MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
4:00 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST.
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson
Absent: None
City Staff
Present:
City Attorney, Assistant City Manager, Community Development Director, Fire Chief, Parks and Recreation Director, Police Chief, Public Works Director, City Clerk, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, Engineering Assistant, Sustainability Coordinator, Assistant Director of Information Resources, Planning Manager, Associate Civil Engineer, Engineering Assistant II, Recreation Manager, Principal Planner Call to Order
Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Presentations (Afternoon)
1. Recognize September 2026 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 spoke about the importance of recognizing Hispanic heritage. Public comment was received from Esther Malkin, who echoed the importance of the recognition. The Council briefly stressed that it is crucial to make these recognitions.
General Public Comments
Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from: an unidentified man, Josh Stratton of California-American Water, Richard Lind, Cathy Giammanco, Rick Aldinger, Carol Chorbajian, Tom Rowley, Tom Barrera, Nina Beety, and Esther Malkin.
Pledge of Allegiance
Councilmember Smith led the Pledge.
Consent Agenda
The Council requested to pull Item 4 from the Consent Agenda. Public comment on the Consent Items was solicited but not received.
On a motion by Councilmember Barber, seconded by Councilmember Smith, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda, except Item 4:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
City Council Minutes September 1, 2026
2 Consent: Approval of Minutes
2. August 18, 2026 Regular Meeting (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved
Consent: Resolutions
3. Authorize an Increase in FY27 Grant Revenue, Appropriate Funds in the Amount of $216,988.38, and Award a Construction Contract in the Amount of $335,804.19 to InCharge Energy, Inc., for the EV Charger Project at the City Corporation Yard (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15303, Class 3; and Section 15304, Class 4 (f)) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-118 C.S.
4. Authorize the Finance Director to Appropriate $374,525.11 from the Measure P/S Fund to the Cass and El Dorado Street Curb Ramp and Road Rehabilitation Project and Award a Construction Contract in the Amount of $1,610,351.00 to Mission Constructors Inc. for the Cass and El Dorado Street Curb Ramp and Road Rehabilitation Project (Exempt from CEQA, Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1)
Action: Pulled from Consent; Adopted Resolution No. 26-119 C.S.
Associate Civil Engineer Wright and City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director Easterling gave a verbal staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions, with additional input provided by City Attorney Davi. Public comment was solicited but not received.
On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-119 C.S.:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
5. Adopt a Resolution Supporting the Pilot Rail Service Connecting Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area for the Summer 2028 Olympics (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-120 C.S.
6. Authorize Agreement with Dell, Inc. for Microsoft Office 365 Government Software Services and Licensing Purchase in an Amount Not to Exceed $583,832 (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-121 C.S.
7. Authorize the Fire Chief to Execute Annual Cooperator Assistance by Hire Agreements with the CAL FIRE San Benito-Monterey Unit (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-122 C.S.
End of Consent Agenda
Public Appearance (Afternoon)
8. 1st Reading Amending Monterey City Code Section 35-70(b), the Expenditure Plan for the Street Infrastructure Rehabilitation Transactions and Use Tax (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) City Council Minutes September 1, 2026
3 Action: Passed ordinance to its second reading, as amended to replace "minimum of" with "approximately" for the targeted expenditure percentages Public Works Director Renny gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions with additional input provided by Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira. Public comment was received from Tom Reeves, who spoke in favor of the ordinance.
On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council passed the ordinance to a second reading, as amended to replace "minimum of" with "approximately" for the targeted expenditure percentages:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
Mayor Williamson left the Chamber from 5:57 p.m. to 5:58 p.m.
9. Provide Direction to Staff on the Creation of a Pilot Sidewalk Repair Program Utilizing Measure S Funds (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Directed staff to move forward with Alternative 1 (Minor Repair Program Only), and to bring the matter back to Council in December or January to take another look at Alternative 2 (Minor Repairs Plus Shared Cost for Major Repairs) once Measure S results are known (3-1-1 (Councilmember Smith voting no, Councilmember Rasch abstaining)
Public Works Director Renny gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions with additional input from City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director Easterling. During the presentation Councilmember Barber left the Chamber from 5:23 p.m. to 5:24 p.m.
