Public Meetings - Monterey, California

The Monterey Zoning Administrator meeting on September 4, 2025, was called to order by Levi Hill. The consent calendar was approved, and the main agenda item was the consideration of a use permit for mixed-use development at 1000 Eighth Street, which was approved. Consent Calendar - Approval of the August 21, 2025 meeting minutes without edits. Discussion Items - Senior Associate Planner Chris Schmidt presented the staff report for use permit application UP 250152, recommending approval with conditions. He detailed the project, which involves converting part of an existing medical office building to two residential units and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU), with eight parking spaces exceeding the requirement of seven. - The project applicant and architect expressed full support for the proposal and encouraged approval. Key Outcomes - Zoning Administrator Levi Hill approved the use permit application with conditions, finding it consistent with the zoning ordinance and general plan. The decision is appealable to the Planning Commission within 10 days.

The Architectural Review Committee (ARC) of Monterey, California, met on September 3, 2025, at 3:52 PM (UTC) to consider two main agenda items: an architectural review permit and tree removal for a residential property, and a sign permit for a multifamily apartment complex. All items were approved unanimously. The meeting also included administrative updates regarding future quorum challenges. Consent Calendar - The committee approved the draft minutes from previous meetings without discussion. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made on items not on the agenda. - For the Jocelyn Canyon item, the owner, Monique Caldi, expressed gratitude to staff for their assistance and noted the project would allow space for elderly mother or adult children. - For the Mar Vista Drive sign item, Victoria Oroya, on behalf of owner Greg Zimmerman, thanked staff and highlighted the challenges of finding a suitable sign location due to site topography and safety concerns. Discussion Items - 1599 Jocelyn Canyon Road – ARP 24-0033 and ART 25-0062: Staff presented a proposal for a first- and second-story addition (living/dining/kitchen expansion, master suite, new two-car garage) and removal of one tree. The property is on a narrow, sloping lot with limited buildable area. Staff found the design appropriate, views and privacy not impaired, consistency with plans/guidelines, and finishes suitable. The tree removal was justified for reasonable development, with a condition to plant a 15-gallon replacement coast live oak. The committee had no questions and approved unanimously. - 6698 Mar Vista Drive – Sign Permit SI25-0107: Staff requested retroactive approval for a freestanding address sign (11.7 sq ft, 12-inch lettering) installed without permit. The previous small address sign was inadequate for delivery and emergency services. The sign is located in the public right-of-way, requiring an encroachment permit. Staff determined alternative locations on private property were not visible enough, and Monterey Fire confirmed the preferred location met fire code. The committee approved the sign permit with conditions (including obtaining an encroachment permit). Key Outcomes - Motion to approve Jocelyn Canyon addition and tree removal: Approved unanimously (3-0). - Motion to approve Mar Vista Drive sign permit: Approved unanimously (3-0). - Both decisions are appealable to the Planning Commission within 10 days. - Staff announced that due to upcoming committee member absences, future meetings may be consolidated to ensure quorum, with an email poll to determine attendance.

