MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST., AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Albert*, Haffa*, Smith*, Williamson (arrived at 4:05 p.m.)
Absent: Roberson
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Community Development Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Human Resources Director, Traffic Engineer, Assistant City Attorney * Attended remotely by teleconference
This meeting was held with a combination of in-person and teleconference attendance, pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Calif. Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(C) and Resolution No. 22-089 C.S.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. City Clerk Klein called the roll with Councilmembers Albert, Haffa, and Smith present by teleconference. Councilmember Williamson arrived in the Council Chamber at 4:05 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Albert led the Pledge.
STUDY SESSION
1. Receive Presentation on “Mutually Monterey: A Unified Governance Model for the City of Monterey” (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Received presentation
Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira gave the staff presentation. Following extensive discussion with the City Council, which he documented, Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira read a document outlining proposed principles of unified governance, and finished the staff presentation.
The Council provided feedback to staff, stressing the need for the Mayor, as an at-large position, to provide leadership for the Council. Concepts and concerns discussed included what would be appropriate guidelines for district-focused events; the potential to appoint board, committee, and commission members on a district basis; and appropriate communications with residents outside an elected official’s own district.
Public comment was received from: Esther Malkin, who stressed the need for inclusivity with regard to a majority of residents being renters; Kent Glenzer, who remarked that Council and staff’s comments during the meeting sounded fearful about the potential for new voices; Jean City Council Minutes July 27, 2022
2 Rasch, who stated that the "Monterey Way" concept felt coercive and that the Council needs stronger, more urgent future-looking voices; and Robert Brunson, who said that City resources should be available for City business even when it happens to fall within the boundaries of a district.
The Council asked staff to take the input received from both Council and the public, modify the proposed principles, and bring the concept back for a second Council study session.
ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned at 5:47 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Clyde Roberson
City Clerk Mayor