[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,96,108],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6567062,"mediaKeyId","3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd","parentId",3195384,"title","Council directs staff to adopt 2025 fire‑hazard maps and return with municipal-code changes","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",12790000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd&start=12790&end=12790","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd/thumbnail_12790000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6567062/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Council-directs-staff-to-adopt-2025-firehazard-maps-and-return-with-municipal-code-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567062-4e54bfc549ab8526d82e371ef5666234/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413876&Signature=T7h861EuJfq~7LRlAy5i45mHYNO1-WAV2itZQRugNS7k50SLu5WOENFeJ9WAsjwwnYCAV96RQ0xejhJHFBHkYBcSWoM5OYlD3qzmGRL2TGCuYYFniOTI~JEkOuY1SX~xWT9aaaw~bESrbGBJAevVTi-vuADeRSvBClyUFAW~~Lm0~ci7F-o7nNmqB4nix42UkTA4HxQ1aOefHKBUY-9rXvdjO~2L7h-Nqd6lWC5bGrXqJUs1FdBO2eDX7Z4VUKbopY9OzRWZZRjg8hG12zim25z4qmn2DGN~SKfFronckALbXlyzcpyjnhsb3MBsVwlGcecLGrJxwLrtHDf-fhLCmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carmel-by-the-sea","date","2025-05-06T05:37:46.573Z","article","CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on May 5 directed staff to proceed with adopting the 2025 fire hazard severity zone map prepared by the State Fire Marshal and to prepare municipal-code amendments that implement the state-required defensible-space and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) rules.

Anna, director of Community Planning and Building, briefed the council on recently released state maps that expand areas designated moderate, high and very high fire hazard severity. Staff recommended the council adopt the required map by ordinance and extend WUI-related requirements citywide as a consistent standard. Staff described three options: (1) adopt the map as issued by the state (meets state minimums), (2) adopt the map while arguing to the state for more areas to be designated as very high (staff recommended against this because of time and uncertain consequences), or (3) adopt the map and extend WUI requirements across the city (staff recommended that option for clarity).

Staff and the fire department emphasized that state law requires a public‑comment period and a July 8, 2025 deadline to adopt the map by ordinance for the local responsibility area. Several members of the public urged the council to proceed quickly; others warned that aggressive code changes could alter Carmel’s character and create high costs for homeowners.

Council ultimately voted to instruct staff to bring back municipal-code modifications based on option 1 (adopt the map as issued) so the city meets the state deadline, and to prepare the necessary code language for future council consideration. The city attorney advised that adoption of the map would occur by ordinance and that any additional code amendments (for example, to define defensible-space enforcement, roofing or fencing standards, or to clarify treatment of historic structures) would follow through the municipal-code amendment process and public hearings.

Staff acknowledged the council’s direction, and several councilmembers asked staff to identify short-term “easy wins” (for example, clarifying whether gravel counts as permeable surface under site coverage rules and whether new wooden roofs should be allowed) and to return with recommendations. Councilmembers also requested clearer guidance on enforcement and outreach to property owners; staff said inspections currently occur mostly from the public rights‑of‑way and that the defensible-space program emphasizes education with a multi-step compliance process before administrative citations are considered.

Staff noted that the state provides a list of approved noncombustible materials and that some jurisdictions are already implementing building-code provisions (California Building Code Chapter 7A and related fire-code sections) for new construction and for significant alterations in designated areas. Council asked staff to return with draft ordinance language in June and noted that the ordinance adopting the maps must be filed with the State Fire Marshal by July 8.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Special Meeting - 05/05/2025","oneSentenceSummary","After extended public comment and council discussion, Carmel council voted to adopt the state’s 2025 fire hazard severity zone map and directed staff to return with municipal code updates consistent with the designated areas and defensible-space rules.","taxTitle","Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County, California","taxId",79643,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6567067,"City receives 14 acre-feet allocation; council holds discussion on prioritizing water for affordable housing",2824,9548000,12372000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd&start=9548&end=12372","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd/thumbnail_9548000.jpg","/articles/6567067/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/City-receives-14-acre-feet-allocation-council-holds-discussion-on-prioritizing-water-for-affordable-housing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567067-a4005c2d53320119fb63d2982e918085/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413876&Signature=QvO9Jmau63g8ezeX7nTG00IyjntuzC3XYdfjdpE4af1XyxUAz7AG-1CVMpv3UX-2ROasBsedzkLp2fLRvd8u3Si65CguOdvU5PSFtMuo2ypdUJ1NvDHoTEgk5SW8rRF8eVRPN~LmS2GEAcTOFgdaY5HmrIRMcELax8tEtYlvY~pnz5o09ilG9LrYvNXTOAUBqCbVBqVsJxeTpXWqjg--L3fFAlLR8t3nxR3fShn5A~pp2X5R79UrDe08l4Se7IDKoyhaBKu-eJdYsv0BxoSu0n0Qc1Q8Ej0M7tLErcpXmxGU~hb6Lxz~hKkjeTb-UCo6scIPggtNyMQzt-vy9Dlrhw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District has allocated 14 acre-feet of potable water to the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, staff told the council May 5, and the allocation was provisionally placed in the city’s unallocated water reserves pending council direction.

