MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Tuesday, December 16, 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, Fire Chief, Library & Museums Director, Public Works Director, City Clerk, Property Manager, Assistant Fire Chief, Assistant Police Chief, Engineering Assistant, Police Lieutenant, Senior Engineer, Recreation Manager, Acting Assistant Fire Chief, Acting Division Chief, Fire Captains (4), Senior Administrative Analyst (Fire), Fire Engineer, Firefighters (2), Administrative Assistant (Fire)
AFTERNOON SESSION
Call to Order
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. City Clerk Klein called the roll with the Council present as indicated above.
Presentations (Afternoon)
1. Congratulate Fire Chief Andrew Miller on His Retirement and Recognize His 35 Years of Service to the Fire Profession in Monterey County and Tenure as the 11th and 13th Fire Chief to Lead the Monterey Fire Department (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Congratulated Chief Miller
City Manager Uslar made brief remarks of introduction, following which Chief Miller spoke about his tenure and service at Monterey Fire Department. The Council shared their appreciation of Chief Miller's leadership and integrity.
Public comment was limited to two minutes per speaker and was received from: Vince Balestreri, Esther Malkin, Police Chief Hober, and Assistant Fire Chief Moore who all praised, thanked, and congratulated Chief Miller.
The Council recessed at 4:37 p.m. and reconvened at 4:41 p.m.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Garcia led the Pledge.
General Public Comments
Public comment on non-agendized matters was limited to two minutes per speaker and was received from: Nelson Vega, Tom Reeves, Tama Olver, Bob Faulis, Ellen Martin of First Night Monterey, Daniel Armendariz, and Demetrius Kastros.
City Council Minutes December 16, 2025
2 Consent Agenda
Public comment on the Consent Items was solicited and not received.
On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Barber, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Consent: Approval of Minutes
2. December 2, 2025 Regular Meeting (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Approved
3. December 6, 2025 Special Meeting (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Approved
Consent: Award of Construction Contracts
4. Amend Resolution 25-060 to Include the Wave Street Curb Ramp Improvement Project In the Capital Improvement Program, Appropriate Funds, and Award a Construction Contract in the Amount of $1,049,874.25 to McKim Corporation for the Wave Street Curb Ramp Improvement Project (Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-123 C.S.
Consent: Ordinances
5. 2nd Reading of Ordinance Amending the Monterey City Code to Dissolve the Architectural Review Committee and Transfer its Powers and Duties to the Planning Commission (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 3715 C.S.
Consent: Resolutions
6. Appropriate Additional Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Funding and Award a Contract to Replace and Install New Lights at Sollecito Field to Musco Sports Lighting, LLC in the amount Not-to-exceed $464,200. (Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1, Existing Facilities) ***NCIP*** Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-124 C.S.
7. Authorize an Agreement with Amilia Technologies USA, Inc. for the Purchase of Cloud Hosted Recreation Software and Professional Services and Authorize the City Manager To Execute Agreements for Recreation Software and Merchant Services (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-125 C.S.
8. Authorize a Budget Appropriation in the Amount of $461,153.47 from the Monterey Conference Center Reserve Fund to the Monterey Conference Center Building City Council Minutes December 16, 2025
3 Maintenance Contractual Services Account to Complete Urgent Escalator Repairs (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-126 C.S.
Consent: Other
9. Appoint Councilmember Smith as Vice Mayor for 2026 (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Appointed Councilmember Smith as Vice Mayor for 2026
10. Appoint Agency Negotiators for Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: 256 Figueroa Street; Agency Negotiators:
Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: Mike Zimmerman (Surfside Enterprises, Inc.); 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
11. Appoint Agency Negotiators for Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: 9 Wharf II (Sandbar & Grill); Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: Craig Ling (Janeboy, Inc.); Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Lease Extension and New Lease Agreement (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
12. Appoint Agency Negotiators for Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: 560-570 Munras Avenue (Trader Joe's Shopping Center); Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: ROIC Monterey, LLC; Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Consent to Assignment of Ground Lease to ZH Asheville, LLC (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
End of Consent Agenda
Afternoon Session Items
Public Appearance (Afternoon)
13. Authorize the Mayor to Sign a Letter in Support of the Proposed House Resolution:
“Lower Presidio National Historic Park Study Act” (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Authorized letter
Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira gave a verbal presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions.
