Council Special Meeting
Special MeetingMonterey, CA · August 24, 2011
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Councilmembers Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala
Absent: None
City Staff City Manager, Director of Information Resources/City Clerk, City Attorney,
Present: Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance, Finance
Director, Community Services Director, Police Lieutenant
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
1. Receive Monterey Conference Center Renovation Study and Provide Direction to Staff (Public
Facilities - 902-01)
Action: Directed staff to proceed with a financial plan for the preferred alternative, as
outlined in the Executive Summary
City Manager Meurer introduced the item. Community Services and Library Director Bui
Burton introduced Conference Center General Manager Cowdrey and Brian Tennyson and
Wendy Pouts of LMN Architecture Urban Design Interiors. Ms. Pouts and Mr. Tennyson
presented the report.
Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on the item. René Boskoff, General
Manager of the Monterey Marriott, spoke in support of the preferred alternative, as recommended
in the staff report. He said that flexibility is important in regard to the proposed changes to the
Steinbeck Forum. On question he recommended that staff be directed to explore funding
opportunities and the hospitality industry would be fully engaged in that discussion. On further
question, he explained how a renovation could take place without closing the facility.
Janine Chicourrat, General Manager of the Portola Hotel and Spa, spoke in support of the
preferred alternative. She voiced concerns that if a different option were approved, another
renovation would be needed within five years. Mayor Della Sala added that the most common
issue he hears about is a need to upgrade the technology. Bob Massaro, Old Fisherman's Wharf
and Monterey Commercial Property Owners Associations, said that both organizations he is
representing fully support the preferred alternative. He noted that a number of families rely
on conference tourism for their livelihood. John Reyes, Monterey Convention and Visitors
Bureau, spoke in support of the preferred alternative. He said that upgrading the technology is
extremely important.
Rick Johnson, Old Monterey Business Association, urged Council to do the very best possible on
the renovation. On question, he agreed that the Golden State Theater would be an appropriate
venue any time theater venue is needed. Larry Bell, trade show coordinator, said that the people
who did the study are very competent. He said that his company has a lot of clients that cannot
come to Monterey because the meeting space and technology infrastructure is not adequate at
the Conference Center. He supported the preferred alternative.
City Council Minutes Wednesday, August 24, 2011
On question, Mr. Tennyson said that a technology backbone would be installed through the
building so users could plug into it from any room in the Conference Center. He described the
quality and nature of finishes that are proposed. On further question, he said that it would cost 1.8
to 2 million dollars to upgrade just the technology. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor
Della Sala closed public comments.
On a motion by Councilmember Downey, seconded by Councilmember Sollecito, and carried by
the following vote, the City Council directed staff to pursue a financial study for the preferred
alternative for the Monterey Conference Center renovation Study:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None
Councilmember Selfridge voiced opposition to raising taxes on Monterey citizens in order to
finance this project, and clarified that she would not oppose raising TOT. On question, staff said
that it would take three to six months to complete a financial plan, and Council would have the
opportunity to review and approve the proposal.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Della Sala adjourned the
meeting at 5:36 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Bonnie L. Gawf Chuck Della Sala
Director Information Resources / City Clerk Mayor
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Agenda
City Council
City Council Agenda
Chuck Della Sala, Mayor
Special Meeting
Libby Downey, Councilmember
Jeff Haferman, Councilmember
Monterey City Council
Nancy Selfridge, Councilmember
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Frank Sollecito, Councilmember
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
City Manager
Council Chamber
Fred Meurer
Few Memorial Hall of Records
Monterey, California
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
PUBLIC APPEARANCE items are reports on non-routine issues that might stimulate public
discussion, but that do not require formal noticing as public hearings. You are welcome to offer
your comments after being recognized by the Mayor. The Council may limit the time each speaker
is allocated.
1. Receive Monterey Conference Center Renovation Study and Provide Direction to Staff
(Public Facilities - 902-01)
ADJOURNMENT
Members of the public have the right to address the City Council on any item on the Agenda, before or
during its consideration [G.C. §54954.3(a)]. The Mayor will formally open the floor for public comment on
items such as "Public Appearance" and "Public Hearings." If you wish to speak to items in any other
categories, for example "Consent Agenda," please advise the City Clerk or the Mayor prior to the
Council's action on that item, and you will be recognized. Notification as much in advance as possible is
appreciated.
The City Council meeting packet may be reviewed by the public in the Library or the City Clerk's Office.
Any writings or documents pertaining to an open session item provided to a majority of the City Council
less than 72 hours prior to the meeting, shall be made available for public inspection at the front counter
at the City Clerk's Office, Room 6 at City Hall, Madison & Pacific Streets, Monterey, California 93940
during normal business hours
Information distributed to the Council at the Council meeting becomes part of the public record. A copy of
written material, pictures, etc. should be provided for this purpose.
City Council Meetings are cable cast live and videotaped for replay on Monterey's Government Access
Channel 25 by Access Monterey Peninsula (AMP).
CITY OF MONTEREY'S 24-HOUR SUGGESTION HOTLINES:
Voicemail: 646-3799
FAX: 646-3793
Email: suggest@ci.monterey.ca.us
WebPage: http://www.monterey.org
The City of Monterey is committed to include the disabled in all of its services, programs and
activities. For disabled access to the City, dial 711 to use the California Relay Service (CRS) to
speak to City offices. CRS offers free text-to-speech, speech-to-speech, and Spanish-language
services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you require a hearing amplification device to attend
a meeting, dial 711 to use CRS to talk to the City Clerk's Office at (831) 646-3935 to coordinate
use of a device or for information on an agenda.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AT CITY HALL
Aug 25 Zoning Administrator Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Aug 25 Neighborhood Improvement Program Committee Meeting, Council Chamber - 7:00 PM
Sep 5 City Holiday, City Offices Closed - 8:00 AM
Sep 6 Council Regular Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 PM
Sep 7 Architectural Review Committee Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Sep 8 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Sep 8 Zoning Administrator Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Sep 9 City Holiday, City Offices Closed - 8:00 AM
Sep 13 Planning Commission Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Sep 15 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting, Council Chamber - 7:00 PM
Sep 20 Council Regular Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 PM
Sep 21 Architectural Review Committee Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Sep 22 Zoning Administrator Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Sep 26 Colton Hall Museum Cultural Art Commission Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Sep 28 Library Board Meeting, Library Community Room - 5:30 PM
Sep 28 Council Study Session, Council Chamber - 4:00 PM
Oct 4 Council Regular Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 PM
Oct 5 Architectural Review Committee Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Oct 13 Historic Preservation Commission Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
Oct 13 Zoning Administrator Meeting, Council Chamber - 4:00 pm
MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE BY CALLING 646-3935
See Council Chamber seating chart online.
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