Monterey City Council Meeting - November 4, 2025

The City of Monterey held a combined afternoon and evening council session on November 4, 2025, focusing on community recognitions, public input on budget and safety, and significant deliberations regarding firearms regulation, parking policy, and land use appeals. The meeting featured the presentation of military awards, a Native American Heritage Month proclamation, and extensive debate on a proposed residential parking program framework and a use permit appeal for a new daycare near the airport.

Consent Calendar

• Approved Unanimously: The consent agenda items (excluding pulled items 10 and 11) were approved. Mayor Williamson recused herself from voting on Item 7 (Larkin Park Swings) due to a financial conflict of interest regarding her personal residence proximity, though she remained in the room.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brian Rosen: Expressed strong opposition to the military awards ceremony. He argued that the city should not be celebrating the military given current Department of War actions, citing alleged injustices against civilians and support for dictatorships. He urged the council to focus on resolving issues with ICE and protecting civil liberties instead.
• Janice Russo: Spoke on behalf of local business owners on the 200 block of Ramona Avenue. She reported that the commercial block suffers from severe parking shortages and congestion, with delivery trucks double/triple parking. She also highlighted persistent issues including illegal dumping, drug paraphernalia, and vandalism, requesting time-based parking restrictions similar to nearby streets.
• Noah Daniels: Representing Access Media Productions (AMP), he affirmed the organization's continued partnership with the city to ensure local government transparency and community media accessibility.
• Mala Velasquez, LaShawn Coleman, Tiffany Quarrels, Chris, and Audra Walton: All represented the Coalition for a Just and Equitable California (or spoke as private citizens/Coalition members). They unanimously expressed full support for the implementation of California State Bill 515 (SB 515). They argued that disaggregating data on Black Americans descended from chattel slavery is essential to reveal visible disparities in housing, health, and income. They stated that current data "invisibility" excludes resources and that the Coalition is ready to assist the city in updating forms and data systems to meet the January 1, 2027 state deadline.
• Gina: Expressed concern regarding the city's approach to the Non-Profit Incentive Program (NCIP), specifically the review of new projects against existing authorized ones. She suggested the city reframe its approach to make the program more workable and beneficial.
• Colin Gallagher: Stated that SB 515 is a data collection initiative with no requirements for reparations. He noted that Proposition 209 remains in effect as a legal barrier to race-based preferences. He also advocated for the city council to meet individually with business owners before considering license revocations, noting that an item regarding licensing was on the agenda.
• Audra Walton: Reiterated support for the Black American Freedmen community and emphasized the need to retain the existing population in Monterey County. She acknowledged the decline in population but viewed the bill as a tool to help those remaining stay and attract new residents.
• Mr. Rosen (Second Appearance): Reiterated his position that the city does not need to celebrate the military, criticizing the administration for benefiting from the military-industrial complex while failing to address issues with ICE and domestic tyranny.
• Mr. Vega: Expressed frustration regarding the city's structural deficit ($10 million upside down). He stated opposition to spending millions on the consent agenda and security camera replacements without addressing the deficit first. He argued that the city is unfairly burdening taxpayers with future tax increases (water, sewer, parking) while continuing to spend. He called for a budget review committee made of residents.
• General Public Commenters (Evening Session):
  • Resident on 301 Ocean Ave: Opposed the firearms ordinance, calling neighborhood concerns about the LMB Firearms store baseless and fear-driven. She stated the store is not a risk and that residents have benefited from the store for years.
  • Rebecca Sumner (Applicant): Expressed deep concern that the ordinance would force her family's store at 301 Ocean to close within three years, arguing they followed all laws at the time and that moving to the Industrial zone is unsafe.
  • Cooper (Applicant): Stated that the current location is the only viable option and that the ordinance unfairly targets a lawful business due to political pressure, arguing it sets a dangerous precedent.
  • Laurie (Resident): Expressed support for the LMB Firearms owners, noting they followed all rules and should be allowed to operate without an arbitrary expiration date.
  • Resident on Ramona Ave: Reiterated the need for parking enforcement and time-based restrictions on Ramona Avenue to address business congestion and safety.
  • Resident on Kona/General: Expressed support for the event-based Kona parking program and suggested the city collect Transfer of Tax (TOT) on City-owned RV parks to offset costs.
  • Colin Gallagher (Evening): Reiterated opposition to SB 515 regarding reparations concerns and the city's deficit, while also commenting on the firearms ordinance as unconstitutional and anti-business.
  • Audra Walton (Evening): Complained about the "color of the sea" (brown/green with algae) but proposed that planting non-native Eucalyptus and Cypress trees is a viable solution, dismissing concerns about invasive species.
  • Parking Public Commenters: Various residents expressed concerns about the equity of the new parking program, specifically regarding Cannery Row (grandfathering issues), the 80% petition threshold, the impact on seniors and women without garages, and the financial burden of the city's deficit.

