MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AND
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC STREET
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson
Absent: None
City Staff
Present:
Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Community Development Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Finance Director, Library Director, Public Works Director, Administrative Assistant, Police Chief, Assistant Human Resources Director, Assistant Library Director, Housing Manager, Property Manager, Planning Manager, Parks Manager, Recreation Manager, Streets and Utilities Manager
AFTERNOON SESSION:
Call to Order
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Administrative Assistant Tulett called the roll as indicated above.
AFTERNOON SESSION: 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Afternoon Session Items
Public Appearance (Afternoon)
Public Appearance items are on non-routine issues that might stimulate public interest and comments.
1 Receive a Presentation and Approve the 2025 & 2026 City Council Action Items Schedule (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Presentation Received; directed staff to incorporate Councilmember suggestions and bring back for approval at a future Council meeting.
Nat Rojanasathira, Assistant City Manager, gave the presentation, reviewed the list of City Council Action Items Schedule, explained the coding on the spreadsheet that reflected where the items were in process and/or whether or not the item would require Council approval, and answered Councilmember questions.
Councilmember Garcia left room at 4:56 pm and returned at 4:59 pm. Mayor Tyller left room at 5:00 pm and returned at 5:02 pm. Councilmember Smith left room at 6:14 pm and returned at 6:17 pm.
City Council Minutes May 28, 2025
2 The Council discussed the presentation and asked questions of the Assistant City Manager to seek clarification on listed action items as well as those not captured, and the difference between shaded boxes without a check mark, shaded boxes with check marks and clear boxes.
Feedback and questions from Council, and response from staff were provided on the following topics, in no particular order: public input on the website refresh; gathering public input to update the tree ordinance and share public information on safety and the upcoming fire season; consideration of a volunteer program; consideration of a smoking ban in multi-unit housing structures; renewal of Measure G (sales tax approved by voters in March 2020); infrastructure financing options; Highway 68 safety; changing Alvarado Street to a pedestrian-only pathway; opportunities for broader recruitment strategies for attracting and retaining employees; updating the City’s sign ordinance; a “dig once” policy regarding undergrounding; a discussion of the need for “overflow” council meeting dates each month; economic development as it relates to the North Fremont Business District; highlighting the need for a plan for caring for the Laguna Grande Park; and reopening of or potential opportunities for the Casanova-Oak Knoll Park Center.
Public Works Director Renny provided a brief update on Public Works projects, indicating that funding have been allocated to begin the Highway 68/Skyline Forest study in the new Fiscal Year, and provided information relating to the Residential Parking Permit Program, implementation timelines, and how the community can provide feedback.
Community Development Director Cole answered questions and provided information on projects her staff are working on relating to various housing programs and homelessness services, including new laws that must be implemented. Other topics included economic development, the Local Coastal Plan, zoning ordinance updates, Fort Ord and Highway 68 Plans, and use of outside resources to assist with departmental workload challenges, including new workload due to statutes recently signed into law. Council recognized the difficult and ongoing work done by the Community Development staff as the “gold standard” of other local organizations and congratulated them on receiving the American Planning Association’s “Planning Excellence” Award for the Northern California Area.
In the interest of time, public comment was limited to two minutes per speaker. Public comment was received in the Chamber from: Mabel Lernoud, who requested the council consider an ordinance for an indoor smoking ban in multi-unit residential units; Jeff Whitmoyer, who spoke about the City’s flag ordinances; and Rick Heuer, who spoke about the water allocation rights in the City. Zoom comments were received from: Esther Malkin, who thanked the staff for their hard work on the priorities list with a reduced staff force; and Diane C. also thanked the City staff for their hard work and dedication.
On a motion introduced by Mayor Williamson, and seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, requested staff take input from council and public and bring the item back at future meeting.
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson 2 Provide Direction on Appointments Process for, and Composition of Boards, Commissions, and Committees (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Tabled to a future meeting (date uncertain)
City Council Minutes May 28, 2025
3 Council discussed the lack of time for the item. Mayor suggested it be tabled for a future meeting as he and Councilmember Barber had other commitments and could not extend the meeting.
Public Comment was received from: Elizabeth Janisch, who spoke in support of making the proposed changes to the process for appointing positions to the Boards, Commissions and Committees; Mike Sovereign, Rene Kimzey and Shelley Schmidt, who do not support reducing the number of boards, commissions or committees or the number of appointees; Shelley Schmidt, who also spoke about maintaining the separation between the NCIP and the Neighborhood Associations; Lori Mazzuca and Chelsea Lenowska, who shared frustration with the length of the current meeting and the fact the item was tabled to a future meeting and the item will not be heard.
On a motion introduced by Mayor Williamson, and seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote, to table the item to a future meeting, date unknown.
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson Councilmember Barber left the Chamber at 6:32 p.m.
Closed Session (Afternoon)
The City Council will take public comments on closed session items before convening to closed session.
There was a brief discussion on whether or not there would be sufficient time for both closed session items due to time constraints and prior commitments.
Public Comment on item 4 was received from Kevin, a crematorium operator with Keystone America, Inc., who requested a 10-year extension on the current lease as a benefit to the City as well as providing time for the desired improvements.
The Council adjourned to closed session at 6:37 p.m. Mayor Williamson left the Chamber at 6:37 p.m.
3. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 1 Old Golf Course Road (Hyatt Regency Monterey) Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete
Negotiating Parties: Tony Lombardo (Representing FWREF Monterey, LLC) Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for New Lease Agreement (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) -- continued from May 6, 2025, May 20, 2025, and May 23, 2025 Action: On a vote of 3 in favor, none opposed, with Mayor Williamson and Councilmember Barber absent, confidential direction was given to property negotiators
4. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: Crematorium at El Encinal Cemetery, Fremont Street and Camino Aguajito; Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: Michelle Price (Keystone America, Inc., dba The Paul Mortuary, a subsidiary of Service Corporation International); Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Lease Amendment (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section City Council Minutes May 28, 2025
4 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) -- continued from May 20, 2025 and May 23, 2025
Action: On a vote of 3 in favor, none opposed, with Mayor Williamson and Councilmember Barber absent, confidential direction was given to property negotiators
Adjournment
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Linda Tulett Tyller Williamson
Administrative Assistant Mayor