Monterey City Council Meeting Summary - July 7, 2026

The Monterey City Council met on July 7, 2026, in afternoon and evening sessions. The meeting included a proclamation for Parks and Recreation Month, approval of a curb ramp improvement contract, acceptance of a failed stormwater fee ballot measure, appointments to boards and commissions (with a tie on the Parks and Recreation Commission deferred), authorization to participate in a state water board hearing, discussion of NCIP priorities, and a motion to reconsider a traffic safety project. Council Member Barber was absent.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda was approved unanimously, with items 6 and 7 pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Parks and Recreation Month: Kathy Boya (Monterey resident and Parks and Recreation Commission member) expressed honor working with the parks team. Esther (resident) gave shout-outs to specific sports center and parks staff.
• General Public Comment (Afternoon): Sabrina Lee McPherson alleged being held hostage by medical boards and made claims about kidnapping and murder. Demetrius Calcross (retired fire chief, 34-year homeowner) urged the council to address the budget deficit, criticized the Monterey Bay Aquarium for not paying property tax, and advocated for bringing back the locomotive at Dennis the Menace Park. Tom Barrera (Easy Drains Plumbing) complained about a nearly 500% increase in encroachment permit fees (from $594 to $2,690) and questioned the study behind the fee. Another resident echoed concerns about permit fee increases. Kathy Boya expressed disappointment about the budget and leaving debt to future generations. A property manager criticized high permit fees and deed restrictions on ADUs. A Zoom caller criticized the vending lottery system as unfair and urged a true rotation or weekly lottery, citing SB 946 protections.
• General Public Comment (Evening): Nina Beattie warned about AT&T ending landlines and urged ordering before July 19. Another caller complained about tree removal at the garrison, lack of enforcement by officer Rory, and overbilling by the city.
• Item 7 (Stormwater Fee): Rick (Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association) called the vote a wake-up call and urged budget cuts. Esther urged the council to explain consequences of the fee failure and defended city staff cuts.
• Item 10 (Appointments): Esther spoke in support of Emily Adler for Parks and Recreation Commission.
• Item 11 (Water Board Hearing): Gary Curcio (Coalition of Peninsula Businesses) supported easing the cease and desist order but cautioned against using it to argue against the desalination plant. Esther supported the effort and suggested involving county and state officials.
• Item 15 (NCIP): Dennis Duke (NCIP Vice Chair) requested general guidance rather than specific projects. Cora Pantrad advocated for quality of life and third spaces. Chris Richardson (Police Association) requested continued NCIP funding for police department deferred maintenance. Tom Reeves advocated for multi-year funding and affordable housing. Nina Beattie criticized lack of transparency and misuse of funds. Phil Bazuska (Monterey Firefighters Association) supported additional funding for Fire Station 12. Esther supported police department funding and noted efforts to find alternative funding for a Laguna Grande project.
• Item 16 (Intersection Project): Over a dozen residents spoke in opposition, citing lack of outreach, gridlock as the real issue, and questioning the project's effectiveness. One resident (Betsy Wilson) supported the trial. Several speakers urged the council to cancel the contract and engage the community first.