City Council Minutes December 16, 2025
4 Public comment was received from: Bob Faulis, and Ellen Martin of the Old Monterey Foundation, who both spoke in support of the letter, citing the importance of promoting the area's history; and Daniel Armendariz, who said that that the City of Monterey should not give away its land. In response to the last speaker, Council clarified that the Lower Presidio Park was owned by the U.S. Army, not the City.
The Council affirmed that the Congressman's proposed resolution could provide a great opportunity to preserve access to the space. It was noted that the study would need to be completed within three years and that public outreach would be crucial. It was stressed that Monterey's history was a treasure that should be highlighted more broadly.
On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign the letter:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
14. Appoint Council Representatives to Outside Agencies and City Boards and Committees for 2026 (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Made appointments for 2026, keeping the 2025 appointments except for the following changes: appointing Councilmember Garcia to serve as the representative and Mayor Williamson to serve as the alternate to the Monterey County Fairgrounds Subcommittee, and appointing Councilmember Smith to serve as the representative on the Monterey Conference Center Advisory Board and the alternate to the board of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG)
City Clerk Klein gave a brief verbal presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions.
Public comment was solicited and not received.
On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Barber, and carried by the following vote, the City Council appointed Councilmember Garcia to serve as the representative and Mayor Williamson to serve as the alternate to the Monterey County Fairgrounds Subcommittee, and appointed Councilmember Smith to serve as the representative on the Monterey Conference Center Advisory Board:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Smith, and carried by the following vote, the City Council appointed Councilmember Smith to serve as the alternate to the board of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG):
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
15. Receive an Update and Provide Direction to Staff on the Development of a First Responder Fee Program (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: On consensus, directed staff to further explore and research insurance billing only for a potential First Responder Fee Program City Council Minutes December 16, 2025
5 Assistant Fire Chief Moore gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions.
The options presented were Option 1, in which only insurance carriers would be billed a first responder fee, and Option 2, in which patients would be billed for first responder fees if their insurance provider refused to pay. During the presentation, Mayor Williamson left the Chamber at 5:21 p.m. and returned at 5:27 p.m.
Public comment was received from: Bob Faulis, who spoke in opposition to the implementation of a first responder fee; Tom Reeves, who spoke in support of Option 2, with a compassionate billing clause for patients; Esther Malkin, who questioned why this revenue model was brought forward first before others; and Monique Kaldy, who asked the Council to consider some way of recouping costs for providing first responder services and suggested that auto insurance policies' payment of medical claims could be an avenue.
The Council discussed the matter.
Regarding Option 2, support was expressed provided there would be additional nuances, noting that other cities were billing patients already. It was stated that without this income, City programs would need to be cut to augment the budget shortfall, and it was stressed that all expense-cutting and revenue-boosting solutions would include difficult choices. It was noted that this revenue model had not been brought forward before others, citing that the Council had already been discussing tax measures, had conducted a poll of voters, and the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee had been tasked with making recommendations for program cuts. On the other hand, concern was expressed about the program putting a burden on patients and about the concept of owners of real property not being eligible for a fee waiver.
Concern was expressed that people in need might hesitate to call for medical service due to the cost. It was stated that introducing patient billing could anger constituents and sour them toward the City or its services, including a potential project for a new or retrofitted safety building. The idea was posed that there could be a creative way to make Option 2 work, such as charging the fee only to those with a certain level of income or higher. It was suggested that home responses could potentially be exempt from a fee while emergency responses in the field could qualify for the fee. It was questioned whether there would be technological advancements that could assist Fire personnel with gathering the necessary insurance information in the field.
Regarding Option 1, concern was expressed about a lack of viability due to the low rate of return cited by staff. Support was expressed for pressing the State to require health insurance plans to pay paramedic fees. It was requested to learn more about Monterey County's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fee that was being paid by residents' property taxes.
It was noted that this discussion highlighted an opportunity for the Council to be more prudent in the future as they considered taking on more programs, stating that the Council had agreed to take on offering paramedic services without expecting a fee.
During the discussion, Councilmember Barber left the Chamber at 6:08 p.m. and returned at 6:10 p.m.
On question from the Council, Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira summarized the consensus feedback he had received: that the Council directed staff to return to them with strategies and ideas for implementing Option 1 (billing insurance only), including pursuing long-term legislative paths and identifying other agencies that had a strong rate of return through billing insurance only.