The Monterey City Council met on September 2, 2025, in afternoon and evening sessions. The meeting opened with recognition of military service members from the Defense Language Institute, followed by public comments on street vending permits. The council then interviewed three firms for city manager recruitment and unanimously selected Bob Murray and Associates. The evening session included a Narcan training demonstration and a detailed discussion on strategies to address the city's $10 million structural budget deficit, with the council reaching consensus on multiple revenue measures and directing staff to continue analysis. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Afternoon Session: Daniel Mandeir, a local business owner, expressed opposition to the new street vending permit restrictions, stating that the available space would be reduced by 99.7% and calling the process unfair. Mira, a vendor since 2019, said the planning department had not communicated the new rules and that the marked spaces (10 total) were insufficient and placed in unsafe locations. She noted that 26 vendors were present on the busiest weekend, yet only 10 spots were provided. - Evening Session: Multiple residents spoke on the budget deficit. Several opposed cutting the Mills Act, the NCIP (Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program), and community centers, particularly the Casanova Oaknoll Park Center. Many urged the council to preserve funding for First Night Monterey. Others spoke against increasing the transient occupancy tax (TOT), arguing it would hurt competitiveness. Richard Rosello, president of the Casanova Oaknoll Neighborhood Association, said the park center had been closed since COVID and should not be called "underutilized." Other speakers supported a sales tax increase and suggested exploring payments in lieu of taxes from major nonprofits like the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Discussion Items - City Manager Recruitment: Three firms presented: Bob Murray and Associates (Valerie Phillips, in person), Ralph Anderson Associates (Fred Wilson, via Zoom), and WBCP (Terry Nizich, via Zoom). Each discussed their approach, timeline, and experience. Council members asked about outreach, the current recruitment environment, and confidentiality. After a closed session, the council voted unanimously to select Bob Murray and Associates. - Narcan Training: Drs. Casey Grover and Reb Close demonstrated the use of naloxone (Narcan) for opioid overdoses, emphasizing that it is safe to administer even if opioids are not present. They noted that Narcan boxes are available at the Monterey Police Department, Lake El Estero, and the transit center. The council thanked them for their work. - Budget Deficit Strategies: Staff presented 29 index cards with potential strategies to close the $10 million structural deficit, including revenue increases, expenditure reductions, and indirect measures. After public comment, each council member shared their "yes," "no," and "maybe" piles. The council then discussed items with majority support: - Sales tax increase (0.375%): Unanimous consensus to move forward; staff to explore ballot timing. - Vacancy tax: Majority support; council noted pending litigation and agreed to wait for court decisions. - Parking tax: Majority support; staff clarified it would apply to private parking lots, not public garages, with exemptions for hotel parking already subject to TOT. - Streaming tax: Majority support; staff to research legal status and feasibility. - Admissions tax: Majority support after discussion; staff to explore options, including targeting larger visitor attractions. - First responder fee: Majority support; staff to develop a fee structure with hardship waivers, noting other California cities have implemented similar fees. - Veterans Park campground optimization: Consensus to proceed. - Measure P/S renewal: Supported; to be placed on a future ballot (expires 2027). - Measure G renewal: Supported. - Stormwater fee update: Consensus to reinstate the fee (approximately $6.76/month) through a Proposition 218 process. - Parking fee strategy: Consensus to expand paid parking hours and areas. - Real property transfer tax update: Majority support; staff to research tiered options. - Items such as NCIP reappropriation, attrition, Mills Act, and property sales were deferred to a future council meeting. The council also agreed to hold a joint meeting with the NCIP committee. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval of the consent agenda. - Unanimous selection of Bob Murray and Associates for the city manager recruitment. - Consensus to move forward with exploring a 0.375% sales tax increase, a vacancy tax, a parking tax, a streaming tax, an admissions tax, a first responder fee, and other measures. Staff will conduct further analysis and bring recommendations back to the council. - Support for renewing Measures P/S and G. - Direction to reinstate the stormwater fee through Proposition 218. - Staff to schedule a joint meeting with the NCIP committee. - Meeting adjourned in memory of retired Monterey Police Captain David Fortune, who passed away on August 16, 2025, at age 76, after 31 years of service.

The Monterey Library Board of Trustees met to review the successful summer reading program, address consent agenda items, and discuss organizational matters, including the director evaluation timeline and updated staff structure. Consent Calendar - The board approved the consent agenda items, including the July meeting minutes, by a vote of three in favor, one abstention, and one trustee absent. Items on the director evaluation timeline and organizational chart were pulled for separate discussion. Discussion Items - Summer Reading Program: Children's Librarian Bianca and Team Librarian Andrea presented on the 2025 summer reading program, themed "Level Up at Your Library." They reported 130 more signups than the previous year, highlighted diverse programs such as drag queen story time and coding workshops, and noted partnerships with local organizations. Chair DeLarmier expressed appreciation for the variety of activities and suggested broadening the program's name beyond reading. - Director Evaluation Timeline: The board discussed the timeline for evaluating Library Director Brian, setting closed sessions for September 25, 2025 (to finalize the evaluation) and September 30, 2025 (to discuss it with the director). Trustees confirmed availability and clarified procedural details, such as involving the city clerk's office for recording. - Organizational Chart: Library Director Brian explained the updated organizational chart, which reintroduces an assistant library director role and reorganizes reporting lines for better coordination. Trustees asked questions about staffing and requested a future presentation from Kathy of the California History Room to understand her role and plans. Key Outcomes - Approved the minutes from the July meeting. - Established the timeline for the library director's evaluation, with closed sessions scheduled for September 25 and 30, 2025. - Received the organizational chart report and directed staff to arrange a presentation from the California History Room in a future meeting. - Director Brian announced upcoming projects, including library locker installations at the Sports Center and Montecito Park in October, and new print management software implementation in mid-September.

