Pacific Grove City Council Meeting Summary - November 19, 2025

The Pacific Grove City Council convened for a regular meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, with all members present. The meeting featured the presentation of a Certificate of Recognition for the late Mr. Richard Stillwell, routine staff and council announcements regarding upcoming holiday events and board applications, and public comments on community topics including Chautauqua Hall fundraising and AI implementation. The council deliberated on three major action items: funding amendments for the Cedar, Congress, and Sunset intersection improvement project, a professional services agreement for community polling regarding revenue measures, and the establishment of a new pension trust to address unfunded liabilities.

Consent Calendar

• Routine Approvals: The council unanimously approved the consent calendar, excluding Item 9B (Cedar, Congress, and Sunset Intersection Improvement Project), which was pulled for separate discussion. Councilmembers Amelia (motion) and Walkingstick (second) facilitated the motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chautauqua Hall Fundraiser: Jeannie Anton reported that Hunter Porter Eldridge was selected as the architect for Chautauqua Hall, and the application for National Register of Historic Places status was approved by the State Historical Resources Commission, pending the federal keeper's decision. She thanked donors for quilt raffles and announced a fundraising dinner on January 13th.
• AI and City Services: Mike Gibbs advocated for the adoption of AI to enhance economic vitality and city services, highlighting local talent and the efficiency of generative AI in processing contracts and asset management. He urged the council to leverage local "American Ingenuity."
• Capital Improvements Status: Andy Kubica requested an update on the approval status for police station roof repairs (approved Nov 5), youth center roof repairs, and city hall door/window replacement, expressing concern over delays during the rainy season.
• Heritage Recognition: A resident congratulated the Heritage Society and the council on the successful National Register nomination for Chautauqua Hall, praising the state commissioners' appreciation for humble historical sites.
• Cedar, Congress, and Sunset Intersection:
  • Beth Shamas (Resident): Expressed strong concern regarding pedestrian safety, specifically for students, arguing the proposed roundabout design is not viable for student safety. She highlighted the lack of sidewalks and the danger of trucks speeding down Sunset Drive, suggesting a stop sign as an alternative.
  • Susan Golbeck (Resident): Opposed the roundabout, stating she had not met a single person who supported it. She argued the project lacks a document validating the need for a roundabout, poses a safety risk if traffic stops suddenly near the refuge island, and exceeds the grant funding by $2 million with no clear source for the deficit.
  • Mike Gibbs (Resident): Reiterated his opposition, noting that out of 75 residents surveyed, none saw the need for the project. He raised concerns about eminent domain leading to lawsuits and delays, calling the project problematic.
  • Colleen Ingram (Resident): Requested that the consultant's presentation be made public and inquired about the position of the Pacific Grove Unified School District regarding the project.
  • Inga Lawrence and Dimer (Resident): Strongly opposed the project, stating that public officials are ignoring community sentiment and that the project is a "huge unfunded bill" that will leave a "mess."
• 5-Year Fiscal Forecast & Consultant Hiring:
  • Anonymous Resident: Expressed concern over the proposal to spend $141,530 on consultants to determine if the city should raise taxes. They argued traditional methods of raising taxes are failing and urged the city to adopt creative alternatives rather than hiring marketing firms.
  • Mike Gibbs (Resident): Stated that 141,30 is a waste of money to convince residents to tax themselves. He suggested forming a local committee to utilize AI, seek grants, and leverage local wealth rather than hiring consultants.
  • Andy Kubica (Resident): Opposed the consultant hire, noting that previous consultants yielded recommendations that were ignored. He suggested residents should assist in reducing costs and reviewed ideas such as adjusting TOT rates and vacant storefront plans.
  • Inga Lawrence and Dimer (Resident): Expressed that her tax tolerance is "zero zilch" and viewed the firm as a marketing firm for tax increases, specifically questioning their history with ballot measures for council stipend increases. She urged fiscal restraint.

