Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Tuesday, November 18, 2025 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson Absent: None City Staff City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Finance Director, Present: Community Development Director, Police Chief, Human Resources Director, Public Works Director, City Clerk, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, Assistant Human Resources Director, Division Chief, Associate Planner, Police Lieutenant AFTERNOON SESSION Call to Order Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. City Clerk Klein called the roll with the Council present as indicated above. General Public Comments Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from Nick Yaqub of Hotel 1110, and Judie Henderson. Consent Agenda Public comment on the Consent Items was received from Judie Henderson on Item 6, who said that turnouts should be treated when they are dirty to keep the firefighters safe. On a motion by Councilmember Rasch, seconded by Councilmember Smith, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) Consent: Approval of Minutes 1. November 4, 2025 Regular Meeting (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved Consent: Ordinances 2. 2nd Reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 38 of the Monterey City Code to Establish Regulations and Development Standards for Firearms and Ammunition Retail Sales Uses and Amending the Home Occupation Permit Procedures (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 3714 C.S.  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 Consent: Resolutions 3. Award a Sole Source Job Order Contract to First Alarm in the Amount of $1,000,000 for Fire Alarm Monitoring, Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair for Intergovernmental Support Agreement Projects ***IGSA*** (Categorically Excluded from NEPA 32 CFR, Part 651, Section II(g)(1) (CEQA Not a Project)) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-113 C.S. 4. Amend Resolution No. 25-100 Authorizing the City of Monterey Human Resources Department to Access State and Federal Level Summary Criminal History Information for Employment with the City of Monterey (Including Volunteers and Contract Employees by Removing the CEQA Language to Satisfy Federal Bureau of Investigation Requirements (Not A Project Under CEQA, Per Article 20, Section 15378 And Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-114 C.S. 5. Authorizing an Easement Agreement and Accepting a Walkway Easement over a Portion of the Land at 2330 Del Monte Avenue (APN 013-045-035-000) as shown in Exhibit A, (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-115 C.S. 6. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Purchase Agreement with Charles Murray, an individual dba JAECO Fire & Safety, for 28 Sets of Firefighter Turnouts at a Cost Not to Exceed $118,483.85 (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-116 C.S. 7. Authorize the City Manager or Designee to Explore the Lease of Office Space (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Authorized exploration of office space leasing 8. Appropriation of $10,000 to the Food Bank for Monterey County (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-117 C.S. Consent: Other 9. Appoint Hans Uslar as Agency Negotiator for Contract Negotiations with Interim City Manager Pursuant to Government Code section 94597.6 (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Appointed Hans Uslar as agency negotiator End of Consent Agenda Afternoon Session Items Public Appearance (Afternoon) 10. Receive Subcommittee Recommendations and Appoint Applicants to Positions on Building and Housing Appeals Board, Historic Preservation Commission, Museums and 2  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 Cultural Arts Commission, Measure P & S Oversight Committee, Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Reappointed Cathy Collum, Linda Rath, and Juan Rodriguez to the Historic Preservation Commission; Appointed Thomas Bruneau to the Measure P & S Oversight Committee; Appointed Meilin Fullop, Monique Kaldy, and Kimberly Turgen, and reappointed Bill Wojtkowski, all to the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission; Appointed George McNeely to the NCIP Committee as Del Monte Beach Alternate; Reappointed Joseph Hill to the NCIP Committee as Del Monte Grove Laguna Grande Alternate; Appointed Diane Salamone to the NCIP Committee as Fisherman Flats Alternate; Reappointed Amanda Preece to the NCIP Committee as Glenwood Alternate; Appointed Ilse Lopez-Narvaez to the NCIP Committee as Oak Grove Alternate; Appointed Taylor Dinehart to the NCIP Committee as Skyline Alternate; Appointed David Overton to the NCIP Committee as Deer Flats Representative; Appointed Julieta Garib and reappointed Cydney Crampton, both to the Parks and Recreation Commission; and appointed Eric Palmer, Justin Pauly, and David Stocker to the Planning Commission; with all terms ending June 30, 2030 (3-2, Councilmembers Rasch and Smith voting no) City Clerk Klein gave a brief verbal staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions together with Community Development Director Cole and Council Subcommittee for Board, Commission, and Committee Nominationsmembers Mayor Williamson and Vice Mayor Garcia. Public comment was received from: Judie Henderson, who spoke in support of appointing Monique Kaldy to