Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Tuesday, February 2, 2021 7:00 PM MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson Absent: None City Staff City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Community Present: Development Director, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, City Clerk, Traffic Engineer, Parks Operations Manager, Acting Principal Planner Pursuant to Section 3 of Executive Order N-29-20, issued by Governor Newsom on March 17, 2020, this meeting was conducted with telephonic/video participation only by all parties. *** Evening Session Agenda *** CALL TO ORDER Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira explained to the public how to participate in the virtual meeting and provide public comment. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Roberson led the Pledge. PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from Lorna Moffat. CONSENT ITEMS Public comment on the Consent Items was not received. On a motion by Mayor Roberson, seconded by Councilmember Williamson, and carried by the following vote, which was conducted by roll call, the City Council approved the CONSENT ITEMS: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) Approval of Minutes 1. January 19, 2021 (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved City Council Minutes February 2, 2021 2  City Council Minutes February 2, 2021 Resolutions 2. Award Two (2) Professional Services Agreements with a Not-to-Exceed Annual Limit of $1,000,000 Each for Traffic Signal Maintenance Services to: (1) Bear Electrical Solutions, Inc. and 2) St. Francis Electric, Inc. ***CIP/NCIP*** (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution Nos. 21-008 and 21-009 C.S. 3. Authorize the City Manager to Enter into an Agreement with the Presidio of Monterey Garrison Command to Provide and Receive Automatic Aid for Fire, EMS, and Other Emergency Responses (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 21-010 C.S. 4. Amend Resolution 19-116 to Appropriate the Remaining Balance of $43, 800 from the Park Dedication Fund to the Capital Improvement Fund for Tennis Court Resurfacing at the Monterey Tennis Center and Landscape Improvements at Jack’s Park and Authorize the Increase in FY21 Revenue and Appropriation of $43,800 to the Capital Improvement Projects Fund (CIP) (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 21-011 C.S. *** End of Consent Agenda *** PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5. Adopt the City of Monterey Study: "Adapting a Threatened Transportation Network to Sea Level Rise," funded by a Caltrans Adaptation Planning Grant (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15306, Class 6) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 21-012 C.S. Acting Principal Planner Roveri introduced Rebecca Verity, GEI Consultants, and Frederik Venter, Kimley-Horn & Associates, who gave the presentation on the study. Public comment was received from Steve Hanleigh, who spoke in favor of greater public outreach and further research into alternatives to planned retreat; Kevin Dayton, who recommended the City reach out more to its residents about tsunamis; Johnny Khamis, who spoke in support of beach nourishment as a solution; Thomas Lee, who questioned the certainty of the prediction of sea level rise; Morgan Ivens-Duran, who spoke in support for managed retreat; Allan Kramer, who expressed concern about what will happen to people living in the homes directly on the beach; Lee Shahinian, who spoke in favor of beach nourishment and more input from Oak Grove neighborhood residents; Esther Malkin, who spoke about existing evidence and impacts of sea level rise in Florida; and Curt Tipton, Downtown Neighborhood Assocation, who spoke in favor of managed retreat and asked the City to look at its downtown overlay of density with regard to sea level rise. Community Development Director Cole, Acting Principal Planner Roveri, and Rebecca Verity answered Council's questions. The Council discussed the matter. It was stated that in the short term, beach replenishment and nourishment is supported. It was requested to learn more about the cost of temporary beach barriers that the City could have on hand for big storm events. It was stated that sea level rise should be incorporated into the City's Master Plan. It was stated that the City should 3 City Council Minutes February 2, 2021 look at where it plans to spend money on projects and whether those areas will be flood zones in the future, including Windows on the Bay and City-owned properties under consideration for housing. It was stated that the City's accessible beaches are a big reason for the City's appeal to tourists, and that managed retreat is likely the better solution to keep the Monterey “feel.” It was suggested that the value of the land that would be lost in a managed retreat scenario would be augmented by the value of the added beach both economically and environmentally. It was stated that more studies on the issue were needed and would be supported. It was stated by the Council that costs that have not been calculated as part of this study should be calculated, and that the sea level rise impact may warrant its own plan in addition to being included in the Master Plan. It was stressed that more public input will be needed. Supportive comments were made for looking at the economic impacts of aesthetically pleasing solutions and continuing to provide open space and opportunities for people to enjoy the coastline in whatever form it ends up taking in the future. It was stated that the State and the region will need to collectively work on this issue, and that the issue needs to be approached from a regional perspective. Comment was made against the managed retreat strategy, and it was stated that an additional breakwater could be part of an alternative solution. It was urged that the City address and study many environmental issues. It was stressed that the main existential issue is climate warming and use of fossil fuels. On a motion by Councilmember Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Haffa, and carried by the following vote, which was conducted by roll call, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 21-012 C.S. to Adopt the City of Monterey Study: "Adapting a Threatened Transportation Network to Sea Level Rise," funded by a Caltrans Adaptation Planning Grant: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Williamson recognized that February is Black History Month, and asked all to reflect on Black contributions to American culture and the work that still needs to be done. Councilmember Smith reported on a recent meeting of the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Rail Committee, and said that the kick-start project in Salinas is winding down construction. He asked if Debbie Hale with TAMC can give Council an update soon on the subject of rail service in the area. He suggested it would be appropriate to start thinking about where on the Peninsula the railway can end. He announced an upcoming meeting of the executive committee on transportation. Councilmember Albert commented he would like to see the City put pressure on CalTrans to clean up trash on the highways. He said that after COVID-19 is no longer a concern, it would be wonderful for the community to volunteer and be involved in keeping the City clean. Councilmember Haffa said that he attended the Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association meeting, which heard a presentation from the Skyline neighborhood about traffic safety at the Highway 68 and Skyline intersection. He asked that the City look into the matter and engage with the neighborhood to work on potential solutions. 4 City Council Minutes February 2, 2021 Mayor Roberson reported on the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) to which he was recently appointed, saying that he would like to rotate the seat among the represented Cities every few years as is done with Central Coast Community Energy. He said that he has attended two MPWMD meetings, and he shared that the District has written a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board asking for relief with regard to local water restrictions. He said that there has been no aquifer storage renewal, and that because of the last rain the District has started pumping water into the Seaside Basin. He reported on Pure Water Monterey and a treatment plant, and shared that the Department of Defense is designated as a jurisdiction of its own with the MPWMD, with its own water credits. He reported on a discussion about supporting an additional parallel pipe to Pure Water Monterey/Monterey One Water. He said that by the end of the year, the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) may make a determination about whether or not public ownership of the Cal Am water system is feasible. CITY MANAGER REPORTS City Manager Uslar said that the City is celebrating Black History Month with an exhibit about the Buffalo soldiers at the Presidio of Monterey and a webinar hosted by the Steinbeck Center about the visit by Martin Luther King, Jr. to the area and his stay in Monterey. He shared that the Healthy Eating and Active Living annual report has been completed. He shared that he has an upcoming meeting with CalTrans on the subject of highway cleaning. He announced an upcoming State of the Monterey Public Library event. ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Clementine Bonner Klein Clyde Roberson City Clerk Mayor 5