Discussion Items

• Cedar, Congress, and Sunset Intersection (Item 9B):
  • Staff Position: City Staff (Mr. Go) presented Project Phase 2, requesting amendments to increase funding agreements with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) by $137,000 and with the engineering firm GHD by $340,000. The project aims to complete a 30% design for a roundabout, addressing pedestrian and bicycle safety, and improving the entire corridor.
  • Council Discussion:
    • Councilmember Walkingstick: Expressed that the project is "massively unpopular" and does not address the core issue of child pedestrian safety, moving to disapprove the amendments (motion died for lack of second).
    • Councilmember Rao: Supported the project as necessary proactive planning for future infrastructure needs, citing the housing element's projection of 1,125 new dwellings and the need to avoid future traffic congestion.
    • Councilmember Paduri: Expressed full support (100% convinced) that the project will improve safety across the entire corridor and noted the long-term traffic calming benefits of narrowing the street.
    • Councilmember Garfield: Supported the experts' recommendations, emphasizing the extensive outreach and the importance of safety for pedestrians and cyclists, noting the project is still in the planning phase where designs can be refined.
    • Councilmember McDonnell: Supported the consensus, emphasizing the need to think about the future as traffic will not slow down, and confirmed the project includes sidewalk improvements to address pedestrian concerns.
    • Councilmember Amelia (Mayor Pro Tem): Stated she has not yet decided if the roundabout is the right answer but supports continuing the process to address the entire corridor's safety, noting the city retains the option to revert to other alternatives if safety or funding issues arise.
• Minimum Wage Ordinance (Item 11A):
  • Staff Position: Staff recommended amending the salary schedule to comply with the new California minimum wage of $16.90 effective January 1, 2026, with no financial impact to the city's budget.
• 5-Year Fiscal Forecast & Consultant Hiring (Item 13B):
  • Staff Position: Administrative Services Director Fred Marsh presented a five-year forecast showing future deficits driven by inflation, insurance, and pension liabilities. Staff recommended a professional services agreement with "Propositions and Measures" and "True North Research" to conduct scientific polling to gauge community priorities on revenue measures and capital needs. The estimated cost is $141,530 (phased approach: Phase 1 at ~$53,000).
  • Council Discussion:
    • Councilmember Garfield: Inquired about the specific actionable data the consultant would provide and confirmed they would help identify revenue measures based on voter sensitivities.
    • Councilmember Rao: Questioned the drivers of rising expenditures, citing compensation increases and inflation.
    • Councilmember Amelia (Mayor Pro Tem): Expressed support for the scientific approach to understanding community wants, noting the value of data over informal staff surveys.
    • Councilmember McDonnell: Supported the initiative as a vital needs assessment to determine what services the community values most, emphasizing the efficiency of using experts for this specific task.
    • Councilmember Rao (Follow-up): Emphasized that the survey should determine service priorities first, which then dictate funding needs, not just revenue measures.
    • Councilmember Walkingstick: Expressed that hiring a professional is necessary to avoid the high financial and political consequences of putting the wrong measures on the ballot.
• Pension Trust Establishment (Item 13B - Follow-up):
  • Staff Position: Director Fred Marsh recommended establishing a pension trust with CalPERS to address the city's $61 million unfunded pension liability. The plan involves dollar-cost averaging $50,000 monthly starting in February, with a target rate of return slightly over 5% (Strategy 1) or 8% (Strategy 2). Contributions are discretionary.
  • Council Discussion:
    • Councilmember Garfield: Noted a typo in the agenda report regarding the rate of return for Strategy 2 (corrected to 4.9%) and questioned the choice of CalPERS over PARS, accepting the staff's explanation regarding connectivity issues and fee structures.
    • Councilmember Rao: Supported the move to steady pension liability trends.
    • Councilmember McDonnell: Confirmed that contributions are not a fixed legal commitment, providing the city flexibility to address other capital needs if necessary.

Key Outcomes

• Item 9B (Cedar, Congress, Sunset): Motion to approve the amendments to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County and GHD funding agreements Passed 6-1 (Mayor Pro Tem Amelia, Councilmembers Rao, Garfield, Paduri, McDonnell, and Mayor in favor; Councilmember Walkingstick opposed).
• Item 11A (Minimum Wage): Ordinance to amend the salary schedule to comply with the new California minimum wage Passed Unanimously.
• Item 13A (Fiscal Forecast/Consultant): Motion to approve the professional services agreement with Propositions and Measures (not to exceed $141,530) Passed Unanimously.
• Item 13B (Pension Trust): Motion to adopt the four recommendations to establish the CalPERS Pension Trust Passed Unanimously.
• Other Actions: The Consent Calendar (excluding Item 9B) was approved unanimously.
• Adjournment: The meeting concluded at the conclusion of the Pension Trust vote.