Making A Difference In Our "Urban Forest:" Friends of Carmel Forest & California ReLeaf

 
Location: N/s Ocean Av. & Del Mar Av.
Newly Planted Trees: A Cypress Grove of 12 Cypress Trees (5'-6' Height) 

In late October 2006, Friends of Carmel Forest & the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, with the financial assistance from California ReLeaf, planted a total of about 32 total trees; 12 Pine Trees (3'-4' Height), several small Pine Seedlings and 20 Cypress Trees (5'-6' Height), including an impressive Cypress Grove in the Sand Dunes, just north of Ocean Av. near Del Mar Av., thereby augmenting the number and diversity of trees in Carmel-by-the-Sea's "urban forest!"

Friends of Carmel Forest & California ReLeaf

 
Location: N/s Ocean Av. & Del Mar Av.
New Planted Trees: 3 of the 12 Cypress Trees in a Cypress Grove of 12 Cypress Trees (6' Height) 

Friends of Carmel Forest & California ReLeaf

 
Location: S/s Ocean Av. between Carmelo & San Antonio Av.
Newly Planted Trees: 6 Pine Trees (3'-4' Height) & 2 Cypress Trees (5'-6' Height) 

Friends of Carmel Forest & California ReLeaf

 
Location: S/s Ocean Av. between Camino Real & Carmelo
Newly Planted Trees: 6 Cypress Trees (5'-6' Height) & 6 Pine Trees (3'-4' Height & several small Pine Seedlings 

PART I: Mills Act Workshop

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING
MILLS ACT WORKSHOP
24 OCTOBER 2006

Senior Planner Sean Conroy gave a “brief powerpoint presentation on the Mills Act, a general overview.”

MILLS ACT WORKSHOP
• Origins
• State Requirements
• Property Tax Example
• City Requirements/Objectives
• Discussion

THE MILLS ACT
• State legislation enacted in 1972.
• Gives cities authority to directly assist property owners in historic preservation.
• Gives property owners public recognition and an economic incentive to restore and preserve their properties.

PROGRAM FLEXIBILITY
• There is no requirement to implement the Mills Act. This decision is left to each city.
• The Act sets minimum standards to qualify for benefit.
• The Act also allows each city to customize the program to suit local needs.

SELECTION FLEXIBILITY
• Mills Act contracts are not permits.
• Contracts are completely discretionary.
• Some of Carmel’s selection criteria require judgment. This allows for interpretation and flexibility on a case-by-case basis.

STATE REQUIREMENTS
• Properties must be identified as historic (National, State or Local level)
• The minimum contract term is 10 years.
• Contracts must contain renewal provisions.
• Owner must provide written notice of the contract to Office of Historic Preservation.

BENEFITS
• Benefit to property owner:
Property tax is reduced by using its “income value,” rather than “market value.”
• Benefit to City:
Historic resource is rehabilitated, maintained and protected from significant alternations in the future.

MILLS ACT EXAMPLE
• Normal Assessment vs. Mills Act Example
Property Tax 1% of Assessed Value = Market Value vs. Property Tax based on Rental Income, Net Operating Income and Capitalization Rate.
(Generally, a 40% - 60% Property Tax Reduction for Property Owner)

CITY FINANCES
• The County collects less in taxes.
• City receives less than 1% of the taxes collected by the County.
• The total pool of property taxes is distributed to the State, County and Cities. The property tax reduction is diffused among all jurisdictions Statewide.
• Financial impact to the City is limited.

CITY ORDINANCE
• Preservation Ordinance is part of the Local Coastal Program
• The Mills Act is one of several benefits included in the ordinance.
• Other benefits include reduced building permit fees, use of the State Historic Building Code and more flexibility with development standards.

INTENT OF (CITY) STANDARD
• Provide economic benefit to owners of historic resources
• Establish process that includes Historic Resources Board and City Council review.
• Establish criteria that limits the number of properties that can qualify to minimize fiscal impacts on the City.

MINIMUM (CITY) STANDARDS
• Property must be listed on the City’s Register of Historic Resources.
• A maintenance and management plan must be prepared and approved.
• Any historic R-1 property is eligible.

All past alternations must:
• Comply with the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for historic properties.
• Meet all current zoning standards.

No past alternation:
• Increased floor area on the site by more than 15% beyond historic size.
• Resulted in a second story addition.
• Affected the basic form and design of the original historic structure.
• Altered, damaged or diminished any character defining feature.

Senior Planner Sean Conroy: The current criteria is…”very strict and they are very limiting as far as how many properties would be able to quality.”

CURRENT OBJECTIVES
• Reward owners of well-preserved historic properties with only minimal alterations.
• Help offset rehabilitation costs.

POSSIBLE NEW OBJECTIVES
• Recognize only the best/most important examples of each historic resource type
• Help offset rehabilitation costs only for seriously damaged/degraded properties.
• Help offset significantly diminished development opportunities.

OTHER COMMUNITIES
• Most communities only require that a property be identified as historic to qualify.
• Several communities limit the number of contracts per year. (Coronado, Belvedere, Sierra Madre.) I.e. 2-3.year.
• Los Angeles does not allow contracts for properties valued over $1.5 million.

DISCUSSION
• Which objectives should contracts satisfy?
• Are the City’s standards and selection criteria appropriate?
• How strictly should the City’s discretionary criteria be applied?
• Should the City set an annual limit on the number of contracts?

Public Streets & Roads: A $1,001,730 "Failure to Respond:" Administrative Services Director Joyce Giuffre

Following is an October City Council agenda item conerning "Traffic Congestion Relief Funds," the City's budgeted amount for "streets, roads or storm damages," and a failure to respond to a resident's request for information on Administrative Services Director Joyce Giuffre's agenda item.

Meeting Date: October 3, 2006
Prepared by: Joyce Giuffre
City Council

Agenda Item Summary

Name: Consideration of a Resolution authorizing year-end fund transfers of unspent monies for fiscal year 2005-06 to comply with state financial restrictions and previous Council actions.

Traffic Congestion Relief Funds (TCRF) - $18,288.22
The Traffic Congestion Relief Fund (TCRF) was established by Assembly Bill 2928 and amended by Senate Bill 1662 of 2000. TCRF funds allocated to cities must be used for maintenance or reconstruction costs on public streets, roads, or storm damages. The monies received in fiscal year 2005-06 can be transferred to the Capital Improvement Reserve Fund account 13-24013 for future expenditures on road projects.

