Minutes — Monterey City Council, March 4, 2025

MINUTES

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

CITY OF MONTEREY
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST.

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers

Present: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson

Absent: None
City Staff

Present:

City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, Community Development Director, Police Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Human Resources Director, Library & Museums Director, Public Works Director, Assistant City Attorney, City Clerk, Property Manager, Housing Manager, Planning Manager, Cemetery Coordinator, Public Works Administrative Services Manager, Engineering Assistant, Police Lieutenant
***Afternoon Session Agenda ***

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. City Clerk Klein called the roll with the Council present as indicated above.

PRESENTATIONS

1. Recognize March 2025 as American Red Cross Month (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Recognized March 2025 as American Red Cross Month Mayor Williamson presented the proclamation. Dan Ripke, of American Red Cross Central Coast Chapter, made brief remarks highlighting the organization's important work. Public comment was not received.

2. Recognize March 2025 as Women’s History Month (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Recognized March 2025 as Women's History Month
Councilmember Barber read the proclamation. City Clerk Klein gave a brief presentation highlighting women who have made history at the City of Monterey. The Council made remarks recognizing women's achievements and expressing the importance of diversity. Public comment was not received.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Based on the number of people interested in speaking, Mayor Williamson limited the time for public comment to two minutes per person. Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from: Steven Lightfoot, Janine Chicourrat of See Monterey, Marta Kraftzeck, Tony Tollner, Jeff Whitmire, Sherry Flumerfelt of the Western Flyer Foundation, Nina Beety, and Erika Delemarre.

City Council Minutes March 4, 2025
2 CONSENT AGENDA
On question from the Council regarding Item 5, Housing Manager Wyatt provided background information and commented on the potential to allocate Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program grant funds to affordable housing construction.

On a motion by Councilmember Barber, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the CONSENT AGENDA:

3. February 18, 2025 Regular Meeting (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061)
Action: Approved
Resolutions

4. Authorize the City of Monterey Cemetery El Encinal to Buy Back One (1) Cemetery Lot in the Amount of $2,872.75 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-013 C.S.

5. Appropriate $180,952 in State of California Department of Housing and Community Development Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program Grant Funds and Award Funding to and Authorize the City Manager to Enter into Agreements with Gathering For Women and Community Human Services to Assist Persons Experiencing Homelessness (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-014 C.S.

6. Approve Six Month Extension to Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. for Financial Services and Authorize City Manager to Execute the Agreement Amendment (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-015 C.S.

Other

7. Appoint Agency Negotiators for Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: 285 Figueroa Street (Monterey Beach Station); Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: Cheryl Cox and Debbie Young (Cox & Young Ventures, LLC); Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Lease Amendment (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Appointed agency negotiators Community Development Director Cole and Property Manager Aldrete
City Council Minutes March 4, 2025
3 *** End of Consent Agenda ***

PUBLIC HEARING

8. City Council Approve the Planning Commission Recommendation to Adopt the 1st Reading of an Ordinance Amending Monterey City Code Section 38-29 and Section 38-32 to Add Bicycle/Equipment Rental as a Principally Permitted Use in the Community Commercial (C-2) and Cannery Row (CR) Zoning Districts (Exempt from CEQA per Public Resources Code Section 21083.3 and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15183) Action: Passed Ordinance to a second reading
Planning Manager Hill gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions.

Based on the time, Mayor Williamson limited the time for public comment to two minutes per person. Public comment was received from: Bob Faulis, Jeff Davi representing the business owner, Joaquin Sullivan of Big Sur Adventures, and Adam Pinterits, who all spoke in favor of the ordinance; Kyle Wareham of Adventures by the Sea, who said that there were sufficient bike rental options already in the Cannery Row area; Barry Riddoch of Oscar's Playground, who expressed concern about safety and requested better enforcement; and Bob Bluth of the Planning Commission, who urged the Council to discuss safety issues, stating that the Planning Commission had not been sure that topic fell within their purview.

The Council discussed the matter. It was agreed that increasing access to bicycles such as bicycles would align with the City's goals to increase alternative modes of transportation and reduce traffic congestion. It was suggested that approving the Planning Commission's recommendation would support healthy business and economic development. On the one hand, it was suggested that a cap on the number of bicycle rentals might be necessary, and on the other hand it was posited that the open market would organically regulate the density of vendors without City-imposed limits.

Regarding safety, it was acknowledged that it was a major concern but distinctly separate from the ability for the Council to control how many businesses go in on Cannery Row. It was agreed that safety analyses should be conducted under the direction of the City Manager by the Planning, Police, and Fire departments. It was requested that these teams analyze accidents and review areas needing improvement, and consider ways to improve public outreach and education, and it was stated that incremental safety improvements should be done based on data.