A special council meeting was convened to receive a presentation and initiate discussion on strategies to address the city's projected $10 million annual structural budget deficit. Staff presented a detailed analysis of the deficit's causes and projected growth, followed by a series of potential revenue increases and expenditure reductions for council and public consideration. Discussion Items - Staff Presentation on Deficit: Finance Director Rafael and City Manager Hans outlined the structural nature of the $10 million deficit, attributing it to rising personnel costs, increased insurance premiums, and revenues not keeping pace with expenses. Projections showed the deficit growing to $21 million by FY2031 if no action is taken. - Review of Deficit Reduction Strategies: Staff presented 27 "index card" strategies, categorized by direct (green) or indirect (yellow) impact on the general fund deficit. These included options like reallocating Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) funds, leveraging attrition for salary savings, implementing various new taxes (sales, admission, parking, vacancy, streaming), optimizing city properties and services, and pursuing payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) from large non-profits. - Council Questions: Councilmembers sought clarifications on specific proposals, including the Mills Act property tax implications, attrition's operational impact, the process for contracting out services, the distinction between different tax measures, and the feasibility and timing of renegotiating tideland leases with entities like the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Public Comments & Testimony - Multiple speakers expressed opposition to reducing or defunding the NCIP, citing its value to neighborhoods and democratic process. Several suggested the committee itself should prioritize or reduce projects. - Support was expressed for increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) and parking fees, particularly targeting visitors. One speaker suggested exploring regulated Airbnb to increase TOT revenue. - Opposition was voiced against selling city properties as a one-time fix and against charter amendments like modifying the Visitors Accommodation Facility (VAF) zoning, seen as risky. - AMP's Executive Director argued against replacing the public access TV provider, stating the cost savings were small relative to the loss of a community institution and offered to work on cost reductions. - The Chamber of Commerce representative urged consideration of economic growth and business expansion in North Fremont as a revenue strategy, noting chamber policy opposes new taxes unless there's a clear benefit to the business climate. - A union representative questioned the statistics on staffing reductions and expressed skepticism about cost savings from contracting out services, citing a lack of meet-and-confer process and existing in-house staff capability. Key Outcomes - No decisions were made. The council was tasked with reviewing the index cards and sorting them into "Yes," "Maybe," and "No" piles for further discussion. - The public was encouraged to continue providing input via email and at the next meeting. - The matter was scheduled for further deliberation and potential consensus-building at the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.

The meeting was called to order but was immediately adjourned due to a lack of quorum. All agenda items scheduled for this meeting will be re-noticed in accordance with public noticing requirements. Key Outcomes - The meeting was formally adjourned. - All agenda items will be re-noticed for a future meeting.

Zoning Administrator Levi Hill called the meeting to order, with Principal Planner Riveri and Recording Secretary Argonbright in attendance. The primary agenda item was a fence height variance application (VA250149) submitted by Terry and Tom Clark, owners of 501 Archer Street, seeking approval for a six-foot-tall fence in the reverse corner side yard. The property has a significant grade difference—55 inches lower than the adjacent McClellan Avenue—leading to privacy concerns. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including that the fence be installed within the property boundaries and not on city property. The applicant, participating online, requested an alternative encroachment permit. The zoning administrator approved the variance with an amended condition. Public Comments & Testimony - Patrick Hennessy (861 McClellan Avenue, neighbor across the street) expressed strong support for the variance, citing problems with dog walkers encroaching on the property and the inadequacy of a four-foot fence to prevent peering and trespassing. He stated, "A six-foot fence pretty much eliminates all those possibilities." - Jenny Babbitt (990 McClellan, two blocks away) acknowledged the awkward property situation and the challenges from dogs and deer. She appreciated the staff's thorough report and urged the city to work with the owners, noting the property's fishbowl-like exposure. Discussion Items - Staff Presentation (Principal Planner Riveri): Detailed the findings required for variance approval. The property's topography (55-inch grade drop) creates a special circumstance. A four-foot fence would deprive the owners of privacy enjoyed by other properties. The existing fence was built on city property, about five feet outside the property line. Staff recommended approval with a condition requiring the fence to be relocated within the property boundaries. They noted that an encroachment permit might be a possible alternative but is not typically supported. - Applicant (Tom Clark): Participated online, stating he was unaware of the property line issue until shortly before the meeting. He built the fence copying a neighbor's fence in the same location. He requested information on the encroachment permit process. The zoning administrator confirmed that city staff could follow up on that option. - Zoning Administrator's Deliberation: After reading the staff report and hearing public comment, the administrator agreed with the staff recommendation. He found that the special circumstances (topography) justify a variance, and that strict application of the four-foot height standard would deprive the property of privacy. The proposal is consistent with the zoning ordinance and does not grant a special privilege. Key Outcomes - Approval of Variance VA250149: The zoning administrator approved the fence height variance to allow a six-foot-tall fence in the reverse corner side yard at 501 Archer Street, subject to the conditions in the draft resolution plus the following amendments: - The fence shall not exceed six feet in height and shall be installed within the boundaries of 501 Archer Street. - The fence shall be located no closer than 30 feet to the point of intersection of the front and side property lines at the street corner. - This approval does not permit the fence to be located on city property. However, as an alternative to relocating the fence, the condition was amended to allow approval of an encroachment permit if issued by the Public Works Department of the City of Monterey. - Appeal: Decisions of the zoning administrator are appealable to the Planning Commission within 10 days of the meeting. Applications for appeal can be found online and at the planning office.

