Monterey City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025: Infrastructure Funding, Park Plan, and Key Decisions
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Monterey City Council Meeting - May 20, 2025
The Monterey City Council met on May 20, 2025, in an afternoon and evening session. The meeting included presentations honoring retiring Parks and Recreation Director Karen Larson and celebrating National Public Works Week, followed by a lengthy consent calendar, public comments, and major discussions on infrastructure financing options and the future of the Old Capital site park plan. The council also received a report on job vacancies under AB 2561 and considered several professional services agreements.
Presentations
- Recognition of Karen Larson (Parks & Recreation Director): The council, city staff, and public celebrated Karen Larson's 39 years of service. City Manager Hans Usler highlighted her career from part-time seasonal employee to director. Council members praised her kindness, professionalism, and impact on the community. A street sign and proclamation were presented. Public commenters (Wendy Brickman, Kelly Violini, Tom) offered thanks.
- National Public Works Week 2025: The council proclaimed May 18–24, 2025, as National Public Works Week. Public Works Director Andrea Arnie and staff presented a video tribute and overview of divisions (engineering, fleet, streets, utilities, harbor, parking). Public commenters (Wendy Brickman, Kelly Violini) commended the department.
Consent Calendar
- Items 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, and 13 were pulled for separate discussion. All other consent items were approved unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- General Public Comment (Afternoon session):
- Wendy Brickman (North Fremont Business District, Fisherman's Wharf Association): Strongly supported Embark Monterey's request for a 180-day extension on their retail cannabis permit, citing their diligent progress and community partnerships.
- Kelly Violini (Monterey County Fair, North Fremont Business District): Also supported Embark's extension, noting the need for investment in the North Fremont corridor.
- Devin Wardlow (Vice President, Embark): Requested an extension, detailing eight months of engagement with city staff on relocation. He argued that the city's changed direction warranted additional time, and they had submitted a zoning clearance for a new location.
- Taryn (local resident, Monterey Bay Aquarium staff): Urged a citywide initiative to reduce plastic waste, modeled on a successful Australian study.
- Nina Beattie: Raised multiple concerns: (1) opposed Army burn at Fort Ord superfund site; (2) criticized PG&E's plan to restart Moss Landing battery facility; (3) called for a resolution to stop funding Israel's actions in Gaza; (4) opposed marijuana stores in Monterey.
- Public Comment on Specific Items:
- Item 6 (Fire Hazard Zones): Nina Beattie questioned the need for additional restrictions beyond state mandates.
- Item 7 (Council Compensation): Nina Beattie urged a no vote.
- Item 9 (Wireless Engineering - CTC): Nina Beattie alleged CTC has bias and conflict of interest due to building wireless networks.
- Item 10 (Wireless Planning - Rincon): Nina Beattie criticized Rincon's errors and bias, urging in-house processing.
- Item 11 (On-call Planning Services): Nina Beattie questioned the $9 million total cap and vetting of firms; Laura Pratt (GEM) criticized outsourcing and suggested using AI and in-house staff.
- Item 13 (Building Inspection Services): Nina Beattie questioned the need for outsourcing.
- Item 18 (AB 2561 Vacancy Report): Laura Pratt (Vice Chair, GEM) presented a detailed critique: the city has 31 vacant GEM positions, some for years; internal promotions have declined to 13% of recruitments; the city uses contractors for work employees could do. She called for filling vacancies, especially via internal promotions.
- Item 25 (Infrastructure Financing): Laurie (NCIP) opposed repurposing NCIP funds for debt service, supported increasing TOT instead. Kurt Tipton (NCIP, downtown) supported raising TOT and opposed cutting NCIP. Tom (public) suggested removing self-funding items from the discussion and exploring NCIP-backed debt financing. Corey Madden (Monterey Museum of Art) advocated for infrastructure on Calle Principal. Keith Rootsaert (Giant Kelp Restoration Project) linked kelp restoration to tourism and climate resilience.
- Item 26 (Old Capital Site): Two public commenters supported the preferred concept (hiking trails, preserve). One speaker (Daniel) claimed there is a water well on the property. Another (Esther) noted the housing discussion was previously raised, but deed restrictions limit use.
