Pacific Grove City Council Regular Meeting – May 7, 2026
Pacific Grove City Council Regular Meeting – May 7, 2026
The Pacific Grove City Council held a regular meeting on May 7, 2026 (the transcript indicates the meeting occurred on May 6, but the date provided for this summary is May 7). The agenda included a public hearing on an appeal of a coastal development permit for Crespy Pond vegetation management, establishment of a process to fill a vacant council seat, adoption of a policy for council vacancies, a recommendation to initiate a competitive RFP for solid waste collection services, and installation of a four‑way stop at Congress Central and Lighthouse. All actions were passed, most unanimously, with one dissenting vote on the timeline for filling the vacant seat.
Consent Calendar
- Approved the agenda as stated and the consent calendar (routine items) unanimously.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Christy Metzner, Chamber President and CEO, thanked city staff for a successful Good Old Days weekend, noting over 40 bands/shows, 210 vendors, and support from public works, police, and fire departments.
- A resident (name not given) presented analysis of election costs, stating that ballot measures contributed 85% of voter information guide costs ($24,000 of $28,000) and urged realistic cost estimates for future measures.
- Nina Beattie (online) argued that U.S. international military actions threaten Pacific Grove’s economy and safety, calling on the city to oppose Pentagon activities and sanctions.
- Inga Lawrence (online, later in person) supported the Crespy Pond appeal, criticizing past delays and urging the city to listen to residents.
- Residents Sally Moore and Nicholas Morlem supported the four‑way stop at Congress and Lighthouse, citing safety concerns. Inga Lawrence also spoke in favor.
- Representatives from waste management companies (Waste Management, Republic Services, Green Waste) and the REGION technical advisory committee chair spoke in support of the RFP process, emphasizing transparency and cost competitiveness.
Discussion Items
- Crespy Pond Coastal Development Permit Appeal: Appellants Anthony Ciani requested three conditions: work limited to September 1–30, revegetation with native plants, and a qualified biologist monitor. Staff recommended denial, noting that the mitigated negative declaration already addresses impacts, permits from other agencies are pending, and the project is a first step. Council rejected the appeal, agreeing that the current scope is appropriate and a broader restoration could be considered later.
- Filling Vacant Council Seat (12a): Council set the application period from May 7 to May 22, 2026 (close of business), with a selection hearing on June 3 and swearing‑in on June 17. Applications with redacted personal info will be posted on a rolling basis. Councilmember Paduri voted no, citing short timeline and potential bias toward future election candidates. Motion passed 4‑1.
- Council Vacancy Policy (12b): Staff presented a draft policy for filling future vacancies. Council directed staff to revise the policy to: have each council member nominate only one candidate; include a Q&A period with consistent questions for all applicants; and set applicant speaking time at the time of agenda posting (flexible based on number of applicants). The motion carried unanimously.
- REGION Waste Hauler RFP (13a): The Technical Advisory Committee recommended initiating a competitive RFP for solid waste, recycling, and organics collection, with the current contract expiring in 2030. The consultant presented survey results showing 93% satisfaction with Green Waste but high concern about affordability. All five interested haulers expressed desire to bid. Council adopted a resolution to proceed with the RFP and the process integrity policy. Unanimous.
- Four‑Way Stop at Congress Central and Lighthouse (13b): Public Works Director Dan Gough presented a staff recommendation to install an all‑way stop at the intersection, based on crash data (5 crashes in 12 months) and heavy pedestrian/bicycle traffic. Traffic commission supported it. Council approved the installation, including refresh of signage and striping, with pedestrian safety improvements to be considered later. Unanimous.
Key Outcomes
- Denied the appeal of the Crespy Pond coastal development permit and approved the permit with the mitigated negative declaration (5‑0).
- Approved application timeline and selection date for vacant council seat (4‑1, Paduri dissenting).
- Directed staff to revise the council vacancy policy as outlined (unanimous).
- Adopted resolution to initiate competitive RFP for waste hauler services and the accompanying process integrity policy (unanimous).
- Approved installation of a four‑way stop at Congress, Central, and Lighthouse, with associated sign and pavement marking upgrades (unanimous).
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. It is May 6, 2026, 6 02 p.m. This is a regular meeting of the Pacific Grove City Council. You're here with us at City Hall 300 Forest Avenue, Pacific Grove, California, and Council Chambers. I'm calling the meeting to order tonight. We have five council members present. Uh Councilmember Emilio and Councilmember is well, Emilio is not present. We're down to five tonight. Please join me. Thank you very much, everyone. And uh we'll go on to item one approval of the agenda. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda as stated? So tie will um Councilmember Rao, second by Councilmember Paduri. Um, we'll take a voice vote. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Hearing none, passes unanimously with proceed uh stated in the agenda. Um, let's go ahead and skip down to council and staff announcements, and I will uh recognize the city attorney for any closed session announcements. No announcements, okay. Um, and Mr. Moganson, do you have any staff announcements tonight? Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We do have a couple. First, I just wanted to thank everybody who showed up for our push-in ceremony. That was a great event to see the new fire truck get pushed into the bay and is now in service. So we're good for 20 years. I think it's probably um also, of course. I want to and I want I'm sure this will be echoed, but you know, thanks to our police officers and our public works people who spent the whole weekend making good old days happen. Yeah, that was um, you know, we know that that's a that's a lot, but um it was a well-attended, very well celebrated event. So thank you for that. Um, additional thing, then I I'd like to pass it over to uh George first so he can announce a little bit about Arbor Day stuff. Mayor Smith, Council members. I just want to thank everybody that turned out for our tree planting event to celebrate Arbor Day on April 19th. We planted 2027 mid-sized cypress trees at Esplanade Park. I think everybody had a good time and learned a little bit about trees and tree planting from our urban forester John Kenny. And we're also celebrating our 25th year of recognition as a tree city through the Arbor Day Foundation. And then this year, thanks to the work of John Kenny, we we also received the growth award, which recognizes cities that go on above and beyond the four core tenants of the tree city um award. So thank you. Thank you very much. Any further city staff announcements? I will now recognize my colleagues up here. Any council announcements today? Um, seeing none, I'll just go ahead and say thank you to staff for good old days for another eventful and entertaining good old days. And uh, you know, we always love it every year, and it's a great time. So thank you so much. And uh we'll now move on to item four general public comment. This is uh deals with matters subject to the jurisdiction of the city and the council that are not on the regular agenda. I see one hand went up.
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