AGENDA
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 2:00 P.M. OPEN SESSION
6:00 P.M OPEN SESSION
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL
THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY (HYBRID).
Council Chambers
211 Hillcrest Avenue
Marina, California
AND
Zoom Meeting URL: https://zoom.us/j/730251556
Zoom Meeting Telephone Only Participation: 1-669-900-9128 - Webinar ID: 730 251 556
PARTICIPATION
The agenda for this Special Meeting includes a n in -person site visit. During a site visit , the City Council may only discuss the item(s) on this Special Meeting site visit agenda. The agenda does not allow any formal votes or motions on any proposed project or other matters. The site visit is an informational meeting where the Council may ask questions from or hear statements from members of the public attending the visit. No comments made during the site visit by the Council are binding or required to be carried through to any public meeting/hearing where actions might be taken.
AGENDA MATERIALS
Agenda materials, staff reports and background information related to regular agenda items are available on the City of Marina’s website www.cityofmarina.org. Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the Council after distribution of the agenda packet will be made available on the City of Marina website www.cityofmarina.org subject to City staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting.
VISION STATEMENT
Marina will grow and mature from a small town bedroom community to a small city which is diversified, vibrant and through positive relationships with regional agencies, self -sufficient. The City will develop in a way that insulates it from the negative impacts of urban sprawl to become a desirable residential and business community in a natural setting. (Resolution No. 2006-112 - May 2, 2006)
MISSION STATEMENT
The City Council will provide the leadership in protecting Marina’s natural setting while developing the City in a way that provides a balance of housing, jobs and business opportunities that will result in a community characterized by a desirable quality of life, including recreation and cultural opportunities, a safe environment and an economic viability that supports a high level of municipal services and infrastructure. (Resolution No. 2006-112 - May 2, 2006)
Agenda for Special City Council Meeting of Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Page 2
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The City recognizes that it was founded and is built upon the traditional homelands and villages first inhabited by the Indigenous Peoples of this region - the Esselen and their ancestors and allies - and honors these members of the community, both past and present.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL & ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM: (City Council, Airport Commissioners, Marina Abrams B Non -Profit Corporation, Preston Park Sustainable Communities Nonprofit Corporation, Successor Agency of the Former Redevelopment Agency Members and Marina Groundwater Sustainability Agency) Jennifer McAdams, Brian McCarthy, Kathy Biala, Mayor Pro -Tem/Vice Chair Liesbeth Visscher, Mayor/Chair Bruce C. Delgado
3. OTHER ACTION:
Habitat Management Plan Compliance Project and City-Wide Incidental Take Permit for Monterey Gilia Project
Site Visit: 2:00 p.m.
1. Meet at City Council Chambers at 2:00 and leave for NW Corner a. Site Visit # 1 – NW Corner from 2:30 – 3:00
2. Leave NW Corner for Cypress Knolls at 3:00
a. Site Visit # 2 – Cypress Knolls from 3:15 – 3:30
3. Leave for Preston Park Ballfields at 3:30
a. Site Visit # 3 – Preston Park Ballfields from 3:45 – 4:00
4. Leave for Marina Municipal Airport at 4:00
a. Site Visit # 4 – Airport from 4:15 to 4:30.
5. Adjourn site visit and reconvene at Marina City Council Chambers at 6:00 Reconvene to City Council Chambers: 6:00 p.m.
1. Receive presentation from Denise Duffy and Associates and provide direction to staff.
4. ADJOURNMENT:
CERTIFICATION
I, Anita Sharp, Deputy City Clerk, of the City of Marina, do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing agenda was posted at City Hall and Council Chambers Bulletin Board at 211 Hillcrest Avenue, Monterey County Library Marina Branch at 190 Seaside Circle, City Bulletin Board at the corner of Reservation Road and Del Monte Boulevard on or before 6:30 p.m., Friday, June 5, 2026.