the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, citing her qualifications; Pat Venza, who expressed concern about appointing applicants who had never attended a meeting; Elizabeth Jannasch, who spoke in appreciation of the process and asked for more information about the Subcommittee's recommendations; Jeannie Ferrara, an unidentified man, Ray Meyers, Jane Sink, and Tom Reeves, who all spoke in support of appointing Taylor Dinehart to the Planning Commission, citing her qualifications and enthusiasm and the importance of diversity; and Meilin Fullop, who thanked the Council for considering appointing her to the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission. The Council took up discussion of the matter. Members of the Council Subcommittee addressed comments and letters received from the public. Regarding applicants' length of residence in Monterey, it was noted that it could be refreshing to learn from people newer to the area and that they could bring fresh perspectives to the City. It was noted that geographical representation on the City's bodies was important and that Council districts had been considered along with other factors in making the appointment recommendations. It was stressed that the Subcommittee had communicated their decisionmaking considerations during its public deliberations session. Residents involved in neighborhood associations were encouraged to sign up for the City's agenda emails to stay informed. Regarding applicants' past meeting attendance or lack thereof, whether they have attended a meeting, it was expressed that there were many factors that had weighed into the Subcommittee's identification of the best person for each role and that based on someone's skills, competence, and ability, someone who had not attended a meeting might still be the best person for a position. It was stressed that enthusiasm to serve had been an important factor because it was so crucial to every part of the process. Regarding current members who had applied for reappointment, it was explained in the spirit of making room for new voices it was seen that there were opportunities to let new members become involved in the City. In response to calls for more 3  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 diverse appointments to the Planning Commission, it was stated that diversity, equity, inclusion were highly valued and had been criteria in the Subcommittee's selections. The Council thanked the applicants, appreciated the cross-section of the community that had applied, and encouraged those not appointed to stay involved, apply again, and consider attending the First City Academy and/or Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training. Comments were made in favor of the transparency of the process. On question from the Council, City Clerk Klein explained that the Deer Flats alternate position was not yet vacant and that if it became vacant upon Mr. Overton's appointment as representative, then that vacancy would be noticed for applications. The Council discussed appointments to the Planning Commission. Regarding Taylor Dinehart, it was stated that it was important to consider the opinion of the public and citing the importance of balance and the benefits of having someone new and highly qualified, comments were made in favor of appointing Ms. Dinehart to the Planning Commission and Robert Ward to the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee as Alternate to the Skyline neighborhood. On the other hand, it was stressed that while Ms. Dinehart's credentials were indeed impressive as noted, they were felt to be well utilized in an appointment to the NCIP Committee, which was noted to be a prominent committee in the City and a good opportunity, and that the Subcommittee had not seen existing community engagement on Ms. Dinehart's part but expected wonderful things from her future involvement in the City. Regarding Michael Brassfield, concern was expressed about losing his experience on the Planning Commission at a time when other experienced members were also leaving, and it was stated that Mr. Brassfield's voice as a District 4 resident, and knowledge and experience, were needed on the Planning Commission, and that no evidence had been provided to justify his removal. On the other hand, it was expressed that the Council had voted in favor of the future adoption of term limits for members of boards, commissions, and committees, and that while the statutes were not yet in place, Mr. Brassfield had already provided years of service on the Planning Commission. Regarding Eric Palmer, concern was that he had joined the Architectural Review Committee too recently and that there was also the appearance of favoritism in the recommendation to appoint him. A motion was introduced by Mayor Williamson, and seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to: reappoint Cathy Collum, Linda Rath, and Juan Rodriguez to the Historic Preservation Commission; appoint Thomas Bruneau to the Measure P & S Oversight Committee; appoint Meilin Fullup, Monique Kaldy, and Kimberly Turgen, and reappoint Bill Wojtkowski, all to the Museums and Cultural Arts Commission; appoint George McNeely to the NCIP Committee as Del Monte Beach Alternate; reappoint Joseph Hill to the NCIP Committee as Del Monte Grove Laguna Grande Alternate; appoint Diane Salamone to the NCIP Committee as Fisherman Flats Alternate; reappoint Amanda Preece to the NCIP Committee