Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting

NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, December 11, 2024 6:30 PM MONTEREY PUBLIC LIBRARY - COMMUNITY ROOM, 625 PACIFIC ST. AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA NCIP Aguajito Oaks AJ Purdy, Rep., Dean Bobrowski, Alt. Representatives Alta Mesa Amy Stocker, Rep.*, Holly Ochoa, Alt. & Alternates Casanova Oak Knoll Shelly Schmidt, Rep., Chelsea Lenowska, Alt. Present: Deer Flats Scott Cohick, Rep. Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande Scott Hanson, Rep. Downtown Curt Tipton, Rep., Bella Lofaso, Alt. Fishermen’s Flats Gary Paul Baker, Rep. Glenwood Lee Whitney, Rep., Amanda Preece, Alt.* Monterey Vista Hans Jannasch, Rep., Gina Sessions, Alt. New Monterey Chinyere Ogbonna, Rep. Oak Grove Luz Adam, Rep. Old Town Sue Ricketson, Rep., Rosemary Robert, Alt. Skyline Dennis Duke, Rep. Villa Del Monte Jil Johnson, Rep., Tammy Jennings, Alt* * attended remotely via teleconference **attended remotely via teleconference but did not notice staff, therefore considered a member of the public. NCIP Deer Flats Dave Overton, Alt. Representatives Del Monte Beach Jayme Fields, Rep., Jeff White, Alt. & Alternates Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande Joseph Hill, Alt. Absent: Fishermen’s Flats Marilyn Maxner, Alt. New Monterey Natalia Tjandra, Alt. Skyline John Mera, Alt. City Staff Andrea Renny, Public Works Director Present: Chrissy Davi, City Attorney Reginald Paulding, Senior Engineer / NCIP Staff Coordinator Parker Lovett, Administrative Assistant / Recording Secretary This meeting was held with a combination of in-person and teleconference attendance, pursuant to the Ralph M. Brown Act, Calif. Government Code section 54953(e)(1)(C) and the City Council's resolution authorizing teleconferencing. CALL TO ORDER Action: NCIP Chair Ogbonna called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Recording secretary Lovett explained how to participate in the meeting virtually via Zoom. ROLL CALL Action: Recording secretary Lovett called roll with 14 neighborhoods represented and 1 neighborhood absent (Del Monte Beach). APPROVAL OF MINUTES  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes 1. August 15, 2024 (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved. Committee Member Tipton introduced a motion to approve the August 15, 2024 minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Duke. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS Public comment was received by Rosemary Robert regarding City Code Article Section 13-2 listing the neighborhoods with NCIP representation. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. Brown Act Presentation by City Attorney’s Office City Attorney Davi provided a presentation for key details of the Brown Act for the NCIP Committee. There was no public comment. Comments were received from NCIP Committee Member Whitney and Jennings regarding NCIP Committee members attending a City Council meeting to discuss agendized items, which City Attorney Davi clarified that attendance is permitted at City Council, Planning Commission, or other legislative bodies, and that NCIP Committee members individually can make a comment as a member of the public. Committee Member Jannasch asked what is the number of the quorum for the NCIP Committee, which is eight (8), so similarly if seven (7) or six (6) committee members can meet and discuss items, which City Attorney Davi advised best practice is to always take caution with meeting close to a quorum of eight (8) of NCIP Committee members to avoid violating the Brown Act. Committee Members Cohick and Jennings asked for City Attorney Davi’s contact information to be available, which City Attorney Davi responded with her direct phone number, office phone number, and general email accessibility, in addition she will include her contact information for future Brown Act presentations for virtual participants. Committee Member Hanson asked for clarification when two members discuss an NCIP-related item and then how that information may get dispersed to the rest of the NCIP Committee, which City Attorney Davi advised that the NCIP-related information cannot reach a quorum of eight (8) NCIP Committee members. Committee Member Whitney and Adam made comments regarding meetings with neighborhood groups, which City Attorney clarified that as long as a meeting has no more than seven (7) NCIP committee members attending, then it will not be cause for a potential issue with the Brown Act. Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 2  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes 3. NCIP Project Status Update by Engineering Staff Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a presentation and reviewed the status of NCIP Projects and the budget, with specific details on current on-going projects and 17 completed projects over the past year. Questions were received by Committee Member Ochoa regarding the project at Colton Hall Restoration/Preservation, which Staff Coordinator Paulding provided further details to the different technical considerations and complications for completing the project. Committee Member Jannasch asked for where was the Mar Vista Traffic Calming Plan, which Staff Coordinator Paulding provided clarification that the project was just for that portion outlined. Public Comment was received by Tom Reeves asking for the status of Recreation Trail Permeable Pavers, which Staff Coordinator Paulding provided an update that the project is in design. Committee Member comments included from Committee Member Johnson to bring up the projects that have not been started, which Staff Coordinator Paulding provided direction to the City webpage of the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program: https://monterey.gov/residents/neighborhoods___housing/neighborhood_community__improve ment_program_/, specifically looking at the Active Projects Report to see the status of any project, which is updated on the first Friday of the month. NCIP INFORMATIONAL REPORTS 4. NCIP Chair/Spokesperson Report None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 5. Review FY 2024/25 NCIP Projects Returned to NCIP Committee for Consideration by City Council (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a presentation regarding projects by priority of voting: NM- 04, VDM-01, then cut off projects VDM-03, MN-08, NM-04, VDM-01, MN-09, and MN-12. Committee Member Tipton asked for clarification of the concerns expressed from City Council for each project, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded for MN-12 lacked clear direction locations of project and maintenance. Staff Coordinator Paulding did not have comments