Council Study Session

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION CITY OF MONTEREY Wednesday, September 26, 2018 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. FEW MEMORIAL HALL OF RECORDS, 580 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA Councilmembers Present: Councilmembers Albert, Barrett, Haffa, Smith, Roberson Absent: None City Staff City Attorney, City Manager, Community Development Director, Housing Present: and Community Development Manager, Public Works Director, Finance Director, Acting City Clerk, Property Manager CALL TO ORDER Mayor Roberson called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Roberson opened public comments on matters not on the agenda. With no further requests to speak, Mayor Roberson closed public comments. STUDY SESSION 1. Receive Update on the Fort Ord Reuse Authority Transition Plan (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) (Plans & Public Works - 205-02) Action: Received update Councilmember Haffa, Fort Ord Reuse Authority (FORA) board member, said that the FORA board will need to vote on how to move forward with the current requirement to sunset in June 2020, or an alternative such as a pared-down FORA that would primarily administer funding and manage military munitions remediation. He described challenges that face the FORA board in its decision-making process and said he would appreciate feedback from City Council. Housing and Community Development Manager Caraker gave a brief presentation covering key issues that will need to be resolved in sunsetting, extending, or transitioning FORA, and next steps. She said that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted to extend FORA for ten years, and said that City Council could adopt a resolution at a future meeting. Michael Houlemard and Sheri Damon, FORA, answered questions from Councilmembers and staff. Ms. Damon said that to resolve the legal concerns raised by the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Monterey County, local agencies could decide to sign transition plan implementation agreements, otherwise litigation, or legislation at the State level, may be required. She described habitat management and conservation procedures that could apply to the City’s property at Fort Ord. Mayor Roberson opened the floor for public comments, and receiving none, closed public comments. Councilmember Haffa described some issues that other partner jurisdictions in FORA would like resolved, such as blight, voting power as it relates to land ownership, and different interests in the Capital Improvement Plan that may not be shared by the City of Monterey. He said he  City Council Minutes Wednesday, September 26, 2018 didn’t believe a resolution from the City of Monterey would help. City Manager Uslar suggested that a resolution could include the talking points referred to by Councilmember Haffa, and that staff will probably bring forward a draft resolution in October. Councilmember Smith said that achieving the right tone in the resolution will be important. Councilmember Barrett said he could support extending FORA. Mayor Roberson said that the City wants to be a regional partner with the other FORA member agencies. The Council recessed at 4:59 p.m. and reconvened at 5:10 p.m. 2. Discuss Fort Ord Property Development Potential (Not a Project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) (Plans & Public Works - 201-15) Action: Discussed David Zehnder, Economic & Planning Systems (EPS), gave a brief presentation summarizing the information presented to City Council on September 4, 2018, regarding land use alternatives for the City’s property on Fort Ord, and the projected feasibility based on EPS’ research. He and Ellen Martin, EPS, answered Councilmembers’ questions. City Manager Uslar addressed Councilmembers’ questions about property on Fort Ord owned by the Cities of Monterey and Del Rey Oaks. Mayor Roberson opened the floor for public comments. Kevin Dayton, Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chamber is in favor of R&D Flex (Research and Development Flexible) Light Industrial use for the property, with incubators in mind. He suggested the City Council look at ideas from the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) for affordable housing. Daryl Hawkins said that the region needs young people to start businesses to assist the economy to grow and develop. He urged the City Council to make space on its Fort Ord property for such growth. Carl Outzen said that the City’s Fort Ord property is too small to mix industrial and housing together. He said that the balance of renters versus owners in the City is important to consider. He said that infrastructure including public safety substations may be needed. Seth Kinkade, Radicle Snacks, said that kitchen incubators are successful elsewhere and that investors are passionate about investing in them. Pamela Burns, Wild Plum Café and Monterey Pasta Company, said that incubation centers provide critical mentoring to new business owners. She urged City Council to find a use for the Fort Ord property that would bring innovation to the area and create a village with mixed use. With no further requests to speak, Mayor Roberson closed public comments. Mayor Roberson said that City Council will discuss this matter again soon at another study session. ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned at 5:59 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Clementine Bonner Klein Clyde Roberson Acting City Clerk Mayor 2