Mayor's Subcommittee Meeting

CITY OF MONTEREY Mayor and Commission Chairs Subcommittee Meeting August 13, 2012 Minutes Attendees: Mayor Della Sala, Vice Mayor Downey, ARC Chair Dawson, CHM/CAC Chair Greenwald, HPC Vice Chair Palminteri, LB Vice Chair Yamanishi, NIP Spokesperson Heuer, PRC Chair Marotta, PC Chair Garden, City Manager, Director of Community Services and Recreation/Library Director, Senior Associate Planners Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. 1. Architectural Review Committee (ARC) ARC Chair Dawson discussed retroactive considerations, the delicate and difficult act of considering a project that was completed prior to ARC approval. Chair Dawson stated applicants should not assume that their permit request will be approved for items that have been built without benefit of a permit. Chair Dawson cited Concession 31 on the Wharf and 1001 Hellam as two examples and clarified that applicants are charged double the normal permit fee for this type of review. Chair Dawson stated the ARC has two new members and asked code enforcement to be vigilant about citing unapproved signs. 2. Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission (CHMCAC) CHMCAC Chair Greenwald spoke about heritage and cultural partnerships and events. First, he announced that Art in the Adobes takes place in September. He stressed that the art is owned by the City and that City staff are instrumental in making this event happen. Next, he described events scheduled for History Fest and how Historic Monterey is exploring and expanding itself to include more partners and to broaden the region to encompass the entire peninsula. Chair Greenwald noted that the Colton Hall structure study is complete, allowing the City to decide how to perform repairs and to develop an interpretive plan. He stated the City has submitted a grant application to the Community Foundation for funding of an interpretive plan. He closed by stating during Museum Month the City sponsored 3 lectures. Director Bui-Burton stated that the City has been invited to attend a National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference in Spokane, asking the City to describe the Monterey Model of taking care of their historic assets and moving the community forward. Chair Greenwald and other board members discussed the need to collect aural histories from Cooper-Molera family and friends while it is still possible. 3. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) HPC Vice Chair Palminteri spoke about the award of a Certified Local Government Grant for the preparation of design guidelines for the Monterey Old Town National Historic Landmark District (NHLD) and the capital improvement program funded project to prepare lighting guidelines for the entire Downtown Specific Plan Area (which includes the NHLD). She noted that they have a $20,000 grant to work on the guidelines. She stated Council adopted a CIP program for development of a lighting guidelines and staff has prepared a RFP to develop this plan. 4. Library Board (LB) LB Vice Chair Yamanishi spoke about the Gold Rush endowment fundraiser and the Library Strategic Plan. She noted the board has 3 brand new members and described how the board met for a retreat/workshop to integrate the new members into an effective team with a unique set of responsibilities. Vice Chair Yamanishi provided up to date stats on the Goldrush  CITY OF MONTEREY Mayor and Commission Chairs Subcommittee Meeting August 13, 2012 Minutes Fundraiser and the endowment at the Community Foundation. She described the strategic plan, stating the library is in the middle of a constantly changing technological world and trying to determine how the library can best serve the community, from those that can barely read to those that get everything via hand held electronic devices. She provide those present with many examples of current programs and services, the summer reading program, reading services to shut ins, and library training for students as just a few. 5. Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Committee NIP Committee Spokesperson Heuer spoke about establishing a process to enforce NIP project joint use agreements to Insure the continued use of NIP projects on those facilities, for example the Bay View School closure. Mr. Heuer explained that NIP is required to spend its funds within the City but can use funds to support a joint use, like at schools. Mr. Heuer expressed concerns that the City should pursue continued enforcement of these agreements even when the venues are closed, if not the City loses the benefit of the money spent on improvements. Mr. Heuer suggested the addition of a permanent staff NIP engineer to handle NIP projects, stressing that the NIP project pays for the staff time and that the lack of staff creates a back log of NIP projects. 6. Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) PRC Chair Marotta provided the group with a status update on park projects and a recreation programs. He noted that 4th July Parade and Lawn Party were a great success and it looks like both will be done next year as well. He noted that the Sports Center celebrated its 20th anniversary and that new saunas are going in thanks to donations from community members. In addition, he noted that Camp Quien Sabe celebrated its 61st year and Whispering Pines celebrated its 57th year this summer. He stated that the Commission is in agreement that the train at Dennis the Menace Park should have a fence around it, stressing it is not an appropriate piece of playground equipment and is not safe. 7. Planning Commission (PC) PC Chair Garden provided a review of the Planning Office work program schedule. He provided attendees with hand-outs describing the status of specific plans, the transportation and parking study, and waterfront master plan. In regards to the train at Dennis the Menace Park, he suggested that if removal of the train becomes a reality, that the City should relocate the train to the old train depot as it may be more appropriately stored there as a museum piece. Chair Garden stressed that the City had several well-attended forums to solicit from the public ideas for what the City should look like in 20 years and that the draft plans detailed in the handout were developed to help the City bring those ideas to life. Chair Garden stressed that most of the details are done. He stated that in about 6 months the Council will be looking at the plans. He urged the chairs to look at the information online and go back and talk to their board members and encourage them to look online as well. He stated it is important that anyone who wants to make changes to the draft plans provide their input to the Planning Commission in the next few months and to not to wait until it goes before Council.  CITY OF MONTEREY Mayor and Commission Chairs Subcommittee Meeting August 13, 2012 Minutes 8. Mayor Mayor Della Sala spoke about economic development. First, he noted that the work on the Fresh and Easy site has halted and is not planned to continue. He stated the City has sent a letter expressing it is a bad idea to stop development and indicating a similar market does outstanding business and exceeds expectations in Monterey. He noted that at a minimum they must restore the parking. In regards to the Southern Pacific Site the City has received 5 proposals to lease that space and a subcommittee will be reviewing them soon. Having no more business before the meeting with the chairs and vice chairs Mayor Della Sala adjourned the meeting at 1:28 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Senior Assistant City Clerk