___________________________________
ANITA SHARP, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
Agenda for Special City Council Meeting of Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Page 3
City Council, Airport Commission and Redevelopment Agency meetings are recorded on tape and available for public review and listening at the Office of the City Clerk and kept for a period of 90 days after the formal approval of MINUTES.
City Council meetings may be viewed live on the meeting night and at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Cable Channel 25 on the Sunday following the Regular City Council meeting date. In addition, Council meetings can be viewed at 6:30 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. For more information about viewing the Council Meetings on Channel 25, you may contact Access Monterey Peninsula directly at 831-333-1267.
Agenda items and staff reports are public record and are available for public review on the City's website (www.ciytofmarina.org), at the Monterey County Marina Library Branch at 190 Seaside Circle and at the Office of the City Clerk at 211 Hillcrest Avenue, Marina between the hours of 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m., on the Monday preceding the meeting.
Supplemental materials received after the close of the final agenda and through noon on the day of the scheduled meeting will be available for public review at the City Clerk’s Office during regular office hours and in a ‘Supplemental Binder’ at the meeting.
ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. THE CITY OF MARINA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. Council Chambers are wheelchair accessible. Meetings are broadcast on cable channel 25 and recordings of meetings can be provided upon request. To request assistive listening devices, sign language interpreters, readers, large print agendas or other accommodations, please call (831) 884 -1278 or e -mail:
[email protected]. Requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
June 5, 2026 Item No: 3
Honorable Mayor and Members City Council Special Meeting of the Marina City Council of June 9, 2026
CITY COUNCIL TO CONDUCT SITE VISIT AND RECEIVE A
PRESENTATION REGARDING THE STATUS OF THE CITY’S FORT
ORD HABITAT MANAGEMENT PLAN COMPLIANCE PROJECT AND
CITY-WIDE INCIDENTAL TAKE PERMIT FOR MONTEREY GILIA
PROJECT FROM DENISE DUFFY AND ASSOCIATES, INC., AND
PROVIDE INPUT ON THE CONCEPTUAL MITIGATION STRATEGY
FOR MONTEREY GILIA FOR THE CITY -WIDE I NCIDENTAL TAKE
PERMIT.
REQUEST:
It is requested that the City Council consider:
1. Conducting site visits to discuss the Conceptual Mitigation Strategy for Monterey Gilia for the City-Wide Incidental Take Permit (“ITP”).
2. Receiving a presentation regarding the status of the City’s Fort Ord Habitat Management Plan Compliance Project and City-Wide ITP for Monterey Gilia Project.
3. Providing input on the Conceptual Mitigation Strategy for Monterey Gilia for the City - Wide ITP.
BACKGROUND:
Fort Ord Habitat Management Plan Compliance
The U.S. Army’s decision to close and dispose of the Fort Ord military base was considered a major federal action that could affect listed species under the federal Endangered Species Act (“ESA”). In 1993, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS” or the “Service”) issued a Biological Opinion (“BO”) on the disposal and reuse of former Fort Ord requiring that a Habitat Management Plan be developed and implemented to reduce the incidental take of listed species and loss of habitat that supports these species. As a result, the U.S. Army prepared the Installation-Wide Multispecies Habitat Management Plan for Former Fort Ord, California (“HMP”) in 1997. The Fort Ord Reuse Authority (“FORA”) was in the process of preparing a Fort Ord Habitat Conservation Plan (“HCP”) to support the issuance of base-wide incidental take permits, which incorporated the habitat requirements of the HMP. However, the base -wide permitting effort was discontinued, and the Fort Ord HCP is no longer proposed. As a result, the Service requested that the local jurisdictions initiate the steps necessary to comply with the approved HMP. The City is responsible for four Habitat Management Areas (“HMAs”), including the Salinas River, Airport, Northwest Corner, and Landfill HMAs “ EXHIBIT A.” In accordance with the requirements described in the HMP and the deed restrictions for the parcels, a Resource Management Plan (“RMP”) must be prepared and implemented.