It is important to note that in order to retain the funds received in fiscal year 2005-06, the City must expend a Maintenance of Effort amount estimated at $1,243,418 for fiscal year 2006-07. The City’s 2006-07 budget currently plans for expenditures of $1,001,730 on street and road work, so an additional $241,688 needs to be spent in order to retain the TCRF monies received in fiscal year 2005-06.

Since the City’s Fiscal Years 2006-2009 Triennial Budget is not formatted to display budgeted figures for streets and roads, on Monday, 16 October 2006, a Carmel-by-the-Sea resident emailed the City’s Administrative Services Director, Joyce Giuffre, and requested the following per the above agenda item:

“I request public information pertaining to the city’s proposed streets and roads expenditures for FY 2006/07.

Specifically, a listing of the description of street/road word and amounts totally $1,001,730, per the Traffic Congestion Relief Funds October 3, 2006 City Council agenda item.”

Needless to say, Ms Giuffre failed to acknowledge the request. Thus, a failure to respond to a resident’s request regarding her own City Council agenda item.

COMMENTS:
In order for the city to “retain” $18,288.22 in “Traffic Congestion Relief Funds,” the city must budget for Fiscal Year 2006/07 a “Maintenance of Effort amount estimated at $1,243,418;" this amount must be “used for maintenance or reconstruction costs on public streets, roads, or storm damages.” Ergo, as Administrative Services Director Joyce Guiffre writes, the city must expend an additional $241,688, added to the budgeted $1,001,730, to retain the funds.

For context, the proposed Fiscal Year 2006/07 Budget: $11,751,301.
Budgeted amount for “streets, roads, or storm damages:” $1,001,730.
$1,001,730 represents a mere 9% of the total proposed annual budget.
With the current condition of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s streets and roads, not only is it injudicious to only allocate $1,001,730, it is unwise to only allocate the minimum required to retain these “Traffic Congestion Relief Funds, an amount of $1,243,418.

References:
Capital Improvements (2006/07)
01-89636 4th Avenue Riparian Restoration $ 44,594
01-89427 Del Mar Restrooms $ 55,200
Subtotal $ 99,794

Expenditures:
Public Works $ 960,205
Capital Improvement Program $ 99,794

Source: City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Budget Summary - Revenues and Expenditures FY 04-05 Thru FY 08-09


Organization
In our continuing attempt to maintain a high level of public services to our citizens, staff is recommending organizational changes that provide for a more responsive government as well as better defining management responsibilities and accountability. With this in mind, the basic organization structure recommended in the Budget document is as follows:

The Finance Manager position is being changed to an Administrative Services Director with responsibilities for overseeing City Hall administrative services including Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management, Business Licenses and other administrative fees.

Effective Date: July 2006

Source: CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
STAFF REPORT
TO: MAYOR McCLOUD AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
FROM: RICH GUILLEN, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
DATE: MAY 23, 2006
SUBJECT: BUDGET MESSAGE FOR THE FISCAL YEARS 2006-07 THROUGH 2008-09 TRIENNIAL BUDGET

HOPE You Do Not LIVE On Carpenter St./Forest Rd.: 6 Sequential "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrants

 
#1 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant
Location: Carpenter St. & 3rd Av., E/s 
The motto of our nation's fire service is "To Save Lives And Protect Property."

"Though most jurisdictions test 20 percent of their hydrants each year, Carmel hadn’t conducted flow tests since 1995, according to Fire Chief Andrew Miller."

"In Pacific Grove, where Miller is the fulltime chief (Carmel contracts for some PGFD services, including his), they test hydrants every year and have addressed problems as they arise."

(Source: “29 HYDRANTS FLUNK TEST, FIRE CHIEF SAYS,” Mary Brownfield, The Carmel Pine Cone, September 1, 2006.)

These 6 “NOT IN SERVICE” Orange Bagged Fire Hydrants from Carpenter St. & 3rd Av., extending south to Forest Rd. & 8th Av., were “bagged” during the week of 23 October 2006.

City Council Agenda
Regular Meeting
October 3, 2006

V. Announcements from Closed Session, from City Council Members and
the City Administrator.

C. Announcements from City Administrator.
• Receive report on Fire Hydrant Testing

As Fire Chief Andrew Miller was “on vacation” and would return to his office on October 10th, per 1 October 2006 email, City Administrator Rich Guillen announced that since the Fire Chief was unavailable this agenda item would be postponed...until?

# 2 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant

 
#2 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant
Location: Carpenter St. & 4th Av., E/s 

# 3 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant

 
#3 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant
Location: Carpenter St. & 5th Av., E/s 

# 4 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant

 
#4 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant
Location: Ocean Av. & Carpenter St., E/s 

# 5 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant

 
#5 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant
Location: Forest Rd. & 7th Av., E/s 

# 6 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant

 
#6 "NOT IN SERVICE" Fire Hydrant
Location: Forest Rd. & 8th Av., W/s 

Journalism Standards: Part II

TIMELINE:

Sunday, 8 October 2006:
The Monterey County Herald’s publication of “Local government preserves its right to interfere,” a Guest Commentary by Lawrence Samuels.

Sunday, 8 October 2006:
A Carmel-by-the-Sea resident’s corrections (4) to the Guest Commentary by Lawrence Samuels.

Thursday, 12 October 2006
The Monterey County Herald’s publication of a “Setting it straight” Letter to the Editor by Sue McCloud.

Monday, 16 October 2006:
The Monterey County Herald’s publication of “Draconian housing laws,” by Lawrence Samuels, rebutting Mayor McCloud’s 12 October 2006 Letter to the Editor.

Wednesday, 18 October 2006:
The Monterey County Herald’s publication of “Truly Worthy,” a Letter to the Editor by Erling Lagerholm rebutting Lawrence Samuels’s original 8 October 2006 Guest Commentary.


On Erling Lagerholm’s Letter to the Editor, published 10 days after the publication of the Guest Commentary:

“The board has created no list. This was done previously without participation by the board.”

Comment: True; However, Erling Lagerholm omits the fact that the City Council members are responsible for the Carmel Inventory of Historic Resources; an Inventory which consisted of approximately 300 “historic properties” when it was submitted to the California Coastal Commission for certification in 2004.

“This represents an 82 percent "de-designation," hardly a sign that government is taking ‘bite-sized control over private property.’”

“It truly represents a careful, detailed review by the staff and board to designate historic only truly worthy properties.”

