Kim Barber

This document outlines a community survey launched by the City of Monterey to gather public input for the update of its General Plan, specifically focusing on the housing, land use, and safety elements. The initiative addresses the state-mandated requirement to plan for 3654 new housing units, inviting residents to utilize an interactive survey to contribute to determining optimal housing locations and the city's strategic planning.

This document details the City of Monterey's housing programs aimed at combating housing unaffordability in the region. It focuses on several key areas: maintaining and developing affordable housing units, providing financial assistance for home safety and accessibility repairs for low-income residents, and offering support to local nonprofits addressing homelessness and the needs of specific vulnerable populations such as individuals with mental illness, runaway youth, and veterans. The overarching goal is to ensure stable, affordable housing and supportive services for all community members.

The meeting began with introductions of the City Council members and an outline of public participation protocols during the COVID-19 crisis. A public comment period for non-agenda items included a resident's appeal regarding a significant rent increase amidst job loss due to COVID-19. The Council then addressed the Consent Agenda, where discussion focused on the status and percentage completion of the extensive sewer line rehabilitation project, which utilized a $16 million State loan. Council members also noted the appropriation of $1.6 million for unscheduled maintenance servicing contracts funded by the Department of Defense, clarifying it was not a General Fund expenditure. The main public hearing item concerned an appeal by the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa against a 10% penalty for late payment of Transient Occupancy Taxes for January and February 2020. Council members disclosed prior, non-substantive ex parte communications regarding the appeal, and the City Attorney confirmed due process screening procedures were implemented.

The meeting included administrative discussions regarding member availability and contact information exchange. The primary business involved the consideration of consent items, specifically the approval of the May 19, 2022, and November 14, 2022, meeting minutes, which were approved unanimously by the two members present. The main public hearing concerned a minor subdivision application (SD220068) for 501, 511, and 539 Figueroa Street to subdivide one lot into three. Key points of the presentation confirmed consistency with the General Plan and Downtown Specific Plan, the suitability of the site for the proposed density, and the lack of significant environmental or public health conflicts, noting that a previously existing garage conflicting with the proposed lot lines had been demolished in August 2022. Staff recommended approval, subject to conditions including the preparation and recording of a parcel map. The applicants expressed gratitude for the staff's work. The meeting concluded with committee member comments and adjournment.

This community meeting focused on continuing the discussion regarding the Residential Parking Program (RPP), which originally started in 2021. Key discussion points included providing updates on the program's status after delays, soliciting community feedback, and reviewing potential program changes. Proposed modifications under consideration involved changes to permit limits, the introduction of paid permits, and the transition to an online permit system utilizing License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology. The discussion also touched upon legislative changes impacting parking, specifically the elimination of parking minimums near transit stops, and addressing the issue of long-term vehicle overstays (72-hour violations). Furthermore, considerations for the future included establishing permit caps based on licensed drivers per household and implementing consistent street sweeping policies by block face. Attendees were encouraged to provide input via an ongoing survey to help shape an adaptive and balanced solution for the RPP.