MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST.
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Williamson
Absent: Smith
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, Community Development Director, Human Resources Director, Public Works Director, City Clerk, Assistant Finance Director, Assistant Human Resources Director, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, Housing Manager, General Services Superintendent, Assistant Fire Chief, Assistant Police Chief, Lieutenant, Recreation Manager, Senior Administrative Analyst (Police), Community Service Officers (4), Administrative Assistant (Police), Engineering Assistant II, HCD Coordinator - Projects and Programs, Engineering Assistant
AFTERNOON SESSION (4:00 p.m.)
Call to Order
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Rasch led the Pledge.
Presentations (Afternoon)
1. Recognize September 2025 as Hispanic Heritage Month (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Recognized Hispanic Heritage Month
Councilmember Garcia presented the proclamation and together with Mayor Williamson spoke about the importance of recognizing Hispanic heritage.
Mayor Williamson limited public comments to two minutes per speaker. Public comment was received from: Daniel Armendariz, Esther Malkin, and Gary Cursio of the Monterey County Hospitality Association, who spoke in support of the recognition; and Bryan Rosen and Lorna Moffat, who spoke in partial disagreement.
2. Recognize City Employees for Milestone Anniversaries and Retirements in 2025 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Recognized employees
The Council recognized, and Public Works Director Renny and Assistant Police Chief Bruno made remarks praising: Senior Street Maintenance Worker Garcia for achieving the milestone of 30 City Council Minutes September 16, 2025
2 years of service to the City; Parking Maintenance Worker Chavez, Street Maintenance Leadworker Fernandez Valdez, Custodian Luna, and Parking Enforcement Supervisor Mendez, each for achieving the milestone of 25 years of service to the City; Engineering Projects Manager Anderson, Assistant Police Chief Mike Bruno, Police Lieutenant Kaster, and Police Sergeant Ruttschow, each for acheiving the milestone of 20 years of service to the City; and former Automotive Mechanic Frank Gentry for his recent retirement after 24.7 years of service to the City.
Mayor Williamson limited public comments to two minutes per speaker. Public comment on the matter was received from: an unidentified woman who complimented City staff; Bryan Rosen, who asked the Police Department to declare they would not cooperate with illegal federal orders; and Esther Malkin, who celebrated the recognition of the Police Department staff members.
General Public Comments
Based on the number of individuals indicating they would speak, Mayor Williamson limited public comments to two minutes per speaker. Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from: Jerilynn Smith-Crivello, two unidentifed women, Daniel Armendariz, Bryan Rosen, Lorna Moffat, Mira Nissim, Pat Venza, and Esther Malkin. During public comment, Councilmember Barber left the Chamber from 4:55 p.m. to 4:57 p.m.
Consent Agenda
Public comment was not received. City Manager Uslar noted that the resolution for Item 7 would accurately reflect that the provision of ambulance services would begin in October 2025, not July 2025.
On a motion by Councilmember Barber, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda:
AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Consent: Approval of Minutes
3. September 2, 2025 Regular Meeting (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent)
Consent: Award of Construction Contracts
4. Award a Construction Contract in the Amount of $329,201.00 to Granite Rock Company for the 2400 Block of North Fremont Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project (Exempt from CEQA, Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-095 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent) Consent: Resolutions
5. Award a Public Works Contract in the Amount of $500,000 to Energen Systems Incorporated for Generator Service and Repair Job Order Contract ***IGSA*** (Categorically Excluded from NEPA 32 CFR, Part 651, Section II(g)(1) (CEQA Not a Project))
City Council Minutes September 16, 2025
3 Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-096 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent)
6. Authorize a PG&E Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet Program Terms and Conditions Contract, Letter of Commitment, and Oversized Switchgear Acknowledgement Related to the EV Charger Project at the City Corporation Yard (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-097 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent)
7. Adopt Side Letter Agreement to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) With Monterey Fire Fighters' Association (MFFA) effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027 to Address Updates Related to the Provision of Ambulance Services to the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Not A Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 And Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-098 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent)
8. Award a Job Order Contract in the Amount of $500,000 to Silicon Valley Mechanical, Inc. for HVAC Maintenance, Service, and Repair Job Order Contract ***IGSA*** (Exempt from CEQA, Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1) (Categorically Excluded from NEPA 32 CFR, Part 651, Section II(g)(1))
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-099 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent)
9. Authorize the Human Resources Department to Access State and Federal Level Summary Criminal History Information for Employment with the City of Monterey (Including Volunteers and Contract Employees) (Not A Project Under CEQA, Per Article 20, Section 15378 And Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-100 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent) End of Consent Agenda
Adjourn to Ocean View Community Services District Meeting The City Council adjourned to the Ocean View Community Services District Meeting.
Ocean View Community Services District Meeting: Consent Agenda
10. Receive Ocean View Community Services District Quarterly Report (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received report
City Attorney Davi briefly noted that there was nothing new to report beyond the update in the agenda report. Public comment on the matter was not received.
Adjourn to City Council Meeting
The Ocean View Community Services District Board of Directors adjourned back to the City Council meeting.
