[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6473570,"mediaKeyId","5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de","parentId",5744788,"title","Votes at a glance: Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council actions, Sept. 9, 2025","audioSeconds",2090,"startMs",6756000,"endMs",8846000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de&start=6756&end=8846","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de/thumbnail_6756000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6473570/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Carmel-by-the-Sea-City-Council-actions-Sept-9-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473570-7cf802eefc90357fc8a93d5d0cc7d092/orig.mp4?Expires=1770386281&Signature=l-xxSR9dkSbhHTYd3UGVXaON3wrNnJ7be6K9-3psI3LAw8VTKSBZaTsT9OC5ZMv0NwA1aROECpOU~mtEHJoUE0gKD~5gOVc59OdBUH2sM2EnKNeecs9BtpWWi~wHfnsWVTa1POZZlsiEGo60zZFrKmqFE5IJp5b3aUcVbMLcH2GLtdYrAlYM8YS2y3WAlg9AdOdIK4hwApWZpVq1DWGwzmNeEDn0qchtqEfcpa9qfccZyu38oiCPcI3hm5RG7u~ii9fpzyMz~qDtBfFS8MH-up7sebOhgV7Dp691J4gSey66wcAZRyjFAYLFYGEou-1veU1VjiF-l0E~kKHE6S~iIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carmel-by-the-sea","date","2025-09-09T18:12:58Z","article","The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council took several formal actions Sept. 9. Below are the formal items, the outcome and brief notes.

Votes at a glance

- Item: Holiday closure schedule (from consent agenda, Item 6 carried over)
Outcome: Approved (motion carried by roll call)
Notes: Resolution authorizing standard year-end office closure (details in staff packet). Vote recorded as unanimous 5–0.

- Resolution 2025-079: Authorize city administrator to execute fire and ambulance service agreement with the City of Monterey
Outcome: Approved (unanimous 5–0)
Key details: Five-year agreement; ~ $5.5M/year; ambulance to remain housed in Carmel firehouse; Monterey to provide 24/7 service beginning Oct. 1.

- Resolution 2025-077: Award construction contract to Coastal Paving & Excavating Inc. for the conglomerate paving project (base + additives + 20% contingency)
Outcome: Approved (unanimous 5–0)
Key details: Total contract amount $2,778,378; project includes Ocean Avenue county segment; work expected to take ~4 months.

- Resolution 2025-078: Approve ad hoc committee recommended reduced square footage and issue RFP for architectural services for police and public works facilities
Outcome: Approved (unanimous 5–0)
Key details: RFP to require swing-space analysis, community engagement and design-ready bid documents; selection to return to council.

- Resolution (reasonable accommodation policy update): Adopt revised reasonable accommodation policy and procedures to ensure individuals with disabilities have equal access to housing
Outcome: Approved (unanimous 5–0)
Key details: Updated findings language to reduce subjectivity, clarified standing for appeals within policy, and added planning commission recommendation to require recorded deed notification of nontransferable exceptions.

Context: Several of these items involved extended public and council discussion: the Monterey contract and paving contract drew detailed staff briefings and public questions; the ODDS (Opticos) contract discussion (objective design standards for ADUs and multifamily) was postponed by council direction to return in about 30 days with an expanded community engagement plan and revised scope (no agreement approved at this meeting).

Ending: Staff committed to provide schedules and public notices for construction projects and to return with revised scopes or additional detail where the council requested further work.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting | Tuesday, September 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of resolutions and formal motions decided at the Sept. 9 council meeting, including outcomes and quick notes.","taxTitle","Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey County, California","taxId",79643,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6473574,"Council delays adoption of objective design standards; asks Opticos to return with expanded engagement plan",728,8781000,9509000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de&start=8781&end=9509","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de/thumbnail_8781000.jpg","/articles/6473574/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Council-delays-adoption-of-objective-design-standards-asks-Opticos-to-return-with-expanded-engagement-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473574-a43e9014deb672ff9368e90f42110395/orig.mp4?Expires=1770386281&Signature=M18xgtrG0zN4shRFbmZLOB4RSHdDMa~B6j7UVqpsICqHFtbVScRt7pg-ITOsgQTmFckl9bSxp5x5Cl8wxMZqge6f4ZcCUVEFdX2aLZInOgqLPrfY52q4C5H-Oy4xgohoTtEV0TQMKVBZTegBYdTMzGBqKstDPMpQZnQT8NYYNf~Kma1uqGaxWI1hTCl5mJAvWaqygiKI-czxAt~jJHzZNUceiVmrSs8P8KgrqW5yZfhirSlkW2tOJy-HacBQEa1hKPOjSda-ChIvDhMBZn0w6TiGrPSFU~sX3BEq4VmpG1H09EJ~lDk41ETJmpn45SpNk3yhcFFPEQF0z3TBVH1XXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council on Sept. 9 reviewed a recommended contract with Opticos Design Inc. to prepare objective design and development standards (ODDS) for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), multifamily and mixed-use residential projects, but did not approve the professional services agreement. Instead, council directed staff to work with the consultant to expand front-end engagement and return with a revised scope and budget within 30 days.

