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Record of Proceedings

Monterey City Council Meeting: November 3, 2026 – Proclamations, Chief Retirement, and Transgender Resolution

City Council — Tuesday, November 3, 2026
BodyMonterey, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, November 3, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.

Unassigned speaker

5:51

Okay,

Speaker 1

5:52

just give us a few seconds here.

5:53

We're gonna let folks join on Zoom, so we're gonna make a few second transition here as we let folks

Unassigned speaker

5:59

in.

Unassigned speaker

6:01

I think you have two thoughts.

Speaker 1

6:17

All righty, and with that, we're gonna go ahead and call the meeting to order.

6:20

Welcome everybody to our afternoon session of today's meeting.

6:23

It's November third, twenty twenty six.

6:25

We have an afternoon session only today.

6:27

And we're gonna start off with the Pledge of Allegiance with Councilmember Smith.

Speaker 2

6:32

Please join

Unassigned speaker

6:33

me.

Unassigned speaker

6:35

I

Speaker 2

6:35

pledge of the United States of America

Unassigned speaker

6:40

and to

Speaker 2

6:40

the

Speaker 3

6:40

Republicans one nation

Unassigned speaker

6:44

under

Speaker 2

6:44

God

Unassigned speaker

6:46

with

Speaker 2

6:46

liberty and justice.

Unassigned speaker

6:51

Thank

Speaker 1

6:51

you, Ed.

Speaker 2

6:52

Thank

Speaker 3

6:52

you.

Unassigned speaker

6:53

All right,

Speaker 1

6:54

and with that, I'll pass it to Clementine to share announcements with the public uh to do roll call and share announcements with the public.

Speaker 4

6:59

Councilmember Barber.

7:01

President.

7:01

Councilmember Garcia?

Speaker 3

7:03

Here.

Speaker 4

7:03

Councilmember Rash?

7:04

Here.

7:04

Councilmember Smith?

Speaker 3

7:05

Here.

Speaker 4

7:06

Mayor Williamson.

Speaker 3

7:07

Here.

Speaker 4

7:07

All right, we have full council and public comment and participation information is provided on this meeting's agenda, which is online at Monterey.gov slash agendas.

7:17

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

7:22

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.

Speaker 1

7:36

Beautiful.

7:37

Thank you for

Unassigned speaker

7:38

it.

Speaker 1

7:39

All right, we're going to start off with our presentations.

7:41

The first one on the agenda is uh recognized November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month.

7:49

And um Councilmember Smith, would you mind reading the proclamation for us today?

Speaker 2

7:55

I would be honored.

8:08

Whereas the initial efforts to have a day of recognition for Native Americans were first approved in 1915 by the annual Congress of the American Indian Association, as directed by its president, Reverend Sherman Coolidge.

8:25

And whereas in 1976, member of the Cherokee Nation, J.

8:29

C.

8:30

Elliott High Eagle authored the first legislation to proclaim a Native American awareness week.

8:37

And the resolution was later signed by President Gerald Ford in 1999, President George H.

8:44

W.

8:44

Bush designated November as a National American Indian Heritage Month after approving a joint resolution.

8:52

And whereas the month of November is designated as a time to learn about the original inhabitants of the land that is now the United States of America from the rich traditions to the language spoken to the history of the persecution and forced removal, the entire story of the indigenous peoples of America should be learned and reckoned with, and whereas the culture and history of the native people of all 50 states wave an undeniable thread in the tapestry that is the United States.

Unassigned speaker

10:00

And through the constant reminder that they are active members of the Monterey community.

Speaker 2

10:03

And now, therefore, be it proclaimed that I, Tyler Williamson, mayor of the City of Monterey, and on behalf of the City Council and citizens, hereby proclaim the month of November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month.

10:18

Signed Mayor Tyler Williamson.

Speaker 1

10:20

Here, here.

