Carmel-by-the-Sea public works director outlines beach and forest projects, schedules summer stair repairs

Ken, the city’s new public works director, introduced himself at the May Forest and Beach Commission meeting and described a slate of near‑term and longer‑range projects intended to maintain public access and safety at Carmel‑by‑the‑Sea’s beaches and forested areas. He told commissioners he had spent ‘‘this last 4 weeks now, assessing, looking, listening, and starting to develop ... my vision’’ for public works and said the city’s adopted budget includes roughly $39 million in total and about $8 million for capital improvements.

The commission moved the public works director’s report from the consent agenda so Ken could present details and take questions. He said staff plan to replace the Eighth Avenue stairs ‘‘in kind’’ and is aiming to complete emergency repairs in July to restore public access. He described the sand ramp…