“MINUTES”
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
City Hall
East side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues
V. Announcements from Closed Session, from City Council Members and the City Administrator
D. Announcements from City Administrator
1. Receive presentation on the Carmel Beach canine education and enforcement program.
Commander Mike Calhoun, representing the Carmel Police Department, presented the report on the Carmel Beach canine education and enforcement program. Calhoun expressed the City’s commitment to education and awareness. Calhoun identified “education” as a “first step.” Last year, the City had 37 aggressive dog reports; 15 of the 37 reports were at Carmel Beach and there have been 5 reports so far this year. Problems with dominant dogs include dog owners not having their dogs on leash, not paying attention to their dogs and not keeping their dogs within voice command. Patrol Officers, Animal Control and Volunteers, including five currently, will distribute to the public informational brochures on dogs rules, regulations and enforcement. The purpose of the program is to educate dog owners with the aim of reducing the frequency of dog altercations and injuries to other dogs and dog owners and other people at the Beach. Enforcement, if deemed appropriate. Calhoun stated his belief that the program will benefit everyone.
IX. Ordinances
A. Consideration of an Ordinance amending the Mills Act program found in the Historic Preservation Ordinance (First reading).
Planning & Building Services Manager Sean Conroy presented the staff report.
Mayor McCloud opened the meeting to public comment.
Alison Pratt Shelling, a historic property owner of two historic properties in Truckee encouraged the approval of the Mills Act Contract Program for residential and commercial properties. She observed that historic properties make Carmel “fantastic” and property values are in part due to the historic structures in the City.
Monte Miller asked questions on the financial analysis, specifically $1,000/year regarding inflation over years and property tax assessment post-rehabilitation.
Carl Iverson commented on House Tours bringing people to the City who otherwise would not come to the City and the importance of not discouraging historic property owners from restoring their residences.
Anne Bell, former chair of the Historic Preservation Committee, stated her belief that the program would benefit the city.
Suzanne Paboojian expressed importance of financial analysis; question regarding the assumption the average price of historic residence as $1.5 million, whereas actual average price is hundreds of thousands of dollars less than $1.5 million. Restoration and rehabilitation (also includes restoration) are distinctly different terms regarding historic structures.
Mayor McCloud closed the meeting to public comment.
Planning & Building Services Manager Sean Conroy addressed questions posed by the public, including but not limited to, the HRB uses “restoration” and “rehabilitation” interchangeably.
Council Member Talmage expressed support for HRB’s emphasis on “rehabilitation” for issuance of Mills Act Contracts. The City would experience a loss of revenue of $20,000 over a period of time. Talmage advocated a cap of 3 properties per year (cost City $300,000 over 5 years for 3 historic properties) and review issue in five years. Mayor Sue McCloud, Council Members Paula Hazdovac, Jason Burnett and Karen Sharp asked for clarifications and made comments.
City Attorney Don Freeman stated that a cap would be by Resolution, susceptible to change at any time and therefore a cap would not be included in the proposed Ordinance.
Planning & Building Services Manager Sean Conroy reiterated the fact that rehabilitation/restoration is the focus for the City issuing Mills Act Contracts.
Council Member TALMAGE moved approval of the Ordinance amending the Mills Act program found in the Historic Preservation Ordinance, with changes including the use of the work “restoration,” combining 6(b) and 6 (c) and under 5(a) designating the HRB and recorded by the City Clerk, seconded by Council Member HAZDOVAC and carried by the following roll call:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BURNETT; HAZDOVAC; SHARP; TALMAGE & McCLOUD
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
Council Member TALMAGE directed Staff to develop a Resolution that “frames the number of opportunities” for Mills Act Contracts, that is, a cap of 3 residential historic properties and reviewed after five years.
ADDENDUM:
V. Announcements from Closed Session, from City Council Members and the City Administrator
A. Announcements from Closed Session
City Attorney Don Freeman stated there was discussion regarding real property negotiations per Government Code 54956.8; specifically, there was a request of the City regarding an offer to purchase an easement across a portion of the Scout House property or purchase the entire Scout House parcel. Action taken by the City Council was to deny any sale of the Scout House “at this time,” including easement and parcel.
2 comments:
I am all for the city using education and an PR awareness campaign to reduce the incidents of dog altercations with other dogs and people. Nothing spoils a day at the beach quite like an owner not being in control of his or her dog. However, with 15 of 37 reports at the Carmel Beach last year, I think the focus should be city-wide and not just the Beach and Pathway. We should all be able to enjoy the beach with our dogs and friends peacefully with everyone respecting each other and acting responsibly.
The Scout House sits there vacant just like the Flanders Mansion, the only difference is the Flanders Mansion has an advocacy group and the Scout House languishes without any support from groups or individuals. A miniscule amount of money compared to the amounts for the maintenance of Sunset Center would need to be budgeted for ADA issues so historic user groups could use the facility at much less cost to them than Sunset Center, but it does not get done.
The council only seems to care about Sunset Center and nothing about Flanders Mansion or the Scout House. This situation is bad for Carmelites because local groups would and could better afford to use the Scout House and Flanders Mansion. The illogic of the council over many years has not been in the interests of Carmel residents or these two buildings which mean so much to our heritage and history.
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