Mayor's Subcommittee Meeting

CITY OF MONTEREY Mayor and Commission Chairs Subcommittee Meeting April 8, 2013 Minutes Attendees: Mayor Della Sala, Vice Mayor Selfridge, ARC Chair Hill, CHMCAC Vice Chair Schneider, HPC Vice Chair Fletcher, LB Vice Chair Yamanishi, NIP Spokesperson Heuer, PRC Chair McCarthy , PC Vice Chair McCrone, City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Community Services/Library Director, Principal Planners, Senior Assistant City Clerk Mayor Della Sala called the meeting to order at 12:02 p.m. City Manager Meurer introduced 2 visitors from Dubrovnik, the Dubrovnik City Attorney’s Office and the City Manager’s Office. 1. Architectural Review Committee (ARC) ARC Chair Hill described residential lighting review and Greater Downtown Area Lighting Standards and Guidelines. He described the functions of the ARC, using a kaleidoscope and its crystals as a metaphor. He stated that like in a kaleidoscope the crystals determine the shapes seen, the ARC has the City Code, guidelines, and area plans to help it ensuring the ARC makes decisions in accordance with the City’s crystals. Chair Hill described the two lighting initiatives, stating ARC does not have enforcement authority in these areas and that in the near future ARC expects to hear more about Dark Sky, an international association concerned with light pollution and how it is destroying the beauty of the nightscape. City Manager Meurer noted that one resident’s dark sky is another resident’s safety concern and that it will be interesting to see how the City manages the balance between these two perspectives. Mayor Della Sala and City Manager Meurer stated Council may need to hear something first to assign this item as a work program to the appropriate committee. HPC Chair Fletcher stated that most jurisdictions say lighting should be unobtrusive and provided a few examples that have come or will come before City boards. 2. Colton Hall Museum & Cultural Arts Commission (CHMCAC) CHMCAC Chair Schneider discussed Colton Hall and Museum events. She provided statistics on Museum events and noted that attendance went up in 2012 in all areas. She described how CHMCAC has partnered with other organizations, like the NIP and local groups, for example for Art in the Adobes and History Fest. Vice Chair Schneider gave an update on the strategic plan, music series, and gallery exhibits. She noted that the May talking lecture will be on Women in Monterey. She finished her briefing by thanking Council for appointing 3 new members to the CHMCAC. City Manager Meurer noted that it has been recommended that Colton Hall have stucco added back to the façade, predicting there will be a big debate by Council and the public on whether this should be done or not. Vice Mayor Selfridge asked if Pacific Biological Laboratory could be open more often. Kim Bui-Burton stated the current shared use contract ends in 2015, but noted that the lab is very fragile and it is hard to have any large number of people upstairs at any one time and that currently docents and museum employees staff the lab when it is open. Director Bui-Burton that it has not been fully explored how to make the lab more accessible. City Manager Meurer also noted that in addition to the delicateness of the fabric and need to protect the artifacts, it must be decided which period or periods will be displayed there. The subcommittee talked at length about how the City has so many cultural resources, but that the majority of those are not accessible by the public on any given day.  CITY OF MONTEREY Mayor and Commission Chairs Subcommittee Meeting April 8, 2013 Minutes 3. Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) HPC Vice Chair Fletcher spoke about the New Monterey Historic Context Statement and Survey, the National Historic Landmark District Design Standards and Guidelines, and the Greater Downtown Area Lighting Design Standards. He described the New Monterey Historic Context Statement, stressing that when it was first heard many residents of that area were worried how it would impact the, but that thanks to staff and their interactions with residents, that the statements appears to be much better understood at this time. He noted that the neighborhood has asked to have additional resources included in the context statement, for example an artist community. In regards to lighting standards, Chair Fletcher described how members of the HPC, ARC, and members of the community were shown different types of lighting, different colors of light, warm versus cool, and said they are all very interested in hearing what conclusions the consultants come back to the City. He stressed he prefers lighting that is unobtrusive, noting that lighting should highlight an area or function and not draw attention to itself. 