SEVEN NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS FOR 2007!

I. Fire Hydrants
Return all NOT IN SERVICE Fire Hydrants to IN SERVICE Fire Hydrants and commit to performing standard tests for fire hydrants and water supply lines i.e., 20% of fire hydrants water flow tested every year, 5 year cycle.

II. Harrison Memorial Library & Park Branch
Immediate restoration of Saturday hours to the Park Branch for Youth and Sunday hours to the Harrison Memorial Library for adults; and expand services, et cetera, for all library users.

III. The Scout House
Renovation, rehabilitation, American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance measures and available to all interested user groups.

IV. The Forest Theatre
Renovation, rehabilitation, and (ADA) compliance measures.

V. Avenues, Streets & Roads
Resurface streets, with highest priority main artery streets i.e., Carpenter St., Forest Rd., Mt. View Av., Ocean Av, San Antonio Av., et cetera, in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

VI. Tree Stump Removal & Reforestation
Removal of multiple 6’ high tree stumps and replant with appropriate replacement trees.
Note: A Survey of Dead Upper Canopy Trees and Stumps by Greg D’Ambrosio, Gene McFarland and Steve Brooks revealed at least 623 dead upper canopy trees and stumps requiring replacement.

VII. Mission Trail Nature Preserve
Perform annual maintenance as stipulated in the City’s Local Coastal Program, including cutting brush impinging on trails, removing hazardous trees over trails, removing ivy and invasive vines from tree trunks, et cetera.

Reference:
General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element
Mission Trail Nature Preserve

G5-11 Maintain Mission Trail Nature Preserve using great care to avoid degradation of resources. (LUP)

O5-35 Implement the Mission Trail Nature Preserve Master Plan maintenance provisions. (LUP)

P5-155 Remove dead/hazardous trees only as needed. Leave dead trunks in place when not hazardous to provide habitat for woodpeckers and other fauna. (LUP)

P5-156 Conduct trail maintenance and clearance (June - August.) (LUP)

COMMENT:
With an annual budget of $12 million AND reserves of nearly $10 million, there is no justification for the City not to commit the financial resources necessary to maintain and upgrade city infrastructure and cultural, historical and environmental assets. If the Sunset Center was deserving of a multimillion dollar renovation and is deserving of an annual subsidy of in excess of $700,000, then the Fire Hydrants, Harrison Memorial Library & Park Branch, the Scout House, the Forest Theatre, Avenues, Streets and Roads, Tree Stump Removal and Reforestation, and Mission Trail Nature Preserve are certainly no less deserving of a similar commitment from the Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council. For perspective, many more Carmelites depend on and use the above public safety, cultural, historical and environmental assets than the Sunset Center!