City Council Meeting - May 05, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
The Regular Meeting of the City Council was called to order at 4:14 p.m. on May 5, 2026 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
Safe Harbor Coronado Mental Health and Wellness Month Proclamation
1. PROC2026-12 Safe Harbor Mental Health 04212026.pdf
Mayor Duncan read a proclamation designating May 2026 as Safe Harbor Coronado Mental Health and Wellness Month in the City of Coronado. Representatives from Safe Harbor Coronado accepted the proclamation and expressed appreciation for the City's ongoing partnership.
3.b
Public Service Recognition Week Proclamation
1. Public Service Recognition Week Proclamation.pdf
Mayor Duncan read a proclamation designating the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Public Service Recognition Week in the City of Coronado, Representatives from all city departments came forward to receive individual copies of the proclamation.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by:
Mayor Duncan
Seconded by:
Councilmember Downey
Approve the recommended actions on the consent calendar with the addition of items 8b, 8f, 8g, and 8h.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
Councilmember Purvis recused herself from voting on Item 8h as her residential property is located within 500 feet of the affected parking signs in Spreckels Park.
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 05.05.26.pdf
Approve the Warrants as certified by the City/Agency Treasurer.
4.c
Approval of the Minutes of March 17 and April 7 2026 Regular and Closed Session Meetings
1. Closed Meeting Minutes - March 17, 2026.pdf
2. Regular Meeting Minutes - April 7, 2026.pdf
3. Closed Meeting Minutes - April 7, 2026.pdf
4. Regular Meeting Minutes - March 17, 2026.pdf
Approve the Minutes of March 17 and April 7 2026 Regular and Closed Session Meetings.
4.d
Accept the Seaport Manhole Rehabilitation Project and Direct the City Clerk to File a Notice of Completion
1. Staff Report - Seaport Manhole Rehabilitation and Sewer Main Inspection Notice of Completion.pdf Accept the Seaport Manhole Rehabilitation Project and direct the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion.
4.e
Resolution Extending a Local Emergency Due to the Discovery of Caulerpa prolifera in the Coronado Cays
1. Staff Report - Caulerpa Emergency Declaration 05052026.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2026-21.pdf
Adopt the resolution to extend the declaration of local emergency due to the discovery of Caulerpa
prolifera
.
4.f
Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance Amending the Coronado Municipal Code Regarding Conflict of Interest
1. Staff Report - Ordinance Adoption Conflict of Interest 2026.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Ordinance 2026-01.pdf
Conduct the second reading of Ordinance 2026-01 amending Chapter 1.20, Section 1.20.060, Section 1.20.070 (A-P), and Section 1.20.080 (A-B) of Title 1 of the Coronado Municipal Code regarding conflict of interest.
4.g
Orange Avenue Banner Program Summer Rotation NASCAR Banners
1. Staff Report - NASCAR Banner Approval.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - NASCAR Banner Designs.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Summer Banners Installation Map.pdf
Approve the proposed NASCAR banner designs and associated installation locations for a limited summer display period along Orange Avenue.
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Brad Gerbel
provided comments expressing concerns regarding the late-year MainStreet funding request, the offshore oil leasing resolution, and Assembly Bill 2484, noting preference for prioritizing local drainage infrastructure at Ninth Street and Olive Avenue.
Tina Christiansen
provided comments regarding support for the revitalization and beautification work of Coronado MainStreet in maintaining a balanced commercial heart for both residents and businesses.
Jamie Hartnett
, President of the Coronado Fourth of July Board, provided comments regarding a request for community volunteers to fill operational roles for the full day of holiday events, including the parade, parachute demonstration, and fireworks over Glorieta Bay.
Jack Kennedy
, representing the Coronado Philharmonia Orchestra, provided comments regarding an invitation to the community for the "Honoring America" Memorial Day tribute concert at the Coronado Performing Arts Center.
