City Council Meeting - November 18, 2025
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order at 4:03 p.m. on November 18, 2025 in the City Council Chamber at City Hall with Mayor Duncan presiding.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Duncan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. PRESENTATIONS
3.a
Turkey Coloring Contest
Stacy Berman, Recreation Supervisor, provided information about the contest. Mayor Duncan and the City Council presented the awards as follows:
Kindergarten and First Grade Entries:
Third Place:
Remi Degree
Second Place:
Jake Lehner
First Place:
Faye Castillo
Second and Third Grade Entries:
Third Place:
Jose Rahmane
Second Place:
William Burns
First Place:
Aiden Rhea
Fourth and Fifth Grade Entries:
Third Place:
Maddie Worthington
Second Place:
Adeline Nelson
First Place:
Ave Lehner
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Councilmember Fleming
Approve the recommended actions on the consent calendar.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
4.a
Approval of Reading by Title and Waiver of Reading in Full of Ordinances on This Agenda Approve the reading by title and waive the reading in full of all Ordinances on the agenda.
4.b
Approve Warrants Certified by Treasurer as Correct and Budget-Compliant for FY 2025-26
1. Warrant List 11.18.25.pdf
Approve the Warrants as certified by the City/Agency Treasurer.
4.c
Approval of Holiday Time Off for Employees During December 2025 Consistent with Prior Years
1. Staff Report - December Holiday 2025.pdf
Authorize up to nine hours of additional leave to City employees in conjunction with the Christmas or New Year’s holiday as in past years.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Duncan explained public comment procedures, noting First Amendment limitations, the requirement that speakers address the Council rather than the audience, the prohibition on audience interruptions, and that repeat disruptions may result in removal and a temporary adjournment.
Connie Spitzer
provided comments regarding facility rental rates for Coronado-based nonprofit organizations and the accessibility of Community Center fees.
Kaylee Lindsey
, President of Emerald Keepers, provided comments regarding Climate Action Plan implementation, emissions tracking, and strategies for accelerating local climate action.
Robbins Kelly
and
Inge Cornejo
, representing Coronado Main Street, provided comments regarding the upcoming Shop Small Saturday event and local business participation.
Charles Nelson, Jr.
provided comments regarding traffic circulation and U-turn activity near H Street during school drop-off and pick-up times.
Mila Albertson
provided comments regarding recent traffic control efforts following a signal outage and curb-painting needs related to visibility at intersections.
Carolyn Rogerson
provided comments regarding public discourse surrounding law enforcement, the importance of fact-gathering before commentary, and civic responsibility.
6. CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tina Friend, City Manager, provided updates regarding school-area traffic safety coordination with CUSD, operational preparedness and multi-department response during the recent storm event, assistance provided to the Navy during vessel emergencies at Silver Strand, and upcoming follow-up on emergency management communications and technology options.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.a
Council Reports on Interagency Assignments
1. 8a Councilmember Purvis October 23 - November 11, 2025.pdf Councilmember Fleming reported on attendance at the “Take a Vet to School” event and participation in a Caltrans-led tour of the Coronado Bridge to review planned safety improvements associated with the Suicide Prevention Project.
Councilmember Purvis reported on the recent SDMAC Military Impact Study rollout event and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly completed Cays Park Playground.
Councilmember Downey reported on participation in the SDMAC Military Impact Study event, including the City’s recognition for supporting the study, as well as updates from the Community Choice Aggregation subcommittee regarding ongoing analysis and upcoming public outreach efforts.
Councilmember Steward provided updates from the Cal Cities Coastal Leadership Working Group, attendance at regional green building and environmental policy events.
Mayor Duncan reported on recent coordination with Caltrans regarding the bridge suicide-prevention and seismic-retrofit projects, ongoing regional and federal engagement on transboundary sewage issues, and upcoming interagency meetings related to cross-border environmental improvements.
8.b
Resolutions Approving Second Amended and Restated Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement (SARA)
1. Staff Report - Metro JPA SARA.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2025-55.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Resolution 2025-56.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Understanding the Second Amended and Restated Agreement.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - SARA FINAL FOR METRO JPA.pdf
6. Attachment 5 - SARA Exhibits A - H.pdf
7. Attachment 6 - Pretreatment Administrative Agreement FINAL FOR METRO JPA.pdf Councilmember Purvis provided background on the agreement as part of her work with the Metro Wastewater JPA.
Adriana Ochoa, JPA General Counsel, presented information on the agreements utilizing a PowerPoint.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Fleming
Seconded by:
Mayor Duncan
Adopt Resolution 2025-55 approving the second amended and restated Regional Wastewater Disposal Agreement and Resolution 2025-56 approving Metropolitan Sewerage System Administrative Agreement No. 1 for unified management of industrial waste discharge pretreatment and enhanced source control.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8.c
Review of Recreation Fee Schedule and Recreation Facility Use Policy Implementation Outcomes
1. Staff Report - Review of Updated Recreation Fee Schedule and Recreation Facility Use Policy Implementation Outcomes.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - September 17, 2024 Staff Report.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Proposed Facility Use Policy 2026 -Redlined.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Proposed Facility Use Policy 2026.pdf
5. Attachment 5 - Proposed Recreation Fee Schedule 2026.pdf
6. Attachment 4 - Current Recreation Fee Schedule - Redlined.pdf Receive a report on the outcomes of the Recreation Fee Schedule and Recreation Facility Use Policy modified in 2024, and provide input to staff on proposed refinements to be returned to a future City Council meeting for action.
