Friday, August 22, 2008

Carmel Art Association Hosts ANNUAL SUMMER CELEBRATION BARBECUE, SILENT AUCTION & SPECIAL SALE

WHO: Carmel Art Association Artist Members
Carmel-by-the-Sea’s oldest gallery features only the finest artwork for sale of more than 120 professional artists living on the Monterey Peninsula.

WHAT: Annual Summer Celebration Barbecue, Silent Auction & Special Sale
Barbecue (Prepared by Artist Members): $5.00/Ticket
Silent Auction: $5.00/Person
A Brush with Fate” Sale: Used and new items from artists’ studios including easels, frames, brushes, books, et cetera.

WHEN: Saturday, August 23, 2008 from 10:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. & Barbecue from Noon to 2:00 P.M.

WHERE: Carmel Art Association
W/s Dolores St. between 5th Av. & 6th Av.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Online or Call 624-6176

VIEW: Photos of Artist Members artwork, biographies, artists’ statements, et cetera & Featured Artists Members Artwork

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Goats R Us for Mission Trail Nature Preserve & Pescadero Canyon

ABSTRACT: According to an article in The Monterey County Herald, the Pebble Beach Company has contracted with Goats R Us for “Organic Vegetation Management” or vegetation eradication in Pebble Beach. Information from the Goats R Us website and a link to The Monterey County Herald’s article are provided. COMMENTS are made regarding Goats R Us services for Mission Trail Nature Preserve and the southern side (Carmel side) of Pescadero Canyon. Selected relevant excerpts from the City’s General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element are reproduced as REFERENCES.

Founded in 1995 by Egon and Terri Oyarzùn, Goats R Us is a family owned and operated grazing company based in Orinda, CA. Goat herds are used primarily for fuel mitigation, eradication of undesirable plant species and brush reduction. Moreover, the company has specialized vegetation management programs, such as "Organic Vegetation Management" or vegetation eradication currently underway in Pebble Beach.

The use of Goats is advantageous for many reasons, including:
Goats devour most vegetation that is available, including plants such as poison oak and many other highly invasive species.
Goats navigate through rough terrain difficult to access by man.
Goats are more efficiency than man or machine.

For More Information about Goats R Us:
The People
Egon, Terri, and Zephyr Oyarzùn, Owners

Domingo Fuentes Escobar, Foreman

Shepherds: Each goat herd is maintained by a shepherd and his Border Collie.

The Goats: The herd is a melting pot of breeds: Angora, Alpine, Spanish, Boer, Pygmy, La Mancha, and Nubian.

The Dogs: Border Collies

The 1st Ten Years:
"A shift in focus from generic brush clearing to specialized vegetation management programs became essential as the business grew. While some sites required fairly simple treatments, others demanded more pre-production planning and attention to a variety of details such as native plant cycles, ground nesting bird reproductive seasons, endangered species’ habitats and patterns, etc. Goats R Us has developed symbiotic working relationships with local experts in each of these fields. Each new challenge has become an opportunity for us to expand our knowledge by working out creative solutions with biologists and land managers."

Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to have a site grazed?
The fee charged depends on the size of the site and type of vegetation, but the average is about $700 per acre. The cost includes transportation, the shepherd's salary, supplements and healthcare for the goats, fencing, and insurance.

What will the goats eat?
The goats will eat most vegetation that is available, including plants such as poison oak that are difficult to clear by hand. They will readily consume otherwise undesirable species such as pampas grass, any kind of thistle, and blackberry. By generally eating the top of the plant instead removing it by the roots, goats may be less damaging to native plants when compared to traditional grazers. If, however, the land manager is trying to protect specific species other steps may need to be taken such as fencing off sensitive areas.

The Monterey County Herald
Goats munch for hire in Pebble Beach
Pebble Beach: Four-legged lawn mowers clearing vegetation
By DANIEL LOPEZ
Herald Staff Writer


Article on the Pebble Beach Company contracting with Goats R Us for vegetation eradication in Pebble Beach. Shepherd Ruben Inga, Border Collies Panda and Rambo and about 400 goats.

