Council Study Session

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, February 28, 2018 4:00 pm FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Roberson, Albert, Barrett, Haffa, Smith Absent: None City Staff Interim City Manager, Interim Assistant City Manager, City Attorney, Present: Community Development Director, Public Works Director, Finance Director, Acting City Clerk, Assistant Finance Director, Sustainability Coordinator, Military Affairs Coordinator, Senior Administrative Analyst (2), Administrative Analyst, Interim Recreation and Community Services Manager CALL TO ORDER Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. Interim City Manager Uslar announced the recent promotions of Community Development Director Cole and Public Works Director Wittry and said that Finance Director Porter would retire in April. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Roberson opened the floor for public comments on matters not on the agenda. With no requests to speak, he closed public comments. STUDY SESSION 1. Receive Report and Presentation Regarding Support for the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance (MBDA) (Not a Project Under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061 (City Manager - 701-03) Action: Received report and presentation Interim City Manager Uslar introduced the item, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats identified in recent “S.W.O.T.” analyses performed on the subject of military installations in Monterey and in California. Military Affairs Coordinator Clancy gave the staff presentation, explaining Team Monterey, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, and the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance (MBDA). He outlined three options for structuring the MBDA: with Option 1, the City would give leadership, support, and more resources to the MBDA, potentially excluding other cities; with Option 2, the MBDA would form an independent non-profit with a regional, community-based approach, supported by local cities, foundations, and the public; and with Option 3, the City would disband the MBDA and utilize City staff only. He said that staff recommends Option 1. Answering City Council’s questions about Option 2, Interim City Manager Uslar said that the alliance would stay within Monterey County. He described a possible scenario where the City could be conflicted between focusing on bases in the city versus those in the region. Military Affairs Coordinator Clancy said that the regional approach is important and stated that the region extends from Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts to Silicon Valley. City Council Minutes Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Interim City Manager Uslar said that Presidio maintenance costs are reduced by 20-25% under the Monterey Model, but the military housing allowance is the highest in the continental U. S. A. Replying to questions about Option 1, Military Affairs Coordinator Clancy said that the goal would be to expand the MBDA, adding stakeholders such as the City of Salinas. Interim City Manager Uslar encouraged broader participation before BRAC presents a challenge. He said that the DLI has regional impact because families and employees live in neighboring cities, and the MBDA should do appropriate outreach. Mayor Roberson said that many local officials attend DLI Commandant Deppert's meetings and there is a feeling of buy-in and support. Mara Batlin and Mary Ann Leffel, MBDA, shared insight on the history of the alliance. Ms. Leffel stated that the MBDA operates under the auspices of the Monterey Council Business Council. She recommended forming a 501(c)3 organization, citing greater fundraising opportunities. Ms. Batlin observed that the region is an emerging national security cluster, and highlighted local institutions and industries that developed due to the military presence. Councilmember Smith said that the military will need to communicate with the community on multiple levels, and he asked rhetorically who should be the voice at the City and the region. Mayor Roberson opened the floor for public comments. Tom Rowley spoke about accidental messaging, recounting that San Francisco declined a naval battleship which may have influenced the loss of various military installations. He recommended Option 1 and said that the MBDA needs representation from more organizations. Dino Pick, City Manager of Del Rey Oaks, praised Monterey's leadership role in the MBDA through financing, staff, cheerleading, and setting the conditions to develop an enduring alliance. He recommended a regional group and said that City Council could support a regional body while still being its primary financial driver. Tyller Williamson, resident, asked City Council to consider housing now, not just in the future, and said that many of his fellow Naval Postgraduate School employees cannot afford to live in Monterey. Mayor Roberson said that water shortages impact local and global housing crises. Mary Ann Leffel highlighted Monterey’s position as the Language Capital of the World and shared encouraging statistics on government contracting in the region. She said that the MBDA looks for ways to share these positive stories, and urged Council to adopt Option 2. Mara Batlin quoted the S.W.O.T. analysis for Monterey as recommending a regional support group to represent multiple jurisdictions. She said that the MBDA formed on that advice. Admiral Dan Oliver, MBDA, said that the organization currently runs as Option 1 and it works, but he would like to see a commitment to a more hopeful model at some point. Dick Elster, MBDA, cited military activities and developments in the region as reasons for optimism. With no further requests to speak, Mayor Roberson closed public comments. Interim City Manager Uslar asked the City Council to give staff direction on regional involvement in the MBDA and the extent to which Monterey should provide leadership. Mayor Roberson said he didn’t feel that Options 1 and 2 are mutually exclusive, and said that Option 1 is a given because Monterey is committed to its military bases. Councilmember Barrett said that there is a lot to be proud of in Monterey and he feels positive about the future. He quipped that you don’t change horses mid- stream. He said if being in the Monterey area adds 20% in cost, maybe the City needs to put in 20% more effort. He said he likes the concept of speaking with a single voice and would not want to see that voice diminished, and he feels the one voice approach is best represented by Option 1. 2  City Council Minutes Wednesday, February 28, 2018 Councilmember Haffa said that military installations are a number one priority, and the cluster effect with other installations means that the loss of any installation would have a ripple effect on Monterey. He said he is leaning toward a hybrid between Options 1 and 2 and asked staff to present a hybrid option. He said it could be beneficial for outreach to the Department of Defense to bring in regional partners and expand the network. Councilmember Smith said that Option 3 is off the table and the City fully embraces the military presence. He said he sees the MBDA as a long-term organization that is responsive now and forward-looking, sustaining itself for the next generation so that the military is in Monterey and Monterey County forever. He said that the Pentagon and Washington D.C. change often and he is on board with whatever it takes to make sure everyone knows about Monterey. Councilmember Albert agreed with Councilmember Smith. He cited successful past efforts against BRAC and expressed interest in replicating them. He urged K-12 education representation in the MBDA. He said water is the key, and lack of water could lead to the loss of bases if it means the military cannot expand. He said that he likes Option 1, and the City’s role in Option 2 is unclear, but he agreed that a regional approach is needed. Councilmember Haffa suggested that the Mayor or his appointee serve on the board if a 501(c)3 entity is formed. Mayor Roberson said that Monterey is committed to playing a main role. Councilmember Smith said that the MBDA should involve every municipality in the region. Mayor Roberson announced that the City Council would take a short break at 5:40 p.m. The City Council reconvened at 5:47 p.m. 2. Receive Presentation Regarding Proposed SunPower Solar Panel Installation (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) (Plans & Public Works - 802-12) Action: Tabled On a motion by Councilmember Smith, seconded by Councilmember Barrett, and carried by the following vote, the City Council tabled the presentation: AYES: 5 COUNCILMEMBERS: Albert, Barrett, Haffa, Smith, Roberson NOES: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSTAIN: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None RECUSED: 0 COUNCILMEMBERS: None ADJOURNMENT Mayor Roberson adjourned the meeting at 5:48 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Clementine Bonner Klein Clyde Roberson Acting City Clerk Mayor 3