Jon Biggs

The regular meeting included the approval of the agenda. A presentation honored the Pacific Grove 12U baseball team, the 54s, for their participation in a national tournament in Cooperstown, New York, and highlighted their tribute to the 54th Coastal Artillery Regiment stationed locally during World War II. Council and staff announcements covered updates regarding the seal ordinance, avian flu in marine mammals, associated public reporting procedures, and the implementation of the coastal enforcement and education program utilizing Community Service Officers (CSOs) on electric bikes. Staff also announced the availability of 2026 summer recreation programs and recruitment for seasonal positions. Discussions also touched upon the upcoming cannabis lottery drawing and concerns regarding the delayed presentation of the rental assistance program as mandated by the housing element.

The meeting commenced with council member attendance confirmation, noting several members participating via Zoom. Key discussions included council announcements regarding the City's improved 'A' rating from the American Lung Association for smoke control efforts, and plans to deploy new signage to address cigarette litter. Public comments addressed concerns about the city partnering on a monarch butterfly tracking project involving microwave transmitters, issues related to the enforcement of smoking ordinances, and commentary regarding the City Charter. The main agenda item involved debating and voting on a resolution to submit a measure to the electorate regarding an increased stipend for the council members. Proponents argued that an increase would broaden the pool of candidates, especially for the upcoming district elections, and reflect the value of the work. Opponents expressed concern over the cost of a special election ballot measure and the principle of council members setting their own compensation.

The meeting addressed administrative items, including the unanimous approval of the agenda. Staff announcements included an extension for applications to boards and commissions until January 2nd, 2026, and recognition for staff participation in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Public comments included thanks to Public Works for event support and an invitation to a Heritage Society fundraiser for Chicago Hall renovations. The main agenda item was the Pacific Grove 2023 to 2031 Housing Element Update, which involved zoning and general plan amendments. Due to a potential conflict of interest for Council Member Ralph concerning property ownership at 215 Forest Avenue, the discussion was segmented. The first part covered the presentation and action on the certification of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR), adoption of the housing element amendment, safety element amendment, and zoning text/map amendments excluding Chapter 23.31. The EIR analysis indicated significant and unavoidable impacts for cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise, although impacts in other areas like air quality and biological resources could be mitigated to a less than significant level. Following a recess, the second segment was scheduled to address amendments to the land use element, land use map, and zoning text amendments for Chapter 23.31.

The meeting commenced after resolving technical difficulties with remote participation. Key discussions during general public comment involved a resident correcting a previous misstatement regarding address identification standards under local building codes, emphasizing character size and visibility requirements. Multiple speakers raised significant concerns regarding the integrity of the commercial cannabis business license application process, alleging permit stacking, coordinated applications by affiliated entities, and potential favoritism, requesting the council pause the lottery. A former mayor encouraged the holding of a State of the City address. Another commenter urged the council to review and amend the ordinance regarding separation distances for cannabis facilities to include residential dwellings. Staff announcements included recruitment for summer recreation programs. Furthermore, two Pacific Grove Police officers were recognized by a representative from the Naval Postgraduate School for successfully de-escalating a mental health crisis involving an armed forces community member over the weekend. The session concluded with the approval of the consent agenda.

The meeting commenced with presentations, including a $10,000 donation from the Pacific Grove Rotary Club to the Pacific Grove Youth Center and $750 to the Pacific Grove Library. A presentation was also given by the chairman of the Little Car Show, detailing donations of $2,000 each to the rec center, Meals on Wheels, the fireman fund, and the veterans transition center, noting a total historical donation of over $31,000 to the recreation department and library from the event. Council announcements included the availability of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan for public input and a call for public stories for the library. Staff announcements covered the final sign-off for the Kempton Miridor project, the completion of three capital improvement projects (pedestrian/roadway improvements at Fountain, Central, and Grand Avenues; sidewalk infill on Cynics and Congress; and youth center roof repairs), and ongoing police department roof repairs. During general public comment, topics included the successful listing of Chicago Hall on the National Register of Historic Places, concerns regarding compliance with California building codes concerning house numbers and detectable warning surfaces at curb cuts, and significant opposition to the MoDuS project due to alleged harm to monarch butterflies from attached RF transmitters and concerns about the fairness and transparency of the cannabis licensing lottery process, leading to a request for a pause in the lottery. Further public comments addressed the proximity of a proposed cannabis site to residential apartments containing children. The meeting then moved to the consent agenda.