Discussion Items
- Item 6: Fire Hazard Severity Zones – First reading to adopt state-mandated maps. Councilmember Smith asked about city's additional requirements (lot-line rule). Division Chief Justin Cooper explained the city is adopting state maps as-is, with minor clarification. Unanimously approved.
- Item 7: Council Compensation Increase – Second reading. Councilmembers Smith and Garcia opposed, citing timing and budget concerns. Councilmember Barber argued that the increase (effective 2027) ensures diverse representation and keeps pace with inflation. Passed 4-2 (Smith and Garcia opposed).
- Items 9 & 10: Wireless Facility Services – Both contracts (CTC Media for engineering, $200k; Rincon for planning, $200k) were approved after public comment. Councilmember Barber noted concerns about outsourcing but acknowledged need for specialized expertise. City Manager Usler clarified that contracts are use-based and costs are passed to applicants.
- Item 11: On-call Planning Services – Nine firms, each up to $1 million (total $9 million cap). Councilmember Smith pulled to clarify that the cap is not a budget; costs are reimbursed. Approved unanimously after discussion of outsourcing vs. in-house capacity.
- Item 13: Building Inspection Services – Contract with CSG, Four Leaf, etc. (up to $500k each). Approved unanimously. Hans Usler noted difficulty recruiting plan checkers.
- Item 18: AB 2561 Vacancy Report – Presented by HR Director Brett Neal. Citywide vacancy rates ranged from 0% to 17.54% (Management Employees). None over 20%. Recruitment and retention efforts were outlined. GEM union presentation criticized slow hiring and lack of internal promotions. Council asked for future reports to include breakdown of promotions vs. new hires. No formal action; report received.
- Item 19: BID Assessments – Annual levy for Cannery Row, New Monterey, and North Fremont Business Improvement Districts. No protests. Unanimously approved.
- Item 20: Crosswalk Policy – Presented by Engineering Assistant Marissa (with help from Beth). Policy standardizes evaluation of crosswalks. Council discussed AB 413 parking restrictions, ADA compliance, and community requests. Motion to adopt staff recommendation passed unanimously.
- Item 25: Infrastructure Financing Options – Major presentation by Finance Director Rafaela and City Manager Usler. Identified $105 million in needs over 1-5 years, $234 million over 6-30 years, and a $10 million structural deficit. Options included: internal (sell assets, repurpose NCIP, parking revenue), external (grants, bonds, tax measures). Council discussed priorities: public safety facility, library, roads, ADA, wharves. Consensus to pursue community outreach, polling, and a phased approach. Council asked for inventory of assets, cost estimates for remodeling vs. new builds, and analysis of a 0.375% sales tax increase. No formal vote; direction to staff.
- Item 26: Old Capital Site Park Plan – Presentation by Parks & Rec staff and BFS Landscape Architects. Preferred concept: preserve as open space with hiking trails, limited parking, ADA access, and interpretive elements. Estimated cost $12 million. Councilmember Williamson expressed desire to explore housing potential but was informed of deed restrictions limiting use to parkland. Councilmember Barber supported phased approach. Motion to accept staff recommendation (preferred concept) passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Appointments/Recognitions: Karen Larson recognized; Public Works Week proclaimed.
- Approved Consent Items (except those pulled): All routine items passed.
- Item 6 (Fire Hazard Zones): Unanimously approved (first reading).
- Item 7 (Council Compensation): Approved 4-2 (effective Jan 1, 2027).
- Items 9, 10, 11, 13 (Contracts): All approved unanimously.
- Item 18 (Vacancy Report): Received; council requested future reports include promotion breakdown.
- Item 19 (BID Assessments): Approved unanimously.
- Item 20 (Crosswalk Policy): Approved unanimously.
- Item 25 (Infrastructure Financing): Council provided direction to staff to develop a comprehensive funding strategy, including community outreach, polling, and analysis of tax measures, asset sales, and NCIP restructuring. Staff to return with a roadmap in October/November 2025.
- Item 26 (Old Capital Site): Council approved the preferred concept plan (master plan) for preservation as open space with hiking trails. No immediate funding commitment; phased implementation expected.
- Closed Session: Items 21 (crematorium) and 22 (Regency Monterey) continued to May 23 special meeting. Items 23 (labor negotiations) and 24 (litigation) received confidential direction.