Nut graf: Planning staff presented a two-phase approach: Phase 1 would develop objective standards for ADUs (about four months) and Phase 2 would address multifamily/mixed-use standards (another four months), for a combined adoption timeline of roughly one year. The staff recommendation included a not-to-exceed contract fee of $180,000 with partial grant offset. Council members and members of the public raised concerns about the depth of front-end community engagement and whether the consultant’s prior work in larger jurisdictions fits Carmel’s village scale and character.

Planning Manager Marnie said Opticos was chosen for experience preparing ODDS and for their work on similar California projects; she said a LEAP grant would offset part of the cost. \"Objective design standards are clear, measurable rules that do not involve personal opinions or subjective judgments,\" she explained and described the fieldwork, community workshops and graphic standards deliverables Opticos proposed.

Several council members and public commenters urged more robust community engagement early in the process and recommended forming a small working group or advisory committee made up of residents, local architects and stakeholders. Resident Kevin Roose urged caution about codifying a narrow set of styles and cited other cities’ experiences; resident Nancy Toomey recommended focusing on measurable attributes (rooflines, windows, setbacks) rather than rigid style lists. Opticos principal Tony Perez said his team had done similar work in Santa Barbara and other contexts and described ways to structure umbrella-style categories with subtypes to reflect local variety.

After extensive discussion the council agreed unanimously to delay contract approval and asked staff to return within approximately 30 days with a revised engagement plan and any proposed budget adjustments to add more workshops, a local stakeholder working group, and clearer checkpoints so the community can review designs before the final product is delivered. No formal vote on the Opticos contract was taken; the council’s direction was recorded as a postponement of action pending an amended proposal.

Ending: Staff said they will meet with the consultant to revise the scope and will return to the council with the updated work plan, community-engagement schedule and any budget implications within one month.","Council received a staff proposal to hire Opticos Design for objective design and development standards (ODDS) for ADUs and multifamily, but asked staff and the consultant to return in 30 days with a revised workplan that increases community engagement and clarifies scope and schedule before approving a contract.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6473579,"Council approves smaller police and public works footprint, authorizes RFP for architectural services",2181,4584000,6765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de&start=4584&end=6765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de/thumbnail_4584000.jpg","/articles/6473579/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Council-approves-smaller-police-and-public-works-footprint-authorizes-RFP-for-architectural-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473579-30306fe752f653d715acad62e6ce83da/orig.mp4?Expires=1770386281&Signature=FwyZxqFS2K0lbLcb-mGGQzUQNJAPdMsXkbK572JWOHJ7X7KuaFuCBeT1lWJG-uE938KMKDdpLkjGMxMS187Eq5xkr9I0ML7rlLZ1859QQMHk-XlNPGcbKKShPf1Q0nYzLrlf53oTBRR5O1~~jfS0Hz2oKWavJL-~rj3wBDVygLyK-sbldH4TNBKERc5GjYyI4~3i~vm48GV2ynOiHNy4eup8ybsid~0PFg0j0xBSOm0kya6TumR4ZAVLG1ISz7~8f27SQzmINh1NexqGktV3YzmwiBu2wORQfeiT59J-zkmaN0N2uqiRGfS6HkoEws7wQ8mSLU6Xcp1~9zqrcpRU-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on Sept. 9 approved a resolution endorsing reduced square footage for proposed police and public works facilities, and authorized staff to release a request for proposals (RFP) for architectural, engineering and project management services.

Nut graf: Council and staff said the RFP reflects lessons learned from earlier facility planning, emphasizes community engagement, swing-space analysis and compliance with Carmel design traditions. The RFP requires firms to demonstrate municipal facilities experience, ADA and seismic expertise, and to present an approach to public engagement and cost estimating.

