SIGNIFICANT, UNACCOMPLISHED PROJECTS/ACHIEVEMENTS BETWEEN 2000-2010

ABSTRACT: In endorsements of Mayor Sue McCloud for a sixth term, various advocates cite accomplishments between 2000 and 2010. However, most of these “accomplishments” were either begun prior to McCloud’s mayoral election (Sunset Center Renovation), delayed realization due to city actions (Fourth Street Riparian Habitat Project), legally mandated requirements (Local Coastal Program (LCP), updated General Plan elements) and common standard procedures and practices of all cities (televised Council meetings, boxes at the Post Office with commission and board agendas, City website, State of the City reports). Arguably then, many other and more significance projects should have been realized between 2000 and 2010. A LIST OF SIGNIFICANT, UNACCOMPLISHED PROJECTS/ACHIEVEMENTS BETWEEN 2000-2010 is presented.

A LIST OF SIGNIFICANT, UNACCOMPLISHED PROJECTS/ACHIEVEMENTS BETWEEN 2000-2010:

• Public Safety Issue: Carmel Fire Department Fire Protection Services

In the context of the 2007 Citygate Associates Fire Department Consolidation Feasibility Analysis for the Cities of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Carmel, Final Report, the City has delayed meaningful discussion of options and implementation of a long-term solution with regard to this critical public safety issue.

• Community Planning & Building Director Position

While the City expended taxpayer monies to consultant Ralph Andersen & Associates to aid in the recruitment of a Community Planning & Building Director, that critical position remains vacant with no indication that the City is actively engaged in trying to hire a Community Planning & Building Director.

• Infrastructure of Streets, Roads & Avenues

While Nichols Consulting Engineers recommended the City expend $660,000 annually to maintain Carmel’s streets at their then current state, the City has failed to budget the minimum recommended amount from the General Fund. In fact, the City expended $516,000 on street projects in FY 2008/2009, but most of that allocation was from external and grant sources. Moreover, the Carpenter Street segment between 2nd Av. and Ocean Av., a gateway street to the city, should have been repaved or reconstructed long ago.

• Publicly Inaccessible or Unkempt Public Assets

The City has not maintained, upgraded or implemented ADA improvements to The Scout House (Mission St & 8th Av., N.E. Corner); the Public Works building (E/s Junipero Av. between 4th Av. & 5th Av.) is inaccessible to the public; Flanders Mansion parkland/property is inaccessible to the public; and Rio Park and Mission Trail Nature Preserve are not maintained as viable city parks.

• Beach Maintenance and Shoreline Protection

Implementation of policies set forth in the Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element with regard to maintenance and repairs of Carmel’s seawalls (constructed in 1958, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1984 and 2001), retaining walls and engineered rock revetments to protect the City’s shorelines bluffs, public amenities along the bluff top, including the Beach Bluff Pathway, private property, et cetera. As stated in the LUP, If left unmanaged, the bluffs surrounding Carmel Bay would progressively erode from the impact of winter storm waves, surface drainage and other steady and episodic erosion processes. This natural process would eventually erode the bluffs up to the City’s beach access stairways and the Beach Bluff Pathway. Eventually, Scenic Road and the adjacent homes would be threatened as well.
(Source: General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element)

• Permanent Restrooms at Carmel Beach along Scenic Road

The construction phase for a permanent restroom needs to be completed expeditiously. In fact, arguably another permanent restroom between Del Mar Av. and Santa Lucia Av. should be considered. The City should not expend taxpayer monies for tourist promotion and marketing and then not adequately provide for tourists and visitors.

• Urbanized Forest, Parks and Open Spaces

Implementation of the policies set forth in the Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element with regard to Carmel’s forest, parks and open spaces, including the Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas, including Pescadero Canyon, Mission Trail Nature Preserve and Carmel Beach, are necessary. Moreover, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Forest Management Plan (2001) (FMP), providing specific direction and guidelines for the maintenance and enhancement of Carmel’s urbanized forest, should be more vigorously implemented. For example, the Total Number of Public Trees in Carmel’s Urbanized Forest declined 3.4% from 1981-1984 to 2005-2008, including a 32.0% decline in the Monterey Pine and the Number of Public and Private Trees in Carmel’s Urbanized Forest declined 5.6%, including a 20.4% decline in the Monterey Pine, one of Carmel’s signature trees. As stated in the LUP,: To many, the “urbanized” forest is the character-defining feature that makes Carmel-by the-Sea so unique. The forest, along with the beach and ocean, is the City’s largest and most visible natural resource. And Upper canopy trees impart a distinctive ambiance and identity to the City. More must be done to ensure a healthy, regenerating and diverse “urbanized” forest, as stated in the LUP: “Steps must be taken to minimize the threat to existing healthy Monterey pines and new seedlings to ensure continued diversity in species, age, and location.”
(Sources: General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Coastal Resource Management Element, General Plan/Coastal Land Use Plan Open Space and Conservation Element

• Forest Theatre Renovation

In the context of the City’s Forest Theater Facility Master Plan, 2001, the City Council failed to budget for and implement in phases the Forest Theatre Facility Master Plan. More recently, the City has failed to place on a public agenda William Camille’s final report on construction phasing and cost estimates of the Forest Theatre Schematic Design completed by R. F. McCann & Company Theatre Architects even though the City originally informed the public renovation construction would be completed by the Forest Theatre Centennial in 2010.

• Harrison Memorial Library Main Branch

Arguably, one of the most important community assets to Carmelites, library operating hours should be restored on Sundays. With the Library open 42 hours a week, Saturday hours of 1:00 P.M. -5:00 P.M. should, at a minimum, be instituted for Sundays.

• Sunset Center

In the context of the disproportionate amount of approximately $9.0 million of taxpayers monies expended for the Sunset Center, including payments for management of the Sunset Center to Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. (SCC), maintenance requirements and debt service, between 2004 and 2010, relative to other entertainment venues in the City, there should be a discussion about the future of the Sunset Center, Forest Theatre, Scout House and Youth Center, specifically given the fact that many more out-of-towners compared to Carmel-by-the-Sea residents purchase tickets, attend events and perform at the Sunset Center compared to the Forest Theatre, Scout House and Youth Center.

REFERENCE:
VOTE McCLOUD Ad, Re-Elect Mayor McCloud, PO Box M-1, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 Dick Stewart, Treasurer, The Carmel Pine cone, March 19, 2010, 13A

OTHER SOURCE:
CITYWATCH, CARMEL RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS March 2010