OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Sand City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, March 4, 2026
BodySand City, California
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, March 4, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:37:08

Transcript — Verbatim
0:09

So uh welcome everyone to the San City Council regular meeting of March 3rd.

0:16

The time is 5:30.

0:18

And this meeting is being uh broadcasted via Zoom and also uh so people could join us uh whether the computer zone is in or here in the council chambers.

0:31

Um at this time, I would like to look to the city clerk and ask Carrie if she would call role.

0:40

Mayor Carbone here, Vice Mayor Black Welder.

0:45

Council member Adams, present.

0:47

Council Member Diaz here.

0:49

Council Member Scudder present.

0:53

Well, at this time I'd like to ask uh councilwoman Diaz if she would leave us at the practical agents on us, and you're all welcome to join us ready.

1:05

I think the United States and for which is one of the people and have my friend assessor needs to say God bless America.

1:24

Yeah, I remember him.

1:27

With that, uh, we'll uh move on to announcements by Mayor, uh, the mayor, city attorney, and city manager.

1:35

And um, I did uh have my mayor's report that completed the much of the month of February, so I don't have the report as of yet.

1:45

So for meetings attended uh with that.

1:48

So with that, I will uh look at the city manager.

1:52

Thank you, ma'am mayor.

1:54

I am very, very, very, very happy to let you know in my text view that to let everyone know that today we launched the new website.

2:05

So this has been obviously a long road to get there.

2:09

A lot of work put in by all the department heads and Chris over at EMC planning.

2:16

Um and it's we're all I'm very happy with the outcome.

2:21

There are going to be some tweaks here and there that we will discover, and certainly if you're on it and you see anything that you think might be different, feel free to reach out and let me know.

2:31

But overall it's up and running, and Chris Arden is going to train department head staff to um be able to go in and make changes and Shannon too and Laura, so that each department can you know add documents as needed and that sort of thing.

2:47

And this is being the as you may recall the previous site, the one we had yesterday this morning was very cumbersome, very difficult to use.

2:56

So that's just I mean, very we're all very happy about that.

3:00

Um and another few really exciting things that happened in the last few days.

3:06

We released the uh statement of qualifications um for the art park.

3:12

So that has gone off and huge thanks to Nick for his work on that and asme and the NC.

3:20

Um and the second big thing happening today was we released the RFQ for I mean the RFP, sorry, for request for proposals for the bike trail.

3:36

And this is a special like kudos to Nick on this one.

3:39

Audrey really helped him to um this has been a big undertaking in part because the work that will be done, the planning work from 32 100 plans on that trail project is funded by federal funds, and that means the process to get there has been concluded.

4:00

We had to follow a lot of the federal guidelines, and um, but this means we can now get someone who will do the engineering plans from 30 to 100 designs, fully funded through the AMBAC rent through the 1.9 million dollars that we got for that.

4:17

Um, and even have some leftover for construction on the bike trail note.

4:22

Also, um, today we submitted and uh well we were working on and tomorrow we will submit an application for the um Jimmy Canada appropriations funds, um also federal grant money, obviously, and um so we've been working hard on that with Sherry Edgeville at California Consulting and Um getting it done and Mayor and Jerry signed the letter and when they ask you to try to ask you sign the letter.

4:51

We have cross an abundance of letters of support for that project, but we will also include as many as we can.

5:00

Um and then I think that that is the main headlines.

5:03

Um we did, oh, and then just to remind you that the Western committee meetings on Friday at 10.

5:09

So Niger will be here and walk you through all our progress and that we're done.

5:15

I will talk enough.

5:17

Wonderful news.

5:18

Thank you, Device.

5:20

And uh with that, uh, we'll I'll look to the city attorney and uh Adam.

5:25

Do you have anything you would like to report out?

5:28

I don't this evening.

5:30

Okay, thank you.

5:31

With that, we'll go ahead and move on to communications.

5:35

Uh at this time, member of the public may address the city council successor agency on the adding any matter not appearing on the city council agenda this evening.

5:47

Items on uh at that time, I will open it up to public once we get there.

5:53

So anything uh that's not on the agenda, please connect it with and state your name in your comment.

5:59

All comments welcome.

6:04

Good evening, Brian Clark.

6:06

Peace.

6:07

Thank you.

6:08

Nice to see your mayor panel.

6:09

Congratulations and your face on the board.

6:13

Uh a few weeks ago, you let the new or the top of conversation was a bid uh was let for to do the general plan update.

6:22

And then I think there are four bid EMC was awarded at the three hours, excuse me.

6:26

So in order to thousands, they were the high bidder and low bidder was about toward 50,000.

6:31

A couple, I think, were about half a minute.

6:34

So what was surprising to me is you said, well, EMC clicked all the boxes.

