that the majority of landscaping projects do not require any fee. Instead, the above fee is only charged where significant grading and planting changes are being made. Generally this is in conjunction with the engagement of a landscape contractor. Projects being completed by homeowners (i.e. going to local hardware stores and buying a lot of plants to plant), as was mentioned at the prior meeting, do not require a permit.

Effectively, the Tier 1 permit level is $0, and the Planning Department informs applicants of this when they apply.

Finally, in addition to the amendments on the schedule, there are some additional fees that should be included on the master fee schedule but the City is still in the process of completing studies thereon.  Those fees will be brought back for approval separately.

Summary
The purpose of this agenda item  is to provide an update regarding fees, and for Council to adopt the proposed revised master fee schedule for the upcoming fiscal year. The fees will become effective 60-days after adoption of the resolution, which is October 31, 2026.

By implementing the 2026 revised Fee Schedule, the City Council ensures that the individuals receiving specific services pay for the staff time they consume. This protects the City's volatile Sales Tax and TOT revenues, allowing them to be dedicated to the core municipal services that define the character of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Staff recommends the adoption of the revised 2026 fee schedule. However, the City Council retains full discretion in establishing fee levels and may choose to adopt, modify, phase, or defer any proposed adjustments based on policy priorities, community considerations, and broader financial conditions.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The revenue from fees allows the City to recover the costs of providing a service to help offset the cost of services. This means that the overall General Fund revenues are not subsidizing user fees, so more of the General Fund is available to fund communitywide activities that have a public benefit, like libraries, public safety, and public works.

Consistent with financial policy C94-01, the proposed fee schedule has been updated to reflect the City’s current costs.  The estimated worst-case impact of these additional changes could be a decrease of less than $1,000 based on the current number of power washing encroachment permits, but the proposed changes to fees could also result in an unknown increase if more encroachment permits are purchased for increased power washing activity.

PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:

The Council previously approved the FY 26-27 Fee schedule on June 2, 2026.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Resolution 2026-066

2. Exhibit A - revised Master Fee Schedule FY 26-27

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 2027-066

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA ADOPTING THE REVISED FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FEE SCHEDULE FOR CITYWIDE

SERVICES
WHEREAS, in accordance with City Financial Policies, Policy 94-01, the City shall review the relationship between fees/charges and the cost of providing services at least every three years; and
WHEREAS, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea retained Pace Productivity in the Fall of 2025 to identify the City’s reasonable costs borne for providing services; the beneficiaries of those services, and the revenues generated by those paying fees for receiving services; and WHEREAS, the City wishes to comply with both the letter and the spirit of Article XIIIB of the California Constitution and limit the growth of taxes; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to Government Code Section 66016, the specific fees and charges to be levied for services must be adopted by the City Council by ordinance or resolution, after holding a public hearing; and,
WHEREAS, a notice of a public hearing has been published in the Carmel Pine Cone on June 19, 2026 and a public hearing to review the service charges was held on August 4, 2026; and a public hearing has been published in the Carmel Pine Code on August 21, 2026 and a public hearing to approve the service charges as held on September 1, 2026; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMELBY-THE-SEA DOES HEREBY:

Section 1. Fee Schedule Adoption. The following schedule of fees and charges are hereby directed to be computed by and applied by the various City departments, and to be collected by the City Finance Department for the herein listed special services when provided by the City or its designated contractors.

Section 2. Separate Fee for Each Process. All fees set forth by this resolution are for each identified process; additional fees shall be required for each additional process or service that is requested or required. Where fees are indicated on a “per unit” of measurement basis, the fee is for each identified unit or portion thereof within the indicated ranges of such units.

Section 3. Listing of Fees. The following fees shall be charged and collected for the following enumerated services, as shown in Exhibit A.

Section 4. Interpretations. This Resolution may be interpreted by the City department heads in consultation with the City Administrator and, should there be a conflict between two fees, the lower in dollar amount of the two shall be applied.

ATTACHMENT 1

Resolution 2026-066

A. It is the intention of the City Council to review the fees and charges as determined and set out herein based on the City’s next Annual Budget and all the City’s costs reasonably borne as established at that time and, as and if warranted, to revise such fees and charges based thereon.

Section 5. Constitutionality. If any portion of this Resolution is declared invalid or unconstitutional then it is the intention of the City Council to have passed the entire Resolution and all its component parts, and all other sections of this Resolution shall remain in full force and effect.

Section 6. Repealer. All resolutions and other actions of the City Council in conflict with the contents of this Resolution are hereby repealed.

Section 7. Effective Date. This Resolution shall go into full force and effect on October 31, 2026.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA this 1st day of September, 2026, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

APPROVED: ATTEST:
_________________________ _________________________
Dale Byrne Nova Romero, MMC
Mayor City Clerk
ATTACHMENT: EXHIBIT A – REVISED FEE SCHEDULE FOR FY 26-27 ATTACHMENT 1

Fee Code
Fee

COMMUNITY PLANNING & BUILDING
Design Study and Review
S-001 TRACK 1 DESIGN REVIEW/STUDY - MINOR $ 930 per application 930.00 S-002 TRACK 1 DESIGN REVIEW/STUDY - MAJOR $1,307 per application 1,307.00 S-002A TRACK 1 DESIGN REVIEW/STUDY-STREAMLINE $ 314 per application 314.00 S-003 TRACK 1 DESIGN REVIEW/STUDY - REFERRAL TO

PLANNING COMMISSION
$2,267 per application in addition to the base Track 1
fee 2,267.00
S-003A TRACK 1 DESIGN REVIEW/STUDY-REFERRAL TO

HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
$2,223 per application in addition to the base Track 1
fee 2,223.00
S-004
TRACK 2 DESIGN REVIEW - MINOR $5,010 per application plus deposit* if hours exceed 20 hours 5,010.00
S-005
TRACK 2 DESIGN REVIEW - MAJOR $7,571 per application plus deposit* if hours exceed 30 hours 7,571.00
S-005A TRACK 2 DESIGN REVIEW - MAJOR NEW COMMERCIAL
BUILDING $3,164 per application, plus a deposit* 3,164.00 S-121 ADDITIONAL PLAN CHECK - PLANNING $465 each, after three plan checks 465.00 S-006 PRELIMINARY SITE ASSESSMENT $1,914 per application 1,914.00 S-007 REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION $ 256 per application, plus fee for associated Design Study/Design Review as applicable 256.00
S-008 VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS $ 180 per application, plus $1,500 deposit toward costs ** 180.00
Use Permit and Other Services
S-009 USE PERMIT $3,922 per application 3,922.00
S-011 USE PERMIT AMENDMENT $3,506 per application 3,506.00 S-012 TEMPORARY USE PERMIT $ 212 per application 212.00 S-013 RESTRICTED COMMERCIAL USE TRANSFER REQUEST $ 776 per application 776.00 S-014 WATER CREDIT TRANSFER REQUEST $3,949 per application 3,949.00 S-015 VARIANCE $2,232 per application 2,232.00
S-017 PRELIMINARY APPLICATION REVIEW - STAFF $1,735 per application with 50% of this fee credited towards future planning fees for this project. 1,735.00 S-018

PRELIMINARY APPLICATION REVIEW - PUBLIC

HEARING (PLANNING COMMISSION, CITY COUNCIL,
ETC.)
$4,750 per application with 50% of this fee credited
towards future planning fees for this project. 4,750.00 S-019 COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT - DEVELOPMENT $ 238 per application - Added to other Planning fees 238.00 S-019A COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PERMIT - EVENT $1,016 per application 1,016.00 S-060 LANDSCAPE PLAN CHECK/INSPECTION $1,016 per plan/inspection 875.00 PLANNING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Charge the fully allocated hourly rate for all personnel involved after 15 minutes.

TOBACCO RETAIL LICENSE Current fee as adopted by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors
EXTRAORDINARY DEVELOPMENT Deposit amount TBD based on scope of project ** Amendments, Annexations and Agreements
S-020 SPECIFIC PLAN/SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT $5,253 deposit toward costs ** 5,253.00 S-022 GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT $5,253 deposit toward costs ** 5,253.00 S-023 SPHERE OF INFLUENCE AMENDMENT $5,253 deposit toward costs ** 5,253.00 S-024 ZONING CODE AMENDMENT $5,253 deposit toward costs ** 5,253.00 S-025 ANNEXATION $10,506 deposit toward costs ** 10,506.00 S-026 DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT $10,506 deposit toward costs ** 10,506.00 Environmental Review Maps and Lot Lines
S-027 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (IS/ND/EIR) Contract cost plus 10% S-028 FILING ENVIRONMENTAL NOTICE OF EXEMPTION $ 737 per application plus associated Monterey County fees 737.00
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR, revised EXHIBIT A - RESO 2026-066 ATTACHMENT 2

Fee Code
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR, revised Fee S-029 MITIGATION MONITORING $3,152 deposit toward costs ** 3,152.00 S-030 TENTATIVE/FINAL MAP $4,202 deposit toward costs ** 4,202.00 S-031 AMENDED FINAL MAP $1,051 deposit toward costs ** 1,051.00 S-032 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE $1,018 per application plus actual contract cost 1,018.00 S-033

LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT/SUBDIV - PLANNING
COMMISSION $1,340 per application plus actual contract cost 1,340.00 S-034 LOT MERGER $1,042 per application plus actual contract cost 1,042.00 Historic Evaluation
S-035 PRELIMINARY PHASE 1 - INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF

HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
$ 402 per application plus Historian fee (currently
$474) 402.00
S-035A PHASE 1 - HISTORIC EVALUATION $ 580 per application plus actual cost for Historian review with $1,500 deposit 580.00 S-036 PHASE 2 - HISTORIC EVALUATION (INCLUDES

HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD HEARING)
$2,567 per application plus actual cost for Historian
review with $1,500 deposit 2,567.00
S-037 APPEAL TO HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD $2,053 per application plus actual cost for Historian review with $1,500 deposit *** 2,053.00 S-038 MILLS ACT CONTRACT APPLICATION $4,293 per application plus actual cost to record contract with County of Monterey 4,293.00
MILLS ACT MAINTENANCE PLAN REVIEW $1,051 deposit toward costs** 1,051.00 MILLS ACT 5-YEAR INSPECTION $ 525 deposit toward costs ** 525.00 MILLS ACT 10-YEAR MAINTENANCE PLAN REVIEW $1,051 deposit toward costs** 1,051.00 Determinations, Extensions and Appeals
S-039 PLANNING COMMISSION CODE DETERMINATION $2,196 per application 2,196.00 S-040 ZONING COMPLIANCE DETERMINATION Charge the fully allocated hourly rates for all personnel involved with a one hour minimum S-041 PERMIT TIME EXTENSION - STAFF $ 538 per application 538.00 S-042 PERMIT TIME EXTENSION - PLANNING COMMISSION $1,349 per application 1,349.00 S-042A PERMIT TIME EXTENSION - CITY COUNCIL $1,312 per application 1,312.00 S-043

PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUANCE - PLANNING
COMMISSION $ 992 per continuance 992.00
S-043A PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUANCE - COUNCIL $ 992 per continuance 992.00 S-044 APPEAL TO PLANNING COMMISSION
$2,501 per appeal ***- No charge for appeals of
Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) within the
Coastal Commission Appeal Jurisdiction (CMC

17.20.140)
2,501.00
S-044A APPEAL TO CITY COUNCIL
$2,712 per appeal ***- No charge for appeals of
Coastal Development Permits (CDPs) within the
Coastal Commission Appeal Jurisdiction (CMC

17.20.140)
2,712.00
Sign and Banners
S-045 SIGN APPLICATION $ 601 per application 601.00
S-046 SIGN REFERRAL TO PLANNING COMMISSION $1,907 per application 1,907.00 S-047 RELOCATE EXISTING SIGN $ 328 per application 328.00 TEMPORARY SIGN PERMIT No permit fee required 0.00

BANNER APPLICATION
$0 per application, applicant bears the fully burdened
cost of installation through City approved third-party
vendors
Building Services
S-050 BUILDING RELOCATION Deposit toward costs **
S-051 LARGE FAMILY DAY CARE (RESIDENTIAL) $3,216 per application 3,216.00 GENERAL PLAN UPDATE 15. % of all Building & Safety permits 15.0% S-054 BUILDING PLAN CHECK Based on Building and Safety Construction Valuation S-122 ADDITIONAL PLAN CHECK - BUILDING $ 409 each, after three plan checks 409.00 EXHIBIT A - RESO 2026-066 ATTACHMENT 2

Fee Code
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR, revised Fee S-054A BUILDING INSPECTION Based on Building and Safety Construction Valuation S-054B BUILDING RE-INSPECTION $ 179 per re-inspection 179.00 S-123 OWNER BUILDER PLAN CHECK & INSPECTION Based on Building and Safety Construction Valuation S-054C BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION EXTENSION $ 123 per extension (maximum of 4) 123.00 S-054D BUILDING PERMIT EXTENSION $ 206 per extension (maximum of 2) 206.00 S-054E BUILDING PERMIT PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE $ 464 per application 464.00 S-124

STORM WATER CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION -
RESIDENTIAL per winter season 374.00
S-125

STORM WATER CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION -
COMMERCIAL per weekly inspection 125.00
S-055 BUILDING SINGLE TRADE PERMIT $ 201 per permit 201.00 S-055A ON-SITE DRIVEWAY PERMIT $ 512 per permit 512.00
S-056 SOLAR PLAN CHECK/INSPECTION PERMIT Plan Check AND Inspection - $ 450 plus $15 per kW over 15kW (Per Assembly Bill 1414) 450.00 S-057 RE-ROOF PERMIT $ 332 per permit 332.00
S-058 BUILDING BOARD APPEAL $1,394 per appeal *** 1,394.00 S-059 DUPLICATE INSPECTION CARD $ 78 per card 78.00
BUILDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Charge the fully allocated hourly rate for all personnel involved after 15 minutes.