Carolyn Rogerson
provided comments regarding opposition to the City Council expanding its focus to external legislative matters like Assembly Bill 2484, stating that an additional transit tax would penalize individuals who can least afford it while funding underutilized transportation infrastructure.
Doris Besikof
provided comments regarding the preservation of constitutional principles ahead of the upcoming election.
Robbins Kelly
, representing Coronado MainStreet, provided comments regarding the immense civic and business success of the 37th Annual Motor Cars on Main Street event and thanked public services and safety departments for their vital coordination.
Inge Cornejo
, representing Coronado MainStreet, provided comments regarding the extensive hours contributed by community volunteers to execute the recent downtown car show and praised the economic benefits experienced by local restaurants.
Eddie Warner
, representing Coronado MainStreet, provided comments regarding the strong sense of community observed during the car show.
Derik Morse
, representing Coronado MainStreet and general manager of the Blue Water Grill (The Boat House), provided comments regarding the structural importance of business operators sustainably volunteering to preserve Coronado's historic character and merchant balance.
6. CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
None.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.a
961 D Avenue - Request for a One-Lot Tentative Parcel Map to Allow for Condominium Ownership of Two Residential Units and Determination that the Project is Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15332 (PC2026-01)
1. Staff Report - Tentative Parcel Map 961 D Avenue.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2026-24.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Tentative Parcel Map and Preliminary Grading Plan.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Tentative Parcel Map Application.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - Declaration of Notice.pdf
Kirk Fatland, Associate Planner, presented the staff report utilizing PowerPoint.
Mayor Duncan opened the public hearing and asked if anyone wished to speak on this item.
Mila Albertson
provided comments regarding a complaint that architectural drawings and physical renderings of the proposed residential duplex were excluded from the downloadable online agenda materials, requesting that these visuals be consistently provided to help the public visualize infill development projects.
Having received no further requests to speak, Mayor Duncan closed the public hearing.
Discussion ensued regarding local zoning compliance, historic preservation, and parking standards. It was noted that because the project complies with all objective development parameters and density allowances within the R-3 zone, map approval is legally nondiscretionary under local code and state requirements. Further discussion ensued regarding the administrative obligation to approve maps for projects that meet all statutory mandates to prevent municipal legal liability, noting that properties must be evaluated based on compliance with established legal criteria rather than individual preferences for historic preservation.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Councilmember Fleming
Determine that the project is categorically exempt under Class 32 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15332 (In-Fill Development) and adopt a resolution approving a one-lot Tentative Parcel Map at 961 D Avenue.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
7.b
Public Hearing: Proposition 218 Hearing; Approval of “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Coronado, California, Approving the Rate Adjustments for Sanitary Sewer Services” and Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 60.08 of the Coronado Municipal Code Revising Procedures for Setting Rates for Sanitary Sewer Services
1. Staff Report - Public Hearing WW Rate Case 05.05.26 CAO-MB EDITS.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Wastewater Rate Study.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Resolution 2026-26.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - 218 Mailing Receipt and Proof.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - Declaration of Public Notice of Mailing.pdf
6. Attachment 5 - Ordinance 2026-02.pdf
Denise Johnson, Public Services Administrative Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Duncan opened the public hearing and read the legal protocols governing written protest submissions.
Tina Christiansen
provided comments regarding support for the proposed sanitary sewer rate adjustments to fund essential infrastructure maintenance, pipeline corrosion prevention, and future water recycling capabilities.
Mila Albertson
provided comments regarding support for funding infrastructure maintenance but noted that her official notice featured an erroneous "00" prefix before her street number, requesting that staff purge data entry anomalies from the tax roll database.
A call was made for any final written protest ballots. Hearing none, the protest submission period was declared closed, and the public hearing was closed. The City Clerk reported that the tabulation was complete and that a majority protest had not been achieved.