Comment: Assuming an 82% de-designation rate, or 82% of all appeals granted, what does that say about the city’s policy direction and review of the Carmel Inventory of Historic Resources prior to their submittal to the California Coastal Commission? The General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Land Use & Community Character Element states “The purpose of this component of the Land Use Plan is to…promote the identification and preservation of structures and sites that best represent this history.” In other words, extrapolating from Lagerholm’s logic, the Inventory of Historic Resources should have consisted of about 54 historic properties (82% of the total 300), not 300 “historic properties.” Additionally, only properties which are appealed will receive a detailed review of the evidence, or about 100 of 300. That being the case, the City’s Inventory of Historic Resources will not represent, in its entirety, “only truly worthy properties.”

On Sue McCloud’s Letter to the Editor, published 4 days after publication of the Guest Commentary and Corrections submitted to The Monterey County Herald:

If it is The Herald’s policy not to publish Corrections in the “Corrections” section of the newspaper, but rather publish “corrections” letters to the editor, then WHERE was Sue McCloud’s Letter to the Editor during the 2006 mayoral campaign correcting her age as 71, not as published repeatedly as 63? And WHERE was her Letter to the Editor correcting the city’s misinformation published at least two times that the proceeds from the sale of the Flanders Mansion Property would fund the Fire Station Seismic Retrofit Project when the monies had already been budgeted and the City was and is in litigation over the disposition of the Flanders Mansion Property?

Journalism Standards: Part I

For interesting content regarding a resident's concerns about The Monterey County Herald’s recent publication of a Guest Commentary, submitted corrections, a “corrections” Letter to the Editor and the Committee of Concerned Journalists Executive Director’s response, please click on the title (link) above.

Conflict of Interest? A Guest Commentary, A Letter to the Editor, and Corrections Standards
CCJ Staff, An exchange between CCJ Executive Director Jeffrey Dvorkin and a concerned citizen, October 16, 2006


Additionally, the following is information about the Committee of Concerned Journalists, (http://www.concernedjournalists.org/). This organization’s overriding belief is that the “purpose of journalism is to provide citizens with accurate and reliable information they need to function in a free society.” And whose members are concerned with today’s journalism “standards.”

About CCJ Executive Director Jeffrey Dvorkin:

Jeffrey Dvorkin assumed the role of Executive Director of CCJ in July 2006.

Prior to becoming CCJ’s Executive Director, Jeffrey Dvorkin was with National Public Radio; as the organization’s first Ombudsman (2000-2006), author of an online column, Vice President for News & Information (1997-2000). Prior to his positions with NPR, he was Managing Editor and Chief Journalist at CBC Radio (1991-1997), a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Dvorkin’s broadcast journalism career, which included upholding “editorial standards and ensuring the excellence of news and information programming,” spanned almost 30 years.

Committee of Concerned Journalists (CCJ)

CCJ History:

“On a rainy Saturday in June 1997, twenty-five journalists gathered at the Harvard Faculty Club...They were there because they thought something was seriously wrong with their profession. They barely recognized what they considered journalism in much of the work of their colleagues. Instead of serving a larger public interest, they feared, their profession was damaging it.”

(Source: http://www.concernedjournalists.org/about_ccj/history)

CCJ People:

“The Committee of Concerned Journalists is a consortium of reporters, editors, producers, publishers, owners, and academics concerned about the direction of and pressures facing American journalism. Created in June 1997, the group aims to clarify standards and principles in journalism by bringing journalists together to discuss their craft, its purpose and what sets it apart from other forms of communication.”
(Source: http://www.concernedjournalists.org/about_ccj/staff)

CCJ’s Core Principles

A Statement of Concern

A Statement of Shared Purpose

A Citizens' Bill of Rights
(Source: http://www.concernedjournalists.org/node/385)


Note: The Monterey County Herald’s Executive Editor, Carolina Garcia, IS NOT a member of CCJ.

Carmel-by-the-Sea Style Public Accountability?

”In our continuing attempt to maintain a high level of public services to our citizens, staff is recommending organizational changes that provide for a more responsive government as well as better defining management responsibilities and accountability.”Rich Guillen, City Administrator, Staff Report, Budget Message for the Fiscal Years 2006-07 Through 2008-09 Triennial Budget, May 23, 2006.

Consider the preceding statement by City Administrator Rich Guillen when reading the following correspondence between a Carmel-by-the-Sea resident, the Carmel Fire Chief, the Carmel Public Safety Director and the Manager of California American Water concerning the resident’s concerns about the fire hydrant/water supply system situation in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

From: Carmel resident
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006
To: Steven Leonard ['monterey@amwater.com']
Subject: Questions about Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Water Supply System

Steve Leonard
Vice President and Manager of California American Water:

As a resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I am writing to you to request clarification and information regarding Carmel-by-the-Sea’s fire hydrants and water supply pipes situation.

I understand that California American Water Company is the owner and operator of the Carmel City water system and is responsible for water supply in Carmel-by-the-Sea; and the Carmel Fire Department is responsible for water delivery. I also understand that you, Cal Am’s local manager, are awaiting or have received information from the Carmel Fire Department in order to determine the best course of action; that is, unclogging or replacing “antiquated” water supply pipes in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Questions:
1. Are you awaiting or have you received information from the Carmel Fire Department so that you can determine the best course of action?

2. If you have received information from the CFD regarding clogged or damaged water supply pipes, then briefly what will the remedy entail?

I understand that Carmel needed your permission to conduct hydrant flow tests, and that the city has not conducted such tests since 1995. Did the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea not ask you for permission to conduct those tests since 1995?

Thank you for your time and responses.


From: Carmel resident
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006
To: Andrew D. Miller[ 'amiller@ci.pg.ca.us']
Subject: Clarifications on "Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006"

Andrew Miller
Fire Chief:

As a resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I am writing to you to request clarifications to your “Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006” information sheet.

I understand that California American Water Company is the owner and operator of the Carmel City water system and is responsible for water supply in Carmel-by-the-Sea; and the Carmel Fire Department is responsible for water delivery. I also understand that Cal Am’s local manager, Steve Leonard is awaiting information from the Carmel Fire Department to determine the best course of action; that is, unclogging or replacing “antiquated” water supply pipes.

Questions:
1. Have you completed water flow tests on all the Carmel water supply lines and 201 fire hydrants? If not, when do you estimate you will complete this task?