COMMENTS:
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea should seriously consider the use of Goats R Us services for the eradication of non-native and invasive plant species in areas of Mission Trail Nature Preserve and the southern side (Carmel side) of Pescadero Canyon.

At approximately $700/acre, the cost to the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea for vegetation eradication of non-native and invasive species in Mission Trail Nature Preserve would amount to less than $24,500.

Along with grazing, Goats R Us offer hand clearing in conjunction with grazing to provide a complete vegetation abatement program for dense or sensitive landscapes, such as Mission Trail Nature Preserve.

REFERENCES:
Mission Trail Nature Preserve
P5-119 Remove by hand nonnative shrubs and their roots invading these areas during late spring when soils are moist and before seed/seed pods become viable. (LUP)

O5-27 Reduce the introduction and population of invasive horticultural species in the Preserve. (LUP)

Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas
O5-37 Reduce the introduction and spread of invasive horticultural species into and within identified ESHAs.

O5-38 Manage environmentally sensitive habitats in Mission Trail Nature Preserve to maintain and enhance their natural integrity. Preserve and protect Mission Trail Nature Preserve native plant, wild animal and bird populations. (LUP)

P5-171 Cooperate in regional efforts to manage the entire Pescadero watershed for habitat value and fire safety. (LUP)

(Source: General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element)

Friday, August 08, 2008

Lloyd: “nobody is thinking about the park, we ought to be thinking about the park, we ought to be looking at this from the other end of the telescope"

ABSTRACT: At the Special City Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at the end of a 3 hours 26 minutes meeting, pulled Consent Calendar items G and H, namely Consideration of a Resolution entering into an agreement with Denise Duffy & Associates to prepare an environmental impact report in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for the Flanders property in an amount not to exceed $67,000 and Consideration of a Resolution entering into an agreement with CB Richard Ellis Consulting to prepare an economic analysis for the Flanders Property in an amount not to exceed $40,000, were addressed. During the public comment period, Carmel resident Ship Lloyd spoke to the two pulled Consent Calendar items. Lloyd’s remarks are transcribed and a link to the video/audio is provided. COMMENTS, inlcuding a comment regarding Flanders Mansion in the context of Mission Trail Nature Preserve and a link to "Flanders Past and Present," are presented.

Skip Lloyd, Carmel Resident:
“Madame Mayor, Members of the Council. My name is Skip Lloyd. I am speaking personally. I just heard about this item, these two items, G & H, being on the calendar tonight and I had not spoken really to anybody about ideas about it. I was very interested in what Melanie had to say. I hadn’t spoken to her about this before because it really said what I would like to say, which is this; that I think, as I remembered things ended up, at the last council meeting when the final decision was made to sell the property, I think it was Mr. Cunningham who said well, what are we going to do with the money and he said I make a motion that we don’t earmark the money for anything, we just put it in the General Fund and that passed. And so where we are it seems, to me, is this is just a matter of money, and nobody is thinking about the park, we ought to be thinking about the park, we ought to be looking at this from the other end of the telescope. Not just how much money can we dump into the General Fund, but what kind of a park are we going to have out of this.”

“And with all due respect to Barbara, and to the work that’s been done down there recently, which is good, I’m not knocking it, that park could be a really terrific asset, I think, for tourists as well of course, residents. But it’s in bad shape; it is getting terribly overgrown with invasive species. It could be, well it is great, but it could be really a draw. I could see, for example, hotels, motels advertising walking from town to the Mission and back, people like to run, get exercise, walk their dogs, I could see…Doris Day…take your walk with your dog, and have a really good time, but that may seem facetious, but I think rather than say let’s go out and have somebody analyze well if we lease it how much more money are we going to make or lose than if we just sell it and how much money would that mean to our General Fund, I would suggest that it’s worthwhile taking a look at this from the standpoint of the park and what’s best for the park, and even hiring a consultant. My visionary view, which is probably not worth very much, is before selling any part of that property would be to hire a qualified park consultant to look at what’s being done from the standpoint of the park and from that standpoint analyze well what parcel should be sold, how best could it be done, and so forth. In other words, rather than go out now, and just say well we’re going to sell this to get some money, rather than examine this right now and say what are we looking at, what are we trying to accomplish from the sale of this property, it would be a way better approach for a lot of reasons because when you get down the line and you try to sell this to the public at a public vote, if the idea is just to sell it to get money for the General Fund, I don’t think that’s going to have a great feel of appeal to the general public of the city.”