Discussion ensued regarding utility communication and tax roll auditing. It was noted that while individual notices generally did not contain formatting anomalies, administrative staff would audit the external county assessor data sets to refine subsequent mailings.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Fleming
Seconded by:
Councilmember Downey
Conduct the Proposition 218 hearing, adopt Resolution 2026-24 approving the rate adjustments for sanitary sewer services and introduce Ordinance 2026-02 amending Chapter 60.08 of the Coronado Municipal Code (CMC).
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8. GENERAL BUSINESS
8.a
Council Reports on Interagency Assignments
1. 8a. Councilmember Purvis 05052026.pdf
Councilmember Downey reported that in response to a resident complaint regarding deferred maintenance on the bandstand at Spreckels Park, Public Services Director Leon Firsht and City maintenance crews executed comprehensive aesthetic repairs within two weeks.
Mayor Duncan reported that he and City Manager Friend successfully coordinated with public services staff to secure the immediate removal of a discarded ceiling fan that had been thrown onto the roof of the historic ferry landing gazebo, eliminating a public safety hazard on the same day it was reported.
8.b
Receive Multi-Year General Fund Financial Forecast through Fiscal Year 2030-31 and provide direction on an Interfund Loan from the General Fund to the Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fee Fund (265) and a One-Time General Fund Contribution to the Facilities Replacement Fund (436)
1. Staff Report - Multi Yr Budget Projection 2027-2031.pdf Receive Multi-Year General Fund Financial Forecast through Fiscal Year 2030-31 and provide direction on additional considerations of an Interfund Loan from the General Fund to the Affordable Housing In-Lieu Fee Fund (265) for the purchase of 349-63 D Avenue property and a One-Time $5,000,000 General Fund Contribution to the Facilities Replacement Fund (436).
This item was approved under the consent calendar.
8.c
Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Coronado Tourism Improvement District (CTID) Advisory Board Annual Report/Management Plan and Resolution of Intent to Continue to Levy Assessments on Four Hotel Businesses
1. Staff Report - CTID Annual Report and Intent to Continue Levy 05052026.pdf
2. Attachment 1- Resolution No. 2026-25.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Discover Coronado Annual Report.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Discover Coronado Budget Detail.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - Discover Coronado Supplemental Information.pdf Kelli Maples, Senior Management Analyst, introduced the item. Todd Little, Executive Director of Discover Coronado, presented the annual report and management plan, utilizing a PowerPoint presentation to outline proposed tourism marketing strategies, budget distributions, and reserve fund utilization for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
Councilmember Steward asked about multi-year allocations granted to the Coronado Art and Wine Festival. Mr. Little responded that the board provided a cumulative total of $303,000 over four years, consisting of early matching contributions followed by consecutive $100,000 title sponsorships split evenly between the Chamber of Commerce for logistics and the Coronado Schools Foundation for regional marketing. Councilmember Steward commented that direct spending on public community initiatives remains below three percent of the total tourism budget, noted that foundational documents restricted operational reserves to 15 percent rather than the current 50 percent allocation, and recommended an immediate $300,000 lump-sum transfer into structural downtown enhancements.
Councilmember Purvis asked why community development expenditures were significantly lower in previous fiscal cycles and whether the remaining public relations budget would carry over. Mr. Little responded that public relations functions as strategic media storytelling rather than commercial advertising and that community spending declined in Fiscal Year 2025 due to the cancellation of transit vehicle wraps during district cost-cutting measures. Councilmember Purvis suggested the board expand capital investments into commercial streetscape improvements to protect the curb appeal of the eighth block corridors.
Councilmember Downey reported on discussions with local resort general managers regarding December congestion and recommended that marketing funds be directed toward promoting independent merchants, theater productions, and bay-side traffic diversions.
Councilmember Fleming suggested that Discover Coronado fully fund seasonal holiday lighting infrastructure rather than pursuing a 50/50 General Fund match and noted that a strict 15 percent reserve cap could leave the organization financially vulnerable during unexpected economic downturns.