Discussion Items

• Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation: The council recognized July as Parks and Recreation Month. Director Nicole Banks presented on the department's work. Council members expressed gratitude and shared personal stories. A resolution was adopted (unanimous).
• Item 6: Citywide Curb Ramp Improvement Project: Staff presented the award of a $1,048,262 construction contract to Villalobos and Associates. Council Member Rash questioned the large gap between the engineer's estimate and the winning bid. Staff explained the low bid was due to lump sum items (mobilization, traffic control) and that the contractor had a good track record. The project was added to the CIP. Motion to approve passed unanimously.
• Item 7: Flood Protection and Clean Stormwater Fee (Prop 218): City Clerk presented certified tabulation results: 4,119 valid ballots (45.56% return rate), with 40.01% in support and 59.99% opposed. The fee was not approved. Council accepted the results unanimously. Staff noted the fee failure will require scaling back stormwater maintenance to bare minimum regulatory compliance, potentially increasing localized flooding risk.
• Item 10: Appointments to Boards and Commissions: The council approved all subcommittee recommendations except for the Parks and Recreation Commission seat, where the subcommittee was split between Emily Adler and Andrea Kingman. After a 2-2 tie vote, the item was deferred to the next meeting when Council Member Barber would be present.
• Item 11: Participation in State Water Board Hearing: The council authorized the city attorney to submit briefs and declarations supporting the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's petition to modify the cease and desist order (CDO) on water meters. The focus is on relief from Condition 2 of the CDO to allow new water meters for housing and economic development. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 15: NCIP Objectives and Priorities: Staff presented a list of priority projects (fire station 12 swing space, restroom repairs, retaining wall, ADA improvements, fuel reduction, undergrounding, park center renovations) totaling more than the available $2.7 million. Council members offered general guidance emphasizing health and safety, resident-serving projects, and preventative maintenance. Council Member Williamson suggested a pause on new NCIP projects to focus on the deficit and existing backlog, but no formal action was taken. The NCIP committee will continue its process with a joint council meeting on August 4.
• Item 16: Madison/Herman/Larkin Intersection Safety Improvement Project (Reconsideration): Council Member Rash requested reconsideration of the June 16 vote awarding a $140,306.50 contract to Don Chapin Company for a quick-build traffic circle. After extensive public comment (overwhelmingly opposed), the council voted 2-2 on the motion to reconsider, with Council Member Barber absent. The motion failed, so the prior action stands. A community meeting is scheduled for July 9 at 6 p.m. at the Library Community Room. The project will return to council for final approval before construction.

Key Outcomes

• Parks and Recreation Month Proclamation: Adopted unanimously.
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (items 6 and 7 pulled).
• Item 6 (Curb Ramp Project): Approved unanimously. Contract awarded to Villalobos and Associates for $1,048,262.
• Item 7 (Stormwater Fee): Council accepted the tabulation results (40.01% support, 59.99% opposed) unanimously. The fee will not be imposed. Staff will scale back stormwater maintenance to minimum regulatory compliance.
• Item 10 (Appointments): All subcommittee recommendations approved unanimously except Parks and Recreation Commission. The vote on Andrea Kingman tied 2-2, and the item was deferred to the next meeting with a full council.
• Item 11 (Water Board Hearing): Council authorized the city attorney to submit briefs and declarations supporting the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's petition to modify the cease and desist order. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 15 (NCIP): Council provided general guidance emphasizing health and safety, resident-serving projects, and preventative maintenance. No formal action taken; the NCIP process continues with a joint council meeting on August 4.
• Item 16 (Intersection Project Reconsideration): The motion to reconsider the June 16 vote failed 2-2 (Council Members Rash and Smith in favor; Council Members Garcia and Williamson opposed; Council Member Barber absent). The prior action stands, meaning the contract award is not rescinded. A community meeting is scheduled for July 9 at 6 p.m. at the Library Community Room. The project will return to council for final approval before construction.

Key Outcomes

• Parks and Recreation Month: Proclamation adopted unanimously.
• Consent Calendar: Approved unanimously (items 6 and 7 pulled).
• Item 6 (Curb Ramp Project): Approved unanimously. Contract awarded to Villalobos and Associates for $1,048,262.
• Item 7 (Stormwater Fee): Council accepted the failed ballot results unanimously. The fee will not be imposed. Staff will reduce stormwater maintenance to minimum regulatory compliance.
• Item 10 (Appointments): All subcommittee recommendations approved unanimously except Parks and Recreation Commission. The vote on Andrea Kingman tied 2-2, and the item was deferred to the next meeting with a full council.
• Item 11 (Water Board Hearing): Council authorized participation in the state water board hearing supporting the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's petition to modify the cease and desist order. Motion passed unanimously.
• Item 15 (NCIP): Council provided general guidance emphasizing health and safety, resident-serving projects, and preventative maintenance. No formal action taken. The NCIP process continues with a joint council meeting on August 4.
• Item 16 (Intersection Project Reconsideration): The motion to reconsider the June 16 vote failed 2-2 (Council Members Rash and Smith in favor; Council Members Garcia and Williamson opposed; Council Member Barber absent). The prior action stands. A community meeting is scheduled for July 9 at 6 p.m. at the Library Community Room. The project will return to council for final approval before construction.