Carmel-by-the-Sea commissioners map fall events calendar, await interim staff replacement

The Carmel-by-the-Sea Community Activities Commission on Sept. 9 reviewed plans for a full fall events calendar, agreed to pause work on its draft vision and mission until an interim staff person starts Oct. 1, and set follow-up items on a Car Week after-action report and several seasonal events.

The discussion matters because the commission oversees permits and logistics for many downtown events that affect residents, businesses and city operations. Commissioners and staff flagged staffing limits, public-safety data they expect from the police department, and volunteer needs for major events including the pumpkin roll, home crafters marketplace and holiday programming.

Leslie, a city staff member who is running commission operations after Ashley’s departure, told commissioners an interim staff person is expected to start Oct. 1 and proposed pausing further work this month on a draft mission, vision and guiding principles so the new hire can participate. “Very likely, at that time, will be probably our best time to talk about vision, mission, and guiding principles,” Leslie said.

Commissioners agreed. Maria Roos, a commission member, said pausing the mission work until the interim arrives made sense and that the commission should…