DRAFT MINUTES
CITY OF SEASIDE SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL 1441 Canyon Del Rey Blvd.
Friday, July 17, 2026
2:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Oglesby called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL – ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
PRESENT: Burks, Garcia-Arrazola, Miller, Oglesby, Pacheco ABSENT: None
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Congressional Representative Jimmy Panetta led the pledge.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Lynda Cunningham
5. STUDY SESSION
A. RECEIVE A PRESENTATION OF THE CITY'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
AND KEY PROJECTS (CITY MANAGER GREG MCDANEL)
City Manager Greg McDanel presented an overview of the City Council’s 2026–2027 Strategic Plan and highlighted key accomplishments under its five strategic pillars, including the launch of an AI-powered website search tool, continued progress on Campus Town, initiatives supporting inclusion and community belonging, advancement of the Broadway Complete Streets and San Pablo Pedestrian Bridge projects, and establishment of the Youth Opportunity Grant Program. The presentation also identified several priority projects requiring continued state and federal advocacy and funding, including water, stormwater, public safety, transportation, and cultural facility improvements.
B. RECEIVE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND REMARKS FROM
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE JIMMY PANETTA
Congressman Jimmy Panetta provided a federal legislative update, including:
• Recent bipartisan housing legislation intended to reduce regulatory barriers, protect housing subsidies, and improve access to home financing.
Packet Page 22
Friday, July 17, 2026 City Council SPECIAL Meeting Page 2 • Proposed federal tax incentives for workforce and middle-income housing, first-time homebuyers, and homeowners considering the sale of long-held properties. • The Rental Relief Act and broader federal efforts to address housing affordability and high rental costs.
• Challenges with physician availability on the Central Coast and legislation to adjust Medicare reimbursement rates to reflect inflation and support patient access to providers.
• Concerns regarding federal changes affecting Medi-Cal/Medicaid enrollment, Affordable Care Act premium assistance, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and the national debt.
• Federal reconciliation legislation related to immigration enforcement and military spending, and concerns regarding training, oversight, body-camera use, and accountability.
• Concerns regarding proposed federal voting requirements and their potential effect on access to voter registration and mail voting. • Efforts to oppose expanded offshore oil drilling, designate the Monterey Bay region as a National Heritage Area, and establish the Sloat Monument/Lower Presidio area as a national historic park.
• Congressman Panetta emphasized his office’s commitment to assisting the City with federal matters and supporting locally driven priorities.
C. RECEIVE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES AND REMARKS FROM STATE
LEGISLATIVE OFFICES
Sami Eastton, Field Representative for U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, reported on:
• Senator Schiff’s statewide outreach and the Fresno regional office’s service area, which includes Monterey County and other Central California counties. • Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations requests, including Monterey County wastewater treatment and water-quality projects.
• The Senator’s work on specialty crops, SNAP and food purchasing assistance, oil-company price-gouging concerns, environmental and public works matters, and Small Business Administration information-technology modernization. • Ongoing discussions with the U.S. Army regarding the Chapel property and efforts to identify the status of the agreement and any outstanding issues.
Nicole Kolene, Field Representative for Assemblymember Dawn Addis, highlighted:
• Legislation addressing student data privacy, behavioral health access, nondiscrimination in health coverage, continuity of health coverage, reef-safe sunscreen labeling, and monarch butterfly habitat protection. • The 2026–27 State Budget and continued investments in healthcare, education, childcare, victim services, wildfire prevention, food assistance, and other essential programs.
• Potential local impacts of federal reductions to Medi-Cal and CalFresh.
Packet Page 23
Friday, July 17, 2026 City Council SPECIAL Meeting Page 3 • The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 and its potential to expand affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for veterans and working families.
• The Assemblymember’s availability to support the City through letters, stateagency coordination, and advocacy in Sacramento.
Natalie Boston, District Representative for State Senator John Laird, reported on:
• The adopted State Budget, including efforts to balance state finances, reduce the structural deficit, maintain reserves, delay certain Medi-Cal reductions, support hospitals, address homelessness, and preserve childcare and services for seniors and persons with disabilities.
• SB 963, concerning timelines and predictability in the coastal development permit appeal process.
• SB 1139, authorizing enforcement of restrictions on the use of potable water for irrigation of nonfunctional turf within the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District.
• The Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act, anticipated for the November 2026 ballot, and its potential to help finance housing projects ready for construction. • Senator Laird’s resolution opposing expanded federal offshore oil drilling. • The Senator’s district office as a resource for City support letters and constituent assistance involving state agencies.
D. DISCUSS AND CONSIDER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CITY OF
SEASIDE
• Legislative representatives advised the City to begin identifying potential projects early in the calendar year and to participate in appropriations webinars and agency-specific consultations.
• Representatives noted that projects with defined community benefits, measurable outcomes, demonstrated need, and readiness to proceed are generally more competitive, while research and planning projects may also qualify. • Federal offices coordinate project submissions to avoid duplication and determine the best fit among congressional and senatorial priorities. • State representatives encouraged the City to communicate needs early, even during difficult budget years, so projects and priorities are known when funding becomes available.
• Councilmembers expressed appreciation for the representatives’ reports and emphasized the importance of continuing relationships with federal and state offices, aligning City priorities with available programs, and preparing viable requests in advance.
• Councilmember García-Arrazola discussed the value of submitting requests early and considering phased funding, studies, environmental review, and bondfunded opportunities as pathways to advance City projects. • Councilmember Burks expressed appreciation for the women serving as legislative representatives and emphasized collaboration and alignment with legislative priorities.
Packet Page 24
Friday, July 17, 2026 City Council SPECIAL Meeting Page 4 • Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco thanked the representatives and noted that continued communication could improve the City’s position for future allocations. • The City’s legislative advocate emphasized consistent communication with elected officials and staff, timely input on legislation, and sustained advocacy regarding Seaside’s needs.
• The City Attorney thanked the legislative offices for their responsiveness and noted the importance of coordinating with the City Manager, legislative advocate, and City Council to identify appropriate projects and support. • The City Manager thanked the representatives and City partners and emphasized that open communication strengthens relationships with Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and supports future partnership opportunities. • Mayor Oglesby thanked the representatives and emphasized the City’s desire to be an active partner, maintain a stronger presence in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and use intergovernmental relationships to improve residents’ quality of life.
6. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________ _________________________
Dominique L. Davis, City Clerk Ian N. Oglesby, Mayor
Packet Page 25