as Glenwood Alternate; appoint Ilse Lopez-Narvaez to the NCIP Committee as Oak Grove Alternate; appoint Taylor Dinehart to the NCIP Committee as Skyline Alternate; appoint David Overton to the NCIP Committee as Deer Flats Representative; appoint Julieta Garib and reappoint Cydney Crampton, both to the Parks and Recreation Commission; and appoint Eric Palmer, Justin Pauly, and David Stocker to the Planning Commission, with all terms ending June 30, 2030. Jean Rasch introduced a friendly amendment to modify the appointments to appoint Taylor Dinehart to the Planning Commission and Robert Ward to the NCIP Committee as Skyline Alternate, citing Ms. Dinehart's qualifications and energy, the importance of diversity, and the 4  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 support received in favor of her appointment. It was stated that Mr. Ward would be excellent on the NCIP Committee. The motion maker declined the friendly amendment, stating it would be exciting to see Ms. Dinehart's service on the NCIP Committee, where her skillset could be very helpful and significant. In favor of the motion, it was noted by the Council that Ms. Dinehart had expressed interest in her application for the NCIP Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Planning Commission, and that she had expressed her interest in using her background to help tp improve neighborhood improvements and parks and recreation along with land use. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Williamson NOES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Rasch, Smith It was stressed by the dissenting Councilmembers that their only point of disagreement was the Planning Commission appointments. Adjourn to Closed Session Public comment on the closed session was not received. The Council adjourned to closed session at 5:30 p.m. Closed Session (Afternoon) 11. Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): Stronghold Engineering, Inc. v. City of Monterey (Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 18CV329015) (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: No reportable action taken 12. Public Employee Appointment Pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1) - Interim City Manager (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: On a unanimous 4-0-1 vote with Councilmember Garcia absent, the Council appointed Lew Bauman as Interim City Manager 13. Conference with Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Unrepresented Employee: Interim City Manager Agency Negotiator: Hans Uslar (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: On a unanimous 4-0-1 vote with Councilmember Garcia absent, the Council gave confidential direction to its negotiator The Council recessed at 6:30 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. EVENING SESSION AGENDA Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Rasch led the Pledge. 5  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 General Public Comments, Continued Continued public comment on non-agendized matters was received from Nelson Vega, Tom Reeves, Nina Beety, and Lori Mazzuca. Announcements from Closed Session City Attorney Davi reported out from the closed session as indicated in the actions recorded for closed session items 11, 12, and 13, above. Evening Session Items Public Appearance (Evening) 14. Establish Water Policy Distributing Water Available from the Monterey Peninsula Water District Ordinance 197 (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 25-118 C.S. (3-2, Councilmember Garcia and Mayor Williamson voting no) This matter was heard second in the evening session, following Item 15. Community Development Director Cole gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions with additional input from City Manager Uslar, explaining that the City staff recommended avoiding restriction of use at the City level, at least for a year, because it could impede development. On question from the Council, Monterey Peninsula Water Management District General Manager Dave Stoldt provided his position on the matter. The Council expressed an interest in working toward incentivizing smaller ADU-type projects to contribute toward the overall increase in housing units and in avoiding unnecessarily restricting forward motion on projects that could help meet the City's Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements set by the State. Public comment was received from: Kevin Dayton of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, who spoke in favor of the policy, stating it would encourage property owners to use the water which would be good for housing and for business; Nelson Vega, who spoke against prioritizing affordable housing in the policy; Laura Davis of LandWatch Monterey County, who provided points from LandWatch's letter, in favor of prioritizing infill, affordable housing, and housing generally, and recommended the City distribute water immediately where it was not restricted to do so; Luis Osorio, who suggested adding language to incentivize affordable housing and said there would need to be clear implementation guidelines for the public; Adam Pinterits of the Monterey County Association of Realtors, who spoke in favor of adopting the policy and said that water should be made available on a first-come, first-served basis; Tammy Jennings, who spoke in favor of adopting the policy, stating that residential-to-residential and