“So thanks so much.”


COMMENT:
The idea that Flanders Mansion is an intrinsic and inherent component of Mission Trail Nature Preserve, rather than potentially a subdivided residential lot which could be sold to another party, has not been appreciated by the City Council during past deliberations on the sale of the Flanders Mansion property. Moreover, since the city purchased Flanders Mansion and 14.9 acres from the Flanders Estate in 1972 for $275,000, Flanders Mansion, Lester Rowntree Native Plant Garden and property have constituted Mission Trail Nature Preserve, along with 16.5 acres donated and purchased from William Doolittle. Ergo, subdividing Flanders Mansion out of the Preserve would destroy the integrity of Mission Trail Nature Preserve, the City’s largest park.

For more information: Flanders Past and Present
by Connie Wright

REFERENCE:
Archived Videos
Special City Council Meeting
August 05, 2008

(Time Beginning 03:17:10-03:21:00 Time Ending)

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Flanders Foundation President Melanie Billig: “...we would really enjoy working with you on a very positive solution..."

ABSTRACT: At the Special City Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at the end of a 3 hours 26 minutes meeting, pulled Consent Calendar items G and H, namely Consideration of a Resolution entering into an agreement with Denise Duffy & Associates to prepare an environmental impact report in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for the Flanders property in an amount not to exceed $67,000 and Consideration of a Resolution entering into an agreement with CB Richard Ellis Consulting to prepare an economic analysis for the Flanders Property in an amount not to exceed $40,000, were addressed. During the public comment period, Flanders Foundation President Melanie Billig spoke to the two pulled Consent Calendar items. Billig’s remarks are transcribed and a link to the video/audio is provided. COMMENTS are made regarding Flanders Mansion.

Melanie Billig, Flanders Foundation President:
“I would like to suggest, the Flanders Foundation, that the hiring of these two consultants immediately might be a little bit premature. We’d like to respectfully request that the council defer moving forward immediately on hiring due to number one, we’ve got a new council member and we’ve just had an election. And also we’d like to question if it wouldn’t be better to have some kind of townhall meeting or hearing, probably something much more relaxed like a townhall meeting, but whatever you’d like to do, for discussion on the fate of the park and on potential uses prior to moving forward.”

“After about ten years, we continue to offer the council the idea that we would like to really work with you amicably and cooperatively and that includes the administration, too, to resolve the issue of use with the park and with the mansion.”

“Our walks, we’ve been doing for ten years now and last month our walk we had over thirty some people on it and a lot of those people, many of them are residents, or people who have lived in the area, who have lived here for a long time and don’t even know the park and they’re just astounded when they go up there. Many also are tourists. And I’d just like to suggest that ecotourism, like we mentioned before, and heritage tours, are really big things. This property could be a real jewel for all of you, for this community economically as well as just for the pleasure of residents and tourists alike. So it’s a terrific asset that should be looked at, a little bit, I think, differently.”

“You’ve spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on litigation, consultants and on staff time, tremendous amount of staff time and effort. And again we’d like to say, we would really enjoy working with you on a very positive solution to what we could do with the park. At least let’s try to explore it. You’ve got another hundred thousand dollars here tonight that you’re looking at spending, and maybe wouldn’t it be better if we could get together and talk about what we could do together before you necessarily go out and spend that, go through a lot of public hearings and an entire process that might land us up in a couple of years exactly where we are now talking to each other and saying let’s not go through this again, let’s try to work together. We would love to work with all of you. It would be great if we could sit down with mayor, with you, with you, Rich. And see what we could do. And so I offer this again to you because I think that there is a lot of room for discussion and some great possibilities that would work very well for all of us and give a much more position result too, I think.”

“Thanks a million.”