S-059B STOP WORK INVESTIGATION $ 784 per investigation plus double all Building Permit fees 784.00
S-059C TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY $ 281 per application 281.00 S-059D ALTERNATE MATERIALS/METHODS REVIEW $ 277 per application plus actual cost of City Staff for all time over one hour. 277.00 S-059E BUILDING PHASED WORK REQUEST $ 402 per application 402.00 0% BUILDING TECHNOLOGY SURCHARGE $ 9 per permit 9.00
Bench Program
S-061 NEW BENCH LOCATION
$3,676 per application plus the actual cost of the
bench and plaque (plus $750 for future maintenance)
plus $2,005 if a public hearing is required.
3,676.00
S-062 ADOPTION OF EXISTING BENCH
$1,560 per application plus the actual cost of the
refurbished bench and plaque (plus $750 for future
maintenance) plus $530 if a public hearing is required. 1,560.00
S-063 REPLACEMENT OF BENCH PLAQUE $1,209 per application plus the actual cost of the plaque plus $530 if a public hearing is required. 1,209.00 Encroachment Permits
S-069 TEMPORARY ENCROACHMENT PERMIT $ 453 per permit 453.00 POWER WASHING ENCROACHMENT PERMIT $ 209 per permit 209.00 S-070xa STREET EXCAVATION (incl. street trench cut) $1,056 per permit, plus $8.75/lineal foot of work being performed 1,056.00
S-070xb STREET EXCAVATION - SEWER LINE LATERAL $ 250 per permit, plus $8.75/lineal foot of work being performed 250.00
S-126 GRADING - PLAN REVIEW Based on Public Works Construction Valuation S-127 GRADING - INSPECTION Based on Public Works Construction Valuation S-128 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS - PLAN REVIEW Based on Public Works Construction Valuation S-129 PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS - INSPECTION Based on Public Works Construction Valuation S-130 TRAFFIC ANALYSIS REVIEW $ 409 per application plus actual outside costs. 409.00 S-131 ADDITIONAL PLAN CHECK - PUBLIC WORKS $ 409 per application plus actual outside costs. 409.00 EXHIBIT A - RESO 2026-066 ATTACHMENT 2

Fee Code
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR, revised Fee S-070 PERMANENT ENCROACHMENT PERMIT
$1,581 per permit plus $8.75/lineal foot
Plus cost of any damage to public right-of-way or
street as determined by the Public Works Director
Plus cost of and Design Study/Design Review as
needed
Plus cost of referral to City Council if needed.
1,581.00
S-070A TRAFFIC CONTROL PLAN REVIEW/INSPECTION $1,296 per review plus $405 per each additional review 1,296.00 SIDEWALK VENDING PERMIT $ 469 per new applications 469.00 $ 231 per renewal 231.00

USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT - CP&B
DEPARTMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT

USE OF CREDIT CARD/ DEBIT CARD - CP&B
DEPARTMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT

PUBLIC WORKS/FORESTRY
S-002B TREE EVALUATION $ 250 per application 250.00
S-002Bx TREE REMOVAL PERMIT - DEAD TREE $ 250 per permit 250.00 S-072 TREE REMOVAL PERMIT $1,631 per permit 1,631.00
S-072A TREE PRUNING PERMIT $ 250 per permit 250.00

PRUNING OR REMOVAL OF CITY TREE USING PRIVATE
FUNDS UNDER CITY FORESTER INSTRUCTIONS No permit fee required 0.00 S-072C APPEAL TO FOREST & BEACH COMMISSION $3,331 per appeal plus actual outside costs *** 3,331.00 S-044A APPEAL TO CITY COUNCIL $2,712 per appeal plus actual outside costs *** 2,712.00 S-073
REMOVAL OF PRIVATE TREE FALL IN PUBLIC RIGHT-OFWAY
Charge the fully allocated hourly rate for all personnel involved plus any outside costs
S-074 DAMAGE TO CITY PROPERTY Charge the fully allocated hourly rate for all personnel involved plus any outside costs

USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT- PUBLIC
WORKS DEPT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT

USE OF CREDIT CARD/ DEBIT CARD- PUBLIC WORKS
DEPT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT

PUBLIC SAFETY
Police Services
S-075 LOUD PARTY PUBLIC DISTURB. - 1st Response First Response - No Charge First Response - N S-075xa LOUD PARTY PUBLIC DISTURB. - 2nd Response Second Response the same day - $ 337 per response 337.00 S-075xb LOUD PARTY PUBLIC DISTURB. - 3rd+ Response Third Response within a calendar year - $ 674 per response 674.00 S-076 POLICE FALSE ALARM - 1st RESPONSE First Activation - $ 154 154.00 S-076xa POLICE FALSE ALARM - 2nd RESPONSE Second Activation - $ 185 185.00 S-076xb POLICE FALSE ALARM - 3rd+ RESPONSE Each Subsequent Activation in a calendar year - $ 278 278.00 S-077 ALARM PERMIT - New New - $ 40 per permit 40.00
S-077xa ALARM PERMIT - Renewal Renewal - $ 30 per permit 30.00 S-078 VEHICLE IMPOUND RELEASE $ 202 per vehicle 202.00
S-079 MISDEMEANOR BOOKING Non-Carmel bookings - $ 230 per booking 230.00 S-080 MISCELLANEOUS POLICE PERMIT $ 259 per application plus DOJ fees 259.00 S-081 FINGERPRINTING ON REQUEST $ 40 plus outside agency fees 40.00 S-082 CLEARANCE FORM TRAVEL LETTER $ 57 per letter 57.00 S-083 VIN VERIFICATION $ 63 per vehicle 63.00
S-084 CITATION SIGN-OFF Non-Carmel citations - $ 38 per citation 38.00 S-087 SIGN ABATEMENT $ 45 per sign 45.00
S-089 POLICE COURT WITNESS Fees are set by the court
EXHIBIT A - RESO 2026-066 ATTACHMENT 2

Fee Code
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR, revised Fee S-090 POLICE REPORT COPY 1st 10 pages - No Charge, Each additional page - $1.00 1.00 S-091 POLICE PHOTOGRAPH COPY Photo - $ 6 per photo, digital - $ 6 per disk 6.00 USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT USE OF CREDIT CARD/ DEBIT CARD 2.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT
Animal Services
ANIMAL IMPOUND Within a calendar year:

S-085 ANIMAL IMPOUND - 1st IMPOUND First impound - $ 117 117.00 S-085xa ANIMAL IMPOUND - 2nd IMPOUND Second impound - $ 137 137.00 S-085xb ANIMAL IMPOUND - 3rd+ IMPOUND Third and subsequent impounds - $ 161 161.00 S-086 ANIMAL TRANSPORT - Local Local Transport - $ 29 per transport 29.00 S-086xa ANIMAL TRANSPORT - To County To County Animal Shelter - $ 104 per transport 104.00 Parking
S-088 RESIDENT/EMPLOYEE PARKING PERMIT $ 40 per permit 40.00 $ 127 Misuse of Residential Permit 127.00
S-111xa CONTRACTOR PARKING PERMIT - Non Specific $ 19 non specific 19.00 S-111xb CONTRACTOR PARKING PERMIT - Specific $ 43 space specific 43.00 NORTON COURT PARKING GARAGE $2,520 annually per space, $630 quarterly per space 2,520.00
USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT Fire Services
FIRE PLAN CHECK/ REVIEW/INSPECTIONS Current fee schedule as adopted by City of Monterey Council
USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT USE OF CREDIT CARD/ DEBIT CARD 2.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT
AMBULANCE TRANSPORT SERVICES Current fee schedule as adopted by Monterey County ambulance transport

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
S-107 NEW BUSINESS REG. PROCESS - Fixed Location Fixed Location - $ 584 per application + $4 State fee 584.00 S-107xa NEW BUSINESS REG. PROCESS - In & About In & About - $ 40 per application + $4 State fee 40.00 S-107xb NEW BUSINESS REG. PROCESS - Home License Home License - $ 219 per application 219.00 S-108 BUSINESS REGISTER RENEWAL PROCESS $ 22 per renewal +$4 State fee 22.00 S-109 DUPLICATE BUSINESS LICENSE $ 9 per license 9.00
S-110 CHANGE BUSINESS NAME $ 30 per business 30.00
USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT Finance
S-113 NSF CHECK PROCESSING $ 56 per NSF check 56.00
City Clerk
S-114 DOCUMENT REPRODUCTION/SCANNING First 10 copies - No Charge First 10 copies - N Additional copies - $0.25 per copy 0.25
FPPC copies - $0.15 per copy plus $5 for retrieval of
documents if more than five years old plus postage
cost if mailed

0.15 S-115 ELECTRONIC FILE COPY $ 6 per device 6.00
S-116 DOCUMENT CERTIFICATION $ 12 per document 12.00
S-118

RECORD COMPILATION
Record Compilation/Creation - charge the fully
allocated hourly rate for all personnel involved plus
any outside costs.

S-119 LOCAL CANDIDATE FILING $ 25 per candidate- Fee is set by the State 25.00 S-120 LOCAL INITIATIVE PROCESSING
$ 200 per initiative- This fee is limited by the State
Law - Elections Code Section 9202(b) - Fee is
refundable to the filer, if within one year of filing the notice of intent, the elections official certifies the
sufficiency of the petition.
200.00
EXHIBIT A - RESO 2026-066 ATTACHMENT 2

Fee Code
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR, revised Fee USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT USE OF CREDIT CARD/ DEBIT CARD 2.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT

COMMUNITY ACTIVITES
S-092 BEACH SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT Processing: Non-Profit/School - $ 135 per permit 135.00 Processing: Other - $ 135 per permit 135.00
Rental: Non-Profit/School - $ 293 per rental plus $500
refundable damage deposit 293.00
Rental: Other - $ 586 per rental plus $500 refundable
damage deposit 586.00
Sounds Permit: Non-Profit/School - $ 12 per permit

12.00 Sounds Permit: Other - $ 29 per permit 29.00
S-094 SPECIAL EVENT PERMIT Processing: Non-Profit/School - $ 211 per permit 211.00 Processing: Other - $ 405 per permit 405.00
Rental: Non-Profit/School - $ 293 per rental plus $500
refundable damage deposit 293.00
Rental: Other - $ 586 per rental plus $500 refundable
damage deposit 586.00
With Alcohol: Non-Profit/School - $ 53 per permit

53.00 With Alcohol: Other - $ 211 per permit 211.00
Sounds Permit: Non-Profit/School - $ 12 per permit

12.00 Sounds Permit: Other - $ 29 per permit 29.00
S-095

SPECIAL EVENT OVERTIME SERVICES
Overtime Staff time: Non-Profit/School - Charge 25%
of the fully allocated hourly rates for all personnel
involved
Overtime Staff time: Other - Charge 100% of the fully
allocated hourly rates for all personnel involved
Barricade Rental - $1,171 Resident Block Party - No
Charge 1,171.00
Parking Stall Rental: Non-Profit/School - $ 211 per
permit plus $100 per stall/day 211.00
Parking Stall Rental: Other - $861 per permit plus
$150 per stall/day 861.00
Parking Stall Rental: Peak Demand Rental - $300 per
stall/day
S-096 FILM PERMIT - Non-Profit Non-Profit/Student - $ 129 129.00 S-096xa FILM PERMIT - Still Other: Still Photo - $ 385 385.00 S-096xb FILM PERMIT - Motion Picture Other: Motion Picture - $ 655 655.00 S-097 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES APPEAL $1,174 per appeal *** 1,174.00 S-099
FACILITY RENTAL $ 90 per hour plus $125 refundable cleaning deposit

90.00 USE OF ONLINE ELECTRONIC PAYMENT 3.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT USE OF CREDIT CARD/ DEBIT CARD 2.5% OF CHARGED AMOUNT
Library
S-102 INTERLIBRARY LOAN PROCESSING $ 3 per item 3.00
S-104 LOST/DAMAGED MATERIALS PROCESSING Actual cost of lost or damaged materials SELF SERVE LIBRARY COPYING Black and White - $0.20 per copy 0.20 City Wide
EXHIBIT A - RESO 2026-066 ATTACHMENT 2

Fee Code
MASTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR, revised Fee * Deposit determined by staff with charges at the fully allocated hourly rates for associated staff. May require a fee agreement. ** Costs to include charges at the fully allocated hourly rates plus any outside costs. May require a Fee Agreement. *** Plus legal costs related to appeal.