Regarding zoning, it was considered that C-1 could be added if applicable upon further review by the Planning Commission, but it was determined that for the purposes of adopting the ordinance the proposed zoning should be kept as-is, and that further zoning considerations, including potentially expanding to other areas of the City, could be reviewed later.

On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council passed the ordinance to a second reading:

AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
*** Adjourn to Closed Session ***
City Council Minutes March 4, 2025
4 Public comment on the closed session was not received. The Council adjourned to closed session at 5:31 p.m.

CLOSED SESSION

9. Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Title: City Manager; Public Employee Performance Evaluation pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1), Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 for Labor Negotiations; Agency Negotiator: Shelline Bennett; Unrepresented Employee: City Manager (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20 Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5 Section 15061) Action: No reportable action taken, Continued to 7:00 p.m. session

10. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 285 Figueroa Street (Monterey Beach Station)
Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete
Negotiating Parties: Cheryl Cox and Debbie Young (Cox & Young Ventures, LLC) (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Lease Amendment (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Continued to a future Council meeting
RECESS
The Council recessed at 7:22 p.m.

RECONVENE
The Council reconvened at 7:25 p.m.
*** Evening Session Agenda ***

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Smith led the Pledge.

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS CONTINUED
Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from: Esther Malkin, Bryan Rosen, and Lorna Moffat.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Williamson reported out from the closed session as indicated in the actions recorded for closed session items 9 and 10, above.

PUBLIC APPEARANCE (EVENING)
City Council Minutes March 4, 2025
5 11. First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 23, Sections 1, 2, and 9, Repealing Section 23-3 Subsections (a)-(c) and Section 20-85, and Adding Chapter 32, Section 5 Relating To Camping In Recreation Areas and On Other Public Property, and In Vehicles (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Passed Ordinance to a second reading as amended to reflect a required distance of 1,000 feet from the property line of a school site, instead of two blocks Assistant City Attorney Salameh gave the staff presentation explaining that the intent was to update the City's ordinances to comply with recent case law, and informed the Council that staff recommended an amendment to the proposed ordinance to reflect a required distance of 1,000 feet from the property line of a school site, instead of "two blocks." She answered Councilmembers' questions.

Public comment was received from: Erica Walker, who expressed concern about homeless individuals and drug use; Mitchel Sawhney, who asked for no camping and more police attention in business districts; Esther Malkin, who said that Laguna Grande Regional Park should be included and asked the Council to consider a safe parking option; Tom Reeves, who expressed concern about car camping in neighborhoods and echoed the call for a safe place for car camping; Lorna Moffat, who stressed the need for humane and caring treatment of homeless people; Bryan Rosen, who echoed Ms. Moffat's concerns and stated that the proposed policy targeted poor people and veterans; and Kim Cutino, who said that the ordinance was a good start but that people do need somewhere to sleep. During public comment Councilmember Barber left the Chamber between 8:05 and 8:07 p.m.

On question from the Council, Assistant City Attorney Salameh provided more context and information on the Desertrain legal precedent and what it could mean for the City of Monterey.

She said that there was a robust diversion program that worked with individuals charged with misdemeanors to get help get them on a path toward success, and that people successfully completing the diversion program did not end up with a misdemeanor on their records. She highlighted provisions that applied in commercial districts prohibiting sitting and lying on the sidewalks. She clarified that under the proposed ordinance, camping would be prohibited in the Monterey's portion of Laguna Grande Regional Park.

On question from the Council, Police Chief Hober provided information about enforcement, enforcement challenges, and officers' discretion. He explained that the Community Action Team ("CAT") worked hard to try to help unhoused people and that some were unwilling to receive assistance.

On question from the Council, City Attorney Davi said she would analyze the issue of sitting and lying on the sidewalk at Fairgrounds Road and whether the City's sit/lie ordinance could be amended to apply to that area.

Chief Hober provided further context on issues requiring policing along the North Fremont corridor that went beyond sitting and lying on the sidewalk and said that his officers tried to be very proactive in preventing and addressing crime. The Council thanked Chief Hober for his efforts and those of his team, and noted that there were also issues with enforcement for recreational vehicles (RVs) parking and camping on North Fremont Street and Garden Road.

The Council expressed support for the ordinance as written. It was stated that the Council should adopt it and should still also recognize all the work still needing to be addressed. It was stated that the ordinance would be challenging to enforce. It was stressed that the Council should be laser-focused on creating housing, and that the City needed more shelters. Two City Council Minutes March 4, 2025
6 potential solutions offered were that the faith community could work again on helping to provide safe parking, and that the City could host safe parking trailers in its parking lots.

The Council requested that the next reading of the ordinance not be agendized on the Consent agenda, and that it include clear information on percentages and locations for both prohibited areas and allowable locations for camping in the City, information on expected impacts to public property, more structure and information on enforcement and fairness to cover the potential for people being treated differently, and updated language for the definition of public property in order to clarify intent.