Marnie, a planning staff member, briefed the council on how the city’s water-management program is administered. The city’s water-management ordinance creates land-use categories (single-family, multifamily, commercial, municipal and affordable housing). The city’s ordinance requires that at least 10% of available water resources be set aside for affordable housing. Staff said the new allocation increases the city’s reserve to approximately 16.6 acre-feet when combined with existing Mallory/Pescadero credits cited in staff materials; the district estimates the 14 acre-feet will be available for use at the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Staff reminded the council that the city’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requires planning for 349 units over the planning period and that the water district has estimated roughly 40 acre-feet would be needed to meet that RHNA target. By comparison, the current 14 acre-feet equals roughly 21 typical housing units based on the district’s water factors.

Councilmembers discussed how to allocate the incoming 14 acre-feet. Staff noted the ordinance automatically places new district allocations into an unallocated reserve until the city council adopts a resolution assigning the water to one or more land-use categories. Councilmembers debated whether to set aside the minimum 10% (roughly 1.4 acre-feet) for affordable housing now or to put a larger portion into the affordable or multifamily categories to better incentivize mixed-income or downtown redevelopment projects.

No final reallocation resolution was adopted at the May 5 meeting. Instead, council direction favored leaving the 14 acre-feet in unallocated reserves while staff and the planning commission refine options tied to programs in the pending housing element update. Several councilmembers asked staff to return with a proposed resolution and allocation scenarios — including options that would prioritize deed‑restricted affordable units, allow mixed-income projects to access water credits if they meet minimum affordability thresholds, and define how exceptions for projects with partial affordable components would be handled.

Staff also explained the district’s restriction that allocated water cannot be sold and that receiving properties must have an existing meter. The city’s planning department will continue to administer the program and maintain a waiting list for any affordable housing projects that require water but are approved before water is available.","The Monterey Peninsula Water Management District allocated 14 acre-feet of water to Carmel; staff placed the allocation into the city's unallocated water reserve and the council discussed options, including setting aside at least 10% for affordable housing, and directed staff to return with recommendations.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":42,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6567072,"Carmel council declines to schedule 2025 advisory vote on street addresses; committee work to continue",5006000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd&start=5006&end=5006","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd/thumbnail_5006000.jpg","/articles/6567072/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Carmel-council-declines-to-schedule-2025-advisory-vote-on-street-addresses-committee-work-to-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567072-72c491e2f8d63e9f601fc51fb9a4463a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413876&Signature=nT9D2H5P3JxcjijRfrLCL~CQ3RRD1yjUUMp3wKhzuJsE0dwh36QmZ8g~9DFcFlpk2fRkEp2wEIPGEEFE0JWM6ZcUZiO0gP4xbKuq5AL2YOb1RepvsCLXqpLYguxvdpWjy6skDEo8McH8cGE45beNuiHC3l2KWEpX7mf45uVIA-EbaNhynvjnMQSR13Yf1HWzwHJo9spdtstXcnSlMEs7u6S322s4rH4vsgpBVTfFLuX3DUqsp9dcK0iScm09oI8K~Wc2suSbDlF3AufooMiImyuWNg0I0hWE61yk0V0gGNjcdNmY-Glg2NutgaPKo4Nnw0GX4ITGSRHTYC9dWR5M4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on May 5 voted to decline scheduling an advisory special election on street addresses for November 2025, saying more analysis and public outreach are needed before placing the matter before voters.

Mayor Pro Tem Delves and an ad hoc group of volunteers presented a status update on the city’s addresses work group and described a draft “book” of background information: history and goals, emergency dispatch and response considerations, utility and service-provider input, legal requirements, possible addressing schemes and a proposed change-management plan. Staff and the volunteers said the document — intended to give voters and the council a clear, factual foundation for a decision — could be available for community review this fall if the council chose to delay a ballot measure.

Administrative staff also delivered a timeline and cost estimate for holding an advisory vote in November 2025; the Monterey County Elections Office estimated a special election would cost the city roughly $40,000–$60,000 (at $16–$24 per registered voter, with ~2,500 registered voters in Carmel). Staff told the council that a resolution adopting the ballot language would be required in early August 2025 for a November 2025 election.