For services requested of City staff which have no fee listed in this fee schedule, the City Administrator or the City Administrator’s designee shall determine the appropriate fee based on the hours of service provided by the City at the established hourly rates for this department. Additionally, the City will pass-through to the applicant any discrete costs incurred from the use of external service providers if required to process the specific application.

EXHIBIT A - RESO 2026-066 ATTACHMENT 2

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council
Staff Report
September 1, 2026

PUBLIC HEARINGS
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator APPROVED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator SUBJECT: Adoption of Urgency Ordinance 2026-004 Establishing Interim Home Hardening Regulations Citywide
RECOMMENDATION:

Motion to adopt Urgency Ordinance 2026-004 Establishing Interim Home Hardening Regulations Citywide.

BACKGROUND / SUMMARY:

On August 4, 2026, the City Council considered potential interim home hardening measures intended to improve wildfire resilience throughout Carmel-by-the-Sea while more permanent regulations are developed. Following discussion, Council directed staff to return with an urgency ordinance for formal consideration.

Consistent with that direction, staff has prepared the attached urgency ordinance addressing the following four items:

1. Gravel Adjacent to Structures – Exempt gravel from site coverage calculations when installed within five feet of a structure, removing a regulatory barrier to creating a noncombustible area immediately adjacent to homes.

2. Firewood and Other Combustible Material Storage – Apply existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) storage requirements citywide.

3. Ember-Resistant Vents – Apply existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI ember-resistant vent standards citywide.

4. Fire-Resistant Windows – Apply existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI glazing standards citywide.

The attached urgency ordinance (Attachment 1) reflects the direction provided by Council on August 4, 2026. As part of its consideration of the urgency ordinance, Council may modify any of the proposed provisions or language as it determines appropriate prior to adoption.

Importantly, these standards are not intended to require retroactive improvements to existing homes. Existing improvements may remain in place. The new standards will apply prospectively when applicable alterations, replacements, or other work are undertaken. For example, an existing window or vent would not need to be replaced solely because it does not meet the new standard; however, when that window or vent is replaced or altered in the future, the applicable standard would apply.

As an urgency ordinance, the ordinance will take effect immediately upon adoption by a four-fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council. This Urgency Ordinance will remain in effect unless and until the City Council adopts a regular Ordinance approving revised Design Guidelines.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Implementation of the urgency ordinance can be accomplished with existing staff resources. Any additional permit review or enforcement responsibilities are expected to be minimal and incorporated into existing departmental operations.

PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:

On August 4, 2026, the City Council considered potential interim home hardening regulations and directed staff to return with an urgency ordinance for Council consideration.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Urgency Ordinance 2026-004 - with exhibits

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

CITY COUNCIL
URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 2026-004

URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

ESTABLISHING INTERIM HOME HARDENING REGULATIONS APPLICABLE CITYWIDE WHEREAS, on August 4, 2026, the Council received a Staff Report (“Staff Report”) requesting direction regarding whether to prepare an urgency ordinance establishing interim home hardening regulations citywide and a true copy of this Staff Report is attached hereto as Exhibit “A”; and
WHEREAS, the Staff Report requested the Council to consider four recommendations for inclusion in the urgency ordinance: (1) Gravel Adjacent to Structures as Site Coverage; (2) Firewood and Other Combustible Material Storage; (3) Ember-Resistant Vents and (4) FireResistant Windows; and WHEREAS, on August 4, 2026, the Council directed staff to return to the Council with a proposed Urgency Ordinance establishing interim home hardening regulations citywide; and WHEREAS, this Urgency Ordinance will offer additional wildfire protection citywide while more permanent regulations are adopted by a regular Ordinance; and WHEREAS, based upon the foregoing, the City Council finds pursuant to Government Code Section 36937 (b) that this Urgency Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety to allow the City sufficient time to the complete further study of permanent regulation to be included in a regular Ordinance

NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. Incorporation of Recitals. The City Council of the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea incorporates the Recitals above by reference as though fully set forth here.

SECTION 2. Codification. This Urgency Ordinance shall not be codified in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Municipal Code.

SECTION 3. CEQA/Environmental Findings. This Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3 (“CEQA Guidelines”) based on CEQA Guidelines Section 15307- Actions by Regulatory Agencies for protection of natural resources, and Section 15308 – Actions by Regulatory Agencies for protection of the environment.

ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 1 of 11

SECTION 4. Gravel Adjacent to Structures. Exempt gravel from site coverage calculations contained in CMC Title 17 when installed within five feet of a structure. This will remove an unintended barrier to creating the noncombustible "Zone 0" area recommended by CAL FIRE while maintaining existing site coverage limitations elsewhere on the property. All gravel must comply with the existing City Design Guidelines (earth tone, muted colors, natural, etc.) and is subject to design review by the Community Planning and Building Department.

SECTION 5. Firewood and Other Combustible Material Storage. Apply the existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI storage requirements (attached as Exhibit “B”) citywide so that all properties are subject to the same fire-safe storage standards regardless of their mapped hazard designation. When applicable, storage methods and structures are subject to review and approval by the Community Planning and Building Department.

SECTION 6. Ember-Resistant Vents. Apply the existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI ember-resistant vent requirements (attached as Exhibit “C”) throughout the City. As under current law, the standards would apply only when vents are replaced or altered and would not require immediate retrofitting of existing homes. When applicable, the installation of new vents is subject to review and approval by the Community Planning and Building Department.

SECTION 7. Fire-Resistant Windows. Apply the existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI glazing standards (attached as Exhibit “D”) throughout the City. As with existing State law, the requirements would apply only when windows are replaced or altered, would not require immediate retrofitting of existing homes, and would continue to recognize historic preservation exceptions. When applicable, the installation of new windows is subject to review and approval by the Community Planning and Building Department.

SECTION 8. Enforcement. Violations of this Urgency Ordinance may be enforced by the City pursuant to the provisions of City Municipal Code Section 1.16.010 Violation – Penalties which provides in subsection A that the violation of any provision or section of this code, or any code adopted herein by reference, or the failing to comply with any mandatory requirement of an ordinance of the City, shall be an infraction or misdemeanor.

SECTION 9. Authorization of City Administrator. The City Administrator and his/her designee(s) are hereby authorized to take all necessary action to implement and enforce this Urgency Ordinance.

SECTION 10. Exhibits. Exhibits A to D are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth here.

SECTION 11. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Urgency Ordinance is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of Urgency Ordinance. The City Council declares that it would have passed this Urgency Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of this Urgency Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid or unconstitutional.

ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 2 of 11

SECTION 12. Effective Date and Duration. This Urgency Ordinance enacted under California Government Code Section 36937 will take effect immediately upon adoption by a four fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council. This Urgency Ordinance will remain in effect unless and until the City Council adopts a regular Ordinance approving revised Design Guidelines.

SECTION 13. Publication. The City Clerk is directed to certify this Urgency Ordinance and cause it to be published in the manner required by law.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL BYTHE-SEA this 1st day of September, 2026, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

APPROVED: ATTEST:
___________________________ _______________________________ Dale Byrne, Mayor Nova Romero, MMC, City Clerk
ATTACHMENTS: Exhibits A, B, C, and D
ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 3 of 11

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council
Staff Report
August 4, 2026

ORDERS OF BUSINESS
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator APPROVED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator SUBJECT: Provide Direction Regarding a Potential Urgency Ordinance Addressing Home Hardening and Wildfire Safety Regulations Citywide
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive a presentation from staff and provide direction regarding whether to prepare an urgency ordinance establishing interim home hardening regulations applicable citywide.

BACKGROUND / SUMMARY:

BACKGROUND
Over the past year, the Wildfire Prevention Committee, including staff have evaluated opportunities to improve wildfire resilience throughout Carmel-by-the-Sea. One of those opportunities is strengthening regulations related to home hardening and defensible space. Council is being asked to consider four recommendations for an urgency ordinance to offer additional wildfire protection citywide while more permanent regulations are developed.

This discussion is intended to obtain policy direction only. No ordinance or resolution has been prepared for Council consideration at this meeting. Staff is requesting guidance regarding whether Council wishes to proceed with an urgency ordinance and, if so, which recommendations should be included. If directed to proceed, staff will prepare a draft urgency ordinance for Council consideration at the earliest possible meeting.

EXHIBIT A
ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 4 of 11

Three of the four recommendations would extend wildfire safety standards that already apply within Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Wildland-Urban Interface areas to all properties citywide. The remaining recommendation would remove an unintended regulatory barrier that discourages homeowners from installing fire-safe landscaping materials immediately adjacent to their homes.

DISCUSSION
City Council is being asked to consider the following four recommendations for inclusion in a potential urgency ordinance.

1. Gravel Adjacent to Structures
Purpose
Creating a noncombustible area immediately adjacent to structures is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of ember ignition during a wildfire. Gravel is widely recognized as a safe material for the first five feet surrounding a home because it does not ignite or contribute to fire spread.

Current Regulations
Throughout the City, including within the Fire Hazard Severity Zones and WildlandUrban Interface (WUI), site coverage is regulated by Title 17 of the Carmel Municipal Code. The City's zoning regulations distinguish between permeable, semi-permeable, and non-permeable site coverage, all of which count toward the maximum site coverage allowed on a property. Site coverage is generally limited to approximately 22 percent of a parcel's base floor area, subject to certain limited exemptions.

Gravel is classified as ‘permeable’ site coverage, along with materials such as decking, stairs, sand-set brick and pavers, garden walkways, small paving stones, and arbors.

Asphalt, concrete, mortared brick or stone, decomposed granite, balconies, walls, sheds, ponds, pools, and similar improvements are classified as ‘non-permeable’ site coverage and also count toward site coverage limits. Conversely, bark, wood chips, mulch, and similar organic landscape materials do not count toward site coverage calculations.

As a result, homeowners who replace combustible bark or mulch with fire-resistant gravel may unintentionally reduce the amount of allowable site coverage available on their property, creating a regulatory disincentive to install a safer landscaping material immediately adjacent to the home.

Proposed Urgency Ordinance
Exempt gravel from site coverage calculations when installed within five feet of a structure. This recommendation would remove an unintended barrier to creating the noncombustible "Zone 0" area recommended by CAL FIRE while maintaining existing site coverage limitations elsewhere on the property. All gravel would have to comply with the existing Design Guidelines (earth tone, muted colors, natural, etc.).

EXHIBIT A
ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 5 of 11

2. Firewood and Other Combustible Material Storage
Purpose
Firewood, lumber, and other combustible materials stored adjacent to homes are a common source of structural ignition during wildfires. Establishing consistent storage requirements throughout the City would reduce opportunities for embers to ignite combustible materials immediately adjacent to structures.

Current Regulations
Throughout the City, including within the Fire Hazard Severity Zones and WildlandUrban Interface (WUI), the Property Maintenance Code and Nuisance Code prohibit conditions that create fire hazards or involve the storage of materials in a manner likely to constitute a fire hazard. While these provisions provide general authority to address hazardous conditions, they do not establish detailed standards governing where firewood or combustible materials may be stored.

Within designated Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Wildland-Urban Interface areas, State regulations are considerably more specific. Firewood and combustible materials may not be stored beneath buildings, beneath decks, or under eaves, canopies, or other projections. Firewood piles must generally be located at least 30 feet from structures unless completely covered by a fire-resistant material. In addition, exposed wood piles located within the defensible space must maintain at least ten feet of clearance to bare mineral soil in all directions.

Proposed Urgency Ordinance
Apply the existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI storage requirements citywide so that all properties are subject to the same fire-safe storage standards regardless of their mapped hazard designation.

3. Ember-Resistant Vents
Purpose
Wind-driven embers entering attic and crawlspace vents have been identified as one of the leading causes of structure ignition during wildfires. Modern ember-resistant vent technology significantly reduces this risk by preventing embers and flames from entering the building envelope while still providing required ventilation.

Current Regulations
Within Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Wildland-Urban Interface areas, ventilation openings are required to be protected with Wildfire Flame and Ember Resistant vents approved and listed by the California State Fire Marshal, or other WUI-compliant vents tested in accordance with ASTM E2886. These products must successfully pass rigorous flame and ember intrusion testing.

Outside the Fire Hazard Severity Zones and WUI areas, ventilation openings are not required to meet wildfire performance standards. Instead, the Building Code only

EXHIBIT A
ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 6 of 11

regulates the size of vent openings, requiring a minimum opening dimension of 1/16 inch and a maximum of 1/4 inch.

Proposed Urgency Ordinance
Apply the existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI ember-resistant vent requirements throughout the City. As under current law, the standards would apply only when vents are replaced or altered and would not require immediate retrofitting of existing homes.