Tim Farmer, Recreation and Golf Services Director, presented the staff report utilizing a PowerPoint.
Councilmember Downey asked whether nonresident fee caps apply only to limited-capacity programs, whether nonprofits now have unlimited access to meeting rooms when space is available, and how insurance requirements work for park and beach vendors. Mr. Farmer responded that fee caps apply only to programs needing help meeting minimum enrollment, that nonprofits may use rooms without annual limits when space is available, and that permittees must ensure vendors carry required insurance and licenses, with certain high-risk vendors already preapproved by the City.
Councilmember Steward asked whether sports-field renters should be required to post signage to address Cays parking impacts. Mr. Farmer responded that signage is currently required only for the large annual soccer events but can be added for other groups when impacts warrant.
Mayor Duncan asked whether boathouse hours could be extended and whether Tennis Center reservations during staffed hours could avoid requiring walk-on youth to pay. Mr. Farmer responded that extended boathouse hours have historically seen very low use and that liability-waiver options for walk-on youth can be explored, though usage data is not yet available.
Councilmember Fleming asked how booking-window flexibility operates under the proposed 45-day rule. Mr. Farmer responded that reservations normally require at least 45 days’ notice, but the director or designee may approve exceptions for simple events when space is available.
Councilmember Downey asked whether renters may purchase insurance through the City and whether application fees can be credited toward permit costs. Mr. Farmer responded that renters may buy insurance through the City at cost and that application fees for nonresident and commercial users will be applied to the final reservation fee.
Discussion ensued regarding the Recreation Fee Schedule and Facility Use Policy, including cost-recovery targets, the structure and rationale of proposed fees, the frequency of future fee reviews, and the use of CPI for annual adjustments, resident access, subsidization levels, historical gaps in fee updates, and alignment with similar models such as the skate park. Councilmembers noted support for the overall approach, the importance of periodic review to avoid long lapses, and ensuring that fees remain transparent, defensible, and consistent with community use goals. Direction was provided to proceed with the recommended framework and incorporate CPI adjustments with a five-year comprehensive review.
8.d
Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Coronado Municipal Code Title 2, Chapter 2.62 (Parks and Recreation Commission) and Title 52, Chapter 32 (Trees in the Public Rights-of-Way) to implement the consolidation of the Street Tree Committee and the Parks and Recreation Committee; adoption of a Resolution repealing Resolution No. 7266 which established the Street Tree Committee; and, consideration of revisions to the Street Tree Master Plan
1. Staff Report - Parks and Recreation Commission and Street Tree Committee Consolidation Implementation and Street Tree Master Plan Revisions.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Ordinance 2025-10.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - R2025-57.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Resolution 7266.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - Pepper Tree Replacement Program Revisions.pdf
6. Attachment 5 - Approved Street Tree List Revised.pdf
7. Attachment 6 - Tree Removal Guidelines Revised.pdf
Tina Friend, City Manager, presented the staff report utilizing a PowerPoint.
Mayor Duncan asked about progress on the pepper-tree removal program, whether homeowners may remove trees themselves if desired, and whether staff can share each tree’s position in the removal queue and its health status. Art Valdivia, Public Services Manager of Parks, Beach, & Urban Forestry, stated that removals are tracked separately for pepper trees in an expedited list, that staff can inform homeowners of their queue position and tree condition, and that residents may choose to proceed with private removal if City removal is not imminent.
Councilmember Purvis asked whether the policy should specify that the City removes pepper trees in poor condition at City cost and that homeowners bear removal and replacement costs only for trees in fair or good condition. City Manager Friend confirmed that this clarification can be added to the internal policy without affecting the ordinance.
Councilmember Purvis asked why the City installs 15-gallon replacement trees while residents sometimes install larger box sizes. Mr. Valdivia explained that 15-gallon trees are planted during Arbor Day when staff can monitor establishment, while larger box trees are used for out-of-season individual replacements that require less follow-up.
Councilmember Fleming asked whether residents “can” or “will” be required to purchase larger replacement trees through the City’s contractor. Mr. Valdivia stated that residents may purchase trees through the contractor but may also buy from another nursery at their discretion.
Councilmember Downey asked how additional species may be added to the approved tree list in the future. Mr. Valdivia stated that proposed species are typically reviewed through the Parks and Recreation Commission, tested in limited locations, and brought forward when appropriate.
Mila Albertson
provided comments regarding the timing and visual impacts of replacing multiple pepper trees on a single block and whether replacement trees would need to match to maintain a cohesive streetscape.
