Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting

NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, February 5, 2025 6:00 PM MONTEREY PUBLIC LIBRARY – COMMUNITY ROOM, 625 PACIFIC ST. AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA NCIP Alta Mesa Amy Stocker, Rep., Holly Ochoa, Alt.* Representatives Casanova Oak Knoll Shelly Schmidt, Rep., Chelsea Lenowska, Alt. & Alternates Deer Flats Scott Cohick, Rep., Dave Overton, Alt. Present: Del Monte Beach Jayme Fields, 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., 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 Aguajito Oaks AJ Purdy, Rep., Dean Bobrowski, Alt. Representatives Del Monte Beach Jeff White, Alt. & Alternates Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande Joseph Hill, Alt. Absent: Fishermen’s Flats Marilyn Maxner, Alt. Glenwood Amanda Preece, Alt. New Monterey Natalia Tjandra, Alt. Skyline John Mera, Alt. City Staff Andrea Renny, Public Works Director Present: 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: Committee Chair Ogbonna called the meeting to order at 6:00 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 (Aguajito Oaks). GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. December 11, 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: 14 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS 2. NCIP Orientation & Project Status Update Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a presentation for the NCIP Committee’s Orientation overview, completed projects, and active projects’ status update. Committee Member Fields asked if the project involving placement of security cameras at Del Monte Beach Neighborhood has ensured that the locations of cameras meet the original scope of the project for improving neighborhood safety. Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that he would follow-up and provide more information at a later time. Committee Member Tipton asked for an explanation of the meaning of a status project being “in-design”. Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that in-design can be done by City staff or contracted with consultants, which there are currently 20 NCIP projects contracted out with consultants. Committee Chair Ogbonna asked about the challenges of contracting out to consultants. Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that the City has current engineering on-call contracts, and Public Works Director Renny responded as well regarding current City’s engineering staff vacancies at approximately 60% and the challenges working with contracted on-call consultants facing similar issues of staffing. Committee Member Jannasch asked how there are currently 105 projects as of 2025 and that 80 active NCIP projects as of February 2025. Staff Coordinator Paulding responded clarifying that there are 80 total NCIP projects and that City staff are working on currently half of projects, while a majority of inactive projects include most of the 30 new projects from the previous fiscal year cycle. NCIP INFORMATIONAL REPORTS Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM 2  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes 3. NCIP Chair Reports No report from Committee Chair Ogbonna. Committee Member Jannasch provided an update on project nomination returned to NCIP Committee by City Council in November 2024: MN-08 Fire Safety Analysis/Hazard Reduction Program. Committee Member Jannasch introduced a motion to agendize a discussion regarding project nomination for MN-08 Fire Safety Analysis/Hazard Reduction Program for the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Duke. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 14 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: PUBLIC APPEARANCE 4. Adopt Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee Meetings and Deadlines Schedule for Development of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025/26 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved as submitted Staff Coordinator Paulding and Public Works Director Renny provided a brief presentation on the proposed schedule. Committee member Jannasch asked if the schedule would provide better cost estimates for projects before voting night, which Public Works Director Renny responded that it will still depend on the scope of the projects. Committee Chair Ogbonna opened the item for public comment. City Council Member Jean Rasch commented on the release of fuel reduction funding and spoke in favor of the proposed schedule given that it would align with the fiscal year, which Public Works Director Renny responded that NCIP could agendize an item to add funding for the existing fuel reduction project. Committee members Stocker and Schmidt commented in favor of the schedule aligning better with the start of terms for new NCIP committee members and with the CIP budget, and emphasized that this does not address the backlog of projects. Committee members Fields and Whitney commented that the schedule is a good compromise of several ideas for the schedule that have been discussed in previous meetings, and emphasized the importance of continuing to receive new project nominations in order to achieve one of the goals of the NCIP Committee. Committee members Hanson, Tipton, and Ricketson commented in favor of the schedule specifically to receive the feedback from City staff and City Council in June especially before voting night, while expressing concerns of how many project nominations may be received by July. Committee Member Jannasch commented in favor of the schedule, and emphasized on the importance of collaboration of the NCIP Committee and City staff/council in completing large projects like fuel reduction. Committee Member Duke commented in favor of the schedule for greater collaboration, and emphasized project nomination process. Committee Chair Ogbonna commented in favor of the schedule echoing much of what was shared and emphasized how the extra time in the beginning of the year can help improve the project nomination process. Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM 3 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes Committee member Fields introduced a motion to adopt NCIP Committee Meetings and Deadlines Schedule for Development of the FY 2025/26 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Duke. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 14 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Committee member Duke introduced a motion to agendize an item in the next meeting to recommend to City Council to use contingency funding to add to the ending balance for existing Forest Management/Fuel Reduction project. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Tipton. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 14 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Committee member Duke introduced a motion to agendize an item in the next meeting to discuss how will the NCIP Committee evaluate and move forward with the new project nominations to be received this cycle. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Schmidt. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 14 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM 4  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes 5. Review Revised Project Scope for Recreation Trail Bike Repair Stations and Recommend Revised Project to City Council for Approval of Funding (Further Project-Specific Environmental Review Required) Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a brief presentation on the project scopes. Committee member Schmidt asked how were the proposed locations chosen and will the project need to be submitted for approval by City Council and Parks and Recreation Commission. Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that the locations are relatively equidistant to split the Recreation Trail by approximate thirds. Also Staff Coordinator Paulding clarified that the project nomination would have to be presented to City Council for approval of funding. Committee member Jannasch asked if lighting has been considered for these locations, and Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that there is sufficient lighting along the Recreation Trail at those locations. Public comment was received by Mayor Williamson regarding the scope for the bike repair stations to include tools or not consider the project at all, so suggesting that more community outreach for the needs of bikers. Committee member Stocker asked for one of the locations to be considered away from the shoreline on the recreation trail to avoid contact with sea lions. Additionally, Committee members Stocker, Schmidt, Tipton, and Whitney commented in favor of the revised project scope to remove the tools in order to minimize damage, theft, and costs of repair of the stations and to emphasize that bicyclists can carry their own tools specific to their bike’s specifications. Committee members Fields, Baker, Jannasch commented in favor of the original scope to include the tools as a simple set, so that the public has the option for repair to meet greater needs. Committee members Stocker, Cohick, Hanson, and Johnson commented questioning the efficacy of the repair stations whether with or without tools, which may even consider not moving forward with the project. Committee member Ricketson and Committee Chair Ogbonna commented whether the revised project scope would need to be presented to the submitter of the original project nomination. Committee member Duke introduced a motion to agendize an item in the next meeting to discuss the project scope, in order to allow for time for Committee Member Schmidt to reach out to the original submitter of the project nomination. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Ogbonna. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 6. Review Revised Scope for Casa Verde Way Underpass Mural/Hardscape Improvements and Recommend Revised Project to City Council for Approval of Funding (Exempt from CEQA per Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1) Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a brief presentation on the project scopes. Committee Member Jannasch asked if the project submitter has been informed, which Staff Coordinator Paulding recognized in the audience for tonight’s meeting and that their scope had received as public comment before the meeting and distributed to NCIP Committee. Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM 5 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes Public comment from local resident was received in favor of the project. Additionally, Kayla Fossum as the original submitter commented stating the Monterey Art Council has been in discussion to manage aspects of the project such as permits to Caltrans and installation of the panels. Also, Kayla Fossum commented that the mosaic tiles would be placed on removable panels, so that the art can be maintained more easily. Committee members Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Adam, Ricketson, and Johnson commented in favor of the project as proposed with the revision details from the submitter. Committee members Hanson and Duke commented in favor of art at the location, but considering using paint instead of mosaic tiles. Committee members Fields and Jannasch commented in favor of the project as a prime example of the function of the NCIP Committee to support neighborhood needs for projects in the City. Committee member Whitney commented on the issue of traffic safety in the area and maintenance of landscaping, but suggested looking for other areas of the neighborhood for beautification. Committee Chair Ogbonna commented after having visited the location in-person to recognize the impact of the art project in the neighborhood while also mentioning the public’s enthusiasm for the potential of the art project. Committee member Duke introduced a motion to return the project nomination for City’s council consideration for approval of funding, given the additional details of the Monterey Art Council to process the permits to Caltrans and the additional scope of removable panels as presented by the project submitter. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Tipton. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Whitney ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM 6  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes 7. Elect Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Chair and Vice Chair (Not a Project under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Elected Chinyere Ogbonna as Committee Chair and Dennis Duke as Committee Vice Chair. Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a brief presentation as an overview of the item. Committee Member Schmidt asked if the NCIP Committee Chair and Vice Chair need to receive a motion for both or separate, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that either can be done. There was no public comment. Committee members provided comments in favor of the current chair and vice chair. Committee Member Jannasch introduced a motion to elect Chinyere Ogbonna as the Committee Chair and Dennis Duke as the Committee Vice Chair. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Whitney. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 14 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Stocker, Schmidt, Cohick, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Adam, Ricketson, Duke, Johnson NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 1 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Committee members asked for the meeting procedures and rules of order to be distributed to all committee members. Additionally, committee member alternates also recommended improving the sound system for in-person and virtual participants to hear the discussions more clearly. NEXT MEETING ADJOURNMENT Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Parker Lovett Reginald Paulding Recording Secretary NCIP Staff Coordinator Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 2/5/2025 6:00:00 PM 7