commercial-to- commercial uses should be able to go forward with any available water; Tom Reeves, who said that the policy needed more work in terms of clarifying how prioritization would work, stressing that the area needed more affordable workforce housing; Esther Malkin, who echoed Mr. Reeves' call for affordable workforce housing prioritization and said that developers needed the process to be streamlined; Nina Beety, who echoed the call for more affordable workforce housing and criticized City staff; and Michael Bona, who said that Monterey needed to be open for business and that following a system of supply and demand for newly available water made sense. The Council took up discussion of the matter. In support of language in the policy, it was stressed that there was a pent up demand for housing, and that it would make sense to start with the policy as written for the first year to learn how the 6  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 market would respond. It was stated that there should be a "broad funnel" approach with the first acre feet of water that became available and that Policy Item 1 should be changed so as not to prioritize affordable housing, but rather housing of any kind on a first-come, first-served basis. On the other hand, the importance was stressed of prioritizing affordable housing projects and it was noted that Policy Item 1 expressed a strong preference for affordable housing but was not restrictive of other projects. It was asserted that the City would have more than enough water to permit any kind of project and that it was appropriate for the policy to place emphasis in favor of affordable housing, stating that this symbolic gesture could incentivize its development. Discomfort was expressed with the idea of encouraging applicants to come forward and receive water without being sure they would get the needed water meters later. Noting that some developers might be willing to take that risk, caution was expressed that the City should avoid inclusion of that risk in its policy. It was noted that the policy included language providing for the future instance when the Cease-and-Desist Order might be lifted. It was recommended that the City staff add a clear disclosure in the water application that it would be contingent on the Cease- and-Desist Order being modified or lifted. It was stated that the policy was well nuanced and a good beginning, and support was expressed for moving forward with the policy sooner than later. On question from the Council, City Manager Uslar said that if the policy were to be adopted, City staff would promptly begin issuing building permits and issuing water, and referred to Item 6 in the policy which specified that water permits would only be issued when the Cease-and-Desist Order and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) moratorium were lifted or modified appropriately. The Council discussed, with City Manager Uslar, City Attorney Davi, and Mr. Stoldt, intricacies of interpreting the concept of "intensification of use" and the City's ability to allocate water to projects that did or did not intensify use of water. Expressing concern about the policy as written, specifically around policy Item 6, it was stated that the idea of more flexibility, with the City indemnified or the developer knowingly taking on risk, in order to be able to issue water permits sooner, was compelling. It was suggested that the Council could direct staff to work with Mr. Stoldt and the Water Management District to seek clarification from the SWRCB regarding the interpretation of "intensification of use" as relates to the Cease- and-Desist Order. It was stated that there was no need to resolve the issue at the present date and the preference was expressed for obtaining more information and clarification before moving forward with a water policy. It was expressed that hopefully the conversation would continue around how to be innovative and trying to find a way to make it feasible to start issuing water. On a motion by Councilmember Barber, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-118 C.S.: AYES: 3 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Rasch, Smith NOES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Williamson 15. Direct Staff to Send a Letter of Support to the State Water Resources Control Board for Modifications to the Cease-and-Desist Order WR 2016-0016 that Recognizes the Pure Water Monterey and Desalination Water Supply Projects (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved letter Option 2, the version not recognizing desalination projects (4-1, Councilmember Smith voting no) The Council took this matter up first in the evening, before Item 14. Community Development Director Cole gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions. 7  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 Public comment was received from: Kevin Dayton, Josh Stratton of California-American Water ("Cal Am"), and Adam Pinterits, who all spoke in favor of letter Option 1, recognizing both Pure Water Monterey and desalination projects; Nelson Vega, who asked for clarification on what impacts could be felt for developers from a lifting of the Cease and Desist Order; Tammy Jennings and Michael Bona, who both spoke in favor of letter Option 2, recognizing only Pure Water Monterey without recognizing desalination projects; and Nina Beety, who spoke against the letter in