Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting

NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, June 11, 2025 6:00 PM MONTEREY PUBLIC LIBRARY - COMMUNITY ROOM, 625 PACIFIC ST. AND ZOOM TELECONFERENCE MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA NCIP Aguajito Oaks AJ Purdy, Rep. Representatives Alta Mesa Amy Stocker, Rep. & Alternates Casanova Oak Knoll Shelly Schmidt, Rep., Chelsea Lenowska, Alt.* Present: Del Monte Beach Jayme Fields, Rep. Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande Scott Hanson, Rep. Downtown Curt Tipton, Rep., Bella Lofaso, Alt. Fisherman’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., Natalia Tjandra, Alt.* 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 by teleconference pursuant to Gov. Code sec. 54953(f)(2)(A) for just cause. NCIP Aguajito Oaks Dean Bobrowski, Alt. Representatives Alta Mesa Holly Ochoa, Alt. & Alternates Deer Flats Scott Cohick, Rep., Dave Overton, Alt. Absent: Del Monte Grove-Laguna Grande Joseph Hill, Alt. Oak Grove Luz Adam, Rep. City Staff Andrea Renny, Public Works Director Present: Andrew Miller, Fire Chief, and other Fire Department staff 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 13 neighborhoods represented and 2 neighborhoods absent (Deer Flats and Oak Grove).  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS No public comments were received. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. April 16, 2025 (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 April 16, 2025 minutes as submitted. The motion was seconded by Committee Member Duke. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Stocker, Schmidt, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Ricketson, Duke, Jennings NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 2 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Cohick, Adam ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: INFORMATIONAL REPORTS & STAFF COMMENTS Project Status Update Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a brief update for completed projects this year which has been 4 in total, most recently with the installation of a new radar speed sign on Jocelyn Canyon Road between Deer Flats and Fisherman’s Flats. NCIP INFORMATIONAL REPORTS NCIP Spokesperson Reports None. PUBLIC APPEARANCE 2. Receive a Presentation on Fire Stations 12 and 13 Rehabilitation Project Status and Recommend City Council Appropriate Additional Funding from the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Contingency Balance (31ncont) to the Fire Stations 12 and 13 Rehabilitation Project (ncp2506) (Not a Project Under CEQA per Article 20, Section 15378 and Under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) Action: Approved as submitted. Public Works Director Renny introduced the item providing overview details of the Fire Stations 12 and 13 Rehabilitation Project. Chief Miller spoke to provide perspective from the Fire Department on this project. He noted that Fire Station 12 is 66 years old without any significant Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM 2 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes renovations, so he advocated for the firefighters stationed there deserving a safe, healthy, and comfortable environment. Chief Miller stated that the fire fighters spend one-third of their lives in the fire station while working 365 days per year, 24 hours per, 7 days per week. Chief Miller stated that the current project scope of the improvements can help the Fire Station last for another 20 to 25 years, and he appreciates the support and service of the NCIP Committee while recognizing that Monterey residents would likely prioritize this project as well. Dustin Conner, accompanied by Sami Khan, both with Ausonio Incorporated, provided a presentation as the construction management consultant hired by the City to manage this project. Conner noted in order to avoid both fire stations being inoperable at the same time, Fire Station 12 is being worked on first and would be the focus for this meeting. The presentation included the progress to date, findings and proposed scope, the estimate status, schedule, and next steps. Staff Coordinator Paulding stated the recommendation to City Council would be to approve additional funding of $750,000 from the contingency balance and $150,000 from the unappropriated/ending balance. Clarifying questions from the NCIP Committee were received. Committee Member Tipton asked if the roofing would be able to have solar panels, which Sami Khan affirmed. Committee Member Fields asked if the $750,000 would consume all of the contingency balance, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that the contingency balance is roughly $794,000, leaving $44,000. Committee Member Stocker asked if the overall shortfall for the project is $1.4 million given Fire Station 12 needing approximately $900K and Fire Station 13 needing approximately $400K? NCIP Staff Coordinator Paulding clarified that the estimate for Fire Station 12 funding would need $900,000 as stated in the recommendation to City Council to approve the additional funding. Committee Member Stocker also asked if this recommendation is just for Fire Station 12, which NCIP Staff Coordinator Paulding affirmed. Committee Member Jannasch questioned the timing if this project can be proposed in the next cycle, what would be the impact on the overall project with that delay for the next cycle? Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that the Fire Department is concerned to preserve funds for Fire Station 13 and wanted to make sure to have the funding needed for the Fire Station 12 work. This would be the responsible way to bid the project with the complete package. Committee Member Jennings asked if the roofing will use a roof-max spray or if the building will be re-roofed, which Conner from Ausonio responded that they are looking to use a spray- applied roof using a mixed emulsion to spray on the substrate which provides a 40-year warranty, which Committee Member Jennings asked to confirm that it’s a 40-year guarantee, and Conner affirmed. Committee Member Schmidt asked if there is a minimum amount needed to keep in the contingency fund, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that there is no minimum amount, but the NCIP Committee has voted to establish an amount in the contingency account. He also noted that the City’s Finance department has mentioned making changes to NCIP accounts in the future including adding contingency amounts to each project and close- out the contingency account and the end balance account. Committee Member Purdy asked if the contingency fund amount went down to $0, would there be any other projects in progress that would be delayed? Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that the majority of the active projects are well funded, but additional funds are often returned to the NCIP accounts when a project is completed, so there is an item going to City Council on July 15th to close out a few NCIP projects with an approximate total of $100,000 returning to accounts, so City staff are not concerned about existing projects and funding, but noted the funding for next cycle will be competitive for projects. Public comment was then received. Gina Sessions spoke in favor of the funding request for the Fire Department as very important and valuable, and complimented the presentation providing significant details for a well-designed plan, timelines, budgets, and outcomes. Ken Hutchinson commented thanking the NCIP Committee for the initial project funding recommendation, and he is in favor of this agenda item’s recommendation so the project can be completed more efficiently as one project as opposed to in pieces. Tom Reeves spoke against the recommendation and noted that the New Monterey neighborhood was Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM 3 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes not in favor of the original project due to the lack of seismic analysis of the Fire Station 12 building. Tom Reeves stated that the building needs a thorough seismic analysis and noted that the recommendation increases the project cost by 90%. Committee member comment was then received. Committee Member Jannasch spoke noting that this recommendation comes mid- cycle, like the Fuel Reduction project, needing additional funding. Committee Member Tipton noted that the issue of project estimates may be due to insufficient staffing in the Engineering division. Public Works Director Renny responded that the estimate depends on each project, but since the City has recently completed a facility assessment, now City Staff may more accurately estimate the items for facility needs. Committee Member Whitney commented asking the Fire Department how will the project affect response time of firefighters? Chief Miller responded the goal is to keep firefighters onsite as the construction takes place, so that there is no impact to response times. Committee Member Schmidt commented recognizing how projects change with increased scopes over time as you discover details necessitating additional funding, but this project is important given the conditions for those firefighters who live there when on duty. Committee Member Stocker commented asking for more details on the seismic study that was done. Khan of Ausonio responded that the same structural engineer performed the study for the Hilltop Center, and specifically for the Fire Stations, they were looked at as a whole, including load bearing walls and the foundation, which were determined to be sound and stable. Khan also clarified that the Fire Station 12 slab at the front of the garage was built on non-engineered fill that was not compacted which is why the slab has cracked and separated from the load bearing walls, and that will be corrected. The wall of windows next to the vehicle bay will also be reduced from seven windows to four to increase the shear strength of the wall. Committee Member Stocker also commented stating that this recommendation is what contingencies are for, and it is more efficient to keep the projects moving forward even in mid-cycle. Committee Member Purdy commented also expressing in favor that the contingency is meant for these cases, while encouraging for future projects’ estimates to be more in-line with actual costs. Committee Member Fields