Public comment was received from: Tom Reeves, who spoke in favor of a major repairs 50/50 cost-sharing program (Alternative 2) with a cap, and suggested use of a means test to assist people on social programs even more; Marta Kraftzeck, who said that priority should be placed on making sidewalks ADA-compliant and repairing sidewalk issues that were caused by City construction; Leslie James, who spoke in favor of the minor repairs program (Alternative 1); Tom Rowley of Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association, who spoke in favor of Alternative 2; Adam Pinterits of Monterey County Association of Realtors, who spoke in favor of Alternative 2; Rick Heuer of Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association, who expressed concern with the pilot being limited to three years and said City fees should be excluded; and Robert Yoha, who shared a recent sidewalk repair experience, expressed concern about an increase in permit fees, and said that cost sharing would be inadequate. During public comments, Councilmember Smith left the Chamber from 5:42 p.m. to 5:43 p.m.
On question from the Council, City Attorney Davi explained that the obligation of the property owner would not change under any of the proposed pilot programs. Public Works Director Renny said that Alternative 1 would be simple and quick to deploy. She asked about establishing a cap and a first-come first-served basis for the program.
The Council discussed the matter. Comments were made in favor of trying a three-year pilot program with a spending cap. Caution was expressed about spending millions of dollars on a program that was based on resident misunderstanding.
In favor of Alternative 1, Minor Repair Program (in which the City, using Measure S funds, would pay for eligible minor sidewalk repairs, such as slicing or grinding, while major repairs would remain the responsibility of the adjacent property owner under the existing process), it was City Council Minutes September 1, 2026
4 proposed to run the minor repair program first as a pilot before considering adding a cost-share component for major repairs, citing that staff had indicated that minor repairs represented the largest percentage of sidewalk repairs needed within the last five to seven years. It was stated that there was not yet enough information on the budget impact of a program for major repairs, and concerns were expressed about staff's capacity to administer the cost-sharing program, especially in the face of competing budget needs and the $12M structural deficit. It was stressed that the language for such a program would need to include the same provision listed in the agenda report for Alternative 2: that funding would be subject to annual Measure S appropriations and available program resources.
In favor of Alternative 2, Minor Repairs Plus Shared Cost for Major Repairs (in which the City, using Measure S funds, would pay for eligible minor repairs and also share the cost of major sidewalk repairs with the property owner, such as a 50/50 cost-sharing program), it was stated that it would go further in addressing residents' recent concerns about sidewalks and how their repairs were funded. It was proposed to provide assistance to cost-burdened residents, in a noncomplicated way such as paying for repairs for anyone who is a Medi-Cal recipient. It was suggested that grants could help pay for the program.
It was suggested that the Council consider waiving or reducing sidewalk permit fees; and it was proposed that the Council either provide funding or waive fees, but not both. Questions for staff to consider included how appeals would be handled. During the Council discussion, Councilmember Garcia left the Chamber from 5:53 p.m. to 5:54 p.m.
An initial motion was introduced by Mayor Williamson, and seconded by Councilmember Rasch, to direct staff to prepare materials for a pilot program for minor repairs (Alternative 1).
A substitute motion was introduced by Councilmember Smith, and seconded by Councilmember Rasch, to direct staff to prepare materials for a pilot program for minor repairs plus shared cost for major repairs (Alternative 2).
On a subsequent substitute motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote, the City Council directed staff to move forward with Alternative 1 (Minor Repair Program Only) and to bring the matter back to Council in December or January after Measure S results are in:
AYES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Williamson
NOES: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith
ABSTAIN: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Rasch
Mayor Williamson and Councilmember Smith left the Chamber at 6:29 p.m. and returned at 6:30 p.m.
10. Receive an Update on the Status of the Updated Climate Action Plan (CAP) and Direct Staff to Proceed with a Non-CEQA-Qualified CAP to Maintain Climate Goals and Fiscal Resilience (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061)
Action: Provided direction to staff to proceed with a Non-CEQA-Qualified Climate Action Plan to maintain climate goals and fiscal resilience (by declining to pass a motion to proceed with a CEQA-Certified CAP, on which Mayor Williamson and Councilmember Garcia voted yes)
Planning Manager Hill gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions.
During the presentation, Councilmember Barber left the Chamber from 6:53 p.m. to 6:54 p.m.