2. If you have completed the tests, briefly what information are you providing Cal Am in order to remedy the situation?

3. Why has Carmel not conducted water flow tests since 1995 in order to comply with the standard of annual inspections of fire hydrants and 5 year cycle tests involving 20% of hydrants and water supply pipes/year?

Thank you for your time and response.


From: Andrew D. Miller
Sent: Sunday, October 1, 2006
To: Carmel resident

Subject: Re: Clarifications on "Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006"

I am on vacation and will return to my office on October 10th. I will have updated fire hydrant flow test information at that time and will respond to your questions #1 and #2. As far as question #3, I have only been the Carmel Fire Department (CFD) Fire Chief since last November. During that time I have been evaluating and updating the CFD operational systems. Right off the bat I had all of the fire hydrants in Carmel service tested and as soon as Cal-Am allowed for the hydrant flow testing we started day one. This is when we found that some of the 80 year old 4” galvanized lateral lines were compromised due to corrosion. Our strategy was to test all areas that had these questionable 4” lateral lines and we only had until October 30th to complete this task per Cal-Am. To that end I want to reassure you that we have contingency plans in place.
Thank You
Andrew Miller
Fire Chief

From: Carmel resident
Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 1:50 PM
To: George Rawson
Subject: Question on City's Water Situation

George E. Rawson
Public Safety Director:

As a resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea, I am writing to you regarding your “Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006” information sheet and recent news reports.

I understand that California American Water Company is the owner and operator of the Carmel City water system and is responsible for water supply in Carmel-by-the-Sea; and the Carmel Fire Department is responsible for water delivery. I also understand that Cal Am’s local manager, Steve Leonard, is awaiting information from the Carmel Fire Department to determine the best course of action; that is, unclogging or replacing “antiquated” water supply pipes.

Question:

Why has Carmel not conducted water flow tests since 1995 in order to comply with the standard of annual inspections of fire hydrants and 5 year cycle tests involving 20% of hydrants and water supply pipes/year? Did the City not request permission from Cal Am to conduct the water flow tests the past 11 years? Again, if not, why not?

I would appreciate a prompt, honest and straight forward answer. Thank you for your time and response.


From: George Rawson
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006
To: Carmel resident
Subject: Re: Question on City's Water Situation

Hello: I received your email concerning fire hydrants in Carmel. This issue is still under review by our Fire Chief, myself, and our City Administrator. A report on this matter will be forthcoming to the City Council in the near future. Thank you for your interest in the Carmel Fire Department.

George Rawson
Director of Public Safety
Carmel-by-the-Sea

From: Carmel resident
Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2006
To: Rawson
Subject: Re: Question on City's Water Situation

George Rawson
Public Safety Director:

As the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Public Safety Director, your official job description is, as follows:

PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR
Definition
Administers, plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and supervises the operations of the Public Safety Department in providing law enforcement, crime prevention, fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency/diaster planning, and other related services concerning the preserfation of life and property in the City; performs other duties as reuqired.

While you may be reviewing “this issue” presently, my question concerns past tense conduct involving public safety for the years 1995 to the time prior to contracting with Fire Chief Andrew Miller. As such, since my question bears directly on your official duties and responsibilities as Public Safety Director, ensuring the public safety of all Carmelites, I expect a professional answer from you, not until this “matter” is presented at a future City Council meeting.

Again, my questions:

Why has Carmel not conducted water flow tests since 1995 in order to comply with the standard of annual inspections of fire hydrants and 5 year cycle tests involving 20% of hydrants and water supply pipes/year? Did the City not request permission from Cal Am to conduct the water flow tests the past 11 years? If not, why not?


From: Steve Leonard
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006
To: Carmel resident
Subject: Re: Questions about Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Water Supply System

First let me apologize the tardy response. I started my cold and flu season a little early this year.

Regarding the Carmel fire hydrants. We have been working closely with the Carmel Fire Department to test and identify substandard hydrants. We have received the testing results from the Fire Department and we are analyzing the results from the water systems point of view. When we have completed our preliminary review we will get back together with Carmel Fire to prioritize the corrective actions. Our very preliminary review suggests that there are variety or problems mostly caused by rusting of the mains supplying the hydrants. It is my understanding that recent hydrant testing has not regularly occurred. To my knowledge the Department does not need our permission to flush. We do try to coordinate with the Department when they are flushing to keep track of the water usage.

In closing, we are working closely with the Department and the City Manager to get a handle on the problem and develop the a plan to solve it.

Thank you for your interest.

Steve Leonard

From: Carmel resident
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006
To: Andrew Miller
Subject: RE: Clarifications on "Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006"

Andrew Miller
Fire Chief:

Since I understand from Steve Leonard that he has received “the testing results from the Fire Department” and are presently analyzing the results from “the water systems point of view,” can you please briefly explain what your testing results and data demonstrated?

Thank you for your time and response.


From: George Rawson [mailto:grawson@ci.carmel.ca.us]
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 12:09 PM
To: Carmel resident
Cc: Andrew D. Miller
Subject: Fire Hydrants

Hello: On behalf of Fire Chief Andrew Miller, thank you for your email concerning fire hydrants. As I mentioned in my previous email to you on October 5, 2006, the matter of fire hydrants is not yet finalized and is still under review by the City of Carmel. When the review is completed a report will be forwarded to the City Council. Thank you for your patience and interest in this matter.

George E. Rawson
Director of Public Safety
Carmel-by-the-Sea

From: Carmel resident
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006
To: George Rawson; 'Andrew D. Miller'
Subject: RE: Fire Hydrants

George Rawson
Public Safety Director:

And I mentioned to you in a previous email, my question to you has nothing to do with corrective actions to be taken by the Carmel Fire Department and Cal Am in remedying the present dire situation. Rather, it has to do with city decisions made between 1995 to November 2005 as to why the city did not conduct water flow tests in order to comply with the standard of annual inspections of fire hydrants and 5 year cycle tests involving 20% of hydrants and water supply pipes/year.

One aspect of the public’s expectations is the following: if a resident takes the time and effort to email a city official, he/she expects and is entitled to a prompt and professional response to any questions. In this instance, you, as Public Safety Director, have not only failed to meet this expectation, but you have not communicated a commitment as to whether you will even address my concern/question at a future City Council meeting.

Additionally, I would also like to take this opportunity to ask you to explain the discrepancy between the statement in your “Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006” information handout, “In order to conduct hydrant flow tests, the fire department needs to have permission from the water company…” and Steve Leonard’s statement, “To my knowledge the Department does not need our permission to flush.”


