Council Study Session

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, September 25, 2013 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Downey, Haffa, Selfridge, Della Sala Absent: Councilmember Sollecito Planning Commissioners Present: Commissioners: Davis, Osorio, Reed, Stocker, Widmar Absent: Garden, McCrone City Staff City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Director of Information Present: Resources/City Clerk, City Attorney, Deputy City Manager, Plans & Public Works, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and Environmental Compliance CALL TO ORDER Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Della Sala opened the floor for public comments on items not on the agenda. With no requests to speak, he closed public comments. JOINT STUDY SESSION WITH PLANNING COMMISSION 1. Receive Report from Monterey Institute of International Studies on Master Planning Efforts (Plans & Public Works - 105-01) Action: Received and discussed report City Manager Meurer introduced the item, reviewing the role of MIIS in the City's and region's economic recovery plan after the Fort Ord closure. Chief of Planning Rerig presented an overview of the MIIS Master Plan and introduced Dr. Sunder Ramaswamy, President of MIIS. Dr. Ramaswamy presented a brief history of MIIS and presented details regarding the student population, finances, graduate schools, and research center. He reviewed the Institute's community involvement. Dr. Ramaswamy introduced Bill Keiffer Chairman of the Board of Governors at MIIS. Dr. Ramaswamy discussed schematic drawings of the campus, saying that students constantly remind the administration that they would like to see a heart of the campus and a more sustainable, walkable campus. He presented an overview of Master Plan Guiding Principles. Dr. Ramaswamy introduced Amy Sands, Provost, and Jai Shankar, Executive Director of Finance. He introduced Keith Turner, from the Huntsman Group consultants. Mr. Turner presented some concepts and ideas and requested feedback from Councilmembers and Planning Commissioners. Planning Commissioner Osorio asked what consideration has been given to housing development within the campus and whether consideration has been given to eliminating parking spaces on Van Buren Street. Dr. Ramaswamy said that creativity is necessary, and they have been looking not only at opportunities for housing Downtown, but also for building City Council Minutes Wednesday, September 25, 2013 housing at Fort Ord and operating shuttles to the campus. He said that parking is something that has been an ongoing issue and would need to be reviewed. He said that there is no obvious solution at this time. Councilmember Haffa said that he appreciates the presentation and is intrigued by the idea of having a quad because it would benefit the community as well as MIIS. He suggested partnering with local developers who are considering mixed use on Alvarado and Lighthouse. Dr. Ramaswamy said that they are in the process of working on forming those types of partnerships. Councilmember Downey suggested looking at areas east of Alvarado for housing needs and talking to MST about student transportation. Planning Commissioner Davis thanked Dr. Ramaswamy for being here. He suggested ways in which Van Buren might be deemphasized. Mayor Della Sala noted that in order to create new housing, it will be necessary to have a new water source, and he expects that will be created in the next few years. He said that he believes use of Downtown garages could alleviate some of the need for parking on campus. He asked if anyone has objected to closing Pierce Street, and Dr. Ramaswamy said that he has not heard objections from the neighborhood or otherwise. Mayor Della Sala opened public comment on the item, had no requests to speak, and closed public comment. Councilmember Selfridge thanked Dr. Ramaswamy for the presentation and for all of the help MIIS gives to the City in their Sister City relationships. Dr. Ramaswamy explained that he expects the internal approval process for the Master Plan will take place over the next four to five months. Commissioner Stocker echoed Commissioner Davis' comment regarding Van Buren Street regarding possibly making it a limited use street. He suggested that would give the campus more a sense of place and help the Downtown. He supported the idea of a quad and the new campus signage. ADJOURNMENT Having no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting at 5:21 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Bonnie Gawf Chuck Della Sala Director Information Resources/City Clerk Mayor 2