6:40

Well, EMC has been doing all of the work product for SANS in year in and year out.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Water And Wastewater Management████████████████████████24%
Affordable Housing███████████████15%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████14%
Environmental Protection████4%
Community Engagement███3%
Fiscal Sustainability███3%
Economic Development███3%
Procurement█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Sand City Council Regular Meeting - March 4, 2026

The Sand City Council held a regular meeting on March 4, 2026, at 5:30 PM. The meeting included a presentation from Monterey One Water on proposed wastewater rate increases, approval of several agenda items, and an update on new state laws. Key actions included approving a parking reduction for a local business, a cost-sharing agreement for stormwater interceptors, and advancing the city's pro-housing designation.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved 13 consent calendar items, including the minutes of November 4, 2025, and January 20, 2026, and cancellation of the March 17 and June 16, 2026 regular meetings. All items were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Brian Clark (resident) criticized the city's award of the general plan update contract to EMC Planning, noting that EMC was the highest bidder (approximately $150,000 more than the low bid) and that EMC has done most of the city's planning work. He also congratulated the city on the new website but noted it took three years to launch.
  • Robbie (owner of Carmel Stone, 1725 Contra Costa Street) thanked staff, particularly Nick, for working with him to resolve parking issues related to the West End Stormwater Project. He expressed support for the parking reduction.
  • Brian Clark (resident, 1725 Contra Costa neighbor) spoke in support of the parking reduction, stating he had never experienced issues with the business's loading operations.
  • Derek Oliver (attorney for Carmel Stone) commended staff for being responsive and working toward a win-win solution.

Discussion Items

  • Monterey One Water Presentation (Item 7) – Paul Sciuto, General Manager, presented an overview of the agency, its capital improvement plan, and proposed wastewater rate increases. The current residential rate is $54/month; an 8% increase (to $58.32) is proposed for fiscal year 2026-27, subject to a Proposition 218 process. The increase is driven by a $500 million capital plan over 10 years, including upgrades to aging infrastructure. Sciuto also discussed the agency's renewable energy projects (co-digestion, renewable natural gas) and a customer assistance program that served 900 people last year but exhausted funds. Council members asked about the rate history, capital improvements, and environmental compliance. Public comment included a question about litigation with Marina Coast Water District; Sciuto stated the agency is not a party to those lawsuits.
  • Use Permit Amendment for 1725 Contra Costa Street (Item 9A) – Staff presented a proposal to modify parking conditions for the Carmel Stone business to remove 12 perpendicular parking spaces being eliminated by the city's West End Stormwater Project. The city will replace them with 7 parallel spaces and loading zones. Council members Adams and Scudder discussed conditions from the original 2002 permit regarding loading/unloading and emergency vehicle access. The applicant's attorney and owners expressed support. The item was approved unanimously (Council members Blackwelder and Diaz recused due to a 500-foot conflict).
  • Cost-Sharing Agreement for Stormwater Interceptors – Sand Dollar Center (Item 9B) – Liam presented a cost-sharing agreement with the property owner for maintenance of two 70,000-gallon stormwater interceptors. The city will pay 12% of costs based on drainage area analysis; the property owner pays 87%. The city will front costs and seek reimbursement. The agreement covers biannual inspection and periodic pump-outs. A full pump-out is overdue and will be scheduled soon. Council members asked about the Edgewater Center interceptors (100% city-owned) and potential fees from Monterey One Water. The item was approved unanimously.
  • Pro Housing Designation Application Update (Item 9C) – Nick provided an update on the city's application for the state's Pro Housing Designation Program. The city's self-score is 45 points (minimum 30). Benefits include eligibility for Pro Housing Incentive Program (PIP) funds (up to $600,000) and priority for other grants. The application is in draft form and expected to be approved soon. Council members discussed the 'by-right' process for mixed-use projects with 20% affordable housing, and environmental constraints (endangered species). The item was approved with Council Member Scudder abstaining.
  • Authorization to Apply for Pro Housing Incentive Program Funds (Item 9D) – Nick presented the next step: authorizing the city manager to apply for PIP funds, which can be used for pre-development costs (e.g., the Art Park project). The maximum allocation is $600,000. No fiscal impact. The item was approved unanimously.
  • Purchase of Tax-Defaulted Property (Item 9E) – Nick presented a proposal to object to the county tax sale of a parcel (APN 011-125-040) and purchase it for $22,750 plus closing costs. The parcel is intended for habitat mitigation (East Dunes area) to support a citywide incidental take permit for endangered species. Funding is available from the East Dunes capital improvement budget. Council members Blackwelder and Adams recused (500-foot rule); Vice Mayor Blackwelder presided. The item was approved unanimously.
  • New Laws Update (Item 9F) – City Attorney Adam Langbrand presented highlights of new state laws relevant to the city:
    • SB 415 (Plans Act) – Regulates logistics centers and warehouses; requires separation from residential and other uses. Important for Sand City's industrial/commercial area.
    • Brown Act Reforms – Allows remote participation for 'just cause' (up to 5 meetings per year) and expands public participation requirements. Also requires compensation decisions for department heads to be made in open session, similar to city manager.
    • Financial Training Requirement – By January 2028, council members must complete a financial health training course covering budgeting, debt management, audits, etc. (every two years).
    • SB 42 (Ballot Measure for 2026) – Would allow local governments to fund election campaigns with public money. Not yet law.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously.
  • Monterey One Water Presentation – Received; no vote required.
  • Item 9A – Approved unanimously (Council members Blackwelder and Diaz recused).
  • Item 9B – Approved unanimously.
  • Item 9C – Approved (Council Member Scudder abstained).
  • Item 9D – Approved unanimously.
  • Item 9E – Approved unanimously (Council members Blackwelder and Adams recused).
  • Item 9F – Presented; no vote taken.
  • Next Meeting – The March 17, 2026 regular meeting was canceled; the next regular meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