Public Works and City staff said the ad hoc committee — consisting of the mayor, two council members, public works and public-safety staff — refined program elements and reduced proposed square footage before issuing the RFP. Ken (public works) presented the RFP scope and the evaluation criteria, which include understanding of Carmel design context, municipal experience, project understanding and personnel qualifications.

Council members asked about the selection process, committee membership and whether to include an outside architect on the selection panel. Staff said the ad hoc would continue through selection and that the final contract award would come back to council. Council also emphasized the need for strong public engagement, swing-space planning, and cost and financing clarity before design proceeds.

The council voted unanimously to adopt the resolution and release the RFP to qualified firms. Councilmembers also discussed adding a local architect to the selection panel and confirmed the ad hoc would remain involved at least through selection. Staff said proposals are due in late November/December with a selection and contract award targeted in early 2025.

Ending: Staff will return with recommended selection procedures and a finalized scope for the RFP prior to evaluating submittals; the RFP includes a timeline for community workshops and adoption hearings as part of the architect selection and design phases.","The council approved an ad hoc committee recommendation to reduce square footage for combined police/public works facilities and authorized release of an RFP for architectural services to design new facilities, including a requirement for swing-space and community engagement.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6473584,"Council awards $2.78 million conglomerate paving contract; project to include Ocean Avenue county segment",1655,2892000,4547000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de&start=2892&end=4547","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de/thumbnail_2892000.jpg","/articles/6473584/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Council-awards-278-million-conglomerate-paving-contract-project-to-include-Ocean-Avenue-county-segment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473584-3f2ca5f2ae810a5913fc47a88477a48d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770386281&Signature=XCvRC4eR9kxYkjRNTVrCyH89TYCWIva~iTaD1ae-WO3mDkj4lVSZcxUS1QKCSZTqIn1Q8xM8uxS9DuDeCNHFLCBX1A4n81qylJNez6VjfxoCgZcC~eJ79bLbcOKgfNMl~vVbTbhV8wm-Jn4JyBrQSZI2VNxxQrFvXJ-VJKQkSXvZcHk9QCSHBvTKYlDfJElJmr56xKpJELf~VfR5cPgnrwwG3r~oc-LN2gUttVjxz8MkKs281RNfO3z0lXY3Ecv5d1L2Z9wXLXqIqw9tHEEwgLBi8ErQQ0V7aIWqr2NrPXB~Og28K3r4N~2IAChMGjlTdu4T9pMGFaSv-c4hmm~vpg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on Sept. 9 awarded a $2,778,378 construction contract to Coastal Paving and Excavating Inc. for the citywide “conglomerate paving” project, which combines multiple previously planned pavement and sidewalk upgrades, includes a county segment of Ocean Avenue and carries a 20% contingency.

Nut graf: Staff said the contract consolidates years of planning and several consultant studies to treat multiple streets with a mix of full pavement reconstruction and microsurfacing; the contract includes two bid additives (safety/buffer and county segment work) and a 20% contingency to cover scope adjustments. Construction oversight will be performed by the city’s public works department.

Public Works staffer Javier reviewed the project scope, bidding process and financing. He said Coastal Paving’s base bid was $1,427,498; with bid additives and contingency the total is $2,778,378 and the work is anticipated to take about four months. The project scope includes full reconstruction on sections of Ocean Avenue, sidewalk improvements, curb ramps and microsurfacing on other segments.

Council members discussed sidewalk priorities, microsurfacing versus full repaving, and schedule impacts from weather and surfacing-plant availability. Councilmember Hans asked that particular problem sidewalk segments (for example, San Carlos between Eighth and Ninth near Sunset Center) be prioritized if funds allow; staff said the contingency and contract structure could permit adding such segments during construction if warranted. Several public commenters urged careful quality assurance for street patches after utility work and suggested a maintenance bond for street cuts.

Staff said the county portion of Ocean Avenue was funded by a combination of a reimbursement agreement, regional RSTP funds, and the city’s capital improvement program; Caltrans encroachment permitting for adjacent Highway 1 work has been secured.

The council approved the resolution awarding the construction contract and carrying the contingency by unanimous roll call. Council members asked staff to provide construction schedules and advance notices to the public once dates are firm.