10:20

Thank you, Councilman.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
LGBTQ Inclusion████████████████████████████28%
Public Engagement████████████████████████24%
Military Affairs███████████████15%
Public Safety██████████10%
Procedural██████6%
Immigration Policy████4%
Historic Preservation███3%
Election Campaign███3%
International Relations███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Monterey City Council Meeting: November 3, 2026 – Proclamations, Chief Retirement, and Transgender Resolution

The Monterey City Council convened on the afternoon of November 3, 2026 (Election Day). The meeting included proclamations for Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day, a retirement ceremony for Police Chief Dave Hober, and the unanimous passage of a resolution declaring Monterey a welcoming city for transgender and gender-diverse people.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 4 through 10 were approved unanimously. Councilmember Rash noted that a $7.83 million appropriation for the Presidio of Monterey is fully funded through an intergovernmental service agreement with the Department of Defense.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • General Public Comment: Cameron Donegan (Peace of Mind Dog Rescue) brought therapy puppies for stress relief. Kathy Bawaya thanked the council for hosting a Ukrainian delegation. Vicky Norton, a candidate for office, clarified statements from a book she authored, asserting her commitment to representing all residents equally. Mr. Viga raised a drainage issue he said had gone unresolved for over a year.
  • Item 11 (Transgender Resolution): Testimony was deeply divided. Opponents argued the declaration was unnecessary or divisive. Supporters, including local transgender residents Fable and Sarah, Superintendent PK Differboss (MPUSD), and representatives from Pride, urged adoption, citing rising anti-trans violence and the life-saving potential of visible allyship. A speaker on Zoom offered critique, arguing the resolution was merely symbolic and did not go as far as similar 'sanctuary' resolutions in neighboring cities.
  • Closed Session: Kathy Ciamanco requested rent abatement, alleging the city's delay in cutting weeds in a lake forced her business to close, resulting in over $150,000 in losses.

Discussion Items

  • Proclamations & Retirements: The council recognized November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month and honored veterans on November 11, 2026. City staff members who are military veterans were recognized. Chief Dave Hober was formally honored for his 11 years of service. Multiple councilmembers praised his leadership. Chief Hober stated, "I love Monterey, and I love the Monterey Police Department."
  • Item 11 – Welcoming City Resolution: Assistant City Manager Nat presented the resolution, noting that 59% of transgender adults surveyed experienced violence or harassment within a single year. The resolution affirms that transgender residents can fully participate in civic life and authorizes the flying of the Transgender Pride Flag at City Hall on November 20th for Transgender Day of Remembrance. Councilmembers offered extensive remarks. Councilmember Ash explained his support, stating the resolution was a reaffirmation of constitutional civil liberties and not an endorsement of a lifestyle. Mayor Williamson stated that if showing support can save a life, it is worth it. The resolution passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Welcoming City Resolution Passed Unanimously: The council voted 5–0 to adopt the resolution, including the annual flag raising on November 20th.
  • Chief Hober Retirement Honored: Recognized the retirement of Police Chief Dave Hober after 11 years of service.
  • Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned with a moment of silence in memory of labor and civil rights activist Dolores Huerta (1930–2026).

Meeting Transcript

Okay, just give us a few seconds here. We're gonna let folks join on Zoom, so we're gonna make a few second transition here as we let folks in. I think you have two thoughts. All righty, and with that, we're gonna go ahead and call the meeting to order. Welcome everybody to our afternoon session of today's meeting. It's November third, twenty twenty six. We have an afternoon session only today. And we're gonna start off with the Pledge of Allegiance with Councilmember Smith. Please join me. I pledge of the United States of America and to the Republicans one nation under God with liberty and justice. Thank you, Ed. Thank you. All right, and with that, I'll pass it to Clementine to share announcements with the public uh to do roll call and share announcements with the public. Councilmember Barber. President. Councilmember Garcia? Here. Councilmember Rash? Here. Councilmember Smith? Here. Mayor Williamson. Here. All right, we have full council and public comment and participation information is provided on this meeting's agenda, which is online at Monterey.gov 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. Beautiful. Thank you for it. All right, we're going to start off with our presentations. The first one on the agenda is uh recognized November 2026 as Native American Heritage Month. And um Councilmember Smith, would you mind reading the proclamation for us today? I would be honored. Whereas the initial efforts to have a day of recognition for Native Americans were first approved in 1915 by the annual Congress of the American Indian Association, as directed by its president, Reverend Sherman Coolidge. And whereas in 1976, member of the Cherokee Nation, J. C.

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