any form, citing concerns with water quality. On question from the Council, City Manager Uslar said that a letter to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) would not assist with lifting the water meter moratorium because that moratorium had been put in place by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in response to the SWRCB's issuance of the Cease-and-Desist Order, and that only Cal Am could ask for the meter moratorium to be lifted. Community Development Director Cole and City Manager Uslar said that staff recommended letter Option 1, that included recognizing desalination, stating that the "three-legged stool," consisting of getting water from the Pure Water Monterey project, the Carmel River, and desalination, made sense. City Attorney Davi said that there were no legal ramifications to sending the letter. City Manager Uslar explained that a prior letter from the City to the SWRCB had resulted in a response rejecting the request of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to partially lift the Cease-and-Desist Order to allow a modest amount of water to be available for housing projects, with the SWRCB citing at the time that they could not acknowledge Pure Water Monterey project as a sustainable water source and was highly dependent on rainfalls and drought. He said that now, with Monterey One Water bringing in water and bringing online a second project for even more water, the SWRCB would be asked to reconsider the source and find it sustainable. The Council discussed the matter. In support of letter Option 1, which would include recognition of desalination projects, the Council stated that requesting modifications to the Cease-and-Desist Order and leaving out reference to the pending project for the desalination plant would be leaving something out, and not considering the efforts of those who had analyzed the project, noting it had gone through the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and California Coastal Commission processes, and that the water demand amount had been approved by the CPUC by a unanimous vote of four-to-zero. It was stated that the water supply was still precarious and it was questioned how the SWRCB would evaluate Monterey One Water's Phase Two project when it was still brand new. It was noted that experts had stressed that the only sustainable sources of water were rainwater, of which the area had little, and desalination. In support of letter Option 2, which would not recognize desalination projects, the Council cited serious concerns about increased costs associated with desalination and noted that residents had expressed environmental concerns about desalination efforts. It was stressed that there were concerns about inequities for the City of Marina and the impacts of desalination on that community. It was noted that Monterey One Water was successfully online producing water, and that the City could pivot toward desalination in the future if the situation with Monterey One Water changed. It was stated that Monterey One Water had the potential with its Pure Water Monterey project to provide all of the water that Monterey needed and indeed had provided more water than required every year since its production came online. It was stated that the Pure Water Monterey was producing additional reserve specifically to provide for water needs in drought years. It was stressed that more water was needed now because housing was so desperately needed. It was noted that the Monterey Peninsula area was outdoing requirements by the State for reducing water demand and that the trend would continue to move in the direction of reducing water usage. 8  City Council Minutes November 18, 2025 On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved letter Option 2, the version not recognizing desalination projects: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber, Garcia, Rasch, Williamson NOES: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Smith Council Comments Mayor Williamson responded to a general public comment and reported from recent Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee meetings on the NCIP Committee's process so far in response to the direction from Council that they find $3-4M of lower priority projects to assist with the City's budget challenges. He said that voter polling around tax measures would be on the Council agenda on December 2, 2025, and budget discussions would resume then. City Manager Uslar clarified that the NCIP Committee had received clear direction from the Council, and would be welcome to provide counter proposals after they had followed the Council's direction. Councilmember Smith reported positively on his attendance of a recent luncheon and graduation program for The Bridge Restoration Ministry, a celebration of life ceremony for retired Police Captain David Fortune, the Monterey County Hospitality Association's employee appreciation luncheon, a Rotary District 5230 meeting with the International Rotary president, and the Veterans Day appreciation program at the Monterey Conference Center. He wished a happy Thanksgiving to all. The Council, staff, and remaining attendees sang happy birthday to Councilmember Barber and Assistant City Manager Rojanasathira. City Manager Reports None made. Adjournment The Council adjourned at 10:04 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Clementine Klein Tyller Williamson City Clerk Mayor 9