4. Fire-Resistant Windows
Purpose
Windows (glazing) are among the most vulnerable components of a structure during a wildfire. Heat exposure can cause ordinary glass to fail, allowing flames and embers to enter a building. Modern dual-pane tempered glazing significantly improves a home's ability to withstand wildfire exposure.

Current Regulations
Throughout the entire City, including within the Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI), window placement is regulated by the California Building Code based upon fire separation distance from adjacent property lines. For sprinklered homes, windows are generally prohibited within three feet of a property line, while unlimited glazing is permitted beyond three feet. For homes without automatic fire sprinklers, windows are prohibited within three feet of the property line, limited to 25 percent of the wall area between three and five feet, and unrestricted beyond five feet.

Within Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Wildland-Urban Interface areas, additional wildfire construction standards also apply. Exterior windows, windows within exterior doors, and skylights must be constructed using dual-pane glazing with at least one pane of tempered glass or other approved assemblies such as glass block. Wood-framed windows remain permissible provided the assembly achieves the required 20-minute fire-resistance performance. These requirements apply when windows are replaced or altered and are not retroactive. Existing State regulations also provide exceptions where compliance would conflict with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Proposed Urgency Ordinance
Apply the existing Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI glazing standards throughout the City. As with existing State law, the requirements would apply only when windows are replaced or altered, would not require immediate retrofitting of existing homes, and would continue to recognize historic preservation exceptions.

ADDITIONAL HOME HARDENING TOPICS
The Wildfire Prevention Committee also discussed several additional home hardening measures that could further improve wildfire resilience. The Committee concluded that

EXHIBIT A
ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 7 of 11

these topics involve broader architectural, historic preservation, and neighborhood character considerations and are therefore more appropriately addressed through the ongoing Design Traditions 1.5 project rather than through an urgency ordinance.

These topics include:
• Wood shake roofing materials
• Eaves and exposed rafters
• Deck construction
• Gate/Fencing materials and design
To reinforce the temporary nature of the urgency ordinance, staff recommends that any ordinance ultimately adopted include a sunset provision automatically repealing the ordinance upon adoption of the revised Design Guidelines and associated permanent regulations.

NEXT STEPS
No ordinance or resolution is presented for adoption as part of this agenda item.

Staff is requesting policy direction regarding:

1. Whether the Council wishes to proceed with preparation of an urgency ordinance;

2. Which of the four recommendations should be included in the ordinance; and

3. Whether Council wishes staff to evaluate any additional home hardening recommendations before returning with a draft ordinance.

If directed to proceed, staff will prepare an urgency ordinance consistent with Council's direction and return to the City Council at the earliest possible meeting for formal consideration.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Providing policy direction does not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Any urgency ordinance prepared as a result of Council direction will be evaluated for CEQA compliance prior to Council consideration.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Preparation and implementation of the proposed urgency ordinance can be accomplished with existing staff resources. Any additional permit review or enforcement responsibilities are expected to be minimal and incorporated into existing departmental operations.

PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:

EXHIBIT A
ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 8 of 11

EXHIBIT B
Firewood and Other Combustible Material Storage Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI storage requirements
Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements: California Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2025 Section 607 Storage of Firewood and Combustible Materials 607.1 General
Firewood and combustible material shall not be stored in unenclosed spaces beneath buildings or structures, or on decks or under eaves, canopies or other projections or overhangs. Firewood piles shall be located 30 feet (9144 mm) or more from structures unless completely covered by a fire-resistant material. Exposed wood piles located within the defensible space shall have a minimum clearance of 10 feet (3048 mm) down to bare mineral soil in all directions.
607.2 Storage for Off-Site Use
Firewood and combustible materials not for consumption on the premises shall be stored so as to not pose a hazard. See Appendix A (Immediately Following).

Appendix A General Requirements: California Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2025 Appendix A105 – Control of Storage
A105.4 Combustible Materials
Outside storage of combustible materials such as, but not limited to: wood, rubber tires, building materials, or paper products shall comply with the other applicable sections of this code and this section.

A105.4.1 Individual Piles
Individual piles shall not exceed 5,000 square feet (465 m2) of contiguous area. Piles shall not exceed 50,000 cubic feet (1416 m3) in volume or 10 feet (3048 mm) in height.

A105.4.2 Separation
A clear space of not less than 40 feet (12,192 mm) shall be provided between piles. The clear space shall not contain combustible material or nonfire-smart vegetation.

ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 9 of 11

EXHIBIT C
Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI ember-resistant vent requirements Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations: California Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2025
504.10 Vents
Where provided, ventilation openings for enclosed attics, gable ends, ridge ends, under eaves and cornices, enclosed eave soffit spaces, enclosed rafter spaces formed where ceilings are applied directly to the underside of roof rafters, underfloor ventilation, foundations and crawl spaces, or any other opening intended to permit ventilation, either in a horizontal or vertical surface, shall be in accordance with Section 504.10.1 or Section 504.10.2 to resist building ignition from the intrusion of burning embers and flame through the ventilation openings.
504.10.1 Performance Requirements
Ventilation openings shall be fully covered with Wildfire Flame and Ember Resistant vents approved and listed by the California State Fire Marshal, or WUI vents, tested in accordance with ASTM E2886, to demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

1. There shall be no flaming ignition of the cotton material during the Ember Intrusion Test.

2. There shall be no flaming ignition during the Integrity Test portion of the Flame Intrusion Test.

3. The maximum temperature of the unexposed side of the vent shall not exceed 662°F (350°C).
504.10.2 Off Ridge and Ridge Vents
Vents that are installed on a sloped roof, such as dormer vents, shall comply with all of the following:

1. Vents shall be covered with a mesh where the dimensions of the mesh therein shall be a minimum of 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) and shall not exceed 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) in diameter.

2. The vent and mesh material shall be noncombustible.

3. The vent and mesh material shall be corrosion resistant. 504.10.3 Vent Locations
Gable-end and dormer vents shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from lot lines. Underfloor ventilation openings shall be located as close to grade as practical.

ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 10 of 11

EXHIBIT D
Fire Hazard Severity Zone and WUI glazing standards
Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations: California Wildland-Urban Interface Code 2025
504.8 Exterior Glazing
Exterior windows, window walls and glazed doors, windows within exterior doors, and skylights shall be constructed of any of the following:

1. Multilayered glazed panels with at least one pane of tempered glass complying with Section 2406 of the California Building Code.

2. Glass block.

3. Glazing with a fire-protection rating of not less than 20 minutes when tested according to NFPA 257 or UL 9, and shall be exempt from the hose stream test.

4. Glazing meeting the performance requirements of SFM Standard 12- 7A-2.
504.8.1 Structural Glass Veneer
The wall assembly behind structural glass veneer shall comply with Section 504.5. 504.8.2 Operable Skylights
Operable skylights shall be protected by a noncombustible mesh screen and the dimensions of the openings in the screen shall not exceed 1/8 inch (3.2 mm).

ATTACHMENT 1 Urgency Ord. 2026-004 Page 11 of 11

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council
Staff Report
September 1, 2026

ORDERS OF BUSINESS
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Marisa Bermudez, Acting Assistant City Administrator APPROVED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator SUBJECT: Receive an update regarding the status of the City Administrator recruitment; provide direction to staff regarding the recruitment process, schedule, and next steps; and consider adoption of Resolution 2026-067 establishing a revised salary range for the City Administrator position.

RECOMMENDATION:

Receive an update regarding the status of the City Administrator recruitment; provide direction to staff regarding the recruitment process, schedule, and next steps; and consider adoption of Resolution 2026-067 establishing a revised salary range for the City Administrator position.

BACKGROUND / SUMMARY:

The City is currently conducting recruitment for the position of City Administrator. As part of the recruitment process, the City Council reviewed the compensation range for the position in consultation with the City’s executive recruiter, Wendi Brown of WBP, Inc., to ensure that the range appropriately reflects the responsibilities of the City Administrator, current market conditions, and the City’s ability to attract a qualified and competitive pool of candidates. The City Administrator Salary Survey is included as Attachment 2.

The salary previously established for the City Administrator position was $260,759.12 annually. The proposed salary range of $280,000 to $330,000 annually represents an increase of approximately 7.4% at the minimum of the range.

Following its review, the City Council provided direction regarding the salary range to be used for the City Administrator recruitment. Consistent with that direction, staff has prepared Resolution 2026-067 establishing a revised annual salary range of $280,000 to $330,000 for the City Administrator position.

Adoption of the Resolution (Attachment 1) will formally establish the revised salary range and allow the recruitment to proceed using the updated compensation information in the recruitment brochure. The draft Brochure is included as Attachment

4. The actual compensation provided to the successful candidate will be determined through the recruitment and appointment process and will be subject to applicable City requirements and City Council approval.

Recruitment activities completed to date include development of the City Administrator candidate profile and recruitment brochure, consultation regarding the salary range and recruitment strategy, and preparation of a proposed recruitment timeline. A revised timeline is included as Attachment 3 for City Council review and consideration.

As part of this item, the City Council will receive an update from the executive recruiter and staff regarding the current status of the recruitment, and the revised schedule for completing the recruitment.

Subject to City Council adoption of Resolution 2026-067 and any additional direction provided, the recruitment is anticipated to launch using the revised salary range and proceed in accordance with the revised recruitment timeline.

If the Resolution is adopted, staff will incorporate the revised salary range into the City’s salary schedule in accordance with applicable CalPERS regulations and other City requirements.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The adoption of the revised salary range does not, itself, result in an immediate fiscal impact. The ultimate fiscal impact will depend upon the compensation approved for the candidate appointed as City Administrator, including any associated salary-driven benefit costs. Any appointment and related compensation agreement will be presented for City Council consideration and approval in accordance with applicable requirements.

PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:

June 4, 2026: At a Special City Council meeting, the Council directed that a public meeting be held on June 12, 2026, to discuss the recruitment process for the City Administrator.

June 12, 2026: At a Special City Council meeting, the Council directed staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for executive recruitment services and return with six recommended firms.

July 7, 2026: At a Regular City Council meeting, the Council revised its direction and requested that staff return with three recommended firms for final consideration.

July 30, 2026: At a special City Council meeting, the Council selected WBP, Inc. for recruiting services.

August 4, 2026: Special Meeting closed session regarding City Administrator recruitment.

August 24, 2026: Special Meeting closed session regarding City Administrator recruitment.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Resolution 2026-067

2. CA salary survey

3. Revised City Administrator Recruitment Timeline

4. City Administrator Brochure - Draft

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-067

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

ESTABLISHING A NEW SALARY RANGE FOR THE POSITION OF CITY ADMINISTRATOR WHEREAS, the City is currently conducting a recruitment process for the position of City Administrator; and
WHEREAS, as part of the recruitment process, the City Council has reviewed the compensation range for the City Administrator position in consultation with the City's recruiter, Wendi Brown, to ensure that the compensation appropriately reflects the responsibilities of the position, current market conditions, and the City's ability to attract a qualified and competitive pool of candidates; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has provided direction regarding the salary range to be used for the City Administrator recruitment; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the City Council's direction, the City Council desires to establish a salary range of $280,000 to $330,000 annually for the position of City Administrator; and WHEREAS, establishing the revised salary range will allow the recruitment process to proceed using updated compensation information and support the City's efforts to attract a qualified and competitive pool of candidates; and
WHEREAS, recruitment activities to date have included development of the City Administrator candidate profile and recruitment brochure, and the recruitment is anticipated to go live upon establishment and approval of the revised salary range; and WHEREAS, the actual compensation offered to the successful candidate will be determined through the recruitment and appointment process and shall remain subject to applicable City requirements and City Council approval; and
WHEREAS, upon approval of the revised salary range, staff will incorporate the change into the City's salary schedule as required by applicable CalPERS regulations.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMELBY-THE-SEA DOES HEREBY:

Approves and establishes the annual salary range for the position of City Administrator at $280,000 to $330,000, effective upon adoption of this Resolution.