4. Library Board (LB) LB Vice Chair Yamanishi talked about fundraising, their strategic plan and Sunday library hours. Vice Chair Yamanishi spoke about the endowment that they are setting up for the future, a $5M endowment they hope to build over the next 10 years. She stated the LB considers the library the City’s community center and that the endowment is envisioned ready the library for any changes that could occur technologically over the next 10 years. She noted that they have been given $25K from Friends of the Library and that that group has doubled in size. She said funds have been raised to buy books, supplement programs, buy computer technology, digitizing resources. Vice Chair Yamanishi discussed how they hope to get approval to reopen the library on Sundays and the fund raising they have done in support of that. She described the services the library gives to young and old, noting this if the fifth year that the library has been voted the best library in Monterey County. 5. Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Committee NIP Committee Spokesperson Heuer provided an update on the 2013 NIP process. He stated NIP is in the middle of its annual process with currently 82 projects under review. He noted that public comment on the projects and the van tour are coming up soon with April 25th as the voting night. He stated the public can come see voting night first hand or watch the NIP meeting on TV. Mr. Heuer noted the NIP has over $2M to work with and described several projects. Mr. Heuer noted that in the past there were some problems with getting projects done, but noted a lot of headway is happening now, attributing that to Bob Harary. Mayor Della Sala thanked the NIP for funding essential City projects.. 6. Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) PRC Chair McCarthy spoke about recreation programs, the Sports Center. He stated the PRC and City provides places for large groups of citizens and kids, noting that summer registration began April 3rd with many programs already full. He noted the Summer Fall Activity guide is now fully online with printed materials in several City locations. He noted that there are over 300 programs. He shared that for the Fourth of July celebration it will be a well-rounded display,  CITY OF MONTEREY Mayor and Commission Chairs Subcommittee Meeting April 8, 2013 Minutes starting with a lawn party with 4 band, carnival games, and food sold by local nonprofit agencies. He said he was happy to announce that the Council will sing Happy Birthday to the City of Monterey, its 243rd birthday, with a parade thanks to the Old Monterey Business Association, and Monterey Pops at Jacks Park in the evening. He stressed that there are so many programs at the Sports Center and he spoke about all the mentoring, leadership, and supervisory skills teens can get from MSC programs. Chair McCarthy stated that staff continues to do a great job with fewer resources. In response to Mayor Della Sala’s question about programs that have low attendance, he stated classes are not run them if they do not fill up. Director Bui-Burton stated that staff continually looks for new programs that hit the center’s goals. She described how Prima Heart did not work out, but that they are investigating a medically based weight loss program to see if it fits in with the mission of the MSC. She said they get great ideas, but they move on if they do not hit our goals or meeting the needs of the community. 7. Planning Commission (PC) PC Vice Chair McCrone asked about the purpose and scope of Subcommittees. He asked why in the past Councilmembers on subcommittees could not vote and why the Waterfront Subcommittee was asked to review the RFP responses to the train depot. The group discussed both items at length. Mayor Della Sala stated that the City Attorney opined that Council members on the Waterfront Subcommittee when reviewing the RFP proposals could not vote on that item as it was an item that was coming before the Council as a whole and that then and only then could they vote on the matter. The group also reflected that the purpose of the waterfront subcommittee really should not be to review RFP proposals, like those of the train depot, as that is actually lease negotiations and that is not a responsibility that should be assigned to a board or subcommittee. 8. Mayor Mayor Della Sala provided the Subcommittee with status of City Manager Recruitment. He stated the Council has discussed the traits and abilities it wants for a new City Manager, noting they hired an executive recruitment firm. He added that Council will take this matter up at its April 16th and decide whether to amendments its qualifications as well as the salary range or not. He commented that this may be the most important decision for the City Council this year, noting that the City Manager is in charge of the day to day activities of a $104M organization and hopes whoever is appointed will be at the City at least 5 years at a minimum. Mayor Della Sala stated Council has received quite a bit of input, has closed public comment, and will deliberate on starting salary range and finalizing the recruitment brochure. Having no more business before the Subcommittee the Mayor adjourned the meeting at 1:22 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Senior Assistant City Clerk