COMMENTS:
Over approximately ten years, according to Flanders Foundation President Melanie Billig, Flanders Foundation has offered to work with the City to find a viable public use for the Flanders Mansion. Despite City Attorney Don Freeman’s statement about the City always wanting to talk to anybody about any parcel of property, during that time period, Mayor Sue McCloud refused to work constructively with Flanders Foundation. Moreover, Mayor Sue McCloud’s blaming Flanders Foundation for the City’s current predicament, when she is responsible for the City’s violations of State and Municipal laws, is an unprofessional and disingenuous attack on the one organization which has steadfastly offered to work with the City towards finding a compatible public use for the Flanders Mansion.

Needless to say, City Council Members Paula Hazdovac, Karen Sharp, Ken Talmage and Mayor Sue McCloud voted unanimously to approve both Consent Calendar items after no substantive discussion about the Flanders Mansion.

While the City is currently under the Court’s supervision, as asserted by City Attorney Don Freeman, it is within the City’s discretion to halt the sale of the Flanders Mansion property. To wit, if the City Council chose not to proceed with the sale of the Flanders Mansion, then the City would not be obligated to contract for an updated, revised EIR or an economic analysis.

REFERENCE:
Archived Videos
Special City Council Meeting
August 05, 2008

(Time Beginning 03:12:20-03:16:00 Time Ending)

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Carmel Art Association Presents AUVIL, BRADSHAW & LANEY GROUP SHOW AND GALLERY SHOWCASE FEATURING BRADFORD, JELMINI & SMITH

Carmel Art Association
“Celebrating 80 years of local art”
Voted “Art Gallery of the Year” by the Carmel Business Association three consecutive years.
W/s Dolores St. between 5th Av. & 6th Av.
10:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M., Daily, except major Holidays.
Open to the Public at No Charge

“Founded in 1927, Carmel's oldest gallery features the work of more than 120 professional local artists, and is dedicated to presenting only the finest work for sale by artists living on the Monterey Peninsula.”

For more information, Online or (831) 624-6176.

Carmel Art Association Presents AUVIL, BRADSHAW & LANEY GROUP SHOW AND GALLERY SHOWCASE FEATURING BRADFORD, JELMINI & SMITH

Thursday, August 7 – Tuesday, September 2, 2008

GROUP SHOW “PEOPLE, PAPER, PLACES (Beardsley Room):
Sculpter, Painter Eleen Auvil exhibits handmade paper creations. View Auvil’s Education, Awards, Solo Shows and sculptures.

Artist Robert R. Bradshaw exhibits mixed media paintings primarily depicting people. View seven Ink & Acrylic artworks, including "Our new place will go here," "Amusement Park," "(MON-ARCH),n.3.One who or that which holds a dominant position," "His attempts at friendship were met with suspicion," "Past Lives," "La Joie De Vivre" and "Imago-Metamorphosis."

Painter Francyne Laney exhibits watercolors of places. View Laney’s brief biography and watercolors, including "Lorsica, Italy" and “Manorola, Cinque Terra."

GALLERY SHOWCASE (Segal Room):
Artist Cyndra Bradford exhibits coastal scenes in oil. View a painting by Bradford.

Painter Jeff Daniel Smith exhibits scenes of the coast and inland places in oil. View Smith’s brief biography and oil paintings, including "Point Lobos Cliffs," "Tranquil Cove" and “Laguna Seca #4.”

Peggy Jelmini exhibits vineyards and landscapes of California in oil. View Jelmini’s brief biography and oil paintings, including 'The Grapes','Orchard Light' and 'October Vines.’

Opening Reception Saturday, August 9, 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

City Council Agenda Consent Calendar: Three Resolutions regarding the Flanders Mansion Property

Flanders Mansion, a National Register of Historic Places Resource
Mission Trail Nature Preserve
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA.


ABSTRACT: On the City Council Special Meeting Agenda for August 5, 2008, there are three Resolutions regarding the Flanders Mansion property, including a Resolution entering into an agreement with Denise Duffy & Associates to prepare an environmental impact report (EIR) in an amount not to exceed $67,000 and a Resolution entering into an agreement with CB Richard Ellis Consulting to prepare an economic analysis for the Flanders Property in an amount not to exceed $40,000. The Consent Calendar for Agenda Items F, G and H is reproduced. Explanatory COMMENTS are made with regard to each Consent Agenda Item.