ATTACHMENT 1

Resolution 2026-067

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY­THE-SEA this 1st day of September, 2026 by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

APPROVED: ATTEST:

____________________________ __________________________ Dale Byrne, Mayor Nova Romero, MMC, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT 1

Rank Agency/City Job Title Maximum Hourly Maximum Annual Salary 1 Marina City Manager $ 157.69 $ 327,999.98
2 Monterey City Manager $ 153.85 $ 320,000.16
3 Sand City City Manager $ 141.27 $ 293,832.88
4 Seaside City Manager $ 137.02 $ 284,999.52
5 Carmel‐by‐the‐Sea City Administrator $ 125.36 $ 260,759.12 6 Capitola City Manager $ 121.88 $ 253,504.83
7 Pacific Grove City Manager $ 121.00 $ 251,680.00
Rank Agency/City Job Title Maximum Hourly Maximum Annual Salary Population Sand City City Manager $ 141.27 $ 293,832.88 400
Belvedere City Manager $ 128.70 $ 267,696.00 2100
Carmel‐by‐the‐Sea City Administrator $ 125.36 $ 260,759.12 3200 Del Mar / San Diego City Manager $ 134.97 $ 280,740.60 4200 Calistoga City Manager $ 139.42 $ 290,000.05 5200
St Helena City Manager $ 161.76 $ 336,467.00 5800
Sausalito City Manager $ 137.02 $ 285,000.00 7100
Capitola City Manager $ 121.88 $ 253,504.83 9700
Half Moon Bay City Manager $ 135.16 $ 281,138.00 11000
Pacific Grove City Manager $ 121.00 $ 251,680.00 15000
Marina City Manager $ 157.69 $ 327,999.98 22500
Monterey City Manager $ 153.85 $ 320,000.16 29600
Seaside City Manager $ 137.02 $ 284,999.52 32000
Rank Agency/City Job Title Maximum Hourly Maximum Annual Salary Population 1 St Helena City Manager $ 161.76 $ 336,467.00 5800
2 Marina City Manager $ 157.69 $ 327,999.98 22500
3 Monterey City Manager $ 153.85 $ 320,000.16 29600
4 Sand City City Manager $ 141.27 $ 293,832.88 400
5 Calistoga City Manager $ 139.42 $ 290,000.05 5200
6 Sausalito City Manager $ 137.02 $ 285,000.00 7100
7 Seaside City Manager $ 137.02 $ 284,999.52 32000
8 Half Moon Bay City Manager $ 135.16 $ 281,138.00 11000 9 Del Mar / San Diego City Manager $ 134.97 $ 280,740.60 4200 10 Belvedere City Manager $ 128.70 $ 267,696.00 2100
11 Carmel‐by‐the‐Sea City Administrator $ 125.36 $ 260,759.12 3200 12 Capitola City Manager $ 121.88 $ 253,504.83 9700
13 Pacific Grove City Manager $ 121.00 $ 251,680.00 15000 Carmel‐by‐the‐Sea‐by‐the‐Sea
COMPARABLE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES (Sorted by Population)

COMPARABLE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES
Monterey County Comps
Salary Comparables
ATTACHMENT 2

City Administrator Recruitment Timeline
Current Timeline
Open Recruitment: 9/2/26
Close Recruitment: 9/30/26
Shortlist: 10/16/26 (2 hours, time TBD)
Candidate Interviews:
• Virtual 10/27/26 (8am-6pm)
• In Person 11/06/26 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Regular Council meeting:
• December 8th : negotiation and background/reference check review • January 5th : approval of new City Administrator employment contract Proposed Revised Schedule:

Option 1
Open Recruitment: 9/2/26
Close Recruitment: 9/30/26
Shortlist: 10/16/26 (2 hours, time TBD)
In-Person Interviews:
- Thursday, 10/22/26 (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM) &
- Friday, 10/23/26 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Regular Council meetings:
• November 3rd : negotiation and background/reference check review • December 8th : approval of new City Administrator employment contract OR
Option 2
Open Recruitment: 9/2/26
Close Recruitment: 9/30/26
Shortlist: 10/16/26 (2 hours, time TBD)
In-Person Interviews:
- Friday, 10/23/26 (8:00 AM – 6:00 PM) &
- Saturday, 10/24/26 (8:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Regular Council meetings:
• November 3rd : negotiation and background/reference check review • December 8th : approval of new City Administrator employment contract ATTACHMENT 3

CITY ADMINISTRATOR

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
ANNUAL SALARY: $XXX,XXX–$XXX,XXX DOE/DOQ
THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, CALIFORNIA, is seeking an experienced local government leader to serve as its next City Administrator and take on a highly visible leadership role in this distinctive coastal community. The City Administrator oversees the City’s approximately $42 million budget and total staff of 87.

They will focus on achieving the Council’s strategic direction with a significant focus on strengthening organizational performance, improving customer service, and advancing major capital and infrastructure priorities. This leader will translate priorities into action while balancing innovation and progress with thoughtful stewardship of Carmel’s historic charm, character and quality of life. The ideal candidate brings broad municipal management experience, a record of building high-performing organizations, strong financial and operational acumen, exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, and is an engaged, responsive and accessible leader to staff, council and the community. Apply today for the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of one of America’s most distinctive and internationally recognized communities.

This recruitment is managed by

CAREER OPPORTUNITY
ATTACHMENT 4

DISCOVER CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
NO COMMUNITY CAPTURES THE MAGIC OF CALIFORNIA’S CENTRAL COAST quite like Carmel-by-the-Sea (Carmel), a charming coastal village known for its storybook architecture, white-sand beach, thriving arts scene, and highly walkable downtown. Located on the Monterey Peninsula between Pebble Beach and Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, and just north of Big Sur, Carmel offers an exceptional quality of life surrounded by some of California’s most iconic scenery. Residents and visitors enjoy an impressive collection of restaurants, boutiques, galleries, wine tasting rooms, cultural attractions, and community events, along with easy access to Carmel Beach, 17-Mile Drive, world-renowned golf, hiking, cycling, kayaking, whale watching, and the Big Sur coastline. Long known as a haven for artists, writers, and musicians, Carmel maintains a vibrant cultural identity while benefiting from convenient air access through the Monterey Regional Airport and the many recreational and cultural attractions found throughout the Monterey Peninsula. The local economy is driven largely by tourism and hospitality, culinary services, retail, arts and culture, and professional services, making Carmel-by-the-Sea a unique place to live, work, and experience the best of the California coast.

1.1 SQUARE
MILES
120 MILES SOUTH

OF SAN FRANCISCO
Carmel-by-the-Sea

LIFE ALONG THE COAST
Mediterranean
Climate
WITH 269 DAYS OF

SUNSHINE PER YEAR
76%
BACHELOR’S RESIDENTS DEGREE
3,049 8%
Two or
More
Races
85%
White
5%
Hispanic
or Latino
1-2%
Asian or
AfricanAmerican
ATTACHMENT 4

THE CITY&

CITY COUNCIL
THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA operates under
a Council-City Administrator form of government
and is governed by a five-member City Council
comprised of the Mayor and four Councilmembers, all
elected at-large. Councilmembers represent Carmelby-the-Sea on a variety of regional boards, agencies, and committees, helping advance the City’s interests
throughout the Monterey Peninsula and ensuring the
community has a strong voice in issues that extend
beyond its boundaries.

The City is committed to responsive public service,
community engagement, and preserving the
distinctive character and charm that makes Carmelby-the-Sea such a special place. The City’s municipal services are provided through six departments, in
addition to the City Administrator’s Office, which
includes the City Clerk, Finance, Human Resources,
and Information Technology services. Across these
functions, Carmel works to maintain public safety,
steward public spaces and infrastructure, support
a vibrant local economy, provide community
programs, and protect the community’s unique
historic, architectural, and environmental qualities.

The City emphasizes transparency, collaboration,
fiscal responsibility, and high-quality service while
balancing the needs of a world-renowned destination
with those of its close-knit residential community.

VIEW THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
ATTACHMENT 4

THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S

OFFICE &JOB
THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE in keeping the organization moving forward and ensuring City Council priorities are carried out effectively. The Office coordinates resources, supports key initiatives, connects departments, and helps align the organization around shared priorities. With responsibility for the City’s workforce of 87 employees and an annual budget of approximately $42 million, key responsibilities include:
• Translating City Council direction into
clear organizational priorities and
meaningful results, while proactively
identifying emerging needs and
opportunities.
• Building a strong, collaborative
workplace culture through
empowering leaders, developing
talent, managing labor relations, and
bringing out the best in City teams.
• Cultivating a Citywide culture of
exceptional customer service—
ensuring residents, businesses, and
visitors experience a responsive,
welcoming, and service-focused
organization.
• Supporting strategic technology
initiatives and modernization,
including evolving systems,
infrastructure, services and the
responsible use of emerging AI.
• Driving community investment
forward by turning capital priorities
into action, removing barriers,
empowering departments, and
moving important projects from vision
to completion.
• Evaluating opportunities for
economic stewardship and revenue
enhancement within the context of
the City’s broader priorities and
long-term financial goals.
• Recognizing the impacts of a
substantial second-home population
on community engagement,
neighborhood vitality, municipal
services, and long-term planning.
• Preserving Carmel’s unique character
and natural beauty, with a deep
appreciation for its history, traditions,
and the distinctive qualities that
make the community unlike any other.
• Being a visible, accessible, and
engaged presence in the
community—listening, building
relationships, and connecting with
residents, businesses, and regional
partners.
• Making progress visible—using clear
performance measures, dashboards,
and strategic reporting to show the
Council and community how
priorities, capital investments, and
key initiatives are moving forward.

UPCOMING PROJECTS
&INITIATIVES
Lead a major reinvestment in Carmel’s public
infrastructure, implementing the Council’s plan
to address more than $100 million in identified
deferred maintenance through $10+ million in
annual capital investment in streets, sidewalks,
beach armoring, stormwater systems, facilities,
and other community assets.

Bring a major community investment to life by
advancing the Police Station and Public Works
facility project through design, financing, and
project delivery.

Launch a citywide performance and
accountability initiative, establishing clear KPIs
and service-delivery metrics, strengthening
the use of data to improve City operations,
and creating public-facing dashboards for the
Council and community to track performance
and progress.

Launch a citywide customer service initiative to
build a culture of responsive, resident-focused
service, establish clear service standards, and
use resident surveys and feedback to measure
satisfaction and drive continuous improvement.

Advance Carmel’s housing priorities through
thoughtful implementation of the Housing
Element, balancing State requirements and
community needs with the character that
makes Carmel distinctive.

SEE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

VIEW ADDITIONAL COUNCIL PRIORITIES
ATTACHMENT 4

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
T HE IDEAL CANDIDATE IS AN EXPERIENCED, APPROACHABLE, and action-oriented municipal leader who combines sound judgment and political acumen with the ability to turn priorities into results. They will bring broad organizational leadership, experience with labor and employee relations, ensure long-term financial sustainability, and a demonstrated ability to move complex capital projects and initiatives forward. Equally important will be a collaborative leadership style that empowers others, builds accountability, and strengthens organizational performance. They will be confident and forthright. A skilled communicator and active listener, the successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a visible, participatory environment and navigating differing perspectives with patience, sound judgment, diplomacy and candor.

Success will require someone who can lead change and create momentum while demonstrating a genuine appreciation for Carmel-by-the-Sea and the importance of preserving its distinctive character as the community moves forward.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities described herein may be qualifying. A typical pathway includes:

Education: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an
accredited college or university; master’s degree is
beneficial.

Experience: Progressively responsible administrative or executive leadership experience in a City and/or County government and similarly complex public-sector organization.

ATTACHMENT 4

HOWtoAPPLY
For first consideration,
apply by SEPTEMBER 30 at:

SAVE THE DATES. Selected candidates
must be available for both dates.
• First round of interviews will be virtual
interviews and will take place on
OCTOBER 27.
• Finalists will move forward to round two
in-person interviews on NOVEMBER 6.

QUESTIONS? Please contact
your recruiter, Wendi Brown,
with any questions:
[email protected]
866.929.WBCP (9227) toll-free
541.664.0376 direct

WBCP JOB BOARD
Highlights include:

Health Insurance: The City shall pay 85%
of the medical premium of the At-Will
employee and eligible dependents based
on employee choice.

Dental & Vision Insurance: The City shall
pay 100% of the premium for the Core
dental and vision plans for employees
and eligible dependents.

Retirement: The City participates in
CalPERS.

Life Insurance: Up to $30,000 for
the employee.

Long-Term Disability: Premium
coverage is paid by the City.

Deferred Compensation 457 Plan
Available
Vacation: Based on negotiated
terms in the contract.

Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.

Sick Leave: Accrue 8 hours each month.

Bereavement Leave: 24 hours each fiscal
year.

Executive Management Leave: 96 hours
per fiscal year.

Wellness Reimbursement: $50 per month
Education Incentive Program: Determined
by City Council and outlined in the City
Administrator’s employment contract.

SALARY&BENEFITS
Annual Salary: $XXX,XXX–$XXX,XXX DOE/DOQ, PLUS an attractive benefits package.

ATTACHMENT 4

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council
Staff Report
September 1, 2026

ORDERS OF BUSINESS
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator APPROVED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator SUBJECT: Receive a report and provide Direction Regarding the Development of a Streetscape Plan for Downtown
RECOMMENDATION:

Receive a report regarding the City Council's recently established strategic priority to "Develop Streetscape Plan for Downtown" and provide direction regarding the scope and process for completing the priority, including:

1. Whether the City should update and build upon the existing Policy and Standards for Public Way Design or develop a new streetscape plan;

2. Whether staff should engage a design professional, such as a landscape architect, to assist in development of the plan;

3. Whether the process should include one or more community workshops or other opportunities for public participation;

4. Any additional elements or objectives Council would like incorporated into the process; and

5. Whether staff should proceed with currently funded sidewalk design work while the streetscape planning process is underway.

BACKGROUND / SUMMARY:

At its regular meeting in July, the City Council completed work on its Strategic Priority List. During that discussion, Council added a new Level 1 priority — "Develop Streetscape Plan for Downtown." Level 1 represents the City's highest priority designation and means it should be an active work list item for City staff.