On December 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020 -157 approving an Agreement with Denise Duffy & Associates, Inc. (“DD&A”) to provide biological consulting services to develop the RMP. The RMP will bring the City into compliance with deed restrictions and federal agency requirements to manage the City’s HMAs to mitigate for development on former Fort Ord.
On April 6, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021 -26 approving Amendment No. 1 to the DD&A Agreement, which provided for focused botanical surveys within the four habitat management areas to better inform management recommendations from the initial scope of work.
At the City Council meeting on December 17, 2024, DD&A presented an update on the status of this project, including an updated timeline for completion.
At the City Council meeting on May 20, 2025, DD&A presented an update on the status of this project, including an updated timeline for completion.
At the City Council meeting on June 3, 2025, the Council approved a new contract with DD&A to continue providing biological consulting services to the City for this project.
At the City Council meeting on November 18, 2025, the Council received an update on the status of this project, including an updated timeline and the coordination efforts with the 2045 General Plan Update. The City Council requested that the Salinas River HMA be evaluated for public access.
At the City Council Meeting on April 7, 2026, the Council received an update on the status of this project, including an updated timeline , the coordination efforts with the 2045 General Plan Update, and information related to public access within the Salinas River HMA . City Council requested staff to discuss pedestrian access in the Salinas River HMA and conduct a site visit.
City-Wide Incidental Take Permit for Monterey Gilia
The City currently owns a number of parcels in the former Fort Ord that were deeded to the City by the U.S. Army as economic conveyances following the closure of the former base that allow for development for commercial/residential purposes, which are known or have the potential to support occurrences of Monterey gilia ( Gilia tenuiflora spp. arenaria). Monterey gilia is a threatened species listed under the California Endangered Species Act ( “CESA”) and an endangered species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act ( “ESA”). Impacts to this plant species from potential future development activities on these parcels would require an Incidental Take Permit (“ITP”) in accordance with Section 2081(b) of the CESA.
Therefore, on December 15, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020 -157 approving an agreement with DD&A to provide biological consulting services to assist the City in acquiring a City-Wide ITP from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to authorize the incidental take of Monterey gilia that may result from the implementation of future planned development on City lands in the former Fort Ord.
On April 6, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021 -26 approving Amendment No. 1 to the DD&A Agreement, which provided for additional surveys for this species.
On December 7, 2021, the City Council held an informational and public input session regarding the prioritization of conservation and development areas to inform the mitigation strategy for the City-Wide ITP for Monterey gilia. The City Council requested that options be prepared and brought back to the council and public for discussion. In response to that request, City staff and DD&A held an in -person community workshop presenting the data and various options to the public and held a study session at a special City Council meeting on December 11 and 13, 2022, respectively. The public and City Council supported focusing development opportunities within the Airport Business Park Area , Future Cypress Knolls Development Area, and Marina Northwest Corner HMA for the Del Monte Boulevard Extension , and focusing conservation within the remaining study areas, as shown in “EXHIBIT B.”
At the City Council meeting on December 17, 2024, DD&A presented an update on the status of this project, including recent input from the resource agencies and an updated timeline for completion.
At the City Council meeting on May 20, 2025, DD&A presented an update on the status of this project, and received input on a conceptual realignment of the proposed Del Monte Boulevard/2nd Avenue Extension.
At the City Council meeting on June 3, 2025, the Council approved a new contract with DD&A to continue providing biological consulting services to the City for this project.
At the City Council meeting on November 18, 2025, the Council received an update on the status of this project and staff requested input on the Conceptual Mitigation Strategy for Monterey gilia (“Conceptual Mitigation Strategy”), which is conceptually depicted in “EXHIBIT C.”
Specifically, staff solicited Council input on “joining mitigation strategies” with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (“TAMC”) to mitigate for their impacts to Monterey gilia that would occur as a result of the construction of the proposed California Avenue Segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (“FORTAG”) project (“proposed FORTAG project”), which is located on City land . The “joining mitigation strategies” approach involves aligning the mitigation measures, timelines, and conservation objectives of these three permitting efforts.