Discussion ensued regarding marketing schedules and reserve allocations. Mayor Duncan proposed continuing the management plan to June 2, 2026, to allow the CTID board to formally vote on proposed amendments while executing the resolution of intent to preserve the legal notification sequence.
Mayor Duncan called for a recess at 6:08 p.m. Council reconvened at 6:15 p.m.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Fleming
Seconded by:
Councilmember Downey
Continue the review and formal approval of the FY 2026-27 Annual Report and Management Plan from the CTID Advisory Board to the regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026; Adopt a revised resolution declaring the City Council's intention to continue to levy two one-half percent (0.5%) assessments during Fiscal Year 2026-27 on certain hotel businesses within Coronado Tourism Improvement District I and Coronado Tourism Improvement District II, striking Section 2 from the text; and set a public hearing date of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, for consideration of the continued levy assessment.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8.d
Consideration of MainStreet Coronado’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community Grants Funding Request
1. Staff Report - Consideration of MainStreet Coronado’s Fiscal Year 2025-26 Community Grants Funding Request.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Coronado MainStreet FY 25-26 Funding Request.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - June 17 2025 Minutes Community Grants.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - FY 2025-26 Community Grants Approved Awards.pdf City Manager Friend presented the staff report.
Eddie Warner
, representing Coronado MainStreet, provided comments regarding the necessity of using the $29,800 to backfill personal funds spent on completed cultural programming, noting that the board lacked administrative capacity to compile the subsequent Fiscal Year 2026-27 mini-grant application while organizing the annual car show.
Robbins Kelly
, representing Coronado MainStreet, provided comments regarding the organization's advocacy for local brick-and-mortar merchants and explained that the car show strictly excludes external pop-up vendors to drive foot traffic directly into permanent downtown storefronts and restaurants.
Derik Morse
, representing Coronado MainStreet, provided comments regarding the urgent necessity of maintaining a strict equilibrium between independent retail spaces and dining facilities to prevent the commercial district from oversaturating with restaurants.
Inge Cornejo
, representing Coronado MainStreet, provided comments regarding the existence of a proprietary mobile software application developed by MainStreet to log unauthorized corporate signage, explaining that the program was suspended solely as the City required a formalized municipal agreement.
Discussion ensued regarding local sign enforcement and merchant compliance, concerns regarding visual degradation of downtown sidewalks attributable to unauthorized A-frame signs and neglected storefront landscaping; and that code compliance represents a non-delegable municipal authority that should be carried out by a professional City compliance officer rather than a volunteer organization. Discussion further ensued regarding support for providing immediate financial relief for completed programming; that the absence of a pending Fiscal Year 2026-27 application creates an operational funding gap for upcoming seasonal events; and that historical compliance protocols required MainStreet volunteers to conduct educational outreach visits while leaving enforcement actions to the City Attorney. Council provided suggestions to structure a flexible multi-year grant agreement to protect the City's interests while reactivating the compliance software.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Purvis
Seconded by:
Mayor Duncan
Approve the community grant funding request of $29,800 for Coronado MainStreet to support annual events from Fiscal Year 2025-26, requiring all funds to be expended within the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
Councilmember Downey proposed a substitute motion.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Mayor Duncan
Authorize a community grant allocation of $29,800 to MainStreet Coronado, allowing the funds to be deployed across both the Fiscal Year 2025-26 and Fiscal Year 2026-27 periods for fixed overhead, community programming, and the collaborative reactivation of the downtown monitoring program, subject to standard municipal liability and insurance provisions.
Yes (5):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Fleming, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward Motion Carried
8.e
Consideration of a Resolution Opposing Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Off the California Coast and the Inclusion of California Outer Continental Shelf Planning Areas in the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
1. Staff Report - Offshore Drilling Resolution 05052026.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution No. 2026-23.pdf
City Manager Friend introduced the item.
