MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST., MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
AND TELECONFERENCE LOCATION: HILTON GARDEN INN, ROOM 106, 6070 MONTEREY ROAD, GILROY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith*, Williamson
Absent: None
* Attended remotely by teleconference at the duly noticed teleconference location listed above
City Staff
Present:
City Manager, Assistant City Attorney, Assistant City Manager, Community Development Director, Finance Director, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, Administrative Assistant/Recording Secretary, Management Analyst (Parks and Recreation)
Call to Order
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.. Administrative Assistant Tulett called the roll with the Council present as indicated above.
Special Meeting
1. Receive Presentation on Phase 2 Poll of Likely Voters and Direct Staff to Proceed with the Renewal of Measure S Only for the November 2026 Election Ballot (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Accept staff recommendation to place a ballot measure on the November 2026 general election to renew Measure S, the 1% sales, with an 8-year sunset Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira and Lucia Del Puppo of FM3 together gave the presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions with input from Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Easterling and Assistant City Attorney Krattli.
Public comment was received from: Patrick Aldinger, who supported the staff recommendation to place a measure on the November election; Tom Rowley and Lori Mazzuca, who both referred to anti-tax sentiment and concerns about sidewalk repairs being the responsibility of home owners; Esther Malkin, who suggested postponing an extension of Measure S and instead placing both a parking tax and sales tax on the November 3, 2026 ballot; Tom Reeves, who echoed comments about the sidewalk policy and parking and sales taxes, and said that any extension of Measure S renewal should have a sunset date.
On question from the Council, Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira described the City’s low property tax revenue, the number of non-profits and military bases located in the City who do not pay property taxes and in some cases sales tax, and the inability to recover funds for safety services provided to the Presidio of Monterey. He also responded to Council inquiry on the estimated percentage of sales tax paid by tourists and visitors from outside of the City, as well as clarified revenue estimates from a potential parking tax. Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Easterling indicated that priorities may not change much but highlighted some infrastructure priorities the funds from the proposed ballot measure would support, such as the Pavement Management Program, Stormwater and Drainage (Pump Station 11 is at end of life), the ADA Transition Plan, and being strategic about roadway maintenance to reduce fund impact.
On question from Council, FM3 representative Lucia Del Puppo explained the survey response City Council Minutes June 24, 2026
2 rate and voter targeting categories for Phase 2 as compared to Phase 1. Assistant City Attorney Krattli confirmed the vote requirement for the potential special tax would require a 2/3 (66.67%) voter approval threshold.
The Council discussed the matter. Regarding neighborhood sidewalk repairs, support was expressed for the City addressing resident concerns and preference was expressed that the City assist or cover costs for homeowners as a “good faith” effort, and it was stated that this could help assure voters to vote in favor of the Measure S renewal. The desire was expressed to revisit, and ease, the City’s permit fees for residents who do need to repair their sidewalks.
On question from the Council, City Manager Hall clarified that the permit fee necessary for sidewalk repair was approximately $389 rather than the rumored $1,400. Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer Easterling clarified that the City’s sidewalk repair policy follows State law (Streets and Highways Code) in placing the responsibility on the property owner. He confirmed that the City has not substantially changed the program, except for extending the timeline to commence repairs from 14 days to 90 days to give property owners more time. Assistant City Attorney clarified that City funds can be used to repair City-installed sidewalks that may be near residential property, but that, since at least 2009, the City Code was very clear that maintenance of sidewalks was the responsibility of the property owner. Staff agreed to look into the formation of a City fund to assist qualifying property owners with making necessary repairs.
Regarding placing a Measure S renewal measure on the November ballot, the Council expressed support, and it was stressed that Councilmembers must be able to educate district voters on the importance of the renewal. It was urged that the City consider looking at its streets that are paved with concrete and consider the quality and lifespan of concrete products. It was suggested to discuss a longer sunset than 8 years for the measure renewal. The Council congratulated staff on achieving such high Pavement Condition Index (PCI) scores for the City’s roadways.
It was also proposed by the Council that City staff explore the idea of a vacancy tax, and it was noted that this type of tax polled well with the residents who responded to the survey. City Manager Hall agreed to explore the idea of a vacancy tax with staff, and Assistant City Manager explained that ballot language for such a tax had not yet been explored and noted challenges that would be associated with the deadline for placing a vacancy tax on the November ballot.
On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following roll-call vote, the City Council approved the staff recommendation to place a measure on the November 2026 election to renew Measure S (1% sales tax) with an 8-year sunset.
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Adjournment
The Council adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Linda Tulett Tyller Williamson
Administrative Assistant Mayor