From: George Rawson [mailto:grawson@ci.carmel.ca.us]
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2006
To: Carmel resident
Subject: Re: Fire Hydrants

Hello: In response to your request for information concerning fire hydrants a report will be forthcoming to the City Council in the near future. Regarding your question about the discrepancy of hydrant flow testing, a “flush” involves opening up the hydrant to flush out debris or rusty water. Flushes do not require permission from Cal-Am. A hydrant "flow" test flows water for purposes of pressure testing. Flow testing is coordinated with Cal-Am.

George E. Rawson
Director of Public Safety
Carmel-by-the-Sea

Note: Rawson’s word “coordinated” IS NOT synonymous with “requiring permission” (from Cal Am).

COMMENTS AND BOTTOM LINE:

On Public Safety Director George Rawson: After multiple attempts to get a straightforward answer to the central question of “Why has Carmel not conducted water flow tests since 1995 in order to comply with the standard of annual inspections of fire hydrants and 5 year cycle tests involving 20% of hydrants and water supply pipes/year, his repetitive answer was “A report on this matter will be forthcoming to the City Council in the near future.” When it was related to him in a follow-up email that the question had nothing to do with corrective actions requiring consultation with the Fire Chief and City Administrator, he again failed to directly answer the question. Note: The occasions George Rawson stated that this issue is under review by the Fire Chief, City Administrator and himself, the Fire Chief was on vacation. And on another occasion, the City Administrator was on vacation.

On Fire Chief Andrew Miller: During his vacation, he stated that when he returned October 10, ” I will have updated fire hydrant flow test information at that time and will respond to your questions #1 and #2.” However, Fire Chief Miller did not answer questions #1 and #2, and never responded to a further e-mail. Note: On the City’s web site is a link to Fire Chief; however, that link is not a link to the Fire Chief Andrew Miller, but is a link to the Public Safety Director. In other words, members of the public do not have any information from the city’s web site informing them of the person who is the Carmel Fire Chief, let only information to contact him.

On Steve Leonard: The manager of Cal Am was the most responsive in terms of answering questions specifically and relating up-to-date information as of that moment.

In the context of City Administrator Rich Guillen’s statement “In our continuing attempt to maintain a high level of public services to our citizens, staff is recommending organizational changes that provide for a more responsive government as well as better defining management responsibilities and accountability,” including the new position of Public Safety Director, currently occupied by George Rawson; the central question remains unanswered and Public Safety Director George Rawson has not committed to addressing the question at a future City Council meeting. Simply put, “Why has Carmel not conducted water flow tests since 1995 in order to comply with the standard of annual inspections of fire hydrants and 5 year cycle tests involving 20% of hydrants and water supply pipes/year? “

Bottom Line: Whatever the reasons and/or excuses presented to the public at a future City Council meeting, the public safety of Carmel-by-the-Sea residents was unnecessarily put at risk because the Carmel Fire Department failed to conduct standard tests, as described by the National Fire Protection Association, over an 11 year period, from 1995 to 2006.(Sources: http://www.nfpa.org/freecodes/free_access_document.asp;
http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/list_of_codes_and_standards.asp)

"Spirit of Carmel" Award Winners (4 of 4)

 
Resource Name: John T. Black House
Location: Guadalupe St. 4 N.W. of 1st Av.
Owner: Jed Brusseau
Honorable Mention Award for the Renovation of the Residence 
The Carmel Heritage Society, a non-profit organization serving the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, recently announced its’ “Spirit of Carmel” award winners. The 2006 Award Winners epitomize “outstanding examples of recently completed restorations, renovations, new construction or other projects that enhance the ambience of Carmel and honor its traditions.”

One of the Award Winners is a renovated residence on the City’s Inventory of Historic Resources, the John T. Black House, Guadalupe St. 4 N.W. of 1st Av. The Award is for the Renovation of the Residence. Cypress Building Contractors, Andre Forrester and Jed Brusseau, and Carmel builder, Don McBride, restored this 1927 cottage. The owner is Jed Brusseau; as this residence is for sale, more information can be found at www.carmelabodes.com, the web site of “Brocchini ∙ Ryan Teamwork.

The Carmel Heritage Society’s mission: “To protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the community in a way that encourages public recognition and participation so that people will have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the community of Carmel-by-the-Sea and its sphere of influence.”

The Carmel Heritage Society will host a public awards reception and ceremony on Thursday, November 16, 5 P.M. at the First Murphy House, W/s Lincoln St. between 5th & 6th Avenues.

"Spirit of Carmel" Award Winners (3 of 4)

 
Resource Name: Grant Wallace Cottage
Location: 6th Av. & Torres St., N.E. Corner
Owners: Dean and Cindy James
Award for the Renovation of their Comstock Residence 
The Carmel Heritage Society, a non-profit organization serving the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, recently announced its’ “Spirit of Carmel” award winners. The 2006 Award Winners epitomize “outstanding examples of recently completed restorations, renovations, new construction or other projects that enhance the ambience of Carmel and honor its traditions.”

One of the Award Winners is a Comstock residence on the City’s Inventory of Historic Resources, the Grant Wallace Cottage, 6th Av. & Torres St., S.E. Corner. An outstanding feature of the residence, built in 1927, is its’ full rolled roof. “Newly restored,” the Award is for the Renovation of the Residence. The owners are Dean and Cindy James; as the residence is for sale, the listing realtor, Alain Pinel, has a video and virtual tour at www.Torresand6th.com.

The Carmel Heritage Society’s mission: “To protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the community in a way that encourages public recognition and participation so that people will have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the community of Carmel-by-the-Sea and its sphere of influence.”

The Carmel Heritage Society will host a public awards reception and ceremony on Thursday, November 16, 5 P.M. at the First Murphy House, W/s Lincoln St. between 5th & 6th Avenues.

"Spirit of Carmel" Award Winners (2 of 4)

 
Resource Name: Wilson Building
Location: Ocean Av. & Dolores St., N.W. Corner
Owner: David Kent
Award for the Renovation of the Building 
The Carmel Heritage Society, a non-profit organization serving the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, recently announced its’ “Spirit of Carmel” award winners. The 2006 Award Winners epitomize “outstanding examples of recently completed restorations, renovations, new construction or other projects that enhance the ambience of Carmel and honor its traditions.”