Council's discussion reflected concerns regarding the consistency and condition of portions of the downtown streetscape and an interest in developing a more cohesive approach to improvements within the public right-of-way. Ideas discussed included engaging a design professional, such as a landscape architect, to help guide development of the plan and conducting a community workshop to obtain input from residents, businesses, and other interested members of the public.

Because the streetscape priority arose during Council's broader discussion of its Strategic Priority List, staff was not prepared for a detailed discussion regarding the scope, cost, or implementation of the effort. Additionally, the agenda item was noticed as a review of Council priorities, rather than specifically as a discussion of a downtown streetscape plan.

Agenda descriptions provide important public notice by identifying the matters Council intends to discuss, allowing interested members of the community to decide whether to participate. Staff is therefore returning with this matter as a separately agendized item so Council can provide specific direction regarding the scope, process, use of City resources, and timing of the streetscape planning effort, with the public having clear notice that these issues will be considered.

EXISTING POLICY AND STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC WAY DESIGN
During the July priority-setting discussion, staff did not identify an important piece of the City's existing policy framework. In December 1997, the City adopted the Policy and Standards for Public Way Design (Attachment 1), which established guidance for sidewalks, pathways, curbs, landscaping, street furniture, street trees, drainage, signage, and other improvements within the public way.

The appearance and character of Carmel's downtown are central to the identity of the community. The City has long placed a high value on maintaining Carmel's distinctive village character, human scale, natural setting, and architectural diversity. The existing public way standards reflect that philosophy by seeking to ensure that improvements within the public realm complement and reinforce Carmel's unique character.

As the City considers future investment in its downtown streetscape, there is an opportunity to both address aging infrastructure and ensure that future improvements strengthen the aesthetic qualities and sense of place that make Carmel unique.

Although the existing standards are nearly 30 years old and therefore may warrant updating, they provide a foundation for Council's new priority.

Staff requests that Council provide direction regarding whether the City should build upon and modernize the existing Policy and Standards for Public Way Design or begin with a new streetscape planning framework.

POTENTIAL PROCESS
Council may also wish to provide direction regarding the process used to develop the

streetscape plan.

One option discussed in July was to retain a design professional, such as a landscape architect or other professionals experienced in streetscape and public realm design, to work with City staff and the community. A consultant could assist with evaluating existing conditions, reviewing the City's 1997 standards, identifying opportunities for greater consistency, developing design concepts and recommendations, and ultimately preparing an updated streetscape plan for Council consideration.

Council may also wish to direct staff to incorporate one or more community workshops into the process. Public input would be particularly valuable given that downtown streetscape decisions affect residents, businesses, property owners, visitors, accessibility, pedestrian circulation, landscaping, and Carmel's overall community character.

Staff is seeking Council direction regarding these process options as well as any other specific objectives or components Council would like included in the project.

INTERIM SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS
Council direction is also needed regarding sidewalk work that is already included in the City's adopted Capital Improvement Program.

The approved FY26/27 CIP includes $275,000 for the design of priority sidewalk repair and replacement projects throughout the City. Areas requiring improvement were identified through the City's recent sidewalk condition assessment conducted by Precision Concrete, which documented trip hazards, vertical offsets, and deteriorated sidewalk segments.

The funded design work is intended to include surveying, preparation of construction drawings, and cost estimates for the highest-priority locations. Depending upon the timing and cost of the design work, it may also be possible to complete some priority sidewalk repairs before the end of the current fiscal year.

In addition, the City anticipates receiving approximately $183,000 in State SB-1 funding for street repair design. Where appropriate, that work may provide an opportunity to coordinate design of adjacent sidewalk improvements.

Development of a comprehensive streetscape plan is a meaningful task, so it will take time. Staff is therefore seeking direction regarding whether the City should continue with currently funded sidewalk repair and design work while the streetscape plan is being developed, or pause some or all of that work until Council has approved the updated streetscape plan.

If Council directs staff to proceed with sidewalk design work in the interim, staff will focus on priority safety and accessibility improvements while considering the City's existing public-way standards and avoiding, where practicable, improvements that

could unnecessarily conflict with or constrain the future streetscape plan.

NEXT STEPS
Based upon Council direction, staff will develop an appropriate scope of work and implementation strategy for the downtown streetscape priority. If directed, staff will also begin the process of engaging a qualified design professional and beginning a public engagement process.

Staff will separately proceed with, modify, or pause the currently funded sidewalk design work consistent with Council's direction.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The adopted Capital Improvement Program includes $275,000 for priority sidewalk repair and replacement design. The City also anticipates receiving approximately $183,000 in SB 1 funding for street repair design, portions of which may include adjacent sidewalk design where appropriate.

The cost of retaining a design professional and conducting the streetscape planning and community engagement process has not yet been determined. Following Council direction regarding the desired scope and process, staff will identify anticipated costs and the appropriate funding source before entering into any professional services agreement requiring additional Council authorization.

PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:

At its regular meeting in July 2026, the City Council added "Develop Streetscape Plan for Downtown" to its Strategic Priority List as a Level 1 priority.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Existing Policy and Standards for Public Way Design

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

POLICY AND STANDARDS
FOR

PUBLIC WAY DESIGN
Adopted: December 1997
ATTACHMENT 1

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

POLICY AND STANDARDS
FOR

PUBLIC WAY DESIGN

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to identify objectives and to set forth guidelines and standards for review of design (including placement), construction or reconstruction of projects that include sidewalks, pathways, handicapped ramps, curbs, gutters, tree planters, mini-parks, landscaping, utilities, street signs and other amenities located on public ways within the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. It is the intent of the following policies and guidelines to provide direction in using safe, varied and diverse materials, colors and design approaches that implement the General Plan.

DESIGN REVIEW PROCESS:

For public and private projects requiring Planning Commission review, each municipal department responsible for elements of project design shall review proposed plans and provide comments and recommendations to the applicant or to the Department sponsoring the project. These recommendations shall be forwarded to the Planning Commission at the time of its review. For those projects not requiring Planning Commission review, these policies, standards and guidelines shall be used by the City Administrator and appropriate staff as a basis for design and review of public or private projects.

The City Administrator may give final approval for public projects valued at less than the administrative approval authority limits established by policy of the City Council and/or the California Public Resources Code if they are consistent with the standards in this policy. The Planning Director and any other Municipal Department appropriate to the project shall be advisory to the City Administrator on such projects.

The City Council shall give final approval for all public projects valued greater than the administrative approval authority limit and/or the limits established by the California Public Resources Code. The Planning Commission shall be advisory to the City Council on such projects when they will be visible to the public, located in the public way and represent a change from existing design conditions.

When the City Administrator believes that the project may (1) conflict with these standards, (2) raise issues warranting a policy discussion or (3) would result in a significant change in design character or material, the matter shall be referred to the Planning Commission for review and comment regardless of project cost.

Rev: 11/97
ATTACHMENT 1

Policy and Standards
Design Improvements to Public Ways
Page Two
DESIGN GUIDELINES:

A. Sidewalks:

Sidewalks shall be constructed of safe, durable materials that are not slippery when dry. wet or worn and shall be selected to promote a limited variety of different sidewalk treatments. Materials for sidewalk surfaces should enhance the village character for the pedestrian and allow for percolation of water into the soil to enhance the urban forest.

Standard urban sidewalk treatments such as exposed aggregate (unsafe), blacktop and plain concrete (unattractive) should be avoided.

Sidewalks should not appear excessively unifonn.· Some variety, or break in paving shapes or colors can help in preserving an informal, unplanned visual appearance. To achieve a balance between excessive monotony and excessive variety, sidewalks should incorporate occasional changes in materials or color at intervals between 200 and 300 feet in length.

Changes should occur at natural breaks such as intersections, driveways and similar features. Materials and colors selected should play a subtle, background role and should not compete with adjacent buildings by calling attention to them. To achieve this, sidewalks should:
• Be constructed from sand-set pavers that facilitate percolation using square, rectangular, hexagonal, cobbl� or creased-keystone shapes. Non-creased keystone and wave edged pavers should be avoided. (See Figure #1) • Use earthen, wann hues (tan, brown, warm grey). Saturated colors (solid brick red, etc.) and cool hues (green, blue, cold grey) should be avoided. • Use a single hue or a mix of not more than two similar hues in paving areas. • Avoid the creation of patterns tlu'.ough the arrangement of pavers. Changes to colors or patterns shall not be used to identify the entrances to driveways, doorways or courtyards.
• Use colored concrete, or driveway pavers, for commercial driveways where the use of standard sand-set pavers is impractical. Driveway colors and/or materials should match at least one of the adjacent sidewalk designs. • Remain the same bordering large areas (e.g. Devendorf Park, Sunset Center) where there are no storefronts.

Rev: /2197
ATTACHMENT 1

II

PREFERED
�� �-�

DISCOURAGED

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FIGURE-1

PAVING STONE DETAILS
ATTACHMENT 1

Policy and Standards
Design Improvements to Public Ways
Page Three
B. Pathways and Footpaths:

Informal pathways and footpaths of decomposed granite should be considered the preferred design in all areas that form a transition between the commercial and residential (R-1) districts. Asphalt may be used in specific areas where drainage or erosion-control problems make decomposed granite impractical. The width of pathways and footpaths should not exceed four to five feet of available public ways. Randomly placed landscaping and trees should predominate in these areas to emphasize the transition from the urban to the residential.

C. Sidewalk Ramps:

Access to sidewalks at every intersection must be handicap accessible ramps to meet Title 24 California State Accessibility Standards for the physically impaired as depicted in Title 24 Standards Diagram (See Figure 2). Ramps should be constructed with materials and in colors that blend harmoniously with adjacent sidewalk materials.

D. Furniture in the Public Way:

The Planning Commission shall review the design and siting of furniture in the public way (e.g. benches, newspaper racks, cigarette butt containers, fountains, drinking fountains and tables). The Commission will determine whether a location or placement is appropriate based on demonstrated need, public safety, pedestrian flow, access to parked vehicles, existing structures located in the sidewalk area, the architecture of the area, location of underground utilities and the type of business that the furniture will impact.

Furniture shall be purchased, installed and maintained by the party making the request.

The construction material shall be appropriate to the area, and natural appearing using wood, metal or recycled products. All street furniture shall require the property owner to obtain an encroachment permit and maintain insurance coverage acceptable to the City consistent with all City policies.
• The City Administrator, following review and comment by the Director of Community Planning and Building and the City Forester, may approve installations of the City's standard wood.,enclosed trashcans. The Planning Commission must approve the location of new standard light fixtures.

Rev: 12197
ATTACHMENT 1

0·01 Cruler
SEE TITLE 24 FOR SPECIFIC
STANDARDS.

8.33%tnu . .,..
-""11'1C"�=-�
-0
0 Typical Stone
Curbing
Crosswallc
0 .s
E
&> �--SEE TITLE 24 FOR
48" min.

12.5%.max . .,..
:
!
_·]

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FIGURE-2

ST AND ARD SIDEWALK RAMP
FOR TITLE 24 COMPLIANCE

SPECIFIC STDS,
Front Edge of Sidewalk
ATTACHMENT 1

Policy and Standards
Design Improvements to Public Ways
Page Four
E. Curbs and Street Gutters:

Throughout most of the Residential District, rolled blacktop berms are the preferred design for street gutters. Concrete and cobblestone curbs should be restricted normally to the Commercial District except when required for safety or drainage. (See Figures #3 and #4, Stone and Concrete Curb and Gutter and Blacktop Rolled Berm).

F. Sidewaik Street Trees:

Sidewalk street trees are those planted in spaces on existing sidewalks. Sidewalk street trees are encouraged. The exact number of trees, their species, and location shall be determined by the City Forester depending on site conditions. Sidewalk street trees should be located near the head of, and adjacent to, parallel parking spaces with the trunk of the tree located 4 1/2 feet back from the head of the parking space. (See Figure #5, typical parking stall with planter). These specifications have been designed so that these sidewalk street trees will not be injured by cars maneuvering in parking stalls and not block car doors being opened on the sidewalk side. For trees at the curb line there should be at least 4 feet between the trunk and the facing building or planters in front of the building.

All tree planters should be made as large as practicable so that additional landscaping can be incorporated into the planters. There should also be no contrasting edging around the planter, rather the sidewalk material should frame and be flush with the exposed earth around the tree. Root barriers to prevent root damage to streets, gutters and sidewalks will be installed as directed by the City Forester.

G. Mini-Parks:

A mini-park protrudes into the street from the curb line or is in the street. Landscaping in mini-parks should include native, drought resistant plants and/or trees. If trees or large shrubs are included, they should not be used at the corner of a street where they could cause a safety hazard by blocking views of cross traffic. The design of mini-parks shall be consistent with the standards in the Forest and Beach Management Plan (See Figure #6). All n�w mini-park installations shall be reviewed for recommendations by the Staff Traffic Committee and approved by the Planning Commission with consideration of:

Rev: 11/97
ATTACHMENT 1

NOTE: UsE CLASS A CONCRETE.