Discussion ensued regarding environmental liability, energy resource extraction, and jurisdictional policy boundaries. Council provided viewpoints in favor of the resolution emphasizing regional coastal coordination to protect local marine sanctuaries, shorelines, and the tourism economy against potential oil spill impacts; and opposing viewpoints noting broader macro-energy importing dynamics, pre-existing municipal comment letters already on the federal record, and concerns over utilizing local administrative resources on symbolic resolutions addressing external federal programs outside municipal boundaries.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Steward
Seconded by:
Councilmember Purvis
Adopt the resolution opposing offshore oil and gas leasing off the California Coast and the inclusion of California Outer Continental Shelf planning areas in the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
Yes (3):
Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward No (2):
Mayor Duncan, and Councilmember Fleming
Motion Carried
8.f
Introduction and First Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Coronado Adding Coronado Municipal Code Chapter 40.74 to Prohibit the Sale and Distribution of Kratom
1. Staff Report - Ordinance Introduction to Prohibit the Sale and Distribution of Kratom .pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Ordinance 2026-03.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - DOJ DEA Kratom Fact Sheet.pdf
Waive first reading, and introduce Ordinance No. 2026-03 of the City Council of the City of Coronado Adding Chapter 40.74 to the Coronado Municipal Code to Prohibit the Sale and Distribution of Kratom.
The first reading of Ordinance 2026-03 was waived and placed on the consent calendar.
8.g
Resolution to Extend a Local Emergency Declaration in the City of Coronado Due to Impacts from Cross-Border Water Pollution
1. Staff Report - Emergency Declaration - Cross-Border Water Quality 05052026.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution 2026-22.pdf
Resolution 2026-22 was adopted under the consent calendar.
8.h
Consideration of a Policy #2 Request Regarding Updating Two Permit Parking Signs in Spreckels Park
1. Policy 2 Request Spreckels Park Permit Program May 5 Duncan.pdf This item was approved under the consent calendar, Councilmember Purvis recused.
8.i
Consideration of a Policy #9 Request Regarding Reconsideration of a Letter of Support for Assembly Bill 2484 (MTS Sales Tax)
1. Policy 9 Request Mayor ProTem Carrie Downey.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - AB 2484 current language.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - MTS December 29, 2025 Letter to SANDAG.pdf Councilmember Downey introduced the request under the provisions of Policy 9, clarifying that the proposed action is strictly procedural in nature and requests renewed deliberation regarding the city's previous decision to oppose Assembly Bill 2484.
Discussion ensued regarding regional transit funding mechanisms, legislative thresholds, and institutional accountability. Considerations addressed regional infrastructure dependency, audit compliance regarding internal operating efficiencies, and voter authorization thresholds for localized public revenue options. Discussion further ensued regarding divergent views evaluating public tax adjustments, transit route decisions, and the overarching statutory effects of the proposed bill on regional sales tax caps.
Tim Moore
provided comments regarding opposition to expanding local sales taxes, stating that municipal transit authorities must learn to manage operations strictly within existing regional revenue baselines.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Councilmember Steward
Transmit an official city letter to the California Legislature expressing support for Assembly Bill 2484.
Yes (1):
Councilmember Downey
No (3):
Mayor Duncan, Councilmember Fleming, and Councilmember Purvis Abstain (1):
Councilmember Steward
Motion Failed
Following the failure of the primary motion, Councilmember Downey introduced a secondary procedural motion under Policy 9 to establish a neutral municipal stance.
Motion made by:
Councilmember Downey
Seconded by:
Councilmember Purvis
Reconsider the city's previous legislative position under Policy 9 to take no official position on Assembly Bill 2484, directing that no letter of support or opposition be transmitted to the California Legislature.
Yes (3):
Councilmember Downey, Councilmember Purvis, and Councilmember Steward No (2):
Mayor Duncan, and Councilmember Fleming
Motion Carried
9. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Duncan adjourned the Regular Meeting at 8:15 p.m.