So uh welcome everyone to the San City Council regular meeting of March 3rd. The time is 5:30. And this meeting is being uh broadcasted via Zoom and also uh so people could join us uh whether the computer zone is in or here in the council chambers. Um at this time, I would like to look to the city clerk and ask Carrie if she would call role. Mayor Carbone here, Vice Mayor Black Welder. Council member Adams, present. Council Member Diaz here. Council Member Scudder present. Well, at this time I'd like to ask uh councilwoman Diaz if she would leave us at the practical agents on us, and you're all welcome to join us ready. I think the United States and for which is one of the people and have my friend assessor needs to say God bless America. Yeah, I remember him. With that, uh, we'll uh move on to announcements by Mayor, uh, the mayor, city attorney, and city manager. And um, I did uh have my mayor's report that completed the much of the month of February, so I don't have the report as of yet. So for meetings attended uh with that. So with that, I will uh look at the city manager. Thank you, ma'am mayor. I am very, very, very, very happy to let you know in my text view that to let everyone know that today we launched the new website. So this has been obviously a long road to get there. A lot of work put in by all the department heads and Chris over at EMC planning. Um and it's we're all I'm very happy with the outcome. There are going to be some tweaks here and there that we will discover, and certainly if you're on it and you see anything that you think might be different, feel free to reach out and let me know. But overall it's up and running, and Chris Arden is going to train department head staff to um be able to go in and make changes and Shannon too and Laura, so that each department can you know add documents as needed and that sort of thing. And this is being the as you may recall the previous site, the one we had yesterday this morning was very cumbersome, very difficult to use. So that's just I mean, very we're all very happy about that. Um and another few really exciting things that happened in the last few days. We released the uh statement of qualifications um for the art park. So that has gone off and huge thanks to Nick for his work on that and asme and the NC. Um and the second big thing happening today was we released the RFQ for I mean the RFP, sorry, for request for proposals for the bike trail. And this is a special like kudos to Nick on this one. Audrey really helped him to um this has been a big undertaking in part because the work that will be done, the planning work from 32 100 plans on that trail project is funded by federal funds, and that means the process to get there has been concluded. We had to follow a lot of the federal guidelines, and um, but this means we can now get someone who will do the engineering plans from 30 to 100 designs, fully funded through the AMBAC rent through the 1.9 million dollars that we got for that. Um, and even have some leftover for construction on the bike trail note. Also, um, today we submitted and uh well we were working on and tomorrow we will submit an application for the um Jimmy Canada appropriations funds, um also federal grant money, obviously, and um so we've been working hard on that with Sherry Edgeville at California Consulting and Um getting it done and Mayor and Jerry signed the letter and when they ask you to try to ask you sign the letter. We have cross an abundance of letters of support for that project, but we will also include as many as we can. Um and then I think that that is the main headlines. Um we did, oh, and then just to remind you that the Western committee meetings on Friday at 10. So Niger will be here and walk you through all our progress and that we're done. I will talk enough. Wonderful news. Thank you, Device. And uh with that, uh, we'll I'll look to the city attorney and uh Adam. Do you have anything you would like to report out? I don't this evening. Okay, thank you. With that, we'll go ahead and move on to communications. Uh at this time, member of the public may address the city council successor agency on the adding any matter not appearing on the city council agenda this evening. Items on uh at that time, I will open it up to public once we get there. So anything uh that's not on the agenda, please connect it with and state your name in your comment. All comments welcome. Good evening, Brian Clark.

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