MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
7:00 PM
ZOOM TELECONFERENCE
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson
Absent: None
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, Library Director, City Clerk, Property Manager, Assistant Police Chief
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. *** Evening Session Agenda ***
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. City Clerk Klein explained to the public how to participate in the meeting virtually.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Roberson led the Pledge. City Clerk Klein called the roll with all Councilmembers present by teleconference.
PUBLIC HEARING (EVE)
1. Fifth Public Hearing for the Transition from At-Large Elections to By-District Elections for Monterey City Council Members: Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing and Implementing By-District Elections for Members of the City Council with an Elective Mayor (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061); Quinta Audiencia Pública para la Transición de las Elecciones Generales a las Elecciones por Distritos para los Miembros del Consejo Municipal de Monterey: Segunda lectura de una ordenanza que establece e implementa las elecciones por distritos para los miembros del Concejo Municipal con un Alcalde Electivo (no es un proyecto de acuerdo con la CEQA según el artículo 20, sección 15378 y según el artículo 5, sección 15061 del reglamento general)
Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 3646 C.S. (3-2, Councilmembers Haffa and Williamson voting no)
Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira gave a brief staff presentation, noting that the Council had previously selected the Dolphin map and an election sequence that would have Districts 1 and 2 on the 2022 ballot, and Districts 3 and 4 on the 2024 ballot.
Public comment was received from: Esther Malkin, who stressed to the Council that renters need to be heard by their elected officials and that policies and timely action are needed to protect renters; Tom Rowley, who complimented the City Council and staff for their work and City Council Minutes February 15, 2022
2 stated that the Fishermans Flats neighborhood had been included in a district that is not compact or contiguous; and Laura Pratt, who spoke on behalf of renters and said that the Council chose the wrong map.
The Council discussed the matter and reiterated comments that were made at the fourth public hearing. Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira was praised for his exemplary work on the districting process.
On a motion by Councilmember Albert, seconded by Councilmember Smith, and carried by the following vote, which was conducted by roll call, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3646 C.S. Establishing and Implementing By-District Elections for Members of the City Council with an Elective Mayor:
AYES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Smith, Roberson
NOES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Haffa, Williamson
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from: Gabriella Schlesinger-James, Laura Pratt, Jean Rasch, Lorna Moffat, Brandon Naylor, Morgan Ivens-Duran, Jennifer Haydu, and Esther Malkin.
CONSENT ITEMS
On a motion by Councilmember Haffa, seconded by Mayor Roberson, and carried by the following vote, which was conducted by roll call, the City Council approved the CONSENT ITEMS:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Approval of Minutes
2. January 26, 2022 Study Session (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Approved
3. January 26, 2022 Special Meeting (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Approved
4. February 1, 2022 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061); Aprobación de Actas - 1 de febrero de 2022 Reunión del Consejo Municipal de Monterey (no se trata de un proyecto sujeto a la CEQA según el artículo 20, sección 15378 y según la regla general, artículo 5, sección 15061) Action: Approved
City Council Minutes February 15, 2022
3 Resolutions
5. Adopt a Resolution Ratifying the Order 22-1 of the Director of Emergency Services (Monterey City Manager) Temporarily Closing Beaches in the City of Monterey Due to Tsunami (Exempt from CEQA Per Article 18, Section 15269.c)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 22-013 C.S.
6. Authorize an Agreement for Domestic Violence Response Team Services between the City of Monterey and the YWCA of Monterey County and Acceptance of YWCA of Monterey County Subaward Grant Funds in the Amount of $22,142 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 22-014 C.S.
7. Authorize Remote Teleconference Meetings of the City Council and Boards, Commissions, and Committees for the Period February 18, 2022 through March 17, 2022 Pursuant to AB361 Ralph M. Brown Act Provisions (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 22-015 C.S.
