Council Regular Meeting

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CITY OF MONTEREY Tuesday, July 7, 2026 4:00 PM COUNCIL CHAMBER, 580 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson Absent: Barber City Staff City Manager, City Attorney, Assistant City Manager, Finance Director, Fire Present: Chief, Library & Museums Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Police Chief, Public Works Director, City Clerk, Property Manager, Recreation Manager, Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer, Sports Center Manager, Associate Planner, Senior Engineer, Engineering Projects Manager, Engineering Assistant, Recreation Coordinators (x3) Recreation Specialist, Assistant Urban Forester, Administrative Assistant (Recreation), Administrative Services Technician (Parks), Sports Center Senior Facility Specialist, Field Sports Coordinator, Senior Park Maintenance Worker, Park Operations Supervisor, Fitness Supervisor, Specialty Class Instructors (x2), Administrative Assistant (MSC), Facility Worker (MSC), Senior Facility Specialist (MSC), Guest Service Specialist (MSC), Facility Coordinator (MSC), Marketing Specialist (MSC), Desk Attendants (MSC) (x2) Call to Order Mayor Williamson called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. City Clerk Klein called the roll with the Council present as indicated above. AFTERNOON SESSION Presentations (Afternoon) 1. Recognize July 2026 as Parks and Recreation Month (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Recognized Parks and Recreation Month Parks and Recreation Director Banks gave the staff presentation. Councilmembers praised and thanked Parks and Recreation staff for their work supporting the community. Public comment was received from: Kathie Buaya of the Parks and Recreation Commission, and Esther Malkin, who both echoed appreciation for Parks and Recreation staff members. General Public Comments Based on the number of people interested in speaking, Mayor Williamson limited the time for public comment to two minutes per person. Public comment on non-agendized matters was received from Sabrina Lee McPherson, Demetrius Kastros, Tom Barrera, Tom Reeves, Kathie Buaya, Nelson Vega, and an unidentified man.  City Council Minutes July 7, 2026 Consent Agenda On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, and carried by the following vote, the City Council approved the Consent Agenda except Items 6 and 7: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber Consent: Approval of Minutes 2. June 16, 2026 Regular Meeting (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) Consent: Ordinances 3. 2nd Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Monterey City Code Section 19-103, the Schedule of Fees and Services Charges, to Reduce the Amount of the City’s Cost Recovery for Administering Appeals of Planning Commission Decisions to the City Council from 100% to 83.73% (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 3721 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) 4. 3rd Reading of an Ordinance to Amend Monterey City Code Chapter 31.5, Storm Water Management Utility, Fees; Collection, to Authorize Collection of Stormwater Utility Fees on the County of Monterey Tax Roll and Authorize a Fee Collection and Indemnification Agreement with the County of Monterey for this Purpose (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 3720 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) Consent: Resolutions 5. Adopt a Resolution Reciting the Results of the June 2, 2026 Consolidated Special Municipal Election (Measure D) (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-093 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) 6. Amend Resolution 26-092 to Include the Citywide Curb Ramp Improvement Project 2026 in the Capital Improvement Program, Appropriate Funds, and Award a Construction Contract in the Amount of $1,048,262.00 to Villalobos & Associates for the Citywide Curb Ramp Improvement Project (Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1) Action: Pulled from Consent; Adopted Resolution No. 26-094 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director Easterling, Associate Civil Engineer Wright, and Public Works Director Renny answered Councilmembers' questions. Public comment was solicited but not received. On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-094 C.S.: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber 2  City Council Minutes July 7, 2026 7. Adopt a Resolution Accepting the Tabulation Results for the City's Flood Protection and Clean Stormwater Fee and if Approved, Adopt a Resolution Setting the Rates Beginning in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Pulled from Consent; Adopted Resolution No. 26-095 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) Environmental Regulations Analyst Baggott gave a verbal staff presentation. During the presentation, Mayor Williamson left the Chamber from 4:54 p.m. to 4:56 p.m. Public comment was received from: Rick Heuer, who said the Council should stop trying to pass expenses on to the public; and Esther Malkin, who urged Monterey residents to consider the consequences of not approving this fee. On question from the Council, City Manager Hall,Public Works Director Renny and City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director Easterling provided context on the City's next steps in providing flood protection, and discussed with the Council the impacts of reduced operations and maintenance, in light of the failure of the ballot proceeding. On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 26-095 C.S.: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber 8. Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Purchase Agreement with Charles Murray, an individual dba JAECO Fire & Safety, for 20 Sets of Firefighter Turnouts at a Cost Not to Exceed $100,866.30 (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Adopted Resolution No. 26-096 C.S. (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) Consent: Other 9. Appoint Agency Negotiators for Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8; Property: 6 Fisherman's Wharf, Suite C (Paluca Trattoria); Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete; Negotiating Parties: Salvatore Tedesco (Salvatore Tedesco, Inc.); Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Assignment of Lease and Lease Extension (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Appointed negotiators Cole and Aldrete (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) End of Consent Agenda Afternoon Session Items Public Appearance (Afternoon) 10. Receive Subcommittee Recommendations; Appoint Applicants to Positions on Board of Library Trustees, Building and Housing Appeals Board, Disabled Access Appeals Board, Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee, and Parks and Recreation Commission (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) 3  City Council Minutes July 7, 2026 Action: Appointed Nelson Graff and Marsha Moroh to the Board of Library Trustees; Jennifer Davidson to the NCIP Committee as an alternate representing the Oak Grove neighborhood; Joe Livernois to the NCIP Committee as an alternate representing the Old Town neighborhood; all for terms to end June 30, 2030; And continued consideration of the Parks and Recreation Commission appointment to the July 21, 2026 meeting. City Clerk Klein gave a verbal staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions. Public comment was received from Esther Malkin, who spoke in favor of appointing Emily Adler to the Parks and Recreation Commission. On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council appointed Nelson Graff and Marsha Moroh to the Board of Library Trustees; Jennifer Davidson to the NCIP Committee as an alternate representing the Oak Grove neighborhood; Joe Livernois to the NCIP Committee as an alternate representing the Old Town neighborhood; all for terms to end June 30, 2030: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber The Mayor and Vice Mayor, as the members of the Subcommittee who had therefore conducted the interviews, provided their reasoning for their recommendations for the appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Smith, and seconded by Councilmember Rasch, to appoint Andrea Kingman to the Parks and Recreation Commission for a term to end June 30, 2030. The Council discussed the motion and the merits of the applicants. The motion failed by the following vote: AYES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Rasch, Smith NOES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Williamson ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber On consensus, the Council continued the Parks and Recreation Commission appointment to the July 21, 2026 Council regular meeting. 11. Authorize the City's Participation in the State Water Resources Control Board Hearing in Support of Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's Request to Modify the California American Water Company Cease and Desist Order (State Water Board Orders WR 2016-0016 and WR 2009-0060) (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Authorized the City's participation in the SWRCB hearing (4-0-1, Councilmember Barber absent) City Attorney Davi gave a verbal staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions. Public comment was received from Gary Cursio of the Coalition of Peninsula Businesses and Monterey County Hospitality Association, and Esther Malkin, who both spoke in support of the letter. The Council said it was important to advocate for mitigation. It was stressed that the focus needed to be on supporting the Housing Element and having the Cease and Desist Order (CDO) modified in order to allow for housing and economic development. 4  City Council Minutes July 7, 2026 On a motion by Mayor Williamson, seconded by Councilmember Rasch, and carried by the following vote, the City Council authorized the City's participation in the SWRCB hearing: AYES: 4 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Rasch, Smith, Williamson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None) ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber Adjourn to Closed Session Public comment on the closed session was received from Quincy and Mike Yaley, who both spoke in favor of assigning the lease proposed in Item cs12. The Council adjourned to closed session at 5:56 p.m. Closed Session (Afternoon) 12. Closed Session Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: 6 Fisherman's Wharf, Suite C (Paluca Trattoria) Agency Negotiators: Kimberly Cole and Janna Aldrete Negotiating Parties: Salvatore Tedesco (Salvatore Tedesco, Inc.) Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment for Assignment of Lease and Lease Extension (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: On a unanimous roll-call vote, with Councilmember Barber absent, the Council gave confidential direction to its property negotiators 13. Conference with Legal Counsel, Existing Litigation Pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1): 1. R. Moore v. City of Monterey (Workers' Compensation Appeals Hearing Board Case No. ADJ20807959) (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: On a unanimous roll-call vote, with Councilmember Barber absent, the Council gave confidential direction to its legal counsel 14. Conference with Legal Counsel, Deciding Whether to Initiate Litigation Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(4) (One Case) (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: On a unanimous roll-call vote, with Councilmember Barber absent, the Council directed legal counsel to sign onto an amicus brief prepared by other Bay Area and Central Coast local governments in support of plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction in the case titled County of Santa Clara and State of California v. United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, et al., Northern District of California Case No. 5:26-cv-05604, pertaining to the construction of an ICE detention facility in Santa Clara County The Council recessed at 6:40 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. EVENING SESSION AGENDA Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Smith led the Pledge. 5  City Council Minutes July 7, 2026 General Public Comments, Continued Continued public comment on non-agendized matters was received from Nina Beety and Daniel Armandariz. Announcements from Closed Session City Attorney Davi reported out from the closed session as indicated in the actions recorded for closed session items 12, 13, and 14, above. Evening Session Items Public Appearance (Evening) 15. Provide Guidance Concerning 2026/27 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Objectives and Priorities ***NCIP*** (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378, and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Provided guidance Senior Engineer Paulding gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers' questions with additional input from Public Works Director Renny. Based on the number of people interested in speaking, Mayor Williamson limited the time for public comment to two minutes per person. Public comment was received from: Curt Tipton of the NCIP Committee, who urged the Council to prioritize replacing the San Nicola boat at the entrance to the Wharf parking lot; Dennis Duke of the NCIP Committee, who asked the Council to provide general guidance instead of specific project guidance; Cora Panturad, who urged prioritizing improvements in quality of life and investment in third spaces; Kris Richardson of Monterey Police Association, who urged prioritizing improvements to the Monterey Police Department facility;Tom Reeves, who echoed the request for general guidance and said that future maintenance costs should also be considered; Nina Beety, who alleged that the City's forest and vegetation management was harming the environment and increasing fire risk; Phil Bezouska of Monterey Fire Fighters Association, who urged support for additional funding for improvements to Fire Station 12 in New Monterey; and Esther Malkin, who echoed the request for improvements to the Police Department and suggested that community members work to help find additional funding for nice-to-have community improvement projects. The Council discussed the matter. Priorities expressed for projects in the upcoming NCIP year were: health and safety projects, resident-serving projects such as recreational facilities and parks; preventative projects that would save the City money in the long run; projects that would help the City achieve greater compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and capital improvement projects that could be funded over multiple years of the program to address important infrastructure needs, such as wharf improvements. Noting that the NCIP had been very helpful with assisting the City to address the budget shortfall with $3.5M but that the budget deficit continued to be serious, it was asked that the Council consider pausing the NCIP. Mayor Williamson reopened public comment and limited speaking time to one minute per person. Additional comment was received from: Dennis Duke of the NCIP Committee, who provided examples of multiple year projects; Tom Reeves, who proposed that multi-year projects be approved with dedicated dollars for multiple years at a time; Esther Malkin, who said that resident- serving projects were an appropriate focus and asked for approval of funding to improve Laguna Grande Park; and Phil Bezouska of the Monterey Fire Fighters Association, who thanked the Council and NCIP Committee for helping to prioritize the fire station. 6  City Council Minutes July 7, 2026 The Council continued its discussion. It was stated that the existing structural deficits had been compounded by recent election results and were the responsibility of the Council alone. It was stressed that the NCIP had always found a way to benefit the City, that there was a lot of appreciation for NCIP Committee, and that the Council looked forward to the upcoming Council/NCIP Committee joint meeting. It was further expressed that Council would prioritize larger infrastructure projects impacting residents throughout the greater community, and continued fuel reduction. It was stated that there would not be support for the concept of pausing the NCIP, stating that the NCIP would always be there to assist with City needs and that the NCIP Committee would make the best decisions as a community with available resources. It was stated that staff had limited bandwidth and it was suggested that the Council look at ways to scale back the program in the short term, noting that the staff’s limited time and capacity could be spent toward addressing some of the infrastructure needs that were already identified. It was noted that NCIP funds were City money and NCIP projects were City business, and it was stressed that the elephant in the room was addressing the budget deficit. 