from City Council on VDM-03, MN-08, and MN-09. Committee Member Jannasch asked for details of the NM-04, which Staff Coordinator Paulding and Public Works Director Renny provided response that such a project would need to align with state laws and recommended direction from Community Development staff. Chair Ogbonna asked for clarification on MN-08, which Public Works Director Renny responded that the Community Wildfire Protection Plan has already been developed and can provide guidance on what sort of projects can be done. Committee Member Jennings questioned what are the next steps of VDM-01 which was moved as a point of comment for NCIP discussion after public comment. Committee Member Hanson asked if MN-09 was specific to Casanova or in general, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that the funding was general. Committee Member Schmidt asked for VDM-01 would any underpass be under CalTrans, which Staff Coordinator Paulding clarified the area of the jurisdiction of CalTrans and Public Works Director Renny clarified how an encroachment permit. Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 3  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes Public comment was received from Tom Reeves regarding NM-04, recognizing the details of the plan that need reworking, so as the applicant for the project nomination, he has decided to withdraw the project from funding for this cycle in order to be re-scoped as part of a greater neighborhood plan. Kayla Fossum commented on VDM-01, as the applicant for the nomination, highlighting the goals of the project to better define the community connection and community identity. Mayor Tyller Williamson provided public comment for clarification on projects on behalf of City Council. Since NM-04 was withdrawn, Mayor Williamson spoke to MN-12 that the City Council recognizes what the NCIP wants to accomplish with the project and how to work with City staff on moving the project forward. Also, for VDM-01, Mayor Williamson offered for the NCIP to consider other locations. NCIP Committee member comments were received by Committee Members Purdy, who was in favor of VDM-01 to cite other cities in California that have similar artwork when presented to Caltrans. Committee Member Schmidt commented on MN-12 after speaking with Parks staff that theft of equipment is known of similar projects in other jurisdictions and suggesting other kinds of stations may improve feasibility, also for VDM-01 commented in favor and recommended for City staff to consider grant programs with CalTrans. Committee Member Cohick commented in favor of VDM-01 by considering what options would make it more feasible. Committee Member Hanson commented in favor of VDM-01 and suggested discussing other aspects of the project like drainage as well. Committee Member Tipton commented regarding the budget available for funding, which NCIP Staff Coordinator Paulding clarified that the NCIP can recommend a few NCIP project nominations if available. Committee Member Tipton also was in favor of projects MN-12, VDM01, and MN-09. Committee Member Baker commented in favor of projects VDM-01 and MN-12. Committee Member MN-12 commented that MN-12 and VDM-03 should be re-scoped to include specific locations, also recognized the challenges of VDM-01 and MN-09 to be redefined, which NCIP Staff Coordinator Paulding clarified that the NCIP would need to decide for which projects should be redefined; additionally, Public Works Director Renny clarified that from City Council, the NCIP Committee can rescope the projects for reconsideration, and that the VDM-01 may be better considered by Caltrans as a painted mural rather than tile. Committee Member Jannasch commented to prioritize NM-04 and VDM-01 before the other cut-off projects, especially in favor of both projects. Chair Ogbonna commented in favor of VDM-01 recognizing Phase 1 has already been approved for funding so this Phase 2 would be important to move forward given the importance for the neighborhood and overall community. Also Chair Ogbonna commented that the VDM-03 and MN-12 may need to be rescoped due to lacking specific locations or consider other possibilities. Additionally, MN-08 should not be funded since the Fire Plan has already been developed and to use that guide as. Chair Ogbonna was also in favor of MN-09. Committee Member Ricketson commented in favor of MN-09 and VDM-01. Committee Member Duke recognized the financial budget that will need to be discussed further, in addition offered comments on the different complications for consideration of projects VDM-01, VDM-03, MN08, MN-09, and MN-12. Committee Member Johnson commented on different alternatives of MN-12 and in favor of VDM-01 for additional considerations of safety of pedestrians and cyclists for both residents and visitors. Committee Member Johnson introduced a motion to return project nomination for VDM- 01 to the original submitter to work with City Staff for drafting a new scope and then presented to NCIP and then to City Council for approval of funding. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Duke. The motion carried by the following vote: Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 4  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Committee Member Jannasch introduced a motion to return project nomination for VDM- 03 to the original submitter for rescoping. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Hanson. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Committee Member Tipton introduced a motion to return project nomination for MN-08 to the original submitter for rescoping. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Schmidt. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Committee Member Cohick introduced a motion to send project nomination for MN-09 as currently written to City Council for funding approval as a cut-off project. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Purdy. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 5  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes Committee Member Cohick introduced a motion to return project nomination for MN-08 to the original submitter for rescoping with specific locations or other additional details. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Tipton. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 6  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes 6. Review a Proposed Schedule for Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Meetings for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Staff Coordinator Paulding, Public Works Director Renny, and NCIP Chair Ogbonna provided a presentation for a proposed NCIP Schedule for FY 2025/26, by outlining the current process and highlighting how proposed changes may improve the process and collaboration for the next fiscal cycle. Committee questions were received by Committee Member Jannasch asking how can funded projects be completed in a reasonable time, despite the lack of City staffing. Public Works Director Renny responded recognizing that for the first time that the City has continuing recruitment for engineering staff, but cannot reasonably increase work load capacity of current engineering staff. Committee Member Tipton asked if the proposed schedule may mean that NCIP does not include new project nominations in the next fiscal cycle, which Chair Ogbonna responded that the proposed scheduled for the next fiscal cycle may consist of no new projects, in order for the NCIP Committee to review currently existing funded projects that may need additional funding in order to be completed or to nominate larger multi-neighborhood projects. Committee Member Ochoa asked whether the funding for the next fiscal year may be held for future funding, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded affirming that the funding would continue to exist. Public Comment was received by Gina Sessions as a member of the public to encourage NCIP Committee to review the incomplete, funded projects to assess the project’s feasibility in order to move forward. Comments from committee members were received from Committee Member Purdy who was in favor of receiving new project nominations for fiscal year 2025/26, but having the NCIP Committee consider limiting the number of project nominations to five (5) for funding by City Council and setting the remaining funding for the backlog projects to move forward. Committee Member Ochoa commented in favor of receiving new project nominations for fiscal year 2025/26, but taking caution of adding to the backlog. Committee Member Schmidt provided comment suggesting first to take inventory of the backlog of unstarted projects and assess what projects are still feasible but need more funding or which projects are no longer necessary, and then move forward with the new project nominations with the remaining funding. Committee Member Cohick commented in favor of the hybrid schedule which had been discussed so far. Committee Member Hanson commented how this proposed schedule does address past concerns of City staff communicating with NCIP Committee on project estimates, while still in favor of receiving new project nominations. Committee Member Tipton commented in favor of receiving new project nominations and emphasized adhering to the NCIP Policy & Procedures Manual when making considerations for the proposed schedule especially bring new project nominations to the voting process before receiving guidance from City Council. Committee Member Baker was in favor of the discussions so far. Committee Member Whitney commented to suggest limiting the number of project nominations to ten (10) for funding by City Council, while NCIP members looking to support project nominations to be better fine-tuned with collaboration from the neighborhood so it’s a more substantial project nomination; additionally, she cautioned rewriting the NCIP Policy and Procedures Manual and supported assessing the backlog of projects. Committee Member Jannasch commented in favor to continue receiving new project nominations, and suggested adding more workshops into the proposed schedule to allow for more meaningful communication. Chair Ogbonna commented on the challenges of the time frame within a fiscal cycle, additionally in favor of a hybrid proposed schedule to allow for new projects while focusing on larger, multi-neighborhood projects and the role of the NCIP representatives to support improving the project nominations. Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 7 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes Committee Member Adam commented emphasizing the roles of NCIP Committee members to help the efficiency of the NCIP by reducing new projects and improving the progress of the past projects. Committee Member Ricketson commented in favor of projects focused on neighborhood improvements. Committee Member Duke commented how the proposed schedule can efficiently meet expectations by setting more clear deadlines for the project review process, while emphasizing consideration for community-wide improvements to continue to sustain the finances of the NCIP. Committee Member Johnson commented on the NCIP Policy & Procedures Manual to remain consistent, which Public Works Director Renny responded that the NCIP Committee’s role is to make recommendations to approve any number of projects within the budget available or to close out projects, so the City Council’s role is for the funding of projects. Committee Member Duke introduced and amended a motion to agendize the proposed schedule as a discussion item to be presented by City staff for the next meeting in January. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Tipton. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Committee Member Cohick introduced a motion for City staff to agendize an item for the next meeting for City staff to present a guideline for key qualifications of project nominations. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Purdy. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Ochoa, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Fields ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: NCIP Staff Coordinator Paulding provided two clarifications that project nominations are already being received, so the NCIP Committee would only need to consider the deadline to close receiving project nominations for the cycle, and that the tentative date for the next meeting is January 15th. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Many Committee Members expressed positive feelings towards the direction of the meeting’s discussion and wishing happy holidays to each other. Additionally, Committee Member Schmidt commented on the importance of next meeting addressing the project backlog. Also, Committee Member Cohick commented recognizing the importance of opportunity costs when prioritizing Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 8  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM Committee Minutes and completing projects. Chair Ogbonna also commented recognizing the positive direction of the NCIP Committee next year and the positive collaboration with City staff. NEXT MEETING The next special meeting is tentatively January 15th. ADJOURNMENT Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Parker Lovett Reginald Paulding Recording Secretary NCIP Staff Coordinator Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 12/11/2024 6:30:00 PM 9