Under the “joining mitigation strategies” approach with TAMC, a portion of the 8 th Street Area would be set aside to mitigate for the proposed FORTAG project . The balance of the 8 th Street Area would contribute to the proposed conceptual mitigation strategy for Monterey gilia under the City -Wide ITP. At the request of the City, CDFW would be willing to provide written assurance that the City would be able to incorporate the remaining balance of the parcel for the City-Wide ITP. The City would provide for the permanent protection and management of the 8 th Street Area under a conservation easement and long -term management plan, combining or coordinating the respective mitigation measures so that habitat preservation, enhancement, and monitoring requirements function cohesively.
The City recognizes the significance and community benefits of the proposed FORTAG project and greatly values its longstanding partnerships and agreements with TAMC, specifically the FORTAG Master Agreement. As a result, the City Council supported the “joining mitigation strategies” approach with TAMC as part of the City -Wide ITP mitigation strategy. As a result, City staff is coordinating with TAMC on the specific terms of this approach and complet ing certain permit lands package requirements. City staff will return to City Council to request approval of the agreement, record the conservation easement, and other related items in the coming months.
On March 27, 2025, CDFW issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) to the Dadwal Management Group (“Dadwal”) for the unauthorized take of Monterey gilia associated with the construction of the Home2Suites project in the City of Marina. The NOV requires that Dadwal submit an ITP application for the impacted Monterey gilia. To fully mitigate for the take of Monterey gilia, CDFW may require compensatory mitigation in the form of acquisition and perpetual management of habitat management lands; a 3:1 mitigation ratio has been required for similar projects in previous ITPs issued by CDFW. Because the City was currently undergoing the City - Wide ITP process, CDFW recommended that Dadwal coordinate with the City to determine the feasibility of including mitigation for the unauthorized take as part of the City -Wide ITP. As a result, City staff also solicited input from Council on incorporating the mitigation required to mitigate for the unauthorized take of Monterey gilia associated with the construction of the Home2Suites project in the City.
At the City Council meeting on November 18, 2025, the City Council ha d questions about incorporating the Home2Suites mitigation into the City -Wide ITP , specifically requesting a better understanding of the City’s role as a fiduciary, and requested additional information on several other items. The Council also requested additional information on several other items related to the Conceptual Mitigation Strategy as follows:
• The potential implications for the City -Wide ITP associated with retaining or closing the existing equestrian trails through the 8th Street Area; • Changing the land use designation of the southwestern portion of the Northwest Corner HMA to Conservation instead of existing designation of Habitat Preserve & Other Open Space and proposed designation under the 2045 General Plan as Regional Retail; • Detailed traffic study for the conceptual Del Monte Extension that also allows the FORTAG connection and evaluate the placement of a trail similar to the FORTAG concept from 2 nd Avenue to Del Monte Boulevard within the Northwest Corner HMA; and
• Explore the possibility of mitigation sites outside of the City limits and/or not owned by the City that would provide sufficient lands to mitigate impacts to the southern polygon in Cypress Knolls.
The Council requested this information be presented before providing any additional input and City staff agreed to return to Council with the requested information.
City staff returned to City Council on April 7, 2026, to provide the requested information and receive input on the Conceptual Mitigation Strategy for Monterey Gilia for the City -Wide ITP.
City Council supported the inclusion of Dadwal’s NOV remedy as part of the City -Wide ITP process with the understanding that CDFW has not determined a remedy at this time and City staff will return to City Council with more information and request approval of an agreement and any other related items as the permitting process procee ds. City Council also supported keeping the existing equestrian trails open to the public and continuing to allow access through the 8 th Street Area under the City -Wide ITP. City Council requested that staff reach out to the Preston Park ballfield proponents to coordinate on project timing and permit requirements. Lastly, City Council directed staff to take a 30 - to 60-day timeframe to connect with CDFW regarding the feasibility of a potential future Class I trail in the Marina Northwest Corner Habitat Management Area (“NW Corner HMA”), and hold a field workshop and council meeting with CDFW to discuss the trail.