Ending: Staff said they would return with construction timing, traffic control plans and public notices before work begins; the city also will present a sidewalk-priority report to council this week to guide potential contingency spending on pedestrian segments.","Council awarded Coastal Paving & Excavating the conglomerate paving project contract (base bid + additives + contingency) totaling $2,778,378, directing staff to manage construction and public outreach; project includes county portion and microsurfacing and is expected to take about four months.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6473589,"Carmel approves five-year contract with Monterey for fire and ambulance services",769,2039000,2808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de&start=2039&end=2808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5744788-98f9663750528d4f6d9ed747fe9737de/thumbnail_2039000.jpg","/articles/6473589/Carmel-by-the-Sea/Monterey-County/California/Carmel-approves-five-year-contract-with-Monterey-for-fire-and-ambulance-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6473589-e29d0df65fd6cfb004579449e68f26ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1770386281&Signature=iIyT3bO~cUpYuIGytxrmhJQ0swwOcxsoyBMaV4Yrv~YqxKwiEes~jD~3gT4S8QioWi1W3zRkjy~rhw0HZ4nAZG84eaSzjbYmcgaxqaK75TBgrlF2dCWW3AoKuQu~dR0qWimoGfRda8xDWa-lGWUEdp4JTMoRtiw7aOpistCZEIReXX5zbN0A44y7LDXGd79pw9ltTX27ybhBxQIUZ8iVgH8aIncymeNwEqLuPenhHg8WpLD5h-ak3ccdwq4Bjal4jTpfSNI1rfEdY9v5Bcwu2N1YAgmLn-jj4Ot63gGakiM6ExzNfYdhraVwZdCgyiUGntlzEu42nvRckmzhf3PdjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on Sept. 9 approved a five-year agreement with the City of Monterey for Monterey Fire Department to provide fire and ambulance services to Carmel, funding the contract at roughly $5.5 million per year and targeting service start on Oct. 1.

City staff said the contract addresses long-running staffing shortfalls and preserves the city’s ambulance operations while adding systemwide improvements. Acting City Administrator Brandon told the council the city will retain ownership and management of the firehouse building and revenues collected there, while ambulance operations will be provided by Monterey under the agreement. \"The building is still gonna be managed by the City of Carmel by the Sea,\" Brandon said during the presentation.

Nut graf: Council members said the contract is intended to provide continuous ambulance coverage, put a paramedic on the fire engine to maintain advanced life support when the ambulance is committed elsewhere, and reduce the number of times the town’s ambulance is out of service for staffing. Chief Miller of the Monterey team described the staffing plan and how the model will keep paramedic-level care available in town.

The agreement sets a five-year term with funding described in staff documents at about $5.5 million annually. Staff said the ambulance will still be based in Carmel’s firehouse and the personnel will largely remain local, but employed by Monterey Fire under the contract. Chief Miller described an implementation step to move one paramedic from the ambulance to the engine so the engine will operate as an advanced life support (ALS) unit when the ambulance is away. “We are in the process right now of hiring 5 brand new paramedics and building our cadre of paramedic firefighters,” Chief Miller said, adding staff expect the engine to reach 24/7 paramedic staffing in the coming months.

Council members pressed staff on revenue recovery for transports outside city limits and on preserving the city’s revenue streams. Staff and Chief Miller said ambulance billing rates are tied to the county’s rate schedule, which is expected to rise, and that the city will pursue improved cost-recovery practices with regional ambulance providers for transports that occur while the Carmel ambulance is committed elsewhere.

Public commenters asked for operational transparency. Resident Ken White asked whether the city would provide monthly activity reports with time-to-arrival data like neighboring districts; staff confirmed monthly reports are provided to the council. Nancy Toomey offered public thanks to fire and ambulance personnel for their service.

The council voted unanimously to authorize the city administrator to execute the agreement. The motion passed by roll call: Barron, Bueter, Mayor Pro Tem Delves, Grama and Mayor Byrne voting yes.

Ending: Staff said they expect implementation logistics and staffing milestones to continue to be refined in the coming weeks and months. City staff and Monterey Fire officials committed to regular reporting and follow-up to the council as the contract implementation begins.","The City Council authorized a five-year agreement with the City of Monterey to provide 24/7 fire and ambulance services beginning Oct. 1, aiming to stabilize staffing, keep advanced life support in town and retain certain local revenues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council actions, Sept. 9, 2025

Council delays adoption of objective design standards; asks Opticos to return with expanded engagement plan

Council approves smaller police and public works footprint, authorizes RFP for architectural services

Council awards $2.78 million conglomerate paving contract; project to include Ocean Avenue county segment

Carmel approves five-year contract with Monterey for fire and ambulance services