City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
City Council
Special Meeting
Tuesday, August 5, 2008


VII. Consent Calendar

F. Consideration of a Resolution approving a FY 2008/09 Facilities Maintenance Department budget adjustment of $16,500 for repairs to the exterior storage area retaining wall and enclosure at the Flanders Mansion.

G. Consideration of a Resolution entering into an agreement with Denise Duffy & Associates to prepare an environmental impact report in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for the Flanders property in an amount not to exceed $67,000.

H. Consider a Resolution entering into an agreement with CB Richard Ellis Consulting to prepare an economic analysis for the Flanders Property in an amount not to exceed $40,000.

COMMENTS:
Consideration of a Resolution approving a FY 2008/09 Facilities Maintenance Department budget adjustment of $16,500 for repairs to
the exterior storage area retaining wall and enclosure at the Flanders Mansion.

According to Administrative Services Director Joyce Giuffre’s Agenda Item Summary, the City determined the storage room retaining wall and enclosure next to the garage at the Flanders Mansion was in need of renovation. The estimate from McEldowney & Sons to remove the existing storage room and rebuild it with new footings and a new retaining wall was $16,500. Invoice #08030 from McEldowney & Sons, dated 7/24/2008, shows a total due of $16,500.00 The expenditure requires a Transfer from the Capital Project Reserve to the Facilities Maintenance Department’s Outside Labor account 01-70050.
Completed new retaining wall and enclosure; completed July 2008.

Consideration of a Resolution entering into an agreement with Denise Duffy & Associates (DDA) to prepare an environmental impact report in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act for the Flanders property in an amount not to exceed $67,000.

According to City Administrator Rich Guillen’s Agenda Item Summary “Denise Duffy & Associates will prepare an EIR using existing information on the property and from the Flanders Property Final EIR, dated August 2005. The scope of work will include: defining parameters for project description; preparing an administrative draft of the EIR for comment by staff; preparing a draft EIR for public circulation; preparing responses to comments on the draft EIR; and attending public hearings.”

The CONSULTANT SERVICES AGREEMENT between the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea and Denise Duffy & Associates (consultant), dated July 25, 2008, was transmitted to the City on July 22, 2008 from Attorney Joel Franklin.

The consultants responsible for completion of the scope of services are Denise Duffy and Elizabeth Guzman. The Recirculated Draft EIR and the Final EIR Response to Comments will constitute the Final EIR.

Consider a Resolution entering into an agreement with CB Richard Ellis Consulting to prepare an economic analysis for the Flanders Property in an amount not to exceed $40,000.

According to City Administrator Rich Guillen’s Agenda Item Summary, “CB Richard Ellis Consulting (CBRE) is a real estate and urban economics firm. The firm has substantial experience in the real estate market and financial analysis. CBRE will evaluate the property from a sales standpoint as well as being offered for lease.”

The agreement with CB Richard Ellis Consulting involves the evaluation of two sale and two lease options for the Flanders Mansion property. The sale options are sale as is for use as a single family residence or a non-profit organization with limited permitted events. The lease options are the City or the lessee rehabilitating and maintaining the Flanders Mansion property. The consultants responsible for completion of the sale versus lease options are Lynn M. Sedway, CRE, Executive Managing Director and Jonathan Kuperman, Director, Project Management, CBRE Consulting, Inc. in San Francisco, CA.

Sunday, August 03, 2008

Carmel-by-the-Sea COMMUNITY SURVEY Deficiencies: Omissions & Questions Which Should Have Been Asked

ABSTRACT: The State of California mandates that each community prepare, adopt and periodically update a comprehensive General Plan. The General Plan acts as the “constitution” for land use decisions. Government Code Section 65300 et. seq. requires the General Plan contain “elements,” including Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise, and Safety. For the purpose of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s General Plan Revisions Project, the City’s COMMUNITY SURVEY contains four sections, namely TRAFFIC SAFETY, CIRCULATION AND PARKING; PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES; CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY; NOISE; and ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY. Deficiencies in the COMMUNITY SURVEY, specifically omissions and questions which should have been asked but were not asked in the PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES Section are presented. Three COMMUNITY SURVEY questions, namely PS-1, PS-5 and PS-6 are reproduced; and COMMENTS at the end of PS-1, PS-5 and PS-6 describe the omission or questions which should have been asked but were not asked in the COMMUNITY SURVEY. A QUESTION is posed.