Meeting Transcript
It is are we recording? Okay. All right. Hello, welcome everybody to our afternoon session of our council meeting today, Tuesday, May 2nd, 2025. I'm so glad to see a vibrant uh group joining us today. I'm gonna go ahead and call the meeting to order and ask Clementine to do roll call and share with the public um some announcements. Councilmember Barber, President, Councilmember Garcia? Here. Councilmember Rash, here, Council Member Smith? Here. Mayor Williamson. Here. And information on participating in today's meeting and providing public comment, including remotely by Zoom or telephone, is available on the agenda, which is online at Monterey.gov slash agendas. Remote commenters, you will be muted until it is your turn to speak, and the timer will be shown on the screen. If you're connected on Zoom, the timer is accurate with no delay. In person attendees, please make sure to keep your phones and devices muted to prevent audio interference with our meeting. And thank you for participating in your city government. Awesome. Thank you, Clementine. With that, we're gonna go to presentations. Number one on our agenda um bitter sweet moment here is to congratulate Parks and Recreation Director Karen Larson on her retirement and recognize her thirty-nine years of service to the city of Monterey. Um exemplifies my entire interaction and experience with Karen. And if anybody hasn't had a chance to interact or participate in the programs that are offered within the parks and recreation department, um, our staff truly truly care and are passionate about the work that they do, and under your leadership, that was exemplified in all the ways possible. So I'm so thankful for for your service to the city. So with that, I will pass it to Hans. So Karen, we almost made you cry with a standing ovation. So I will do my best not to make you cry. And you you remember that. Yes. Good old Ronnie. And so 39 years in the city of Monterey means also a lot of uh different changes that the city goes through, not just new presidents. And uh when Karen started, she was uh hired actually as uh a part-time seasonal employee, and uh she uh held all the positions that somebody held uh is uh is holding right now or held in in parks, uh which is um recreation leader, uh day camp, uh assistant day camp director, uh recreation specialist, all those positions where we're our team members learn uh what recreation means and what recreation means and Karen exemplifies that and and the mayor mentioned it. What Karen exemplifies is is um you you're not in it uh uh for the money, you're in it to provide meaningful uh recreational services, and that is what every one of our team members does in that type of job. Uh it requires you to to understand what the who the kids are to treat the children, uh the young adults, the adults uh appropriately, and to also uh put your stamp on uh on all of those through the programs that we have. By that you have made a tremendous difference in so many lives. If if somebody um comes to an afterschool program, uh chances are that somebody doesn't do something bad somewhere else in the neighborhood. Um and and by having a programming there and being out there and providing the children with with uh and the young adults and the adults with something else to do than being bored, is utmost important, especially uh as we uh uh learned throughout the years that that more and more other media uh are taking over, and at the end it's still all about camp songs and and teaching the kids to have really fun in the outdoors or in in different programs. Um and and Karen took this very very seriously, and over the years uh Karen uh uh landed in a facility that is still in our heart to uh till today, and that will never leave our heart. That is the Monterey Sports Center. And yes, you were a parks and recreation director, but you always were also somehow the operations manager for the sports center. Um and that was very important for us because the sports center was launched, and uh we needed good people in there to work and uh convince the public that this was a worthwhile investment. And as soon as we opened the the sports center, uh you and your team uh excelled all expectations because as soon as it was opened, the city council decided to expand it already, and that was part of the success that you have. When you work the floors, you worked the floors, you were uh working up and down the stairs, you you walked the hallways, you were making sure that everyone was happy, and and you watched me the two times I was actually working out in the in the sports center. No sports. And uh you um you left your mark on the operations center, and with the sports center also, you kept pace about the changes that that we had to implement, and I get to them in a second a little bit more. In 2014, um uh the city manager and the assistant city manager came and asked uh the assistant public works director at that time, uh that happened to be me. Um, do you do you want to uh uh help broaden the horizon of Karen and put her in public works? And so we we we said, hey, if she wants to work in public works, um let's let's start it out. Let's bring her over and and uh uh help um uh use use all the skill sets that she has, maybe for public works. And you came and you and I worked together then in in uh in uh uh as part of my job duties, and uh we promoted you relatively fast also to public services administration manager because you were excelling that in your in your um transferable skills that you possessed, and all of a sudden you had to deal with um grumpy public works folks.
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