commented that this recommendation makes the project cost nearly double, but neighborhoods want to support the Fire Department and support the funding of the project, while also expressing concerns that Fire Station 13 cost estimate was not included in this presentation. Public Works Director Renny commented that once the project was funded, Ausonio was able to conduct a more thorough inspection and developed a more complete scope of the project, so a deep dive would also be needed for Fire Station 13, and the City strives to be transparent on these findings. Committee Member Duke commented on the conditions of the Fire Station 12 and the need for this project to move forward since Fire Station 12 responds to 4.27 calls per day or approximately 1,600 calls per year. Committee Chair Ogbonna commented that this is the reason for contingencies, and she is not surprised that more money is requested due to the age of the fire station buildings. Committee Vice Chair Duke introduced a motion to approve the item as presented with the recommendation to City Council to appropriate $900,000 in funding, with the contingency balance of $750,000 and the unappropriated funds balance of $150,000. The motion was seconded by Committee Chair Ogbonna. The motion carried by the following vote: AYES: 13 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Purdy, Stocker, Schmidt, Fields, Hanson, Tipton, Baker, Whitney, Jannasch, Ogbonna, Ricketson, Duke, Jennings NOES: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: ABSENT: 2 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Cohick, Adam Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM 4  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes ABSTAIN: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: RECUSED: 0 COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 3. Discuss Guidance Concerning 2025/26 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Objectives and Priorities (Not a project under CEQA Article 20, Section 15378 and under General Rule Article 5, Section 15061) No action was taken. Staff Coordinator Paulding provided a brief presentation regarding the current status of the NCIP program and the City Council’s guidance of objectives and priorities for the next NCIP cycle. Committee member questions on the presentation were received. Committee Member Tipton asked if the citywide public restroom remodels project and the ADA upgrades to Facilities and Parks project presented to City Council also included the Library, which Staff Coordinator Paulding affirmed. Committee Member Jannasch asked about the utility undergrounding at the North Fremont corridor approved by City Council, will the NCIP funding go toward the Rule 20A Utility Undergrounding project on North Fremont? Public Works Director Renny responded that PG&E estimated cost is $9.8 million, and current City funding leaves the project funding short by $4.65 million, but also noted that the City is in a queue behind other cities in California, so this project will not likely happen for another 10 years. Committee Member Jannasch responded that $1 million would be necessary every year just to fund this one project. Committee Member Jannasch also asked if it is better to have generators stationary or mobile for ease of access and for maintenance? Public Works Director Renny responded in her opinion that it is better to have a back-up generator at a fixed location, and noted currently generators are brought in for emergencies and the connection process can delay getting them up and running. Committee Member Fields asked if this item is just meant to ask questions in order to inform projects by the submittal deadline of July 31st, which City staff affirmed. Committee Member Fields also asked if the El Estero Park Center Facility Improvements project or the Wharf II Repairs project has a long term plan with respect to concerns related to Sea Level Rise? Public Works Director Renny responded that the cost estimates are rough in order to provide an idea for improvements and maintenance on an annual basis, so this guidance is to provide time for discussion for the City Council and for the NCIP Committee. Committee Member Jennings asked where is the retaining wall at the bike path? Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that it is at the Lighthouse Curve. Committee Member Hanson asked if the Citywide Public Restroom Remodels would effectively replace the previous project of the Public Restroom Study? Public Works Director Renny responded that there are no other available water credits for additional restrooms, so instead this project is to improve the state of current public restrooms. Committee Member Duke asked what is the estimated cost of the project list, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded approximately $5 million. Committee Member Duke also asked if a project nomination will be submitted for Citywide Fuel Reduction for the next NCIP cycle, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that it is expected to be a project nomination still, once cost estimates of the needs for next year are determined. Committee Chair Ogbonna asked if there is no water for new restrooms, then