ANALYSIS:
Site Visit
The site visit will be held at 2:00 pm starting in Council Chambers. The site visit timing will be as follows (meeting spots and parking are shown in “EXHIBIT D”):
1. Leave Council Chambers at 2:15 to go to NW Corner (“EXHIBIT E”) a. Site Visit #1 - NW Corner visit occurs from 2:30-3:00
2. Leave for Cypress Knolls at 3:00 (“EXHIBIT F”)
a. Site Visit #2 - Cypress Knolls visit occurs 3:15-3:30
3. Leave for Preston Park at 3:30 (“EXHIBIT G”)
a. Site Visit #3 - Preston Park visit occurs from 3:45-4:00
4. Leave for Airport Business Park at 4:00 (“EXHIBIT C”) a. Site Visit #4 - Airport Business Park Site Visit occurs from 4:15-4:30
5. Adjourn site visit and reconvene at Marina City Council Chambers at 6:00
Site visits will be time certain.
For safety purposes, closed -toed shoes and long pants are recommended. Potential safety issues in the area include rattlesnakes, poison oak, ticks, and military munitions (“EXHIBIT H”).
City Council Requested Information
Potential Future Class I Trail in NW Corner HMA
On December 4, 2024, City staff met with representatives from CDFW and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“USFWS”) in the field to visit the proposed conceptual conservation and development areas. Among other recommendations, CDFW and USFWS requested that the City evaluate relocating the proposed 2nd Avenue/Del Monte Boulevard extension to avoid and reduce impacts to Monterey gilia and habitat for the Smith’s blue butterfly ( Euphilotes enoptes smithi), a federal endangered species (“EXHIBIT I”).
The City retained Kimley -Horn to evaluate potential alternative alignments in January 2025, which were provided and presented at the May 20 th City Council meeting. CDFW submitted a letter of support for the realignment, which reduced impacts to Monterey gilia and avoided impacts to Smith’s blue butterfly habitat. City Council supported the relocation of the roadway on condition that the road would not empty into residential streets. City Council requested staff evaluate a potential future Class I trail in the NW Corner HMA to provide direct access from Del Monte Boulevard to The Dunes as an alternative to the roadway.
City staff returned to City Council on November 18, 2025, to request input on the Conceptual Mitigation Strategy. City staff noted that the proposed realignment of the 2 nd Avenue/Del Monte Boulevard extension could accommodate a Class I trail. The City Council reiterated its request to evaluate a potential future Class I trail through the NW Corner HMA.
City staff discussed the request with CDFW and USFWS in multiple meetings. CDFW and USFWS stated that a trail would have similar impacts to Monterey gilia and Smith’s blue butterfly habitat as the proposed roadway. The agencies stated that constructing a trail in the NW Corner HMA would reduce the amount of proposed conservation acreage while also diminishing its conservation value due to increased edge effects. As a result, the City would be required to include additional mitigation land and/or reduce its proposed development areas. CDFW submitted an email to the City on March 27, 2026, expressing their concerns regarding the trail and emphasizing that including a trail in this area would be a significant setback in the permitting process. As requested, City staff returned to City Council on April 7, 2026, to summarize the trail alternatives provided by Kimley -Horn and the concerns of the resource agencies (“EXHIBIT J”). Dr. Fred Watson commented that the trail could be designed to avoid impacts to Monterey gilia and provided a reconfiguration of the trail for consideration (“ EXHIBIT J”).
The City Council requested that staff coordinate with CDFW to evaluate whether impacts associated with the proposed trail could be avoided and to conduct a field workshop and City Council meeting with CDFW to discuss the trail proposal.
