MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
4:00-7:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST.
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Barber, Garcia, Haffa, Smith*, Williamson
Absent: None
* Attended remotely by teleconference pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54953(f)(2)(A) for just cause
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, Community Development Director, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Human Resources Director, Library & Museums Director, Public Works Director, City Clerk, Finance Analyst, Parks Operations Manager, Harbormaster, Recreation Manager, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, Assistant Human Resources Director, Senior Engineer, Public Works Administrative Services Manager, Administrative Analyst (Public Works), Streets and Utilities Operations Manager, Fleet Manager, Recreation Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER
This meeting was held with a combination of in-person and teleconference attendance, pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
TELECONFERENCE NOTICE
Councilmember Smith confirmed that he could hear the meeting proceedings, gave a brief description of the circumstances relating to his need to appear remotely pursuant to the “Just Cause” clause (official travel on behalf of the City of Gilroy), and stated that no person over the age of 18 was present in the room with him during the meeting.
City Clerk Klein called the roll with the Council present as indicated above.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Barber led the Pledge. Mayor Williamson explained the procedure by which members of the public shuold indicate their interest in making public comment.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Williamson introduced the ordinance by reading its full title. Public comment on the Consent Agenda was not received.
On a motion by Councilmember Haffa, seconded by Councilmember Barber, and carried by the following roll-call vote, the City Council approved the CONSENT AGENDA:
City Council Minutes April 24, 2024
2 AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Haffa, Williamson NOES: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Ordinances
1. 1st Reading by Title Only of an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 30, Article 4, Sewer Service Fee, to Authorize Collection on the County of Monterey Tax Roll and Authorize a Fee Collection and Indemnification Agreement with Monterey One Water and/or the County of Monterey for this Purpose (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Passed Ordinance to Print by Title Only (4-1, Councilmember Smith voting no) ***End of Consent Agenda***
STUDY SESSION
2. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget Primer Study Session (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation and provided input
City Manager Uslar and Finance Director King gave the staff presentation providing a broad overview of the budget, and answered Councilmembers' questions.
Public comment was received from: Robin Domiter, who asked the City to fund a study on improving safety at the intersection of Skyline Forest and Highway 68, and eight neighbors stood up in support of her request; Esther Malkin, of Del Monte Grove/Laguna Grande Neighborhood Association, who suggested a public-private partnership to improve the fiscal viability of the Monterey Sports Center and said that Hilltop Community Center should be turned into affordable housing; Shay Balesteri, of General Employees of Monterey ("GEM"), who expressed concern that labor negotiations could not take place properly by the June 30, 2024 end of the GEM contract; and Lori Mazzuca, who expressed concern about the general fund balance and stated that general fund dollars should only be spent on matters that affect the city as a whole.
The Council discussed the presentation. The City staff was praised for their hard work, their outreach efforts with the community, and for pursuing realignment with regard to historical budget expenses versus revenues. It was suggested to find times for outreach events that would enable residents to attend after work.
Support was expressed for a planned request to agendize the matter of safety concerns at the intersection of Skyline Forest Drive and Highway 68. It was urged that labor negotiations receive additional focus. It was requested to review future expenditures relating to traffic impacts on Del Monte Boulevard. It was stated that the impacts of climate change would require attention, including bolstering the wharves and ensuring that the tunnel would remain a safe artery for the City in the face of increased sea level rise.
City Council Minutes April 24, 2024
3 Comments were made in favor of the City's continued bolstering of its fiscal reserves. It was discussed that increasing revenue and cutting expenditures would be necessary and would require difficult conversations.
It was stated that conversations were needed regarding the future operations of the City cemetery, the Monterey Sports Center ("MSC"), and the City's recreation centers. Regarding recreation centers, it was stated that along with consideration of consolidating certain centers, there was interest in reopening Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center fully, citing that neighbors in the North Fremont area had requested to be able to access a recreation center with strong, available programming for the community. Regarding the MSC, it was suggested that the formation of a Friends of the Monterey Sports Center organization could help offset the MSC's costs. It was requested that the Council hold a field trip meeting at the MSC.
It was stated that more activity was needed in the areas of lobbying legislatures, establishing legislative priorities, and pursuing grant opportunities, all of which it was stated could lead to receiving additional funding.
***Adjourn to Closed Session (See additional agenda)*** Public comment on the Closed Session was not received. The Council adjourned to closed session at 5:48 p.m.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
cs1. Conference with Agency Labor Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 for Labor Negotiations; Agency Negotiators: Brette Neal, Gina Russo; Employee Organizations: 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: On a roll-call vote of 4-1, with Councilmember Barber voting no, the Council gave confidential direction to its labor negotiators
ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Tyller Williamson
City Clerk Mayor