what about a past specific nomination for a restroom at Cannery Row with staff support? Public Works Director Renny responded that City staff will look into it further to confirm the details, but there are still no water credits for additional restrooms. Committee Member Tipton asked if the El Estero Park Center Facility Improvements project accounts for the Sea Level Rise study completed recently? Public Works Director Renny responded that the Planning division is continuing to work on assessments for sea level rise, but currently the plan is to provide options to City Council that they would likely choose to protect the center rather than retreat. Committee Member Purdy asked regarding the public restrooms if water credits can be gained by Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM 5 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes conservation, and regarding the wharf if the cost provided is for annual maintenance or for more repairs? Public Works Director Renny responded that City staff presented details in April 15th and will present more details in the upcoming City Council meeting on June 17th, and described how City staff have continued maintenance of Wharf II, but the cost has continued to increase annually. Public Comment was then received. Gina Sessions commented that the projects nominated by the community do not move forward and asked what can be done differently to complete projects nominated by the community? Tom Reeves commented that this agenda item is an issue of order as to why this guidance is being presented to the NCIP committee at this time, which in his view seems like the City is out of order and getting first priority for the NCIP committee to review projects and to discuss the validity of these project details. Public Works Director Renny responded that during the Special Joint meeting with the City Council and the NCIP Committee, which was held at the Hilltop Park Center on July 18, 2024, the NCIP Committee requested for the City to be transparent on needs and to bring City projects forward for NCIP discussion. Also Director Renny noted that the NCIP Committee will be able to review all project nominations in the next cycle and will decide on all projects by their votes. Committee member comments were then received. Committee Chair Ogbonna commented that the NCIP Committee requested to be notified ahead of time of potential projects that would be submitted, so the intention is not to prioritize these projects, since in the past this information was not available earlier and frustrated the NCIP process. Committee Member Schmidt noted that she was surprised that the Wharf II received partial support from City Council given recent events with the wharf in Santa Cruz, while also noting that this discussion is just for information and not prioritization or action. Committee Member Jannasch commented highlighting the positive collaboration between the City and the NCIP Committee, including receiving this guidance list of projects from the City staff and City Council. Committee Member Tipton commented requesting City staff to distribute any received NCIP project nominations to the respective neighborhoods, which City staff affirmed. Committee Member Whitney commented advocating for new paint to the public restrooms. COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS Committee Member Purdy commented appreciating the discussion to better understand the City’s needs for the next cycle and looking forward to reviewing all projects in the next cycle. Committee Member Jannasch asked City staff when is the next meeting, which Staff Coordinator Paulding responded that the July 2nd special meeting will no longer be necessary, and the next regular meeting will be September 3rd with an overview of the schedule of meetings and encouraged all participants to follow upcoming City Council meetings. Public Works Director Renny commented for all participants to check the NCIP webpage for the Project Applications Summary file which is updated on a weekly basis by Recording Secretary Lovett as project nominations are received. Vice Chair Duke commented appreciating the positive cooperation between City Staff and the NCIP Committee. Committee Member Schmidt commented recognizing City Staff’s cooperation during meetings and their timely responses to questions for project nominations outside of meetings as well. Committee Member Fields commented reminding NCIP Committee members that as project nominations are received, for them to reach out early in order to gain neighborhood consensus on the projects. Committee Member Jannasch commented offering help to NCIP Committee members who may like to set up Google forms for surveying neighborhood consensus on project nominations. NEXT MEETING September 3, 2025 Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM 6  Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM Committee Minutes ADJOURNMENT Committee Chair Ogbonna Adjourned at 7:51 PM Respectfully Submitted, Approved, Parker Lovett Reginald Paulding Recording Secretary NCIP Staff Coordinator Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program Committee Meeting Minutes 6/11/2025 6:00:00 PM 7