Afternoon Session Items
Public Hearing (Afternoon)
11. Adopt the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER), Authorize Submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban City Council Minutes September 16, 2025
4 Development, Hold a Public Hearing on Community Development Needs, and Authorize the City Manager to Make Administrative Changes to the Draft CAPER document and after the Submittal as Requested by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development HUD (Exempt from NEPA per 24 CFR Part 58 and from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1, 15306, Class 6 and 15326, Class 26) Action: Held public hearing; Adopted Resolution No. 25-101 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Smith absent)
Housing Analyst Verania gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions.
Public comment on the matter was received from: Nancy Soulé, who asked non-related questions about the rental inventory; Tom Reeves, who asked about repercussions if affordable properties were left in poor condition; and Staci Alziebler-Perkins of Gathering for Women Monterey, who thanked the Council for their support of those working to help the homeless.
On question from the Council, City Manager Uslar provided context about the condition of affordable units, stating that generally they were left in good condition, and that between owners the City completed standard repairs such as painting and updating floors to make them ready for the next owner.
The Council expressed their gratitude for, and pride about, the programs and assistance provided by the Housing Division.
On a motion by Councilmember Barber, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-101 C.S.:
AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Public Appearance (Afternoon)
12. Presentation on the City's Plan to Solicit Public Opinion on Potential Tax Measures to Reduce the City's $10 Million Structural (Annual) Budget Deficit (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Received presentation
City Manager Uslar and Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions together with Lucia Del Puppo of FM3 Research.
Public comment was received from: Nancy Soulé, who suggested a written survey instead of or together with a phone survey; Marta Kraftzeck, who echoed Ms. Soulé's comments and spoke against a bond measure; Martine Watkins of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, who spoke against the strategy of adding an admissions tax; Tom Reeves, who asked for clarification about the stormwater fee strategy; Nina Beety, who spoke in favor of increasing sales tax and Transient Occupancy Tax ("TOT") and adding a vacancy tax, and provided thoughts on other strategies under consideration; and Esther Malkin, who spoke in opposition to a streaming tax unless it could be limited to tourists, and provided thoughts on other strategies under consideration.
The Council discussed the matter. It was asserted that the suggested randomized polling was the best way to get voter sentiment on all of the considered tax measures. The suggestion was posed City Council Minutes September 16, 2025
5 that there might be a way to structure a potential bond for a public safety facility so that it was not assessed on homeowners' property taxes. In response to public comment, it was stressed that the City was independently audited regularly and that the results were published on the City's website.
On question from the Council, City Manager Uslar and Public Works Director Renny outlined the upcoming two-step process for instituting stormwater fees to be collected via property tax. It was noted that this would involve a Proposition 218 process with a majority vote by affected property owners and that City staff aimed to complete the process by August 2026. Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira outlined the current polling plan that would target 400 voters for the June election and 500 voters for the November election, and clarified that the polling would be done with a combination of telephone calls, text messages, and email messaging. During the conversation, Councilmember Garcia left the Chamber from 6:06 p.m. and returned at 6:08 p.m.
The Council expressed the position that the potential 0.375% sales tax measure should be polled for the June 2026 primary ballot, and that the City should not combine that discussion with polling regarding an extension of Measure G. It was stated that it would make sense to place a Measure P/S renewal tax measure on the November 2026 ballot, which it was stated had strong community support. Lastly it was suggested that the City follow up with a Measure G sales tax renewal measure on the ballot in November 2028. It was stressed that the data from polling would help drive the Council's decisionmaking.
13. Approve or Deny Creating an Ad Hoc Committee for the recruitment of the City Manager (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Created an Ad Hoc Committee of one, and appointed the Mayor to this role (3-1-1, with Councilmember Rasch voting no and Councilmember Smith absent) Human Resources Director Neal gave a brief verbal staff presentation explaining the concept of an ad hoc committee. Mayor Williamson provided a further explanation, stating that the Bob Murray & Associates recruiting firm had suggested the formation of an ad hoc committee, in the interest of efficiency, that would review the recruitment brochure and managing timelines and milestones. Both of them answered Councilmembers' questions together with Vice Mayor Garcia.
Public comment was received from Marta Kraftzeck, Esther Malkin, and Nina Beety, all in opposition to forming an ad hoc committee.
Human Resources Director Neal noted that working with the recruiter on the brochure and timelines would be an appropriate duty for her role. The Council debated whether Council eyes should remain on the process or whether staff involvement would be sufficient.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Barber to deny forming an ad hoc committee and instead to directed that Human Resources Director Neal would be the "second pair of eyes" on the recruitment process.
The motion failed for the lack of a second.
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Rasch to review the brochure in public at a special Council meeting on September 24, 2025.
The motion failed for the lack of a second.
It was suggested that one member of the Council could conduct the work that had been proposed for an ad hoc committee, and it was discussed which member should be appointed.
City Council Minutes September 16, 2025
6 On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote, the City Council created an ad hoc committee of one and appointed the Mayor to serve in this role:
AYES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Williamson
NOES: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Rasch
ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Council Comments
Councilmember Barber thanked everyone for being present on such a beautiful day.
City Manager Reports
City Manager Uslar announced that the City's new website would launch on September 30, Parking Day would be held on Alvarado on September 19, and that visitors from Monterey's Sister City of Nanao, Japan would be visiting the City on September 26 and 27. He said that the City Hall in Your Corner over the weekend had been a success. He said that two tree ordinance meetings would take place soon.
Adjournment
The City Council adjourned at 6:49 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Tyller Williamson
City Clerk Mayor