The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council held a regular meeting on August 5, 2025, addressing several key issues, including the development of a standardized address system and updates on community projects.

The meeting began with a discussion on the need for a new address system to improve emergency response times, which can be delayed by non-standardized addresses. Council members noted that the current system is not compliant with state law. Efforts led by Kevin focused on establishing minimum requirements for a new address scheme that would satisfy both the United States Postal Service and local first responders. Various address schemes were tested, with a prototype resembling a classic format being developed. This prototype received conceptual approval from the postal service, indicating it could work effectively.

The council also engaged with utility companies, including PG&E and AT&T, to ensure they would update their service addresses in alignment with the new system. Positive discussions were reported, with utility representatives expressing a willingness to collaborate on this initiative.

Another significant topic was the council's ongoing communication with Monterey County regarding the role of the county in updating tax records and managing new addresses for subdivisions. The council plans to meet with county representatives to clarify their responsibilities in this process.

Community outreach is the next step, with plans to present the proposed address system to residents in the coming weeks. The council aims to gather public feedback before finalizing any decisions, with a follow-up discussion scheduled for October.

In addition to the address system, the council approved several items on the consent agenda, including the adoption of a paid parental leave ordinance and updates to the Monterey Regional Stormwater Management Program. The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of staff efforts in implementing a new agenda management system, which has received positive feedback from the community.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the council's commitment to improving municipal services and maintaining transparency with residents regarding ongoing projects and initiatives.