CURB DET A-I L

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-TIIE-SEA
FIGURE-3

STONE CURB AND GUTTER DETAIL
ATTACHMENT 1

2'-0"
!rI I 2 .. 4--1 / 2 "
8-112"
_l 6" Base
L-----�------L
C UR B DETAJ.L
-- - - -.- --- ___ ._.... ___ _

DRIVEWAY SLOPE
FRO!H. VIEU
CITY OF CARMEL:-BY-THE-SEA
FIGURE-4

ROLLED BLACKTOP BURM DETAIL
ATTACHMENT 1

L✓/-G<'.////�//',U'./2-✓1
Center of tree 4'-6" from
head of parking stall.
6'-0" Planter
tlOTES:
1) Width of planter to be 1/2
of the width of the sidewalk
as measured from face of
curb.·
2) Typical sidewalk widths all
measured from face of curb
to property line.

Typical Parking Stall �
7' X 20'

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-TIIB-SEA
FIGURE-5

TYPICAL PARKING STALL WITH STREET TREE
ATTACHMENT 1

Typ.· Bldg .
. \
a·
\
\
J. _J
• I
4•min. �
----r"------�-
'-
_
Sid
ewalk A�e
a �
Mini-park,planter 9onsolidation
absorbs ope parking stall and
p0rtions pf sidewalk planters.
12•max. __,_-:,t:1!.,c,ceic,ce��,a:::,oc:a::x,
max Radius�lO' min.
. . • L both sides
----
#--(--- CJTY STREET ----7�

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FIGURE-6

MINI-PARK LAYOUT
ATTACHMENT 1

Policy and Standards
Design Improvements to Public Ways
Pag� Five
H.
• Appropriateness of location
• Impact on parking resources
• Impact on traffic and pedestrian safety
• Drainage and maintenance issues including street-sweeper access Street Drainage:

Whenever possible, open drain channels for curbside drainage should be used through planter areas rather than using subsurface pipes. This avoids pipes being clogged with debris and is easier to maintain. See Figure #7.

I. Irrigation:

1. Drip and Low-Flow Systems--All landscaping, sidewalk street trees and mini-parks will have drip or low-flow irrigation to help keep vegetation alive and cut down on maintenance requirements by City personnel.

2. Cistern Recycling Systems--When feasible, public projects should provide cistern system drainage to capture storm water runoff for irrigation of on-site and public way landscaping area. These systems will:

3. • Reduce demands on the City's public potable water resources • Protect municipal water allocations during periods of drought • Reduce impacts on the City's overtaxed storm drain systems.

Gutter/Downspout Gravity Irrigation for Street Tree Planters--When feasible, storm water runoff from roofs into roof gutters, downspouts, under sidewalks and exiting at curb gutters should be intercepted and used to irrigate trees in sidewalk planters. Storm water runoff redirected for irrigation purposes reduces the total volume of water entering the municipal storm drain system from a commercial project. (Refer to Figure #8, Detail A, and Figu
re #9, Cross-sectional Layout Plans
for Gutter/Downspout Gravity Irrigation.)
Rev: 12/97
ATTACHMENT 1

DRAIN DITCH
MIN. \O"'
AREA�
Typical Stone Curbing�

OPEN CHANNEL DRAINAGE (PREFERED)
-- ------------------
Property Line�
�----
� SIDEWALK AREA� -1, 1
------- I
-;o::u::e;u::e::------.., - - - - - - - - - - -:;-- - -::s:::.ect > r -t:-A.-<QQ!:c - - - 6'":i�.�iJ;>e_J-- ----
� PLANTER AREA
Typical
Curbing

CLOSED PIPE DRAINAGE (LESS DESIRABLE)

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FIGURE-?

STREET DRAINAGE FOR MINI-PARKS
ATTACHMENT 1

STREET-�)
A
.,J.-J----------------.:.L..l...R--t-t---;-1
CL�NOUT
I
L � ------ ( ------- GRAVEL AREA -
3" PERFORATED PVC
PIPE IN 12"xl2"

GRAVEL TRENCH
� SIDEWALK AREA >
3''pvc THRU

I CURB FACE
12''TYP.

A
BUILDING FACE w �-DOWNSPOUT
17 //.·' ,/ ..• • ///////�///////////////////?

PLAN VIEW

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FIGURE-8

DOWNSPOUT GRAVITY-IRRIGATION

LAYOUT FOR STREET TREES
ATTACHMENT 1

---BUILDING FACE

ROOF GUTTER DOWNSPOUT
-.- -
.:..__[_s IDEWALK ( TYP)
ELBOI·! TO -3" PERFORATED
PI PE 18" BELOW S IDENALK

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
FIGURE-9

CROSS-SECTION FOR STREET TREE

DOWNSPOUT ORA VITY IRRIGATION
//�c.--STONE CURBING
ATTACHMENT 1

Policy and Standards
Design Improvements to Public Ways
Page Six
J. Utilities
Utility boxes shall be located in garages, driveways or in planter areas on private property except where this .is impractical. Utility boxes located in the public right of way shall be incorporated into sidewalk planters with sufficient additional space to establish screeningvegetation such as ground cover and shrubs when practical. If neither of these alternatives is feasible, utility boxes may be located in a paved area of the street or the sidewalk: as close to the curbline as possible and may use standard nonskid utility covers.

K. Street Signs

1. Traffic Control Signs--The historic and traditional design for stop signs in Carmel uses a 2" diameter, nonreflective, white-painted, metal pole with a four-sided-box, street-name sign mounted mid-way on the pole. Traffic control signs (e.g. stop signs, speed limit signs, warning signs) shall also confonn to the design, color and shape requirements of the California Vehicle code.

2. Stop Signs Combined with Street Name Signs--Metal pole mounted stop signs combined with street name signs is the preferred method of identifying streets. A four-sided wood box shall be constructed around the steel pole consistent with Figure #10. The wood panels and metal pole shall be painted with a nonreflective white background and lettered with the street name using nonreflective forest green paint and vertical block-stencil lettering._ The metal stop sign shall have no wood backing and no wood frame or other appurtenances.

3. Stand-alone Post Signs--Stand-alone street name sign posts (not combined with a stop sign) may be used when there is no stop sign at the intersection or the stop sign location is not suitable for identifying the street names. Stand-alone posts also are the appropriate design to use for No Parking signs.

Stand-alone Street Name or No Parking signposts shall be constructed of 4" X 4" solid lumber of sufficient length to project 4 feet in height from grade. The top .of each post shall be cut to a 4-facet taper (see Figure #11). Posts shall be painted nonreflective white except for a 4-inch cap and a 7-inch pine tree emblem at the base- that shall be painted forest green. Each vertical face of the post shall be painted with the corresponding street name (or "no parking" text) using nonreflective, forest green paint and vertical block-stencil lettering. s:lplanbJdlwork:pgmlpublicwa _rev.doc(adopted)
Rev: 12/97
ATTACHMENT 1

GRADE
l f
I .. I

I I I I
I I f-TYP SIGN FACE
I I
I . I
I f

FOUR-SIDED

STREET-NAME BOX
1 : AROUND POLE
;/
7'MIN. • I
I
2"METAL
� POLE ---�,
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CITY OF CARMEL-BY-�EA

FIGURE-IO

COMBINATION STOP-SIGN

AND STREET-NAME SIGN
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: !
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I
ATTACHMENT 1

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
City Council
Staff Report
September 1, 2026

ORDERS OF BUSINESS
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Marisa Bermudez, Acting Assistant City Administrator APPROVED BY: Brandon Swanson, Acting City Administrator SUBJECT: Resolution 2026-065 approving the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 At-Will (Unrepresented) Compensation and Benefits Plan, including a 0% cost-of-living adjustment, a reduction in employee CalPERS retirement contributions, and special market equity adjustments for certain classifications.

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt Resolution 2026-065 approving the Fiscal Year 2026-27 compensation and benefit adjustments for At-Will employees, consisting of:

1. No cost-of-living salary adjustment (0% COLA) for Fiscal Year 2026-27;

2. A three-percentage point (3%) reduction in the employee CalPERS retirement contribution, effective September 1, 2026; and

3. Special market equity adjustments to the salary ranges of certain At-Will classifications determined to be below the market median, as follows:
o Police Chief pay band, which also includes the Assistant City Administrator – 3.05%
o Human Resources Manager – 4.51%
o Building Official – 8.30%
BACKGROUND / SUMMARY:

At-Will (unrepresented) employees are not recognized nor represented for the purpose of collective bargaining over salary, benefits, and working conditions. Historically, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea (City) has aligned the salaries of At-Will employees with those of represented units based on annual cost-of-living adjustments. This alignment,

which establishes the pay rates for At-Will positions, is important for recruitment and retention and for avoiding salary compaction, as acknowledged by the City Council through Resolution 2024-069.

Resolution 2024-069 documented the City's historical practice of aligning At-Will salary adjustments with represented employee groups to ensure we maintain internal parity.

The action did not limit the City Council's authority to determine appropriate compensation and benefits for At-Will employees moving forward.

At the time Resolution 2024-069 was adopted, staff also advised the City Council that staff would return for authorization if benefit enhancements were determined necessary for the At-Will classification to remain attractive and competitive both internally and within the labor market.

Fiscal Year 2026-27 Compensation
Consistent with the City's current financial outlook and the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget adopted by the City Council, staff is not recommending an across-the-board cost-ofliving salary adjustment for At-Will employees for Fiscal Year 2026-27, representing a 0% COLA for the fiscal year. Rather than an across-the-board increase to base salaries, staff recommends a benefit enhancement consisting of a three percentage point (3%) reduction in the employee CalPERS retirement contribution, effective September 1, 2026. This benefit enhancement is consistent with an adjustment previously provided to employees represented by the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Officers Association in January 2026.

The proposed benefit enhancement provides additional value to At-Will employees without increasing base salaries. It also recognizes the importance of maintaining competitive compensation and benefits for At-Will positions while remaining within the City's financial parameters for the current fiscal year.

Special Market Equity Adjustments
In addition to the proposed benefit enhancement, staff reviewed the market position of all At-Will classifications in comparison with similar positions in surrounding Monterey County public agencies (Attachment 3). The review identified three classifications/pay bands whose current salary ranges fall below the applicable market median.

The City Council has established a compensation philosophy of maintaining employee compensation at approximately the market median. Maintaining competitive salary ranges supports the City's ability to recruit and retain qualified employees, addresses internal and external salary equity, and helps ensure that compensation appropriately reflects the responsibilities and complexity of each position.

Based on the market review, staff recommends the following special market equity adjustments:

Classification/Pay Band Special Market
Adjustment
Police Chief pay band, including Assistant City
Administrator

3.05%
Human Resources Manager 4.51%
Building Official 8.30%
These adjustments are specifically intended to bring the identified classifications closer to the market median based on comparable positions within surrounding Monterey County public agencies. These targeted adjustments are consistent with the City Council's compensation philosophy and allow the City to address specific market disparities without implementing an across-the-board salary increase for the At-Will employee group.

Summary
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution (Attachment 1) establishing the Fiscal Year 2026-27 At-Will compensation and benefits plan, including a 0% COLA, a three percentage point reduction in employee CalPERS retirement contributions, and the special market equity adjustments identified above. Staff will incorporate the changes into the salary schedule as required by CalPERS regulations upon City Council approval (Attachment 2).

FISCAL IMPACT:

The fiscal impact associated with the three-percentage point reduction in employee CalPERS contributions is estimated at $80,000 annually, based on current At-Will payroll and CalPERS-eligible compensation. The additional fiscal impact of the proposed special market equity adjustments is estimated at $35,100 annually.

Funding for the proposed benefit enhancement is available within the Fiscal Year 2026- 27 adopted budget.

PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION:

August 6, 2024: Adopted Resolution No. 2024-069 amending the At-Will (Unrepresented) salary ranges to incorporate and align with Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) for the Management Unit, In accordance with Municipal Code 2.52.520,

effective August 1, 2024
August 5, 2025: Adopted Resolution No. 2025-069 approving the current salary schedule for At-Will (Unrepresented), Management Unit (an affiliate of LiUNA), General Unit (an affiliate of LiUNA), Police Officers Association, and Temporary/Hourly in compliance with California Public Employees Retirement Law (PERL) and the California Code of Regulations (CCR) Title 2, Section 570.5 November 3, 2025: Adopted Resolution 2025-094 approving the At-Will (Unrepresented) Compensation and Benefits Plan in compliance with California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 571.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Resolution 2026-065

2. EXHIBIT A - Updated Salary Schedule

3. 2026 At-Will Salary Survey

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-065

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 AT-WILL (UNREPRESENTED) COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PLAN,

INCLUDING A ZERO PERCENT COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT, A THREE-PERCENTAGE-POINT

REDUCTION IN EMPLOYEE CALPERS RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS, AND SPECIAL MARKET

EQUITY ADJUSTMENTS FOR CERTAIN CLASSIFICATIONS
WHEREAS, At-Will (unrepresented) employees are not recognized or represented for purposes of collective bargaining over salary, benefits, and working conditions; and WHEREAS, historically, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea ("City") has aligned the salaries of At-Will employees with those of represented employee groups based on annual cost-of-living adjustments to maintain internal parity, support recruitment and retention, and minimize salary compaction; and WHEREAS, on August 6, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2024-069, documenting the City's historical practice of aligning At-Will salary adjustments with represented employee groups while preserving the City Council's authority to determine appropriate compensation and benefits for At-Will employees; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has established a compensation philosophy of maintaining employee compensation at approximately the market median in order to support the recruitment and retention of qualified employees and maintain appropriate internal and external salary equity; and WHEREAS, consistent with the City's current financial outlook and the Fiscal Year 2026-27 adopted budget, staff recommends no across-the-board cost-of-living salary adjustment for At-Will employees for Fiscal Year 2026-27, representing a zero percent (0%) COLA; and WHEREAS, in lieu of an across-the-board cost-of-living salary adjustment, staff recommends a benefit enhancement consisting of a three-percentage-point (3%) reduction in the employee CalPERS retirement contribution, effective September 1, 2026; and WHEREAS, the proposed benefit enhancement is consistent with an adjustment previously provided to employees represented by the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Officers Association in January 2026 and provides additional value to At-Will employees without increasing base salaries; and WHEREAS, staff conducted a market review of At-Will classifications utilizing comparable positions in surrounding Monterey County public agencies and identified three classifications/pay bands whose salary ranges fall below the applicable market median; and WHEREAS, based on the market review and the City Council's compensation philosophy, staff recommends special market equity adjustments to the following At-Will classifications/pay bands:
• Police Chief pay band, which also includes the Assistant City Administrator – 3.05% • Human Resources Manager – 4.51%
• Building Official – 8.30%; and
•
WHEREAS, the recommended special market equity adjustments are intended to bring the identified classifications closer to the market median and address specific market disparities without implementing an across-the-board salary increase for the At-Will employee group; and WHEREAS, the estimated annual fiscal impact of the three-percentage-point reduction in employee CalPERS retirement contributions is approximately $80,000, and the estimated annual fiscal ATTACHMENT 1

Resolution 2026-065

impact of the special market equity adjustments is approximately $35,100, for a combined estimated annual fiscal impact of $115,100; and
WHEREAS, sufficient funding for the proposed compensation and benefit adjustments is available within the Fiscal Year 2026-27 adopted budget; and
WHEREAS, following approval by the City Council, staff will incorporate the approved compensation changes into the City's publicly available salary schedule in accordance with applicable California Public Employees' Retirement System ("CalPERS") requirements.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMELBY-THE-SEA DOES HEREBY ADOPT AS FOLLOWS:

1. The City Council hereby approves a zero percent (0%) cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for At-Will (unrepresented) employees for Fiscal Year 2026-27.

2. The City Council hereby approves a three-percentage-point (3%) reduction in the employee CalPERS retirement contribution for eligible At-Will employees, effective September 1, 2026, in accordance with applicable CalPERS requirements.

3. The City Council hereby approves the following special market equity adjustments to the applicable At-Will salary ranges:

Classification/Pay Band Market Equity Adjustment
Police Chief pay band, including Assistant City Administrator 3.05% Human Resources Manager 4.51%
Building Official 8.30%

4. The City Council hereby approves the Fiscal Year 2026-27 At-Will (Unrepresented) Compensation and Benefits Plan, attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by this reference, as amended to reflect the compensation and benefit changes authorized by this Resolution.

5. The City Administrator is authorized and directed to implement the compensation and benefit changes approved by this Resolution and to make the corresponding revisions to the City's At-Will salary schedule as required for implementation and compliance with applicable CalPERS regulations.

6. The compensation and benefit adjustments authorized by this Resolution shall become effective September 1, 2026, unless otherwise required by applicable law or CalPERS regulations.

PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL-BY­THE-SEA this 1st day of September 2026, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

APPROVED: ATTEST:
____________________________ __________________________ Dale Byrne, Mayor Nova Romero, MMC, City Clerk
ATTACHMENT 1

Pay Band Classification Grade Resolution # Effective
Date
Minimum Annual
Salary
Maximum Annual
Salary
City Administrator W-1CA 2024-069 7/1/2025 $260,759.12
Assistant City Administrator W-1ACA 2026-xxx 9/1/2026 $207,648.48 $252,397.78 Public Safety Director W-1 2026-xxx 9/1/2026 $207,648.48 $252,397.78 Public Works Director W-1PWD 2024-069 7/1/2025 $197,417.61 $239,962.63 Community Planning and Building Director W-2CPBD 2024-069 7/1/2025 $197,417.61 $239,962.63 Police Commander W-443PC 2024-069 7/1/2025 $174,275.91 $211,834.39 Library and Community Activities Director W-440DL 2024-069 7/1/2025 $174,275.91 $211,834.39 4 Human Resources Manager W-20 HRM 2026-xxx 9/1/2026 $165,061.19 $200,632.98 Finance Manager W-459FM 2024-069 7/1/2025 $157,938.18 $191,974.91 Information Services/Network Manager W-403IS 2024-069 7/1/2025 $157,938.18 $191,974.91 City Clerk W-400CC 2024-069 7/1/2025 $157,938.18 $191,974.91 6 Capital Program Manager 2026-035 7/1/2025 $153,845.36 $187,000.00 7 Building Official W-366BO 2024-069 7/1/2025 $141,284.15 $171,705.32 Environmental Compliance Manager W-377EC 2024-069 7/1/2025 $130,456.28 $158,546.00 Project Manager W-10 2024-069 7/1/2025 $130,456.28 $158,546.00 9 Senior Human Resources Analyst W-362SA 2024-069 7/1/2025 $107,590.20 $134,694.17 Deputy City Clerk W-342DC 2024-069 7/1/2025 $92,933.68 $112,951.06 Administrative Analyst W-7AA 2024-069 7/1/2025 $92,933.68 $112,951.06 11 Executive Assistant W-3EXA 2024-069 7/1/2025 $93,476.74 $101,102.78 12 Administrative Technician W-9AT 2024-069 7/1/2025 $78,952.43 $96,009.73 8 10
1 2
3 5
City of Carmel by the Sea SALARY SCHEDULE
Effective September 1, 2026

AT-WILL (UNREPRESENTED) CLASSIFICATIONS
City Council Meeting: September 1, 2026 |Reso #2026-XXX EXHIBIT A ATTACHMENT 2

At Will Classifications
2026 Salary Survey
$118.75 -0.85%
$121.34 -3.05%
$115.37 0.00%
$102.64 11.03%
Assistant City Administrator Market
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1 Median Variance
1 Marina Asst. City Manager $133.92
2 Salinas Asst. City Manager $131.01
3 Monterey Asst. City Manager $129.85
4 Seaside Asst. City Manager $118.75
5 Carmel-by-the-Sea Asst. City Administrator $117.75
6 Pacific Grove ASD / Asst City Manager $108.27
7 Sand City Asst. City Manager $107.16
Public Safety Director
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Monterey Police Chief $142.02
2 Marina Police Chief $133.92
3 Salinas Chief of Police $128.40
4 Seaside Police Chief $121.34
5 Pacific Grove Police Chief $121.22
6 Carmel-by-the-Sea Public Safety Director $117.75
7 Sand City Police Chief $107.81
Public Works Director
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Marina Public Works Director $133.92
2 Monterey Public Works Director $123.91
3 Seaside PW Director/City Engineer $116.05
4 Carmel-by-the-Sea Public Works Director $115.37
5 Salinas Public Works Director $110.48
6 Pacific Grove Public Works Director $99.47
7 Sand City Public Works Manager $62.31
Community Planning Building Director
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Marina Com. Development Director $133.92
2 Carmel-by-the-Sea Com. Planning Building Dir. $115.37 3 Monterey Com. Development Director $113.37
4 Salinas Com. Development Director $102.64
5 Pacific Grove Com. Development Director $99.13
6 Seaside Economic Development Dir. $78.39
ATTACHMENT 3

7 Sand City Planning Manager $77.52
Police Commander
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Monterey Assistant Police Chief $124.51
2 Salinas Police Commander $105.65
4 Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Commander $101.84
5 Seaside Police Commander $95.08
6 Sand City Police Commander $92.78
7 Pacific Grove Police Commander $85.89
Library Community Activities Director
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Monterey Library Director $110.39
2 Watsonville Library Director $103.90
3 Carmel-by-the-Sea Library Com. Act. Director $101.84
4 Salinas Lib/Com Svc Director $98.70
5 Pacific Grove Library Director $93.17
6 Finance Manager
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Monterey Asst. Finance Director $99.97
2 Pacific Grove Finance Director $96.20
3 Carmel-by-the-Sea Finance Manager $92.30
4 Salinas Asst. Finance Director $90.16
5 Seaside Asst. Finance Director $82.81
6 Marina Accounting Services Mngr $71.89
7 Sand City Finance Manager $62.31
Human Resources Manager
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Marina HR Director $133.92
2 Monterey HR Director $115.26
3 Seaside HR Asst. Dir/Risk Manager $108.59
4 Pacific Grove HR Director $96.46
5 Carmel-by-the-Sea HR Manager $92.30
6 Salinas HR Manager $71.30
7 Sand City Admin Svc Manager $68.46
Information/Network Manager
$98.46 3.32%
$101.84 0.00%
$90.16 2.32%
$96.46 -4.51%
ATTACHMENT 3

Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Seaside IT Director $108.59
2 Monterey Chief Information Officer $106.75
3 Carmel-by-the-Sea Information S/Netwrk Mngr. $92.30
4 Marina IT Manager $78.23
5 Pacific Grove Sr Program Manager $77.00
6 Salinas Network/Sys Administrator $76.39
City Clerk
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Carmel-by-the-Sea City Clerk $92.30
2 Seaside City Clerk/ Asst to City Mngr $81.86
3 Marina City Clerk $80.00
4 Monterey City Clerk $79.35
5 Pacific Grove City Clerk $78.59
6 Salinas City Clerk $68.81
7 Sand City City Clerk $62.31
Environmental Compliance Manager
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Carmel-by-the-Sea Env. Compliance Manager $76.22
2 Monterey Env. Regulations Manager $70.65
3 Watsonville Environmental Projects Mngr $64.10
4 Pacific Grove Program Manager $60.95
5 Salinas Env Compliance Insp II $45.96
6 Project Manager
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Pacific Grove Principal Civil Engineer $77.00
2 Carmel-by-the-Sea Project Manager $76.22
3 Monterey Engineering Project Mngr $72.38
4 Seaside Associate Civil Engineer $67.97
5 Marina Associate Civil Engineer $60.63
6 Salinas Assistant Engineer $54.47
Building Official
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Monterey Chief of Inspct Srvc/Bldg Off $99.80
2 Seaside Chief Building Official $96.03
3 Salinas Chief Building Official $84.24
$85.27 7.62%
$79.35 14.03%
$64.10 15.90%
$70.18 7.93%
$82.55 -8.30%
ATTACHMENT 3

4 Marina Chief Building Official $80.85
5 Watsonville Building Official $78.73
6 Carmel-by-the-Sea Building Official $76.22
Senior HR Analyst
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Monterey Sr. HR Analyst $68.09
2 Salinas Sr. HR Analyst $66.43
3 Carmel-by-the-Sea Sr. HR Analyst $64.76
4 Marina Sr. HR Analyst $58.67
5 Watsonville HR Analyst $51.73
6 Deputy City Clerk
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Carmel-by-the-Sea Deputy City Clerk $54.30
2 Marina Deputy City Clerk $48.06
3 Pacific Grove Deputy City Clerk $47.32
4 Watsonville Deputy City Clerk $42.27
5 6
Administrative Analyst
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Monterey Administrative Analyst $59.65
2 Seaside Administrative Analyst II $56.62
3 Carmel-by-the-Sea Administrative Analyst $54.30
4 Marina Management Analyst $48.82
5 Pacific Grove Administrative Analyst $47.32
6 Salinas Administrative Analyst I $42.91
Executive Assistant
Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Carmel-by-the-Sea Executive Assistant $48.61
2 Marina Executive Assistant $44.18
3 Salinas Executive Assistant $43.70
4 Monterey Executive Assistant I $42.20
5 Watsonville Executive Assistant $38.41
6 Pacific Grove Administrative Coordinator $36.14
Administrative Technician
$64.76 0.00%
$47.69 12.17%
$51.56 5.05%
$42.95 11.64%
ATTACHMENT 3

Rank Agency/City Job Title Top Step 1
1 Carmel-by-the-Sea Administrative Technician $46.16
2 Monterey Administrative Srvc Tech $45.66
3 Marina Administrative Assistant II $37.97
4 Pacific Grove Administrative Coordinator $36.14
5 Salinas Administrative Aide $35.64
6 Seaside Administrative Assistant $33.69
$37.06 19.72%
ATTACHMENT 3