MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST., MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
AND TELECONFERENCE LOCATION: THE COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT, EL TORO MEETING ROOM, 18610 MADRONE PARKWAY, MORGAN HILL, CA 95037 Councilmembers
Present: Barber, Garcia, Haffa, Smith*, Williamson
Absent: None
*Attended remotely by teleconference pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54953(b)
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, Community Development Director, Fire Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Human Resources Director, Library & Museums Director, Public Works Director, City Clerk, Parks Operations Manager, Public Works Administrative Services Manager, Fleet Manager, Harbormaster, Senior Administrative Analyst (Public Works), Administrative Analyst (Public Works), Capital Programs Coordinator, Recreation Manager, Parking Superintendent, Senior Engineer, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, Senior Engineer, Assistant Human Resources Director, General Services Superintendent, Streets & Utilities Operations Manager, Engineering Assistant
TELECONFERENCE NOTICE
This meeting was held with a combination of in-person and teleconference attendance, pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Calif. Gov. Code sec. 54953(b).
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and announced that Councilmember Smith was attending remotely. City Clerk Klein called the roll as highlighted above On question from Mayor Williamson, Councilmember Smith confirmed that he could hear the meeting proceedings, that the agenda had been posted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at the remote location listed above, and that he was providing public access from the same location, pursuant to GC 54953(b)(3). He stated that no member of the public was present with him at the teleconference location wishing to speak.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Haffa led the Pledge.
CONSENT AGENDA
Public comment on the Consent Agenda was not received.
City Council Minutes May 29, 2024
2 On a motion by Councilmember Barber, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote, which was conducted by roll call, the City Council approved the CONSENT AGENDA:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Haffa, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Resolutions
1. Amend Resolution 24-051 C.S. to Reschedule the Date for Public Hearing to Consider the Levy of the Alvarado Street Maintenance Assessment from June 18, 2024 to July 16, 2024 (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 24-088 C.S.
2. Amend Resolution No. 24-052 C.S. to Reschedule the Date for Public Hearing to Consider the Levy of the Calle Principal Maintenance Assessment from June 18, 2024 to July 16, 2024 (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 24-088 C.S.
***End of Consent Agenda***
PRESENTATIONS
3. Receive Presentation on the State of Our City’s Infrastructure Funding Needs (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation
Public Works Director Renny, Administrative Analyst Beckman, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Easterling, General Services Superintendent Dwight, and City Manager Uslar gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions.
Public comment was received from: Rick Heuer, of Measure P & S Oversight Committee and the Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association, who said the major infrastructure needs had not been brought forward to the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee before the prior year, and said that discussion about future tax measures should take place the sooner the better; Esther Malkin, who said that City employee salaries were not the problem and that previous administrations had demonstrated negligence by not addressing infrastructure needs to an adequate degree; and Richard Ruccello, who echoed concerns about previous administrations not bringing infrastructure needs to the NCIP Committee. During public comments, Mayor Williamson left the Council Chamber from 5:21 p.m. to 5:24 p.m.
The Council discussed the matter.
Public Works Director Renny answered questions posed by the Council. She said that the new Monterey Sports Center humidifier was on its way. She said a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) program book could be completed a month after program approval, and that it would be a living document being updated regularly. She said that City staff was always looking for and City Council Minutes May 29, 2024
3 applying for infrastructure grants, and provided examples of grants received. She said that the last assessments were done in 2014.
On question from the Council, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Easterling provided information on sewer projects completed in the previous ten years. On question from the Council, Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira said he was the ADA Coordinator and that the City was working on an ADA Transition Plan update. He addressed the limited potential for receiving grants, explaining that the City was not classed as an underserved community based on income and other data points.
The Council stated that it would be wise to begin conversations with the community early regarding any desired tax measure renewals, and that a renewed Measure P/S should include infrastructure needs. It was stated that a communication and public outreach plan for this would be needed.
Regarding the NCIP, it was stated that better communication was needed. It was requested that after the current round of allocations, the Council consider holding a joint meeting with the NCIP Committee for an engaged conversation about how to move forward with the NCIP and how to address the City's infrastructure needs. Examples were provided of recently submitted projects for the current year's NCIP program, with a statement that these proposed projects did not rise to the priority level of the infrastructure needs that City staff had just presented. It was stated that the NCIP budget should never be higher than that of the CIP.
Regarding the CIP, it was stated that the City should push toward a goal of a 20% CIP.
Regarding the Monterey Conference Center, it was stated that its infrastructure needs had been addressed by past Councils. Regarding the Monterey Sports Center ("MSC"), it was stated that of all of the City's facilities, MSC was among the most heavily used by the community.
Regarding both facilities, interest was expressed in learning more about opportunities for privatization.
Regarding the Monterey Public Library, it was stated that there would need to be a discussion about whether the City could afford the kind of renovation or rebuilding that was originally envisioned.
Regarding funding, the Council requested further information about opportunities for maximizing revenue streams and about qualifying for and aggressively seeking federal infrastructure grants.
It was stated that selling City properties could be a one-time source of funding. It was stated that bond financing may be required. It was stated that partnerships at the regional level could be beneficial.
Citing inflation and the urgency of the infrastructure needs, the Council asked what criteria the staff proposed to use in prioritizing infrastructure projects. It was stated that public safety should be at the top of the priorities, along with risk to economic activity, and how immediate the threat of failure of a facility or equipment. It was stated that the Council needed to allow staff to work proactively on their plan to maintain infrastructure without unnecessary bureaucratic steps of approval. It was stated that serious strategic planning would be needed, along with deep and transparent dialogue with the community.
***Adjourn to Closed Session (See additional agenda)*** Public comment on the closed session was not received.
City Council Minutes May 29, 2024
4 The Council adjourned to closed session at 6:08 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 unanimous roll call vote, the Council gave confidential direction to its labor negotiators
ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Tyller Williamson
City Clerk Mayor