One of the Award Winners is a commercial building on the City’s Inventory of Historic Resources, the Wilson Building, Ocean Av. & Dolores St., N.W. corner. The Award is for the Renovation of the Building. The owner is David Kent; it is presently a Carmel-by-the-Sea office for Alain Pinel Realtors.

The Carmel Heritage Society’s mission: “To protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the community in a way that encourages public recognition and participation so that people will have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the community of Carmel-by-the-Sea and its sphere of influence.”

The Carmel Heritage Society will host a public awards reception and ceremony on Thursday, November 16, 5 P.M. at the First Murphy House, W/s Lincoln St. between 5th & 6th Avenues.

"Spirit of Carmel" Award Winners (1 of 4)

 
Memorial Bench and Flower Garden
Location: Ocean Av. & Carmelo, N.E. Corner
Maintained by Sue Lind 
The Carmel Heritage Society, a non-profit organization serving the city of Carmel-by-the-Sea, recently announced its’ “Spirit of Carmel” award winners. The 2006 Award Winners epitomize “outstanding examples of recently completed restorations, renovations, new construction or other projects that enhance the ambience of Carmel and honor its traditions.”

One of the Award Winners is the Memorial Bench and Flower Garden, Ocean Av. & Carmelo, N.E. Corner. The brass plate on the bench states:

H.E. Lind
Sept. 28, 1988
Debbie Sue Lind-Jones
April 6, 2004
Georgette Lind
Sept. 12, 2004

The Memorial Bench and Flower Garden are maintained by Sue Lind.

The Carmel Heritage Society’s mission: “To protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the community in a way that encourages public recognition and participation so that people will have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the community of Carmel-by-the-Sea and its sphere of influence.”

The Carmel Heritage Society will host a public awards reception and ceremony on Thursday, November 16, 5 P.M. at the First Murphy House, W/s Lincoln St. between 5th & 6th Avenues.

"Preservation Sage:" Enid T. Sales

To read a lively and informative interview with the California Preservation Foundation “2006 Preservationist of the Year,” Enid T. Sales, click on the title above.

The interview, “Conversations with a Preservation Sage: Enid T. Sales,” appears in Western Preservation News, August/September 2006, pages 3-5. (http://www.nationaltrust.org/western/newsletters/wro-0806.pdf)

Highlights include:

“That award is CPF’s most prestigious and honors lifetime achievement and exceptional contributions of statewide importance in the field of historic preservation.”

“Enid Sales is a model of pluck, energy, and indomitable spirit. In a career spanning some 43 years of preservation activity, Enid has worked her way through the historic preservation menu, from soup to nuts.”

“We managed to save some 350 buildings, most of which had been slated for clearance. I think the most impressive thing we ever did was move 13 two-story Victorians from one neighborhood to another in the middle of the night to form part of a new neighborhood community.”

“I'm a preservationist.”

“When I got to Carmel in 1986, Clint Eastwood had just been elected Mayor and the first thing he wanted to do was tear down "that old heap" – The Flander’s Mansion! I couldn't believe it. Kent Seavy helped me put it on the National Register, which we could do because the City owned the building so that meant that, as taxpayers, we did too…The survey took from 1989 until 1996 to complete: by which point we’d surveyed some 2,000 buildings, 400 of which we felt were significant on the local level, and we had thirty volunteers, all of them still active.”

“Well, ultimately [in Carmel] I ran into something I had never quite come face to face with before: militant politics! It was largely because of Silicon Valley and the homecoming of a Carmel girl who had spent some thirty years with the CIA who knew how to become Mayor, and did [Sue McCloud, Carmel Mayor 2000 - present].”

“We have been trying to save this fragile community, but unfortunately we really haven't succeeded...Our main street is still here so now we would like to try to save it.”

“AMAP or The Alliance of Monterey Area Preservationists is an innovative organization and potentially one of the most effective preservation methods those of us who live in this very diverse Peninsula have ever experienced.”

“It is difficult to pinpoint the origin of threats to preservation, but threats certainly seem to be building in California.”

NOTE: For information on the Carmel Preservation Foundation and Enid Sales, Director of the Carmel Preservation Foundation, go to http://www.geocities.com/carmelpreservation/

"Greed" ("Money") Cannot Buy "Class"

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 3, 2006

V. Announcements from Closed Session, from City Council Members and the City Administrator.

B. Announcements from City Council members. (Council members may ask a question for clarification, make a brief announcement or report on his or her activities).

City Councilman Erik Bethel:

“Speaking of promotion, I was just reminded of something, a group of individuals from Carmel and from the greater Monterey Peninsula, the Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Greg Sellers, Carmel’s Economic Development Manager, Carmel’s Chamber CEO Monta Potter and I took a tour to Aspen. Just say no, I paid for this out of my own pocket. But, the purpose of the trip to Aspen was to sit down with their members of Council, their Chamber of Commerce, their equivalent of the Pebble Beach Company, which is called the Aspen-Snowmass Ski Company, and essentially learn some best practices in terms of promotion, bringing in destination marketing and we learned quite a bit. I’d like to be able to share that information at some point with the Council, either by email or potentially Monta or Greg could do that as well.”

Corrections/Clarifications: The company is the “Aspen Skiing Company;” President, CEO Pat O’Donnell (Web site: http://www.aspensnowmass.com/) Their slogan is “The Power of 4;” Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass and Buttermilk. Part of their promotion is “We Are Different” and “Guiding Principles.” Specifically, under “We are Different,” they “strive to preserve and enhance the delicate balance between ‘resort’ and ‘community’ that makes Aspen/Snowmass unique.” And under “Guiding Principles,” their “Purpose” is to “Renew the human spirit” and their “Values” are to “Sustain the ‘Aspen Idea’ based on the concept of the complete life where mind, body, and spirit are enriched.”

Interesting Facts on Aspen:
According to the Aspen Chamber Resort Association, a non-profit, community organization “dedicated to supporting the business community and enhancing the visitor’s experience,” between 1987 and 2005, the average annual lodging occupancy rates ranged from a low of 50% to a high of 62%.
Source:
http://www.aspenchamber.org/Documents/Occupancy_Reports/2006_Historical_Monthly_Average.pdf)

On their “Why People Choose an Aspen Vacation,” “Attractions,” the Association touts the “restored historic buildings within the town of Aspen.”