City Council Minutes December 16, 2025
6 Council Comments
Councilmember Smith wished everyone a merry Christmas and happy holidays. He invited all to participate in First Night Monterey on New Year's Eve.
Councilmember Rasch suggested that those with sufficient means could voluntarily write a check to cover their care when they received services from the Fire Department.
Councilmember Garcia wished everyone "Feliz Navidad y próspero año" and said he would see everyone in 2026.
Councilmember Barber wished all happy holidays and expressed her hope that everyone would be safe.
Mayor Williamson reported from Central Coast Community Energy ("3CE"), sharing that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) had made a determination that to cover cost that is lost by private sector utilities through the success of programs like 3CE, ratepayers were now paying a fee for "resource adequacy obligations" to help stabilize these private companies' costs.
He said that there this was being discussed heavily in Sacramento.
City Manager Reports
Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira reported on recent successful events: Donuts with Santa event at Fire Station 13, and Christmas in the Adobes. He announced an upcoming toy wrapping party hosted by the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation and Pacific Grove Kiwanis, and a toy giveaway for those in need by the Monterey Police Department. He thanked the Council for its leadership this year.
Adjourn to Closed Session
Public comment on the closed session was received from: Vince Balestreri of Surfside Enterprises, Inc., who spoke on item 16, who asked the Council to approve his request for lease amendment; Bob Faulis, who asked the Council to make sure that its tenants succeed; and Daniel Armendariz, who spoke on Item 20, case 3, alleging that the City had been enforcing its sidewalk vending regulations on State property.
The Council adjourned to closed session at 6:42 p.m.
Closed Session (Afternoon)
16. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 256 Figueroa Street
Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete
Negotiating Parties: Mike Zimmerman (Surfside Enterprises, Inc.) 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: On a unanimous roll call vote, confidential direction given to agency negotiators
17. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
City Council Minutes December 16, 2025
7 Property: 9 Wharf II (Sandbar & Grill)
Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: Craig Ling (Janeboy, Inc.)
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Lease Extension and New Lease Agreement
(Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: On a unanimous roll call vote, confidential direction given to agency negotiators
18. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 560-570 Munras Avenue (Trader Joe's Shopping Center) Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete
Negotiating Parties: ROIC Monterey, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Consent to Assignment of Ground Lease to ZH Asheville, LLC (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: On a unanimous roll call vote, confidential direction given to agency negotiators
19. Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): Stronghold Engineering, Inc. v. City of Monterey (Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 18CV329015) (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: No reportable action taken
20. Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1):
1. Christina Bible v. City of Monterey (Monterey County Superior Court Case No. 25CV005738)
2. City of Monterey v. Leslie J. Flores, Trustee (Monterey County Superior Court Case No. 24CV000750)
3. Shai and Mira Missim v. City of Monterey (Monterey County Superior Court Case Nos. 25CV004945 and 25CV004949)
4. Pacific Western Bank v. City and Stronghold Engineering, Inc. (San Bernardino Superior Court Case No. CIVSB2212212; Fourth District Court of Appeal Case No.
E082907)
5. Stronghold Engineering, Inc. v. City of Monterey (Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 18CV329015)
6. Stronghold Engineering, Inc. v City of Monterey (Riverside County Superior Court Case No. CVR12103427)
7. Save Tarpy Flats v. City of Monterey (Monterey County Superior Court Case No. 24 CV005125)
8. Cynthia Wills v. City of Monterey (United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Case No. 25-720)
9. Richard and Mildred Zilinskas v. City of Monterey (United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Case No. 5:25-CV-07506) (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: No reportable action taken
City Council Minutes December 16, 2025
8 21. Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(2): Roohbakhsh v. City of Monterey (Workers' Compensation Appeals Board Case Nos. ADJ7673832; ADJ8647547; ADJ8647586; ADJ9131029: ADJ10063343; ADJ10877055; ADJ10907943; ADJ11214034; ADJ11628889; ADJ18892404; ADJ18892405; ADJ13913182; ADJ20861765ADJ7210403; ADJ7096915; ADJ7210239; ADJ7210305; ADJ7210378; ADJ7210426; ADJ7248937; ADJ7268990, ADJ7384054; ADJ7601287; ADJ7601379; ADJ7601449) (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: On a unanimous roll call vote, confidential direction given to legal counsel Adjournment
The Council adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Tyller Williamson
City Clerk Mayor