Carmel council reviews new priorities format; puts Bridge to Everywhere into monitored "in‑between" status

The Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council on May 21 reviewed a new, hierarchical format staff developed to present the council’s priorities and agreed to retain the community-led Bridge to Everywhere project on an “in‑between” or actively monitored list rather than leave it in the parking lot.

Staff presented a draft that organizes council work into strategies, priorities and measurable goals with target dates rather than percentage-complete estimates. The new format is intended to be cleaner for public packets while allowing staff to “roll down” into subgoals and append a detailed appendix for performance updates.

The new worksheet groups items under six strategies, preserves previously approved priorities, and marks staff additions with asterisks. Brandon (staff) told the council the goal is to simplify the view while keeping all previously approved items visible and to use target dates to reflect staff capacity. He said the draft is intended for feedback on the format rather than final wording for each goal.

Council members praised the cleaner look but asked for usability improvements. Council Member Jeffrey Barron and Council Member Hans Booter both suggested an appendix or a collapsed/expanded Excel view so packet readers can choose a three‑page summary or a detailed version. Booter and others asked for clarity on how projects that the city does not directly control (outside groups leading the work) should be represented; staff proposed a separate “engaged but not responsible” track.

Public speakers and project proponents urged the council to keep the Bridge to Everywhere project active. A resident who said she had worked on a lease with project organizers told the council staff had a draft lease under review by the city attorney and asked that the council not remove the project from active tracking. Supporters from the Carmel River School PTO and others cited safety at Rio Park and urged the council to maintain momentum.

Mayor Byrne and several council members said the city has been participating as a supportive partner; they agreed to move the project from the parking lot to an “in‑between” monitored status so staff would continue to attend meetings and continue limited work on the lease. Council members and staff said they expect to place the project on a future public agenda for formal discussion and possible escalation of priority if needed.

Staff and council also discussed how to show responsible departments, timing and resource allocation in the new format. Brandon said staff can add a fourth, narrative layer beneath the presented hierarchy and will work with department heads to add target dates and responsible units before the council returns to consider final approval.

The council asked staff to return with the revised format and suggested packet options (collapsed summary and expanded appendix) before finalizing the new priorities tracker. The council did not take a formal roll-call vote on the format or the Bridge to Everywhere placement; council members expressed general agreement during the workshop.

The council directed staff to continue working on the draft lease and to bring the Bridge to Everywhere project back for further agenda discussion once staff and the city attorney finalize recommended materials.