Aspen City Council
“The Aspen City Council provides leadership, stewardship and service to the town. Through an open and friendly process, we work in partnership with our residents to supply services not provided by the private sector in order to meet their day to day needs, to preserve and enhance our community character, and to further the Aspen Dream: the ideal of a community nourishing the mind, body and spirit of its citizens.”
(Source: http://www.aspenpitkin.com/depts/39/)

As compared to the Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council
“The purpose of the City Council is to establish local laws, to set policy, to reject or to approve programs, to allocate funds, to establish the City's tax rate, to represent the public in supervising the operations of City government, and to provide to the citizenry a better, more attractive and healthier place in which to live.”
(Source: http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us/)

COMMENTS:
What exactly is City Councilman Erik Bethel’s VISION for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea? “Best practices” are desirable, but not in the context of imitating Aspen or any other city. As Aurelle Smith, Monterey, recently wrote in a letter to the editor of The Carmel Pine Cone, “I remember a time when Carmel was a Brigadoon, hidden away and discovered by the fortunate, not needing to flaunt itself or beg the outside world to discover it…it has become just an upscale version of a cheap seaside resort, one that mistakes its worth by using marketing ploys instead of realizing the natural beauty of sea and surf which made it the world’s best hideaway…What a pity.” Indeed!

Gateway Monument Sign

Gateway Monument Sign "Concept"
Archtitect Eric Miller 

UPDATE: Gateway Monument Sign

City Council Minutes
Regular meeting
December 5, 2006

XI. ORDERS OF COUNCIL
A. Review the proposed gateway monument sign at the intersection of Highway 1/Ocean Avenue and provide policy direction.

Item XI.A was continued at the request of staff.

Note: Since this item was not on the last City Council agenda of the year (19 December 2006) and since the submission deadline was 31 December 2006, it appears the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea did not submit a proposal for a Gateway Monument Sign at the intersection of Highway 1 & Ocean Av.

City Council Agenda
Regular Meeting
October 3, 2006

X. Resolutions
A. Consideration of a Resolution authorizing the hiring of an architect for the design of a Gateway Monument Sign within the State of California public right-of-way located at S.R. 1 and Ocean Avenue.

Council Member ROSE moved to adopt Resolution, seconded by Council Member BETHEL and carried by the following vote:

AYES: BETHEL, CUNNINGHAM, HAZDOVAC & ROSE
NOES: McCLOUD

Gateway Monument Demonstration Program
Selected excerpts from the “Guidelines for Gateway Monument Demonstration Program, 1/1/2005, as follows: (Click on title above for complete document)

Proposals for the placement of Gateway Monuments will not be accepted after December 31, 2006.

A Gateway Monument is defined as any freestanding structure or sign, non-integral or nonrequired highway feature that will communicate the name of a city, county or township.

Gateway Monuments are to be solely funded and maintained by a Local Entity.

Only one Gateway Monument installation will be allowed per State Highway or Interstate approach (one in each direction) into a Local Entity contiguous to the highway.

Gateway Monument submittals shall be reviewed for approval or denial with primary
considerations to safety (location), appropriateness, aesthetics, access for maintenance purposes, and the message being communicated.

All costs for proposed Gateway Monument design, construction, access for maintenance,
maintenance, and if required, removal of the Gateway Monument shall be the responsibility of the Local Entity and stipulated in detail within the Preliminary and Final Gateway Monument submittals.

The Encroachment Permit shall stipulate that the Local Entity shall hold harmless, indemnify and defend the State against any action associated with a Gateway Monument. The Department will assume the administrative costs associated with reviewing Gateway Monument proposals, and developing, issuing and monitoring the Encroachment Permit for approved Gateway Monument projects. All other costs, including labor, materials, supplies, and traffic control (if required) for design, engineering, testing, construction, installation, maintenance and removal of the Gateway Monument shall be the responsibility of the Local Entity.

The Department may require the Local Entity provide bonds or other means to ensure
maintenance, rehabilitation, and removal of the Gateway Monument.

Gateway Monuments shall be kept clean, free of graffiti, and in good repair. The Local Entity shall be required to provide for regularly scheduled maintenance,..

A licensed Landscape Architect, Architect or Professional Engineer shall professionally prepare final submittals for a Gateway Monument Proposal.

The approval of a Gateway Monument proposal shall be made with due consideration to safety (location, potential for motorist distraction, accessibility for maintenance, etc.), aesthetics, community support, and maintainability.

(Sources: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/oppd/design/gateway_memo.pdf; http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LandArch/gateway.htm)

Contrarians’ Points of View:

According to Clark Watkins, Carmel, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea “needs a Disneyland-medieval-industrial-park-housing-development-type ‘monument sign’ like a hole in the head.”

And according to Mr. & Mrs. Fressinier, Carmel, “...the proposed design resembles a fortress. The finial is flat-out unfriendly, the stones are cold-looking and the design doesn’t reflect the whimsy of the town’s architecture.”

(Source: http://www.carmelpinecone.com/061006PineCone.pdf)

CONTRADICTIONS Between Carmel Fire Department & Cal Am

 
NOT IN SERVICE Fire Hydrant
Location: Ocean Av. & San Antonio Av., N.W. Corner 

At the Post Office, the Carmel Fire Department distributed information on the water situation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Specifically, the information details the inspections and tests that fire departments throughout the United States conduct; the annual inspection of fire hydrants and a 5 year cycle hydrant flow test where typically 20% of the fire hydrants are tested in a given year, completing all hydrants every 5 year period. Moreover, the information states “a significant amount of older pipes supplying Carmel’s fire hydrant system are no longer delivering the proper amount of water in gallons and pressure. What this has required us to do is throw the 5 year cycle plan and test flow all of our hydrants this year.”

Additionally, the “Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006” information states:

“In order to conduct hydrant flow tests, the fire department needs to have permission from the water company, based primarily on available water (i.e. not during a drought). With the exception of special circumstances, a local water company representative needs to be on hand while fire department personnel conduct the tests.”

Yet, correspondence with Steve Leonard, Vice President and Manager, California American Water Company, contradicted the Carmel Fire Department Water Supply 2006 statements involving the need for permission from Cal Am in order to conduct hydrant flow tests and the need for a Cal Am representative “to be on hand,” although as Steve Leonard states, “We do try to coordinate with the Department when they are flushing to keep track of the water usage.” Steve Leonard stated that “It is my understanding that recent hydrant testing has not regularly occurred. To my knowledge the Department does not need our permission to flush.”