After public comment — which included repeated testimony from residents urging the council not to delay addressing public-safety concerns — the council voted 4–0–1 to decline pursuing a November 2025 advisory vote. Councilmembers said they wanted more time for the addresses group to complete prototypes and for staff to develop a clearer implementation plan and public outreach strategy. Councilmembers also discussed lower-cost options, such as sending a postcard survey to registered voters, as a way to measure community views without the expense of a formal election.

Council direction preserves the ad hoc addresses work group’s timeline for drafting a detailed report and conducting a community “book tour.” Staff said the group hopes to publish finished materials for community review in August and provide a formal report to the council in October; any decision about a ballot measure in 2026 would follow that outreach and further council discussion.","By a 4–0–1 vote the council decided not to pursue an advisory ballot measure on street addresses in November 2025, directing the citizen-led addresses work group and staff to continue drafting implementation options and community outreach.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_46":102,"_48":103,"_50":104,"_52":105,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":106,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":107,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6567076,"Carmel council signals support for new budget rules, 90/10 CIP guideline and larger reserve goal",2474,2508000,4982000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd&start=2508&end=4982","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd/thumbnail_2508000.jpg","/articles/6567076/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Carmel-council-signals-support-for-new-budget-rules-9010-CIP-guideline-and-larger-reserve-goal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567076-a0ba6ed489f9a522e01894069fc1bcda/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413876&Signature=lMVPlU7N3KVbz0LTvYOap-TKh~ZcUMgjqfvy8KPJFRrPGHCLCHiaNJ2FMbD1pQg3p07Yw6gq4iwC0X-TPcVX9L-oI624EXeW2ftXlJIxvglTGWpDCfvMfIzmi2ltRnFMm~Np40j2KuFhfzHDEGWoGq6MhGJbSzJ46vqA8gfCCqktovoiHIKDAQ8b-ZSYHDoVdFrZnS6Ri3MjewsJtAEtQOFxQMgGOteZ3E6tBWY7ZudrR69BUBMspFHuknDJM81UOGtfGlmr~c~Vug3tP99f8oL1mdWFS25-j2pF8W2Wz36h4FFUxYVX9H7015K7f9V9cQnMiujdrWVc-2qjJj2Nnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on May 5 reviewed a package of proposed changes to the city’s fiscal policies and signaled support for several major shifts in how the city plans and sets reserves.

City finance staff and the council’s Financial Stewardship ad hoc committee proposed reorganizing and clarifying the budget book and municipal policies, raising the asset capitalization threshold (a staff recommendation to move from $10,000 to $50,000), and adopting new budgeting guidance that prioritizes capital projects. Staff recommended a 90/10 operating-to-capital guideline — i.e., budget to keep operating costs at or below 90% of revenue and target 10% of revenue for capital improvements — and an aspirational reserve goal equivalent to 50% of annual operating expenditures to insulate the city from downturns.

Jamie, the city’s finance presenter, walked the council through inconsistencies in the published budget book and explained the rationale for clarifying definitions of capital improvement projects and for changing the accounting treatment of certain work (for example, moving some tree work into CIP rather than operations).

Council members praised the ad hoc committee’s work. Several members asked for more detail in two areas: (1) how the recommended ninety/ten guideline would alter the five‑year capital plan and near‑term spending, and (2) what the practical impacts would be of consolidating several reserve “pots” into a single rainy-day fund sized at 50% of annual operating expenditures. Staff said the recommended 50% figure was developed by modeling the revenue drops experienced during the 2007–2009 recession and scaling that impact to today’s revenues; staff also cited other tourism-dependent cities that have adopted large reserves.

Councilmembers discussed tradeoffs between saving more now and having funds available to do capital work to address deferred maintenance. Several members favored adopting the 90/10 guideline, consolidating reserves, and pursuing the 50% reserve goal as an aspirational target; one member urged caution and requested additional detail on how the changes would be implemented in the FY 2025–26 budget.

Council did not adopt formal ordinance language during the session. Staff was directed to draft formal municipal code amendments and revised budget-book text, and to return with those redlines in time for the upcoming budget process. Staff also agreed to come back with modeling and implementation options showing the effect of the proposed changes on planned capital programs and fund balances.

