City Council Meeting October 19, 2022 – Report on Closed Session:
Conference with Legal Counsel – Initiation of Litigation Government Code §54956.9(d)(4)) Number of Cases:  One

City Attorney Brian Pierik reported Council voted to authorize the initiation of litigation in an action and the defendants and the other particulars shall, once formally commenced, be disclosed to any person upon inquiry.  The vote on the motion to initiate the litigation is as follows:

Ayes:  Mayor Peake, Councilmembers Coletti, McAdams, Poduri, and Smith Noes:  Mayor Pro Tem Amelio and Councilmember Tomlinson

Actions taken by the City Council Regular meeting on October 19, 2022, include:

-Approved Minutes of the October 5, 2022 City Council Special and Regular Meetings

-Approved a resolution amending Council Policy No. 000-19 to update the City records retention and records management schedule and reflect revisions from City departments

-Directed staff to prepare a contract amendment with HdL Companies for an extension to June 30, 2023 (renewable for an additional 1 year thereafter) in an amount not to exceed $60,000 for the following:  Sales, Use and Transactions Tax Auditing and Information Services; Business License Tax Operations and Compliance Services; Transient Occupancy Tax Operations Management Services; and authorized the Mayor to sign the amendment to reflect the aforementioned contract term and amount; and adopted a resolution Authorizing the Examination of Sales or Transactions and Use Tax Records

-Received Check Register Report - September 2022

-Received Core Revenue Reports for September 2022

-Received 2022 League of California Cities Annual Conference report from Councilmember Poduri

-Received City Council Goals and Tactics Update

-Received report of emergency directives/modifications

-Authorized the execution of a Measure X Funding Agreement with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County for an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, to fund the Project Approval and Environmental Document Phase of the Cedar, Sunset & Congress Intersection Improvements Project

-Allowed the California Coastal Conservancy to use Council Chambers on November 30, 2022 and December 1, 2022 to host their Quarterly meeting, and waive all fees associated with the rental of the Council Chambers

-Received Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Minutes: September 12, 2022

-Received Library Board Minutes: July 11, 2022

-Received Planning Commission Meeting Minutes: July 14, 2022 and August 11, 2022

-Authorized an extension to the agreement with PERC Water for Operations & Maintenance of the Pacific Grove Local Water Project not to exceed 1 year (November 1, 2022 –October 31, 2023) at a monthly fixed cost of $26,188 and a flow based variable unit price of $247.24 per acre foot of influent and authorized staff to begin contract negotiations with PERC Water and return to City Council no later than May 2023 with new negotiated contract terms

-Provided direction to staff on whether to purchase an electric or diesel-powered fire engine and authorized the purchase of a diesel-powered fire engine

-Convened a conceptual discussion on an “Empty Homes Tax” in the City of Pacific Grove

-Denied the appeal, found the project categorically exempt per CEQA Guidelines Section 15302, and approved the Architectural Permit and Tree Permit with Development (AP-TPD 22-0108) subject to the findings and conditions of approval

-Introduced and held first reading of an ordinance that amends Pacific Grove Municipal Code Chapter 18.36.050 related to the safe parking program. Directed that publication of the ordinance will be satisfied by publication of a summary approved by the City Attorney

-Introduced and held first reading of an ordinance amending Municipal Code Section Chapter 14.04 Marine Refuge Establishing Roadwork Restrictions During the Harbor Seal Pupping Season; and directed that publication of the ordinance will be satisfied by publication of a summary approved by the City Attorney

-Introduced and held first reading of an Ordinance Amending Chapters 2.05 and 2.16 and 6.20 of the Pacific Grove Municipal Code on Authority of Mayor to Sign Contracts and Purchasing System and Procedures and Warrants; and directed that publication of the ordinance will be satisfied by publication of a summary approved by the City Attorney

The agenda reports and supporting documents for all these actions are on the City’s website.  Details of the actions taken will also be available, upon completion and adoption of the meeting minutes, which will also be posted on the website.

The next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for November 2, 2022

City Clerk

Write-In Candidates. Write-In Candidates Filing period opened September 12, 2022 and closes October 25, 2022!  Interested persons who did not file a Declaration of Candidacy and fulfill their nomination requirements to place their name on the ballot may run for office as a Write-In Candidate.  Write-In Candidates may not complete a Candidate Statement of Qualifications for the voter information guide and their names do not appear on the ballot.  There is a $25 filing fee for the nomination paper. Write-In votes will be counted and certified in the Statement of Votes only for qualified write-in candidates who file the required forms with the City Clerk. Please contact the City Clerk or her Deputy at 831-648-3109 for an appointment to obtain a packet!

Community Development Department

Focused General Plan Update – Request for Proposals (RFP) Pre-Bid Meeting

The Focused General Plan Update Pre-Bid Meeting will take place Friday, October 21, 2022. This is the first step in the long-term process of updating the City’s 1994 General Plan. Interested companies and consultants will attend to learn more about the proposed update as well as ask questions regarding the terms and conditions outlined in the RFP.

More information on the Update and proposed timeline can be found at: https://www.cityofpacificgrove.org/bid_detail_T7_R110.php

Housing Highlight 
Meet Matthew and Michelle. Michelle was born and raised in Pacific Grove and Matthew was born and raised in Monterey. They are newly married young adults that contribute to the local communities in important ways by working for a local city and school district. They live in Pacific Grove but are very fortunate due to the fact that they rent from family. They hope to raise a family in Pacific Grove, but don’t feel that owning a home here is possible due to the high cost of housing.

Housing Updates 
The City held a virtual Housing Element Workshop on October 6, 2022. This workshop focused on individuals creating their own housing plan for Pacific Grove using the Balancing Act Tool. This tool teaches you where and how potential new housing can be built. This is a chance to share with us your preferences and feedback. Submit your plan by Oct 30: tinyurl.com/PGHEUBalAct. A recording of the workshop can be found on the Housing Divisions website.  

Click here to View the More Information ABout City of Pacific Grove Manager's Report - October 21, 2022