MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, January 26, 2022
4:00 PM
ZOOM TELECONFERENCE
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Albert, Haffa (arrived at 4:15 p.m.), Smith, Williamson, Roberson
Absent: None
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Police Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Library Director, City Clerk, Sustainability Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER
This meeting was held with teleconference attendance, pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Calif. Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(C), and Resolution No. 22-008 C.S.
Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. City Clerk Klein explained to the public how to participate in the meeting virtually. She called the roll, with Councilmember Haffa absent and the rest of the Council present by teleconference.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Roberson led the Pledge.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
1. Receive Update on the City’s Strategic Initiatives and 2022 City Staff Work Program (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Received update, discussed
City Manager Uslar and Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira gave the staff presentation updating the Council and community on the current status of Council's strategic priorities and City staff's work plan. Councilmember Haffa arrived at 4:15 p.m.
Public comment was received from: Nancy Soule, who urged the Council to make undergrounding utilities part of the City's strategic plan, citing public safety concerns; Nina Beety, who said that the Council is failing to accomplish its goals with multiple value drivers, specified that the technology value driver needs additional language regarding appropriateness and safety, spoke against military installations, and asked for promised public outreach and a draft of the Compatible Use Plan; Jean Rasch, who echoed Nancy Soule's request for utility undergrounding, stating this would be compatible with the Council's goals for a beautiful, safe, healthy and sustainable city; and Esther Malkin, who echoed prior comments and spoke about equitability and the need for affordable housing and rental protections.
City Council Minutes January 26, 2022
2 The Council discussed the City's value drivers. Top priorities highlighted by the Council included: the City's fiscal solvency, including addressing the unfunded pension liability; infrastructure and facility maintenance; and adequate staffing of City departments and programs. Housing issues and related water issues were discussed, including what the City can or cannot do to help secure a water supply. The need to address climate change and sea level rise was discussed. Other priorities listed were undergrounding utilities and implementing a "dig once" policy, improving biking and other transportation-related infrastructure and programs, reinstating City programs and associated staff, increasing engagement and diversity, focusing on community partnerships including the military, and working to preserve the City's history. It was stated that City staff should be freed from focusing on less crucial tasks and regulations, to allow for focusing on essential priorities. Regarding the timing of holding strategic Council discussions, options were encouraged that ranged from a quarterly schedule to once a year as tied to the budget. It was stated that associated value drivers should be highlighted in every item thta comes to the Council so that everyone can see what progress is being made.
ADJOURNMENT
At 5:26 p.m. the Council adjourned to the special meeting.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Clyde Roberson
City Clerk Mayor