Other
8. Appoint Agency Negotiators for Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: 401 Camino El Estero (First French Consulate); Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: Joaquin Sullivan (Big Sur Adventures, Inc.); Under Negotiation: Terms and Conditions for New Lease (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Appointed negotiators Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete
9. Receive Mayor’s Recommendation and Make Appointment to the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 19, Section 15061) Action: Appointed Harry Nagel to the NCIP Committee as the Alternate representing the Del Monte Beach neighborhood, with a term expiring June 30, 2026 *** End of Consent Agenda ***
PUBLIC APPEARANCE (EVE)
10. 2nd Reading - Authorizing Amendment to the Contract between the City of Monterey and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 3647 C.S.
Human Resources Director Hauck gave a brief verbal presentation.
Public comment was not received on the matter.
On a motion by Mayor Roberson, seconded by Councilmember Haffa, and carried by the following vote, which was conducted by roll call, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3647 C.S. to authorize amendment to the contract between the City of Monterey and the Board of Administration of CalPERS:
City Council Minutes February 15, 2022
4 AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
11. City Manager’s Update on COVID-19 Response Efforts (Not a project under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061) Action: Received update
City Manager Uslar gave a brief verbal update highlighting lower case numbers of the Omicron variant and the new guidance that masks are required only for unvaccinated employees and Sports Center visitors.
Public comment was not received on the matter.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Roberson reported on a recent meeting of neighborhood association presidents, which he said focused on engagement and information sharing methods.
Councilmember Albert clarified details of Monterey-Salinas Transit’s fare collection that he said had been reported on in the press, and said that when COVID-19 relief funds run out, it is hoped that ridership will return to higher levels. He reported on a recent neighborhood beautification project and thanked Kip Hudson, Pat Venza, Hans Jannasch, City staff, and DLI students Eva, Andrew, Chris, Christian, Savannah, and Tim, for all of their participation and hard work.
Councilmember Williamson asked all to be mindful of businesses and spaces that will continue to require masks, and announced an upcoming "Monterey as a Community" event that he said he would host with Councilmember Haffa and former Councilmembers Downey and Selfridge to explore issues that impact the community and work to identify possible solutions including housing, and government-community collaboration.
Councilmember Haffa assured members of the public who spoke about renter issues that the districting process did have to take precedence over other priorities temporarily due to the legal matter at stake, but that he looked forward to discussing rental registry and other ideas. He shared an update on Monterey Peninsula College’s burgeoning relationship with Monterey’s Sister City Lankaran, Azerbaijan. He spoke about having signed a recall petition for Monterey Peninsula Airport District Director Maryann Leffel, which he said was due to her role with the Airport District Board's having misled residents about the airport master plan, which he stated he considered unethical.
Councilmember Smith announced the upcoming Cutting Day event at Friendly Plaza, and a tree-planting event at Whispering Pines in conjunction with his Cannery Row Rotary Club.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Uslar announced upcoming events: the State of the City address hosted by the Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association (MCPOA), the Monterey Public Library’s chocolate and wine event, and a free family fun night at the Monterey Sports Center. *** Adjourn to Closed Session (See additional agenda) *** City Council Minutes February 15, 2022
5 Public comment on the closed session was not received. The Council adjourned to closed session at 8:03 p.m.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION
cs1. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 401 Camino El Estero (First French Consulate) Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete
Negotiating Parties: Joaquin Sullivan (Big Sur Adventures, Inc.) Under Negotiation: Terms and Conditions for New Lease (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: On a unanimous roll-call vote, the Council gave confidential direction to its property negotiators
cs2. Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): Bonnie Gawf v. City of Monterey (Monterey County Superior Court Case No. 20CV003232 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: On a unanimous roll-call vote, the Council gave confidential direction to its legal counsel
cs3. Conference with Labor Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Negotiators: Allyson Hauck and Gina Russo; General Employees of Monterey (GEM), Management Employees' Association (MEA), Monterey Police Association (MPA), Police Lieutenants' Management Association (PLMA), Monterey Fire Fighters' Association (MFFA), Monterey Fire Chief Officers' Association (MFCOA), Monterey Executive Management Employees' Association (MEMEA) (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: No reportable action was taken
ADJOURNMENT
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Clyde Roberson
City Clerk Mayor