"The purpose of this General Plan is to favor the general interest over the special interest in order to give durability to the Carmel experience and our special quality of living.”
(Source: Carmel-by-the-Sea General Plan and Local Coastal Plan)

The State of California mandates that each community prepare, adopt and periodically update a comprehensive General Plan. The General Plan acts as the “constitution” for land use decisions. Government Code Section 65300 et. seq. requires the General Plan contain “elements,” including Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Conservation, Open Space, Noise and Safety.

Carmel-by-the-Sea’s General Plan has been combined with its Local Coastal Land Use Plan. Carmel-by-the-Sea’s General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan is comprised of Land Use and Community Character Element, Circulation Element, Housing Element, Coastal Access and Recreation Element, Coastal Resource Management Element, Public Facilities and Services Element, Open Space/Conservation/Scenic Highways, Environmental Safety Element and Noise Element.

Carmel-by-the-Sea’s General Plan Update Revisions Project addresses Circulation, Public Facilities, Open Space, Conservation, Safety and Noise. Note: "General Plan community survey released. Surveys should be returned by September 1st 2008," according to the Carmel General Plan Update Calendar July 2008.

For Survey purposes, the City’s COMMUNITY SURVEY contains four sections, namely TRAFFIC SAFETY, CIRCULATION AND PARKING: PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES; CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY; NOISE; and ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY.

COMMUNITY SURVEY Deficiencies, as follows:
I. PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES
PS-1: Please indicate your level of satisfaction with each of these City parks, open spaces and amenities.
PS-1a Mission Trail Nature Preserve
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1b Carmel Beach
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1c Forest Hill Park
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1d Devendorf Park
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1e First Murphy Park
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1f Piccadilly Park
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1g Landscaping along the public right of way.
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1h Bicycle trails.
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

PS-1i Pedestrian trails/hiking trails
Very Satisfied, Somewhat Satisfied, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Dissatisfied or Very Dissatisfied

COMMENT:
City parks, open spaces and amenities” excluded from PS-1, which should have been included, as follows:
PS-1j Forest Theatre
PS-1k The Flanders Mansion, a City-owned National Register of Historic Places Resource (no public access)
PS-l The Scout House (no public access)

II. PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES
PS-5: The City should raise funds to pay for improvements to services, facilities and buildings, by:
PS-5a Increasing the sales tax rate
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

PS-5b Increasing the property tax by adopting a special assessment
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

PS-5c Increasing the Transient Occupancy Tax (motels)
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

PS-5d Charging fees for the impacts of new construction
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

PS-5e Selling City property
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

PS-5f Charging fees for services provided by the City
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

PS-5g Other: __________________________
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

PS-h None of the above. The City shouldn’t raise more funds. (Mark an X in the last box)

COMMENTS:
Excluded from PS-5, “City should raise funds to pay for improvements to services, facilities and buildings, by,” as follows:
PS-5i Use Reserve Funds (in excess of $10 million)

Deficiency in PS-5e Selling City property, specifically the failure to name a particular “City property.”

III. PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES
PS-6: The City owns vacant property known as the Rio Park property. It is located between the Carmel Mission’s Larson Field and the Mission Ranch tennis courts. This property fronts on the Carmel River and is within a flood plain. I think this property should be:
PS-6a Restored to provide habitat for native plants and animals and then preserved as open space
PS-6b Developed into an active recreational park (trails, sports field, activities)
PS-6c Both of the above (part restored to habitat and part developed for active use).
PS-6d Developed as housing
PS-6e Sold
PS-6f Other. Please specify: _____________________
PS-6g Don’t know

COMMENT:
PS-6 covers Rio Park property; other questions of the type “I think this property should be,” should have covered the Flanders Mansion property, Scout House and the Public Works building.

QUESTION:
Were the omissions of the Flanders Mansion property, Scout House, Forest Theatre and Public Works building meant to imply that the “City” does not want any public input on these city-owned properties as the “City” has already determined the fate and/or use for these properties, i.e. sell Flanders Mansion and Scout House, renovate Forest Theatre and indefinitely postpone Public Works building maintenance?