If adopted later this spring, the changes would reorganize the budget book’s presentation of policy language, raise the capitalization threshold for fixed assets, and shift budgeting practice to make capital spending a clearer line-item priority rather than residual spending after operating costs.","Councilmembers reviewed proposed changes to the city’s budget policies, including raising the capital threshold, adopting a 90/10 operating/CIP guideline and targeting a larger reserve (50% of operating expenditures). Council gave staff direction to return with formal code and budget book language.",{"_33":109,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":110,"_41":111,"_43":112,"_45":113,"_46":114,"_48":115,"_50":116,"_52":117,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":118,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":119,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6567081,"Carmel council splits $30,000 equally among 19 nonprofit grant applicants; $6,000 held in reserve",3612,1260000,4872000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd&start=1260&end=4872","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3195384-3f4f3d0427d9faac4036e88249e1bffd/thumbnail_1260000.jpg","/articles/6567081/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Carmel-council-splits-30000-equally-among-19-nonprofit-grant-applicants-6000-held-in-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6567081-01f3b0214ff38b057f84a1a2101115ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770413876&Signature=SQAJ2odxzMDDCxhAjURRS7HjO5lyJchnun5tmEROVFbj8hlDrVg86CfS72m59-MLW16eE2kBlgXf8bpb3LeBe-xVR0J85mj4RK0kuhFtY-SCRJMm1lIgb1yyRRbimemO77JURn~SRaAZK-Q2vPH5ON2-hk9hWtD5SpJOpjxuXmfdvi0h9Hm78JPBeBvUSgivmrTgGYjGSBt0plkidlxZwJ~sTZOwqmuO7jWpvUT0a5bcHKVlr17Tu~oeD2ndQs7HxrJZleq8pFDjBNMozWKFLCKElx~k5YnhUhuUpqC7iG1c2s-tnXxj9SVFwMTt18wfkLadsIf4biSjiXn~j0I4nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. — The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council voted 4-1 on May 5 to distribute $30,000 in fiscal-year 2025–26 discretionary grant funds evenly among 19 qualified nonprofit and school applicants, awarding each applicant $1,500 and holding $6,000 of the council’s $36,000 preliminary allocation in reserve for midyear requests.

The vote followed a staff presentation summarizing the grant process and the city’s recommendation. Nova, a city staff member who oversaw the application review, told the council that the city received nearly twice the typical number of applications this year and that most applicants requested the maximum $3,000. Staff recommended allocating $36,000 from the draft fiscal 2025–26 budget but initially distributing $30,000 and holding $6,000 for off-cycle requests.

Council members questioned particular applicants and the distribution method during a council discussion that followed the staff presentation. Several council members said they favored an even split across applicants; one council member urged withholding funding for one applicant who the council believes owes inspection fees. Public commenters, including Tim Toomey of the Carmel Residents Association, urged the council to fund the association and clarified that the group is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization, not a partisan political committee.

After discussion, a council member moved to distribute the $30,000 equally, and a subsequent amendment specified $1,500 per applicant. The roll-call vote recorded Council member Barron opposing; Council member Booter, Mayor Pro Tem Delves, Council member Jermoff and Mayor Byrne voting in favor. The motion carried 4–1.

The council’s action distributes the $30,000 now and leaves $6,000 available in the city’s budget for grant requests later in the fiscal year. Nova said all 19 applicants were determined eligible under the council’s 2017 discretionary grant policy; eligibility requires applicants to be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or Carmel schools that provide services to Carmel residents and have no outstanding debt to the city.

The awards include youth and education programs (Carmel High sober grad night, mock trial, Interact Club, Carmel Little League, Carmel Youth Center, and Pacific Repertory Theatre school programs), community safety and emergency services organizations (CERT, Carmel Cares, SPCA Wildlife Rescue), housing and social services (Community Human Services, Food Bank for Monterey County), community engagement groups (Carmel Women’s Club, Carmel Residents Association), arts groups (Monterey Symphony, Carmel Dance Festival, Monterey Peninsula Ballet Theater, New Carmel Theatre), and veterans and seniors groups (American Legion, Carmel Patriots) as listed in staff materials.

Council members said they appreciated the volume of applications and the work of staff in processing them; the council also directed staff to place the formal resolution reflecting this distribution in the meeting minutes and budget materials.

The council’s approval does not change the draft budget; the budget and the council’s full discretionary grant policy remain subject to adoption in the regular budget process.","The City Council approved distributing $30,000 in discretionary grants evenly to 19 applicant groups — $1,500 each — and keeping $6,000 in reserve, after discussion about specific applicants and categories.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council directs staff to adopt 2025 fire‑hazard maps and return with municipal-code changes

City receives 14 acre-feet allocation; council holds discussion on prioritizing water for affordable housing

Carmel council declines to schedule 2025 advisory vote on street addresses; committee work to continue

Carmel council signals support for new budget rules, 90/10 CIP guideline and larger reserve goal

Carmel council splits $30,000 equally among 19 nonprofit grant applicants; $6,000 held in reserve