Discussion ensued regarding the Street Tree Master Plan update, including replacement procedures for declining pepper trees, coordination with residents, and the expected variability of canopy development over time, the condition of existing street trees, the City’s practice of working with property owners on appropriate species selection, and the anticipated transition from aging peppers to approved canopy trees in phases rather than all at once. Councilmembers discussed the removal of non-canopy species such as Queen Palms from the approved list, the City’s long-term goal of expanding and strengthening the urban tree canopy, and the growth rate and canopy contribution of 36-inch box replacements. Further discussion ensued regarding voluntary removal requests, cost responsibilities based on tree condition, opportunities for residents to expedite removals at their own expense, the need to clarify program language to reflect these distinctions, clarifications regarding program capacity, annual replacement limits, and procedures for property-initiated removals. Consensus was reached to modify the pepper tree replacement language to specify that the City is to fund removal of trees in poor condition unless the property owner elects to expedite work, and to incorporate the clarified direction into the revised documents.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Mayor Duncan
(1) Adopt Ordinance 2025-10 incorporating the duties of the Street Tree Committee into the Parks and Recreation Commission and enacting other refinements. (2) Adopt a Resolution repealing Resolution No. 7266, which established the Street Tree Committee. (3) Adopt the revisions to the Street Tree Master Plan, including the Brazilian and California Pepper Tree Replacement Program, the approved street tree and experimental tree lists, and the tree removal guidelines, incorporating the Council’s amendments that modify the cost-responsibility language in the Pepper Tree Replacement Program so that property owners are responsible for removal and replacement costs only when a tree is in fair or good condition, while the City covers costs when a tree is in poor condition unless a property owner elects to expedite removal ahead of the City’s scheduled program; and clarify that property owners who choose to advance removal of a poor-condition tree ahead of the City’s replacement timeline will be responsible for those costs; and direct the Parks and Recreation Commission to complete a holistic review and update of the Street Tree Master Plan and return with recommendations for Council approval. (4) Find that adoption of the ordinance and associated amendments is exempt from CEQA because the actions constitute administrative updates to the City’s street tree program involving maintenance, permitting, and minor alterations of existing public facilities; qualify under the Class 1 (§15301) and Class 2 (§15302) exemptions for maintenance and in-kind replacement; qualify under the Class 7 (§15307) and Class 8 (§15308) exemptions for actions taken to protect and enhance natural resources.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8.e
Climate Action Plan Update
1. Staff Report - Climate Action Plan Update.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - CAP Implementation Progress Spreadsheet.pdf Receive report and authorize staff to release a Request for Proposals for consultant support to prepare a Climate Action Plan Update by 2027.
Rich Grunow, Community Development Director, presented the staff report utilizing a PowerPoint.
Councilmember Steward asked whether making certain permits free increased participation in solar, heat pump, or graywater installations. Mr. Grunow stated that state policy changes and expiring federal tax credits have sharply reduced rooftop-solar demand and that applications for other sustainability technologies remain low regardless of fee waivers.
Councilmember Fleming asked for a cost estimate for a CAP update and whether state law already requires rooftop solar on new homes. Mr. Grunow confirmed that an update would likely cost under $100,000 and that rooftop solar is required on all newly constructed residences under state building codes.
Mayor Duncan asked about the City’s cost for “free tree” distribution events. Mr. Grunow estimated the total cost for both events at roughly $20,000 or less.
City Manager Friend clarified that ongoing climate-related projects would continue regardless of when the CAP update occurs.
Karen Rogers
, Emerald Keepers Board, provided comments regarding the Climate Action Plan update, expressing concern about the cost and timing of a consultant-led update and encouraging near-term implementation actions.
Mila Albertson
provided comments regarding energy-efficiency measures and green-roof practices used at other facilities, encouraging consideration of similar strategies for local schools and new development.
Discussion ensued regarding Coronado’s Climate Action Plan, the timing of a future plan update, and the relative value of pursuing immediate, high-impact implementation measures, and noted the need to prioritize actions that meaningfully reduce emissions including municipal rooftop solar installations, participation in a Community Choice Aggregation program, and targeted transportation initiatives such as micro-transit pilots and EV charging infrastructure.
Further discussion ensued regarding workload considerations for staff, the importance of understanding cost benefit outcomes prior to committing to major capital projects, and the need to balance environmental goals with other essential City operational and infrastructure needs. Council noted interest in advancing practical steps already underway, including the upcoming library roof project, ongoing assessment of future EV charging locations, evaluation of a micro-transit program, and continued work on CCA feasibility.
Consensus was reached to pause issuance of an RFP for a CAP update, allow ongoing initiatives to continue, request that staff return with a focused list of near-term, high-impact actions modeled on successful regional examples, and continue advancing current environmental projects.
9. BOARD, COMMISSION, AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORTS
10. CITY ATTORNEY
11. COMMUNICATIONS WRITTEN
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Duncan adjourned the Regular Meeting at 7:15 p.m.