The Architectural Review Committee convened on August 20, 2025, to review a sign permit application for the Monterey Regional Airport. The meeting included routine consent agenda approval, a staff presentation on the proposal, public comment, and committee discussion, culminating in the approval of the permit with conditions. Consent Calendar - Approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the previous meeting. Public Comments & Testimony - O'Neill Caldy, a resident and frequent airport user, expressed concern about vehicle sightlines and traffic safety regarding the proposed freestanding sign in a roundabout. Discussion Items - Staff presented sign permit application SI-25-0009 for four vehicle-oriented freestanding signs at 200 Fred Kane Drive. They detailed inconsistencies with sign guidelines but justified them due to the airport's scale, regional transportation role, and design cohesion. Committee members discussed the proposal, with staff reassuring that traffic engineering reviews would address safety concerns. Key Outcomes - The committee unanimously approved the sign permit application with conditions of approval. The decision is appealable to the planning commission within 10 days. A planning office update was provided, noting the adoption of SB9 ordinance amendments and upcoming agenda items.

The Monterey City Council convened on August 19, 2025, for a meeting dominated by debates over implementing state housing laws and prioritizing neighborhood improvement projects. Key agenda items included the second reading of an ordinance to comply with Senate Bill 9 (SB9) for residential densification and a joint session with the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) to address project backlogs and community engagement. Consent Calendar - Items 3 and 7 were pulled for discussion; all other consent calendar items passed unanimously. Public Comments & Testimony - Judy, a Monterey citizen and event worker, expressed support for Car Week but requested resources for trailer parking and improved safety measures. - Uva Groebecker of New Monterey advocated for speed limits and clear separation on the bike trail between Sun Calus Beach and Wharf parking lots, citing safety hazards. - Marsha Renzula, a Monterey resident, proposed updating the municipal code to prohibit roosters due to noise exceeding city limits and public health risks. - Daniel Mandares, a local business owner, opposed a 98% reduction in street vendor space, arguing it was an unacceptable encroachment. - Another resident supported prohibiting roosters, noting disruption from crowing. - Jody Emerson, a low-income housing unit owner, requested incentives for decarbonizing homes by allowing cost additions to selling values. Discussion Items - SB9 Ordinance Implementation: Staff clarified that SB9 allows up to four units on a single lot, with an option for six units if affordability requirements are met and a lot split occurs. Council members debated compliance with state housing mandates, water availability, oversight of owner-occupancy rules, and neighborhood impacts. Public comments were largely in opposition, fearing increased density, traffic, and loss of R1 zoning character. - Deputy City Attorney Position: Amendment to the position control list was briefly discussed and approved. - Historic Preservation Rezoning: First reading of an ordinance to rezone 817 Martin Street for historic preservation and authorize a Mills Act contract was approved without significant debate. Key Outcomes - SB9 ordinance passed with a 3-2 vote, with Councilmembers Barber, Garcia, and Williamson in favor, and Councilmembers Rash and Smith opposed. - Deputy city attorney position amendment passed unanimously. - Historic preservation rezoning passed unanimously. - Councilmember Garcia appointed as primary representative to the Access Media Productions board, with Councilmember Rash as alternate. Joint Meeting on NCIP - Discussed the backlog of 75 active NCIP projects and staffing challenges limiting completion. Staff highlighted a structural budget deficit affecting maintenance costs for new projects. - NCIP committee members emphasized prioritizing public safety and health in project selection, with improved collaboration between staff and the committee. - Debated defining maintenance and potentially amending the city charter to include maintenance funding in NCIP projects. Concerns were raised about community outreach and managing project lists to reduce backlogs.