Presently, as of Friday, 13 October 2006, Cal Am has received the testing results from the Carmel Fire Department. Cal Am is currently analyzing the results from “the water systems point of view.” After Cal Am completes their preliminary review, Cal Am will coordinate with the Carmel Fire Department to “prioritize the corrective actions.”

DEMOLITION: First Demolition of a Property Formerly on the City's Inventory of Historic Resources

Resource Name: Benjamin H. Cory Garage Apartment
Location: W/s Carpenter between 3rd & 4th Avenues
19 December 2005: Historic Resources Board granted appeal, thereby removing the property from the City's Inventory of Historic Resources.
24 May 2006: Desgin Review Board unanimously approved the demolition and Design Study with staff conditions for the construction of a new residence. 

Demolition Applications of Former/Ineligible Historic Resources (October 2004 - September 2006)

Demolition of Benjamin H. Cory Garage Apartment
Location: W/s Carpenter between 3rd & 4th Avenues
This represents the first demolition of an Historic Resources Board's granted appeal of a property on the City's Inventory of Historic Resources. 
DEMOLITION APPLICATIONS
(October 2004 – September 2006)

Between October 2004 and September 2006, there have been 2 applications for the demolition of a former Inventory of Historic Resources property and an ineligible property.


HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
19 DECEMBER 2005

Carolyn Ahrens
Resource Name: Benjamin H. Cory Garage Apartment
W/s Carpenter bet. 3rd & 4th Avenues
APPEAL GRANTED

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Regular Meeting
May 24, 2006

Carolyn Ahrens
W/s Carpenter between 3rd & 4th Avenues

Consideration of a Track Two Design Study (Final), Demolition and Coastal Development Permit applications for the demolition of an existing structure and the construction of a new residence located in the Single Family Residential (R-1) District.

Board member Sharp moved to approve the Design Study with staff conditions, seconded by Board member Paterson and carried by the following roll call vote:

AYES: BELL, PATERSON, SHARP, LEPAGE
NOES: NONE


HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD
17 JULY 2006

Tony & Jane Diamond
Resource Name: Grey Gables/Culbertson House
SE Corner of Santa Rita & 3rd
APPEAL DENIED (Consideration of an appeal of the City's issuance of a preliminary Determination of Ineligibility for listing on the City's Inventory of Historic Resources for an existing residence in the Single Family Residential (R-1) District.)

DESIGN REVIEW BOARD
Regular Meeting
October 25, 2006

Jane Y. Diamond
SE Corner Santa Rita & 3rd

Consideration of Design Study (Concept), Demolition and Coastal Development Permit applications for the demolition of an existing residence and the construction of a new residence located in the Single Family Residential (R-1) District

Substantial Alteration Applications of Historic Resources (October 2004 - September 2006)

 
Resource Name: Edward Fristrom Cottage
Location: E/s Monte Verde St. between 3rd & 4th Avenues
Time: 12 October 2006; during final construction phase
Note: Addition of detached garage and at far right, behind original historic residence, an additional wing extending to the back of the residence 

SUBSTANTIAL ALTERATIONS APPLICATIONS TO HISTORIC RESIDENCES
(October 2004 – September 2006)

Between October 2004 and September 2006, there were 11 applications placed on the Historic Resources Board’s agendas for Considerations of Design Study applications for the substantial alterations of Historic Residences.

HISTORIC RESOURCES BOARD

Regular Meeting
18 October 2004
Arlington Investments
E/s Torres between 7th and 8th
Resource Name: Jacob F. Kreps House

Regular Meeting
31 January 2005
Chris Tescher
E/s Lopez bet. 2nd & 3rd
Mary E. Collins Cottage

Santa Rita, LLC.
E/s Santa Rita bet. Ocean & 7th
Resource Name: Vivian Homes House

Regular Meeting
18 July 2005
Jeff Johnson/Sharon Siebert
N/S 11th bet Mission & San Carlos
Resource Name: M. J. Murphy Spec. House

Regular Meeting
20 June 2005
Noah & Candace Trosky
W/s Perry Newberry bet 5th & 6th
Resource Name: Francis C. Johnson House

Regular Meeting
19 September 2005
Chris Tescher
E/s Monte Verde bet 3rd & 4th
Resource Name: Edward Fristrom Cottage

Kurt & Mary Jane Sligar
E/s Mission bet. Santa Lucia & Rio
Resource Name: Mills House

Herb & Ann Nyser
NE Corner Dolores & 11th
Resource Name: Marchen Haus

Regular Meeting
23 January 2006
L.C. Bowman
W/s Scenic bet. Ocean & 8th
Resource Name: Henry L. Tusler Cottage

Special Meeting
22 May 2006
Richard Garza
E/s Monte Verde bet. 9th & 10th
Resource Name: M. J. Murphy House

Regular Meeting
17 July 2006
Catherine Hevrdejs
E/s Lopez bet. 2nd & 4th
Resource Name: Thomas V. Cator House

Substantial Alterations Consistent with Secretary of Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Resources

 
Resource Name: Edward Fristrom Cottage
Location: E/s Monte Verde St. between 3rd & 4th Avenues
Time: 26 April 2006; beginning of Substantial Alteration project.

19 September 2005 Historic Resources Board Meeting: HRB unanimously voted to "issue a Determination of Consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards and approved the project with Staff's special conditions." 

The Ocean Avenue Medians Renovation Project

 
Mission St. - Junipero Av. Median 
THANKS to the generous support of:

Richard V. and Mimi Gunner

The Carmel Plaza

The Doud/Archer family, John Plastini and Shreve Archer

The Glen and Dale Leidig families

Larry Farrell/Carmel Rotary Club Fund and the Carmel Chamber of Commerce and Denny LeVett

Michelle Comeau and Kathleen Coss

the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea was able to authorize George DiPeso Landscaping to complete the Ocean Avenue Median Renovation Project, which included tree and stump removal, vegetation removal, irrigation and the planting of new trees and drought tolerant plants.

Now, hopefully, the City will maintain the Ocean Avenue Medians to ensure the “new look” looks as good into the future as it does today.

The Ocean Avenue Medians Renovation Project

 
San Carlos St. - Mission St. Medians 

The Ocean Avenue Medians Renovation Project

 
Dolores St. - San Carlos St. Medians 

The Ocean Avenue Medians Renovation Project

 
Lincoln St. - Dolores St. Medians 

The Ocean Avenue Medians Renovation Project

 
Monte Verde St. - Lincoln St. Median