Council Study Session
Regular MeetingMonterey, CA · March 25, 2015
Minutes
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
CITY OF MONTEREY
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA
Councilmembers
Present: Councilmembers Barrett, Downey, Haffa, Smith, Roberson
Absent: None
City Staff City Manager, City Attorney, Director of Information Resources/City Clerk,
Present: Assistant City Manager, Deputy City Manager Plans and Public Works,
Community Services Director, Chief of Planning, Engineering, and
Environmental Compliance, Principal Planner, Traffic Engineer
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Roberson opened the floor for public comments on items not on the agenda, no one
came forward, and he closed public comments.
STUDY SESSION
1. Receive Report on Future Configuration of Portola Plaza (Plans & Public Works - 202-02)
Action: Received and discussed report
City Manager McCarthy gave a brief overview and introduced Community Services Director
Bui-Burton, who presented the staff report. Ms. Bui Burton acknowledged her team,
including Conference Center Manager Cowdrey, Principal Engineer Wittry, and Traffic Engineer
Deal, along with consultants from SOM. Conference Center Manager Cowdrey and Principal
Engineer Wittry presented additional details regarding the proposed design.
Councilmember Haffa arrived at 4:26 p.m.
Councilmembers commented that safety is a priority, and expressed a desire to make an
inviting space for pedestrians rather than an enclave for vehicles. Councilmember Barrett spoke
about a clear field of view down Alvarado to the ocean.
Traffic Engineer Deal reviewed the reasons for the location and configuration of the pedestrian
spaces versus the vehicle traffic.
Community Services Director summarized the next steps, including budgeting and refining the
design.
Mayor Roberson opened public comment on the item. Nelson Vega asked how the one-way
street that is designed for the Downtown Plan fits into this plan. He said that anything that is put
in front of the new building would take away from the building design. With no further requests
City Council Minutes Wednesday, March 25, 2015
to speak, Mayor Roberson closed public comment.
On question, Mr. Deal explained that many studies have been conducted, and this design is
consistent with either one or two-way streets. On question, Janine Chicourrat said that a
redesign of the Portola entrance will not play into the traffic or pedestrian flow. She confirmed
that she has been working hand-in-hand with the City on this project, and she is very
supportive. On question from Councilmember Haffa, the consultant clarified that the landscape
architect is cognizant of fully complimenting the design of the Conference Center.
Councilmember Downey said that the design looks good and she thanked people for looking at
all the options.
Councilmember Smith supported making the entrance match the beautiful new building, and
said that it is worth the additional money. He congratulated staff for working with stakeholders.
He agreed that many needs must be met at the same time. He supported moving the artwork
and having a clear delineation in way-finding. He suggested taking advantage of technology
that talks to pedestrians. He noted that this is the front entry to vibrant entities.
Councilmember Haffa agreed with Mr. Smith. He said that his one concern is the budget. He
encouraged staff to bring options so Council can have a choice and be cognizant of the budget.
Councilmember Barrett agreed with his colleagues. He voiced concerns regarding using the
paved area for people and not just vehicles. He asked that human interaction with the space be
maximized.
Mayor Roberson said that he believes staff has done a good job.
ADJOURNMENT
Having no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Roberson adjourned the
meeting at 5:17 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted, Approved,
Bonnie Gawf Clyde Roberson
Director of Information Resources / City Clerk Mayor
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Agenda
Created: 3/13/2015 1:19 PM
City Council
City Council Agenda Clyde Roberson, Mayor
Council Study Session Timothy Barrett, Councilmember
Libby Downey, Councilmember
Monterey City Council Alan Haffa, Councilmember
Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Ed Smith, Councilmember
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. City Manager
Council Chamber
Michael McCarthy
Few Memorial Hall of Records
Monterey, California
CALL TO ORDER
PUBLIC COMMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS allows you, the public, to speak for a maximum of three minutes on any
subject which is within the jurisdiction of the Monterey City Council and which is not on the
agenda. Any person or group desiring to bring an item to the attention of the City Council may do
so by addressing the Council during Public Comments or by addressing a letter of explanation to:
City Clerk, City Hall, Monterey, CA 93940. The appropriate staff person will contact the sender
concerning the details. NOTE: Public Comments are taken during the afternoon session and
continued at the evening session. Individuals may choose to speak once for up to three minutes at
either session, but not both.
STUDY SESSION
STUDY SESSION items are used to provide information to the City Council and answer their
questions to clarify issues. Study Sessions provide a setting for informal discussions between
staff, consultants, board, commission, committee members and the City Council regarding specific
programs, projects or policies. Council does not take formal action on the items.
1. Receive Report on Future Configuration of Portola Plaza (Plans & Public Works - 202-02
PEC)
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: (831) 646-3799
Created date 03/13/2015 1:19 PM Wednesday, March 25, 2015
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
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to the City Clerk's Office at (831) 646-3935 to coordinate use of a device.
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