MCAET, we're starting in five, four, three, two.

Good morning, and welcome to the appeals hearing board for Thursday, August 20th, 2026.

Um the meeting is called to order, and I'm gonna give some language on how you can participate in this meeting.

Public comments and participation information is provided on this meeting's agenda, which is online at Monterey.org/slash agendas.

In-person attendees, please keep your electronic devices muted to prevent audio interference.

Consistent with the first amendment and the Brown Act, individuals have the right to speak at public meetings, which includes the right to criticize or support city policies or actions.

The city encourages your uninhibit uninhibited and robust feedback on public issues affecting the city.

Thank you for your participation.

Okay, so the first thing on the agenda today is going to be the approval of minutes from April 28th, 2026.

Do I have a first?

Oh I'll make a motion.

We approve the minutes.

Okay, and a second.

Okay, all those in favor.

Aye.

All those opposed.

Okay.

None opposed, the motion passes uh two to zero.

Okay.

And the next thing on the agenda is going to be the first public hearing.

Yes, that's public comments.

Let me see.

Um see if we have anyone online.

Doesn't appear to be anyone online.

Let's check in the chambers.

And then we will go to the first public hearing and we will have the city attorney um give her statement now.

Sure.

This is um a public hearing.

It's an appeal by Michael Hall of the Forestry Division's decision to deny the application for removal of two eucalyptus trees at two o'clock, Montecito Avenue.

And I am representing the appeals hearing board and have maintained an ethical screen from the city attorney's other staff, um, other than Lingual Secretary Alicia Salis for preparation of these um proceedings.

Um what that means is we have not um consulted with each other on the preparation of the agenda report or talked about the merits of the case, anything like that.

And the reason is to ensure due process to make sure that there's a fair hearing.

So Kessley Lund Turner is a deputy city attorney in my office, and she has been advising staff, in this case the forestry department, and that is separate from my role here, which is to advise the board.

Um so that's about it.

And I I guess I'll just outline too the way this um proceeding takes place.

Um we'll ask the board to disclose if they've had any ex parte contacts or received information about this matter that's not in the agenda packet that should be disclosed.

Um then we'll have um opening statements, and if if you all would like to make an opening statement, you can do that.

And then um we'll have the applicant's presentation, which is Mr.

Ho and then Hall, sorry.

And then um the department's presentation, public comment, applicant rebuttal, and then deliberation and a vote.

And because there's only two of you today, the decision um needs a unanimous um vote for there to be action on the matter.

So with that, we can start with um opening statements.

Shh um should I ask the board if they have any disclosures?

Oh, yes, yes, sorry.

I just skipped right over that.

Board member Shell, do you have any dis um ex-party disclosures?

No, I only have the information you sent out in the packet and the thing you sent out yesterday for Mr.

Hall.

And Ms.

I have nothing either.

Great.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

Um we start with Mr.

Sure, and that's if there's opening statements that they want to make, they can do that, and then um we go to the applicant's um presentation.

So did you want to make a statement first, sir, and then start your presentation?

Please come on up.

Morning.

Uh thank you for giving me an opportunity to talk about the property.

Um I inherited the property after my parents passed away in 2019.