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Carmel council adopts fee schedule changes, asks staff to review Forest and Beach appeal process
Summary
The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council approved a revised fee schedule that includes a lowered tree-pruning permit fee and maintained a $1,891 appeal fee for Forest and Beach and council appeals while directing staff to review how appeals are routed and charged.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council voted unanimously to adopt the city's fiscal-year fee schedule, including a reduction in the tree-pruning permit fee and continued use of a $1,891 appeal fee for both Forest and Beach Commission appeals and appeals to the city council.
Mary Bilsey of Public Works told the council that “last year, we had added a dead tree removal fee of $200. It wasn't something that actually covered the cost of the tree removal,” and that a financial study in 2023–24 had calculated a cost-based fee of $682. Bilsey said the fee in the packet reflects last year’s council decisions rather than cost-based rates.
Council discussion centered on whether appeal fees are being collected and whether the Forest and Beach Commission and the city are following the steps set out in municipal code chapter 17. One council member asked how many $1,891 appeal fees had actually been collected over the past year; staff estimated “about 1” appeal in the past year. Several council members expressed concern that the city forester may be taking matters directly to the commission without triggering the fee, creating what one council member called “a monetary sinkhole.”
Council members asked staff to consult with the Forest and Beach Commission and the city forester to clarify when the appeal fee should apply and to report back quickly — noting a new public works director will soon begin. Mayor Byrne (presiding) urged staff to ensure municipal-code procedures are followed.
On a motion to approve the resolution in the packet with the amendment to lower the tree-pruning permit fee to $205, the council voted via roll call: Council member Barron — yes; Council member Bueter — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Delves — yes; Council member Grama — yes; Mayor Byrne — yes. Motion carried unanimously.
The council asked staff to return with a review of the forester’s process and recommendations for when fees should apply, and with proposed code or administrative changes if the current practice does not match chapter 17 of the municipal code.
The change takes effect as directed by the adopted resolution; staff will report back to the council with findings about appeal processing and fee application.
