Council Study Session

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, September 28, 2011 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Haferman, Selfridge, Sollecito, Della Sala Absent: None City Staff City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Assistant Director Present: Plans and Public Works, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance, Principal Planner, Senior Assistant City Clerk CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened public comment on items not on the agenda. James Bryant on behalf of Art in the Adobes invited Council, staff, and the public to attend this festive event. Bob Massaro on behalf of the Fisherman's Wharf Association invited everyone to Art on the Wharf, a companion event of local artists. Seeing no more requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment. STUDY SESSION 1. Receive Report and Update on Downtown Public Space Concepts (for the Downtown Specific Plan) (Plans & Public Works - 201-12) Principal Planner Cole introduced the item, stating it is a comprehensive vision that addresses land use within downtown and is one of the Planning Division's number one priorities assigned by Council. Planner Cole described the project team, how they have leveraged outside funding to support a part of the project and the types of outreach used to reach property owners and residents. Planner Cole turned the presentation over to Henry Ruhnke and Jess Slavik, the City's streetscape and plaza concept design consultants. Henry Ruhnke, from Wald, Ruhnke, and Dost Architects, provided an overview of the results of outreach meetings held to date and invited the public to attend future meetings and provide input. Jess Slavik, from the Slavik Group, stated the mission is to create a vibrant downtown, attracting more people more often. He described constraints that prevent the vibrancy at this time, whether actual or perceived, citing parking, traffic, lack of a destination identity for downtown, and more to do. Mr. Slavik stated a vibrant downtown promotes greater sales, greater revenue for property owners, which in turn creates a better downtown for both residents and visitors. He mapped out an area along and adjacent to Alvarado Street, indicating this as the area of focus for downtown. Mr. Slavik stated this area needs a name to give it an identity and make it a destination. City Council Minutes Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Mr. Slavik provided Council with numerous concepts for how to revitalize downtown and create vibrancy including:  Stronger identity on directional signs for traffic, parking and pedestrians  Two way traffic through downtown and other traffic flow changes to provide easy access  Use of City seasons or themes to depict annual happenings in Monterey  Division of the Path of History into segments to make each a notable destination  Improved parking garages that are easily identifiable, welcoming, visually interesting, use updated payment methods, and are named more appropriately  Relocation of the transit plaza and transformation of it into a welcoming arrival spot  Unification of the whole area by insertion of small plazas, seating areas, landscaping, and lighting in the form of lanterns  Creation of a restaurant district  Significant changes to Scott Street, Alvarado Mall, Simoneau Plaza, Conference Center and along Bonifacio  Updated Custom House Plaza making it more inviting and a gateway to downtown by creating a large event plaza with nearby smaller event areas  Inclusion of two large lanterns, one in Custom House Plaza and one in Simoneau Plaza to anchor downtown at both ends Mr. Slavik noted that many of these ideas let the City capitalize on assets it already has. He noted that downtown has lost retail and that a critical mass of viable retail is needed to encourage more people downtown. Mr. Slavik depicted how unique lanterns, fountains, seating, and landscaping can be used to create many areas for events and public activities. He showed how each plaza could have its own character based on the significance of its location and include a unique lantern feature. Mr. Slavik stressed these changes work together to create a better experience, making the streetscape both attractive and functional. Mr. Slavik stressed that this project needs to be a public and private project, suggesting that storefronts be refreshed by property owners to bring in the kind of tenants needed in downtown. He showed the Council how Custom House Plaza and Simoneau Plaza could be modified, noting that Simoneau Plaza's elevation could be lowered to make it more engaging and useful for smaller events. He showed Council how a large lantern feature at this spot could make this a grand entrance to downtown. Mr. Slavik stated that once you have a strong identity for downtown, then the City could more easily market that identity. Mr. Slavik wrapped up his presentation by describing the next steps and how the project team is coordinating with other ongoing City projects, like the Waterfront Plan, to ensure they all work well together. Mayor Della Sala opened public comment on this item. James Bryant spoke in support of revitalizing downtown along with new signage, plazas, and fountains. He stated that he heard the word "grand" used several times during the presentation and that he would prefer the characterization of the future be one of quality and refinement, not grandness, something that is more in keeping with history of Monterey. Mr. Bryant stated that to him a strict number of visitors is not the gauge of whether the City is successful, preferring visitors that stay longer and spend more money. Mayor Della Sala asked Mr. Bryant his opinion of the 2 large plaza lanterns and Mr. Bryant said he thought the one on Custom House Plaza would be good, but the one on Simoneau Plaza may be too big. He added that he does not support something that would be tired and out of fashion in 5 years. Jerry Anderson spoke in support of the Custom House Plaza concept, adding that the lantern sculpture at night adds an interesting element to the area. He cautioned that by creating more public spaces with added seating and lighting the City needs to plan on how to handle problems that might attract an unwelcome element to these areas. 2 City Council Minutes Wednesday, September 28, 2011 Bob Massaro, on behalf of the Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association, stated they are excited by the direction of the project and by the work of staff and project team members. He suggested instead of a large lantern on Custom House Plaza a dramatic change to the façade of the Conference Center be used to anchor that part of downtown. Seeing no more requests to speak, Mayor Della Sala closed public comment. Councilmember Sollecito spoke in favor of making Alvarado Street and Alvarado Mall appear as a single major avenue through downtown and improving the look of Custom House Plaza. Councilmember Downey suggested adding more trees in downtown and requested that façade changes keep the historic flavor of Monterey. She asked questions about the walls of Custom House Plaza and the event capacity of the new plaza. Councilmember Selfridge stated she saw earlier presentations and thinks tonight's presentation better complements the city. She suggested the lantern idea still needs more work and agreed with Councilmember Downey that the garages need to keep the historical feel. Councilmember Haferman stated tonight's presentation was a fantastic vision. He asked that the project team keep interacting with residents, business associations and staff. Councilmember Haferman stated he liked the Bonifacio Plaza and Custom House Plaza elements, but did not want to think about using advertising in City signage. City Manger Meurer stated that based on tonight's presentation there are a great number of ideas that could be done by property owners or businesses now and asked the project team to highlight the low hanging fruit ideas that can be done first and that will make dramatic changes. Mayor Della Sala thanked the project team for providing the City with a road map and echoed the Council's sentiments in regards to retaining and enhancing the City's historic character. The Mayor stated the way finding elements of this plan are right where they should be and encouraged residents to come forward and weigh in on this important project. ADJOURNMENT – 5:50 p.m. Councilmember Downey asked that the standing podium be returned to the Council Chamber. Assistant City Manager Cohn explained that the current Council Chamber configuration is in transition and that a new setup would be in place at the next Council meeting. Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting at 5:50 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Catherine Raynor Chuck Della Sala Senior Assistant City Clerk Mayor 3