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Council reviews proposed FY25–26 capital improvement program; flags beach, paving and facility items for more detail
Summary
Public works presented a draft FY25–26 CIP and five‑year plan; council members and public commenters pressed for more precise cost estimates for Sunset Center and waterfront repairs, a clearer schedule for pavement projects, and quicker steps on tree maintenance and public restrooms.
The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council received a presentation from public works staff that outlined the draft FY25–26 capital improvement program (CIP) and a five‑year capital plan, and then spent substantial time probing specific projects and costs.
Public Works presenters Mary and Javier said the proposed FY25–26 list includes about 27 potential new capital projects whose combined preliminary value the staff estimated at about $9.8 million; staff noted some projects are carryovers and recommended cancelling one previously authorized project (Scout House relocation). Mary emphasized that some items are design-phase requests (for example, a Piccadilly restroom design line item) while others are construction estimates that will be refined by design and bidding.
Council and public questions focused on several priorities. Members wanted clearer cost and scope detail for the Sunset Center retaining wall repairs and painting phasing, asked for more precise estimates for the Fourth Avenue outfall and sand‑ramp work at Eighth Avenue, and pressed staff to show how much of the current paving budget is carryover versus new work. Council member Jeff Booter and others requested staff add a short list of seriously degraded residential segments (about ten short segments were discussed) and show what it would cost to include those segments in the near‑term paving schedule.
Public commenters urged faster, sustained beach maintenance (pushing up sand and maintaining temporary access) and noted that Mission Trail Nature Preserve projects have received larger recent investments while some beach and coastal repair work has been limited to engineering studies. Several speakers, including members of volunteer nonprofit groups, offered to partner on fundraising and implementation; the mayor and staff encouraged that approach and said staff will coordinate with community support groups.
Council direction: staff were asked to (a) refine cost estimates on the highest‑priority CIP items (Sunset Center retaining wall, Fourth Avenue outfall, sand ramp, Sunset Center parking resurfacing and Piccadilly restroom), (b) separate the police/public works facility from the ordinary CIP presentation so council can see the forecast with and without that large item, (c) provide clarified paving maps and a prioritized list of residential segments for potential inclusion, and (d) return with firm construction/design budgets or grant opportunities before the May budget adoption.
No formal actions or votes were taken; staff will return with revised CIP numbers and schedule for council review during the budget cycle.