Discussion Items

• DLI Quarterly Awards: Mayor Williamson presented awards to Sergeant Paul Carnin, Lance Corporal Averroes Quinn, and Sergeant Leon Zak for their service and knowledge. A caller criticized the city for celebrating the military during the current administration; the Mayor defended the program as recognizing individual service members regardless of policy disagreements.
• Native American Heritage Month: The council adopted a proclamation for November 2025. The Mayor noted the council's commitment to continuing work toward apologizing to local native tribes.
• Storm Drain Utility Rate Study (Item 10): Staff presented an amendment to extend the scope of a storm drain master plan, increasing the cost by $11,000 (net increase) from the Storm Drain Utility Fund (CIP 2312), not the General Fund. Council asked for clarification that this does not impact the General Fund deficit. The item passed unanimously.
• Security Camera Replacement (Item 11): Staff proposed replacing over 300 aging cameras (some up to 17 years old) with a cloud-based system. The project uses IT and contingency funds within the existing budget. A public commenter criticized the expenditure given the city's deficit; Councilmembers supported the project as essential for public safety.
• Firearms Ordinance (Item 13): The council deliberated on an ordinance prohibiting new firearms and ammunition sales outside the Industrial (IR) zone, requiring a 600-foot buffer from schools and residential zones. A specific amendment was proposed to allow the existing store at 301 Ocean (LMB Firearms) to operate for five years before requiring a use permit or removal. Council members debated the fairness to the business versus the wishes of the neighborhood and public safety concerns. The Motion to approve the ordinance as amended (with the 5-year provision for LMB) failed, but the original motion to approve the ordinance passed unanimously.
• Residential Parking Permit Program (Item 14): Staff presented a framework to transition the program from free to a fee-based system ($25/year, with low-income exemptions) and implement "permit by plate" technology. Key features include an 80% petition threshold for new zones, a 50% participation requirement to launch, and specific restrictions for Cannery Row (grandfathering existing permits only). Council debated the 80% threshold (with members suggesting 60-70%) and the equity of Cannery Row restrictions. A substitute motion was passed to approve the framework with the threshold adjusted to 70% and Cannery Row grandfathered permits subject to annual review.
• Daycare Appeal (Item 17): The council deliberated an appeal to overturn the Planning Commission's denial of a use permit for a Montessori Daycare at 2400 Garden Road due to its location within the airport's "Zone 7" (vulnerable population restriction). Applicants and the City Attorney argued for an override based on parental choice, the lack of alternative sites, and the fact that the airport's concerns were overestimated. The council voted unanimously to overturn the Planning Commission's denial to allow the appeal to proceed to the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC) for a potential final override by the council.
• Signage Regulations (Item 18): The Mayor requested to agendize a discussion on updating city code regarding temporary non-commercial signs on private property, specifically addressing the practice of splitting large signs into multiple smaller ones to bypass size limits. Council members debated the urgency of the issue versus the city's budget deficits and other higher-priority agenda items. A consensus was reached to place the item on a future agenda for staff to draft a proposed ordinance amendment.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (Item 7 recused).
• Firearms Ordinance: The council voted to approve the first reading of the ordinance restricting firearms sales to the Industrial zone with a 600-foot buffer. A specific provision was debated regarding the existing business at 301 Ocean.
• Parking Program: The council approved the Residential Parking Permit Program framework with a modified petition threshold of 70% (instead of 80%) and a requirement for Cannery Row grandfathered permits to be reviewed annually. The fee structure ($25) and "permit by plate" transition were adopted.
• Daycare Appeal: The council unanimously voted to overturn the Planning Commission's denial of the Montessori Daycare use permit, initiating the process for the City Council to potentially override the ALUC's decision (requiring a future 2/3 vote).
• Signage: Council agreed to agendize a discussion on clarifying the temporary sign ordinance to prevent circumvention of size limits, with staff to draft a recommendation for a future meeting.
• Adjournment: Meeting concluded with the appointment of Pet Moore as the new Fire Chief effective December 31st.