Council Special Meeting
Special MeetingMonterey, CA · July 29, 2020
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
4:00 PM
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson
Absent: None
City Staff City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Public Works Director, Police
Present: Chief, Finance Director, Parks and Recreation Director, City Clerk,
Human Resources Director, Library Director, Assistant Finance Director,
Assistant City Attorney, Senior Engineer
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.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 4:27 p.m. and explained that the delay was due
to internet connectivity issues in the downtown Monterey area. Assistant City Manager
Rojanasathira provided details on how to phone into the meeting to participate and provide
public comment.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Roberson led the Pledge.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Hold a Public Hearing Regarding Undergrounding Utilities in the North Fremont Area and Pass
the 1st Reading of an Ordinance Establishing the North Fremont Underground Utility District
(Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Article 19, Section 15302, Class 2)
Action: Passed ordinance to print
Public Works Director Wittry gave the staff presentation and answered Councilmembers'
questions.
Mayor Roberson opened public comments. Kala Fossum, Villa del Monte Neighborhood
Association, said that the Council made a commitment to improve the North Fremont business
corridor, and said that the neighborhood fully supports forming the underground utility district.
Jean Rasch questioned use of the word 'commercial' and spoke in support of forming the
underground utility district. Leslie Svetich, Wendy Brickman, and Zoe Carter spoke in support
of forming the underground utility district and investing in the North Fremont area. With no
further requests to speak, Mayor Roberson closed public comments.
Public Works Director Wittry clarified that tonight's action is for establishing the district and its
boundaries, and that future formation of an assessment district would require a separate vote.
City Council Minutes July 29, 2020
A motion was introduced by Councilmember Haffa, and seconded by Councilmember Smith, to
introduce, read by title only, and pass to print the Ordinance Establishing the North Fremont
Underground Utility District:
It was commented by Council that additional areas of the City would be appropriate to consider
for additional underground utility districts, especially fire-prone areas such as Pacific Street, and
the Skyline area. It was suggested to encourage engagement and hold further conversations
with the public regarding how to prioritize areas of focus for future underground utility districts.
The motion carried by the following vote, which was conducted by roll call:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
PUBLIC APPEARANCE
2. Adopt a Resolution Adding a Measure to the Ballot to Ask the Voters of the City of Monterey to
Approve an Increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax, and to Expand the Application of the Tax
to Online Travel Companies, with 16% of the Revenue to be Used Exclusively for the
Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program, and 84% for Unrestricted General
Purposes (Exempt from CEQA Guidelines, Article 20, Section 15378 and Guideline Section
15061)
Action: Continued to August 4, 2020
City Manager Uslar said that about 2,500 Monterey customers were without internet access
and therefore Item 2 should be continued in order for a maximum number of residents to be
involved and able to provide public comment.
On a motion by Councilmember Albert, seconded by Councilmember Smith, and carried by the
following vote, which was conducted by roll call, the City Council continued the matter entitled
"Adopt a Resolution Adding a Measure to the Ballot to Ask the Voters of the City of Monterey to
Approve an Increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax, and to Expand the Application of the Tax
to Online Travel Companies, with 16% of the Revenue to be Used Exclusively for the
Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program, and 84% for Unrestricted General
Purposes" to the Council Meeting on August 4, 2020:
AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Haffa, Smith, Williamson, Roberson
NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: (None)
ADJOURNMENT
The Council adjourned at 5:34 p.m.
2
City Council Minutes July 29, 2020
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Clementine Bonner Klein Clyde Roberson
City Clerk Mayor
3
Agenda
City Council
Monterey City Council
Clyde Roberson, Mayor
Special Meeting Agenda
Dan Albert, Councilmember
Alan Haffa, Councilmember
Council Special Meeting
Ed Smith, Councilmember
Tyller Williamson, Councilmember
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
City Manager
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Hans Uslar
Monterey, California
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Pursuant to Governor Newsom's Executive Orders N-29-20 and N-33-
20, and to do all we can to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus):
Meetings of the Monterey City Council and its Boards and Commissions will be
conducted with virtual (electronic) participation only. Members of the public may watch
the live stream of the City Council and Boards and Commission meetings
at https://www.youtube.com/cityofmonterey (up to 10 second delay) or on television on
Channel 25 (up to 90 second delay). The YouTube live stream has the shortest delay
and is recommended for anyone wishing to provide public comment (see details below).
BEFORE EACH MEETING, members of the public may participate by submitting
comment(s) to cityclerk@monterey.org from an email account or a cell phone's texting
app until ½ hour before the start of the meeting. These emails and text messages will be
shared with the Council or relevant Board or Commission prior to the start of the
meeting, but will not be read aloud during the meeting. All comments received will
become part of the record.
DURING EACH MEETING, members of the public may participate by calling and
speaking live during the designated time(s), subject to time limits that may be imposed
pursuant to the Brown Act. To provide public comment:
o Please follow along with the meeting on the YouTube live stream, as it has the
shortest delay, and only call when the public comment period is announced.
o When the public comment period is announced, call the telephone number that
will be provided on-screen and announced by the Mayor. Enter the conference
room number, then #.
o You will be muted upon joining the call.
o Enter *5 to "raise your hand." When it is your turn to speak, you will be unmuted.
Please remember to turn the sound off on your television or computer when it is
your turn to talk (or as soon as you call in). Leaving your television or computer
on will cause interference with the broadcast and the audience will not be able to
hear you.
o Between comment periods, please hang up the phone. If you wish to comment
on another item, please call back when the public comment period is announced.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PUBLIC HEARING
PUBLIC HEARINGS are held to receive public comment on certain items pending
Council action. You are welcome to offer your comments after being recognized by the
Mayor. The Council may limit the time allocated to each speaker.
1. Hold a Public Hearing Regarding Undergrounding Utilities in the North Fremont
Area and Pass the 1st Reading of an Ordinance Establishing the North Fremont
Underground Utility District (Exempt from CEQA pursuant to Article 19, Section
15302, Class 2)
7/29/2020 4:00:00 PM
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.
2. Adopt a Resolution Adding a Measure to the Ballot to Ask the Voters of the City of
Monterey to Approve an Increase in the Transient Occupancy Tax, and to Expand
the Application of the Tax to Online Travel Companies, with 16% of the Revenue to
be Used Exclusively for the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program,
and 84% for Unrestricted General Purposes (Exempt from CEQA Guidelines,
Article 20, Section 15378 and Guideline Section 15061)
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." Comment may be made via the method
described in the Important Notice (re: COVID-19) at the top of the agenda.
Writings distributed for discussion or consideration on these matters within 72 hours of the meeting,
pursuant to Government Code § 54957.5, are available at the following
link: https://monterey.org/SubmittedComments
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: (831) 646-3799
Fax: (831) 646-3793
Email: suggest@monterey.org
WebPage: http://www.monterey.org
The City of Monterey is committed to including the disabled in all of its services, programs
and activities. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special
assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (831) 646-
3935.
Notification 30 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable
arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title
II]. Later requests will be accommodated to the extent feasible. For communication-related
assistance, 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.
Upcoming city meetings are listed at http://isearchmonterey.org
More information is available by calling (831) 646-3935
2
Get email alerts for Monterey
A daily email when new agendas and minutes are posted.