Saturday, August 02, 2008

The General Plan Revisions Project COMMUNITY SURVEY: ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY

Carmel-by-the-Sea
COMMUNITY SURVEY
General Plan Revisions Project
June 2008

RBF CONSULTING

The General Plan Revisions Project
Community Survey


ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
Carmel faces several challenges to public safety from the surrounding environment. Earthquakes, fire, localized flooding and tsunami are examples. The following questions will help us find the best ways to keep you informed about minimizing risks to you, your family and your property.

ES-1: Do you know what to do, and how to keep yourself and your family safe, during the following emergencies?
ES-1a Earthquake
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1b When your house is on fire
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1c When your neighbor’s house is on fire
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1d Severe storm (wind and rain)
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1e Local flooding in the neighborhood
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1f Tsunami
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1g Power line down on the street
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1h Citywide emergency situation
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

ES-1i Large-scale evacuation
Yes, No, Don’t know or not certain

The following three questions apply only if you won a home in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Please skip these questions if they do not apply to you.

ES-2: If you own a house in Carmel-by-the-Sea when was it built?
ES-2a 1900 to 1930
ES-2b 1931 to 1950
ES-2c 1951 to 1970
ES-2d 1971 to 1990
ES-2e 1991 to 2008
ES-2f Don’t know

ES-3: If you own a house in Carmel-by-the-Sea how many bedrooms does it have?
ES-3a One bedroom
ES-3b Two bedrooms
ES-3c Three or more bedrooms

ES-4: If you own a house in Carmel-by-the-Sea what kind of roofing material does it have?
ES-4a Wood shakes or wood shingles
ES-4b Clay tile or slate (this category also includes simulated tile and slate products)
ES-4c Asphalt/composition shingles
ES-4d Don’t know
ES-4e Other. (Please specify): ____________________

ES-5: RANKING: The best way to keep you informed about environmental hazards in Carmel and how you should response to them is to:
ES-5a Place the information on the City’s web site.
First (best) Choice, Second Choice, Third Choice, Fourth Choice, Fifth (worst) Choice

ES-5b Place the information in a publicly accessible place (such as the library or post office).
First (best) Choice, Second Choice, Third Choice, Fourth Choice, Fifth (worst) Choice

ES-5c Hold occasional/yearly workshops.
First (best) Choice, Second Choice, Third Choice, Fourth Choice, Fifth (worst) Choice

ES-5d Print safety articles in the Carmel Pine Cone
First (best) Choice, Second Choice, Third Choice, Fourth Choice, Fifth (worst) Choice

ES-5e Other: ____________________________
First (best) Choice, Second Choice, Third Choice, Fourth Choice, Fifth (worst) Choice

You may use the following space to make additional comments. Your comments will be anonymous. To be of greatest value, your comments should relate to one or more of the topics covered in this survey. Please be brief.
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Thank you for participating in this survey. Your responses will greatly assist the City Council in adopting General Plan policies that reflect your interests and those of others who responded. Once adopted these policies will shape the future of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Friday, August 01, 2008

The General Plan Revisions Project COMMUNITY SURVEY: NOISE

Carmel-by-the-Sea
COMMUNITY SURVEY
General Plan Revisions Project
June 2008

RBF CONSULTING

The General Plan Revisions Project
Community Survey


NOISE
N-1: In my opinion the City:
N-1a Is usually a tranquil, quiet place.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-1b Has only occasional noise problems and should direct its attention to other problems first.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-1c Has an increasing noise problem.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-1d Should do more to control noise.
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2: The following noise sources are most disturbing because they go beyond occasional, acceptable limits.
N-2a Traffic noise
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2b Business District noise (e.g. restaurants, bars)
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2c Delivery trucks
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2d Tourist/Travel buses
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2e Garbage trucks
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2f Construction noise
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2g Animals (dogs, cats, etc.)
Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Neutral/No Opinion, Somewhat Disagree or Strongly Disagree

N-2h Other. Please specify: ________________________

N-3: What is the single most annoying noise that you would like to see addressed first? _______________________

N-4: Additional Comments: In the space below, you may provide additional comments related to noise.
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