Public comment was received from Tom Rowley, who suggested it could be helpful to look at City Council Minutes September 1, 2026
5 climate matters at a regional level; and Nina Beety, who questioned the meaningful impact of the Climate Action Plan and said it would be more beneficial to partner with other agencies in the region to ban data centers.
The Council discussed the matter.
In favor of proceeding with a non-CEQA-qualified Climate Action Plan (CAP), it was stressed that the proposed greenhouse gas reduction measures came with high price tags and that due to the timeframe associated with a CEQA-qualified CAP, going with the non-CEQA-qualified plan instead would be significant in terms of money savings for the City given its current fiscal challenges.
Concern was expressed about whether the emissions targets were realistic given the current transportation situation in the area. It was stated that proceeding with a non-CEQA-qualified status would not mean abandoning climate goals. It was proposed to build in a three-year review to allow an opportunity to reassess.
In favor of proceeding with a CEQA-qualified CAP, which was presented as a moral issue, concern was expressed about sending the wrong climate message to residents, younger generations, and neighboring jurisdictions that it was stated look to the City of Monterey as a leader. It was stated that community partners and non-profit organizations could be encouraged to partner with the City and provide financial assistance to reach climate goals. There was concern expressed that a non-qualified plan could be a "toothless advisory document" versus a regulatory tool. It was stated that budget concerns should not override climate priorities. It was suggested to give City staff and the Council more time to explore regional solutions and community partnerships before finalizing, with the budget conversation continuing through the fiscal year.
On question from the Council, Planning Manager Hill said that the purpose of the climate action plan was to establish the City's goals, and that he would not characterize it as toothless, noting that the Council and staff were very serious and clear about their goals and moving forward toward the targets.
A motion was introduced by Mayor Williamson, and seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to direct staff to proceed with a CEQA-certified Climate Action Plan.
On question from the Council, Community Development Director Cole said that the decision could be postponed until the first quarter of 2027. She noted the voluminous amount of work that was before the Community Development Department and said that the CAP will take about a year from the time that staff receives direction. Sustainability Manager Terrasas provided context on the feasibility of working with regional partners on the City's specific CAP projects and the City's approach to taking proactive measures to achieve climate goals.
The Council continued to discuss the matter. It was stated that staff's recommendation should not be taken lightly, due to their subject matter expertise. It was stressed that the City's climate priorities were of prime importance and must be achieved.
On question, Planning Manager Hill summarized Sustainability Manager Terrasas' points, stating that if the Council were to direct staff to continue with a non-CEQA-qualified Climate Action Plan, the Sustainability office would work toward the same climate impact reduction targets regardless, and that while it would not allow the City to utilize the streamlining benefits of a CEQA-qualified CAP, there were other streamlining avenues for staff to utilize for certain projects.
The motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Williamson
NOES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Rasch, Smith
City Council Minutes September 1, 2026
6 Council Comments
Councilmember Smith reported from the recent Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Board meeting, sharing that in a competitive grant program the City of Monterey was unanimously approved for a grant of $2,862,000 for the North Fremont Gap Project. He said that he was serving on a TAMC subcommittee that was discussing regional development impact fees.
He said that he would be attending an upcoming Fisherman's Wharf Association meeting, and invited all to attend.
Councilmember Barber reported from ReGen Monterey that applications were now open for the Edible Food Recovery Grant program, which will distribute funding to support organizations that collect, generate, and distribute edible food to people in need as part of the SB 1383 effort.
Mayor Williamson thanked Councilmember Barber and Vince Malfitano for their part in a new partnership between Sister City Isola Delle Femmine and Monterey Peninsula College (MPC), and shared that as a result of the partnership a Sicilian language program had been created and was being offered through MPC.
Councilmember Smith left the Chamber from 7:56 p.m. to 7:57 p.m.
City Manager Reports
Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira shared an upcoming Fun in the Park with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) event in Montecito Park. He outlined the various fires to which the Monterey Fire Department’s Type 3 engine and crew had recently been deployed, with reimbursement from Cal Fire. He said that several police officers from the Monterey Police Department would be providing mutual aid in the fires in Big Sur. He shared that economic development strategy focus group meetings were starting up and announced an upcoming "Budget Brews" event.
Adjournment
The Council adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Tyller Williamson
City Clerk Mayor