On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council passed Ordinance to a second reading, to include the amendment recommended by City staff (1000 feet):

12. Discuss Insights from the January 29, 2025 City Council Workshop and Approve City Council Priorities (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Discussed, Approved Council priorities: 1) Community Engagement and Government Transparency; 2) Public Safety: Police, Fire, Emergency Management and Code Compliance; 3) (tie) Fiscal Stewardship: Stabilizing Future Revenue Sources; 3) (tie) Housing: Homelessness Services; 5) (tie) Fiscal Stewardship: Economic Development; 5) (tie) Infrastructure: Maintain, Repair, and Replace; 5) (tie) Quality Workforce: Attraction and Retention; and 5) (tie) Housing: Affordable Housing and Secure Water Sources
Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions. During the presentation, Mayor Williamson left the Chamber from 9:17 to 9:18 p.m.

Public comment was received from: Gabriel Sanders of Revision West, who asked for the City to create a schema that would help housing developers understand how to earn water credits when they are available; Esther Malkin, who complimented the City for its governance and work on engagement and urged that pressure be put on Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) regarding power grid issues; and Nina Beety, who questioned the prioritization of City projects with regard to budget concerns.

The Council discussed the matter. It was requested that City staff develop a calendar showing the expected timeline for work on matters listed as Council priorities over the next year and a half, and it was noted while this would be helpful, City staff should not spend a lot of time developing this calendar because flexibility was required and things change over time. It was requested that the record reflect that the Council also expressed interest in reopening Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center at the January 29, 2025 special meeting. It was requested to know specifics of programming and projects, and "low hanging fruits," that City staff may have identified that would fit into the Council's prioritized categories of work projects. Enthusiasm was expressed for the suggestion of conducting a resident survey. It was stated that the recent Wildfire Ready Town Hall event had been excellent and that the topic could be brought to City Council Minutes March 4, 2025
7 residents annually in various formats to engage the public. It was stated that upcoming discussions regarding a central public safety facility would be beneficial. It was requested to know details about a water credit list, stating that many properties are vacant and that there are people waiting to build and develop with water.

On question from the Council, City Manager Uslar provided preliminary information and said that staff would return to the Council with an update. With input from Community Development Director Cole, City Attorney Davi provided context on the matter of a water credit list, stating that there was not necessarily such a list and that information on water credits was still a work in progress.

On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Barber, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved its top priorities as identified in the agenda report AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)

COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilmember Barber reported that she had been working with the Friends of Isola delle Femmine organization and was looking forward to a trip to Monterey's sister city of Isola delle Femmine, Italy, where she said she would continue to honor Gasper Cardinale and his work to promote the relationship between the two cities. She thanked the City Clerk for sharing the slides on women's history in Monterey, and applauded the women leaders at the City.

Councilmember Garcia reminded the Council and public that he served on the Laguna Grande Joint Powers Authority and invited the public to attend it snext meeting on Monday April 14 at 6 p.m. He spoke favorably about the Wildfire Ready Town Hall and recommended the PG&E "Report It" mobile application.

Councilmember Rasch said that she and Councilmember Smith had attended a Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association meeting where there had been a discussion about issues of drop off points at Monterey High School. She wondered if a potential solution could be the school's allowing drop off at the Pacific Street entrance.

Mayor Williamson shared that the Board of Monterey One Water had elected him as Chair and that they would have a busy year ahead, including a significant Proposition 218 process for rate increases. He echoed the kudos to City staff and partners for the City's successful Wildfire Ready Town Hall.

Councilmember Smith shared further praise about the Wildfire Ready Town Hall and said that it helped increase trust and readiness community-wide.

Mayor Williamson spoke about the City-sponsored trip to Isola delle Femmine, Italy, that he said he and Councilmember Barber would be undertaking for an opportunity to learn and appreciate more about the sister city and bring information back to Monterey. He said that Isola delle Femmine would send their own delegation to Monterey in September, 2025. He made remarks in remembrance of Gasper Cardinale.

City Council Minutes March 4, 2025
8 CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Uslar announced that the City's Recreation Department had held a successful series of Family Fun Nights at the Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center. He reminded the public of the upcoming Local Road Safety Plan meeting on March 6, 2025, and asked Council to limit their attendance for Brown Act reasons. He said that the Parks Department's annual Cutting Day was coming up on March 15, 2025. He made remarks about the loss of Gasper Cardinale, whom he called a friend.

ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned to closed session at 10:16 p.m. in memory of Gasper Cardinale.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM CLOSED SESSION

Monterey City CouncilMarch 4, 2025

Monterey City Council
March 4, 2025