16. Motion for Reconsideration of Resolution No. 26-083 C.S., which Awarded a Construction Contract to The Don Chapin Company, Inc. for the Madison/Herrmann/Larkin Intersection Safety Improvement Project and Directed Staff to Conduct Outreach, Be Open to Project Modifications, Request an Extension of Grant Funding, and Return to the Council for Final Project Approval; and, If Reconsideration Motion is Granted, Decide Whether to Approve the Madison/Herrmann/Larkin Intersection Safety Improvement Project, Accept Related Grant Funding, and Award a Contract to The Don Chapin Company, Inc. in the Amount of $140,306.50 ***CIP*** (Exempt from CEQA Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1) Action: Discussed Councilmember Rasch gave a verbal presentation explaining her request for reconsideration. City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director Easterling gave a verbal presentation explaining the history of the project, and answered Councilmembers' questions. Based on the number of people interested in speaking, Mayor Williamson limited the time for public comment to two minutes per person. Public comment was received from: Cora Panturad and Betsy Wilson, who both spoke in favor of the project and of keeping Resolution No. 26-083 in place; Jeff Galfin, who spoke about the need for increased access to school buses; Marta Kraftzeck, an unidentified man, Tim Eckert, Nancy Soule, Bruce Zanetta of the Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association, Pat Venza, Kim Appleberry, Cathy Giammanco, Shirmaine Jones, and Nina Beety, who all spoke in opposition to the project and in support of reconsidering the resolution; an unidentified woman who said there should be dialogue with the high school to resolve traffic flow; and Lori Mazzuca, and Tom Reeves, who both said that communication with residents had not been sufficient. On question from the Council, City Engineer/Deputy Public Works Director Easterling confirmed that the center of the project would be mountable to ensure that large trucks and emergency vehicles could make it through the intersection. In favor of reconsidering the resolution, and in opposition to the project, the Council said that there was a lack of community support for the project, questioned the value of the project for the funds that would be spent, said that there was a lack of evidence of safety issues, expressed concern that there could be a negative impact on traffic, highlighted aesthetic concerns and maintenance 7  City Council Minutes July 7, 2026 questions, and expressed an interest in working together with the school district in finding solutions. In opposition to reconsidering the resolution, and in support of the project, the Council said close calls had been witnessed and stressed that safety for those using the intersection was the highest priority, noted that the funding came from grants as the result of proactive work by City staff, advocated for creativity and trying new solutions, and stressed the temporary nature of the project due to the quick build design which it was noted would allow for gathering informed feedback from residents and users of the intersection. An initial motion was introduced by Councilmember Smith, and seconded by Councilmember Rasch, to direct staff to cancel the bid. City Attorney Davi advised that the first motion be the reconsideration motion requested by Councilmember Rasch. The mover rescinded the motion. A motion was introduced by Councilmember Rasch, and seconded by Councilmember Smith, to reconsider awarding the contract. The motion failed by the following vote: AYES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Rasch, Smith NOES: 2 COUNCILMEMBERS: Garcia, Williamson ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Barber On question from the Council, City Attorney Davi confirmed that in the absence of a successful reconsideration motion, the project would proceed as previously approved. City Manager Hall invited the public to attend the community meeting on July 9 at 6 p.m. and noted that based on the prior Council guidance, the project would return to the Council before any construction began. The Council asked the public to consider what alternatives could be done with the grant funding. Council Comments Councilmember Rasch said that she has heard from residents regarding concerns about heavy atmospheric rains in the upcoming winter, and she stressed the need to prepare. Councilmember Smith suggested that the Council agendize an item for community education to help residents get ready for storm season and increase resiliency. He spoke about enjoying the recent July 4th celebration and said that it was a success, and thanked City staff for their work putting on the celebration and for installing the patriotic crosswalk. City Manager Reports City Manager Hall announced that there would be staff training and an internal table-top exercise in October to prepare for the winter storm season. He thanked City staff members for their work to make the July 4th celebration a success. Adjournment The Council adjourned at 9:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Clementine Bonner Klein Tyller Williamson City Clerk Mayor 8