Through City discussions with CDFW and USFWS, the resource agencies’ position on constructing a future trail in the NW Corner HMA has not changed. Specifically, while the design of the trail may be able to avoid direct impacts to Monterey gilia plants, the trail would not be able to avoid Monterey gilia habitat even in the area of the existing Monterey cypress trees and existing unpaved trail. Monterey gilia plants and habitat occur on both sides of the trees and trail, and, therefore, it is highly likely t hat seed bank for Monterey gilia occurs within that area (“ EXHIBIT I”). Based on input from CDFW and USFWS, the City has revised the proposed mitigation strategy for the NW Corner HMA to identify potential restoration of this area (“EXHIBIT E”). Further, based on existing data, while the trail may be able to avoid direct
impacts, it is highly unlikely that the construction of the trail could avoid Monterey gilia plants and/or Smith’s blue butterfly habitat (“EXHIBIT I”).
CDFW has stated that they do not see a feasible way for the currently proposed Conceptual Mitigation Strategy to fully mitigate impacts if a future trail is proposed in the NW Corner HMA. Therefore, the City would need to revise the proposed Conceptual Mitigation Strategy to identify additional mitigation land either owned by the City or others and/or reduce the acreage of the proposed future development areas. Either option would result in significant costs or losses to the City. Securing additional mitigation land would increase permit -related costs, including costs associated with conservation easements, long -term habitat management, monitoring, and regulatory compliance. If the land is not already owned by the City, the City would likely need to acquire the property or obtain an easement, resulting in additional acquisition, transaction, and ongoing management costs. Reducing proposed future development areas would result in the loss of substantial economic, fiscal, and community benefits. This could include reduced revenue, fewer jobs, and the loss or downsizing of important projects such as affordable housing at Cypress Knolls, recreational facilities at Preston Park and the Marina Equestrian Center, and future business development within the Northwest Corner HMA and Airport Business Park (“ EXHIBIT B”). The time and resources required to revise the strategy are unknown, and given the limited availability of suitable mitigation lands, it is uncertain whether a revised strategy could adequately offset project impacts and satisfy regulatory requirements.
It is important to note that there are existing trails and roads that connect Del Monte Boulevard to The Dunes area (“ EXHIBIT K”). Pedestrians and bicyclists can currently use the Monterey Bay Coast Recreational Trail and Beach Range Road via the west side of Del Monte Boulevard to connect to 8th Street and The Dunes area. Additionally, the proposed realigned 2nd Avenue/Del Monte Boulevard Extension would also include a trail.
Coordination with Preston Park Ballfield Proponents
City Council requested that staff reach out to the Preston Park ballfield proponents to coordinate on project timing and permit requirements. Staff has not reached out to the ballfield groups yet, but will be contacting and working with them in the next couple months. Staff first needs to establish where the boundaries for the ballfields can be and has contracted with DD&A to begin performing the environmental work to do this work.
Salinas River HMA Site Visit
City Council also requested staff to discuss pedestrian access in the Salinas River HMA and conduct a site visit. Following a preliminary field review, City staff determined that the existing trails are heavily overgrown and contain substantial poison oak. As a result, a site visit will need to be scheduled under more suitable site conditions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
As stated above, revising the Conceptual Mitigation Strategy would be costly. It is estimated that the revisions could require additional funding ranging from $30,000 -$50,000 for consultant costs. The evaluation of the trail to date has increased the cost of the City -Wide ITP and resulted the delay in the submission of the ITP application.
Securing additional mitigation land would increase permit -related costs, including costs associated with conservation easements, long -term habitat management, monitoring, and regulatory compliance. If the land is not already owned by the City, the City would likely need to
acquire the property or obtain an easement, resulting in additional acquisition, transaction, and ongoing management costs. These costs are unknown, but would be significant and likely in the millions.
Reducing proposed future development areas would result in the loss of substantial economic, fiscal, and community benefits; the costs of which are unknown at this time.
CONCLUSION:
City staff have provided responses to City Council information requests and are requesting input on the proposed Conceptual Mitigation Strategy for the City-Wide ITP to support the preparation of the application.
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Guido Persicone, AICP
Community Development Director
City of Marina
REVIEWED/CONCUR:
___________________________
Layne Long
City Manager
City of Marina
2037445.1