“MINUTES”
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Archived Video Streaming
City Hall
East side of Monte Verde Street between Ocean and Seventh Avenues
XI. Orders of Council
A. Consideration of a request to amend Carmel Municipal Code Section 6.08.120 to allow for the keeping of chickens in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. The applicant is Anna Yateman.
Sean Conroy, Planning & Building Services Manager, presented the Staff Report.
Anna Yateman, the applicant, advocated for the keeping of chickens in the City; it represents sustainability of the earth movement.
Mayor McCloud opened the meeting to public comment.
Pacific Grove Animal Control Officer Elizabeth Conti-Yeo and Carmel Animal Control Officer Cindi Mitchell expressed their willingness to answer questions.
Monta Potter, Carmel Chamber of Commerce CEO, stated the Chamber promotes Carmel as a “sophisticated city.”
Marlene Martin, who lives outside the city limits, stated she has had no problems with her chickens.
Rebecca Lee stated it is an opportunity to get back to nature for children and adults alike and advocated for the keeping of chickens.
James Jungroth, a neighbor of Anna Yateman, stated he has a problem with chickens because “it is not a good fit for Carmel;” Carmel is not a rural city.
Matt Little, insurance broker, advocated for keeping “Carmel country” by allowing for the keeping of chickens.
A woman spoke of the diversity of events, venues and cultures in Carmel and advocated for the keeping of chickens.
Kathy Lange, a neighbor of Anna Yateman, expressed her desire to meet her chickens.
Barbara Livingston, former City Council Member, stated that during WWII families raised chickens and advocated for the keeping of chickens.
Mayor McCloud closed the meeting to public comment.
Council Member Paula Hazdovac stated her support for the keeping of chickens.
Council Member Karen Sharp advocated for establishing regulations for two hens and expressed concern with the cost of enforcement.
Pacific Grove Animal Control Officer Elizabeth Conti-Yeo stated that animals are drawn into areas with chickens, such as rodents and raccoons. The City of Pacific Grove has ten permits.
Carmel Animal Control Officer Cindi Mitchell expressed concerns about the added workload and permit process.
Council Member Jason Burnett advocated for the keeping of chickens on property owners own properties, a change in the Municipal Code and registration fee for educational purposes and to offset costs. He stated that he contacted experts at the Monterey Bay Aquarium about salmonella and concluded it is not an issue.
By consensus, the Council agreed to amend Carmel Municipal Code Section
6.08.120 to allow for the keeping of chickens (two hens) in the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
Council Member SHARP moved to not waive the fee, seconded by Council Member HAZDOVAC and carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BURNETT; HAZDOVAC; SHARP; & McCLOUD
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
C. Receive report and provide policy direction on options for the 2012 Municipal Election.
Heidi Burch, City Clerk, presented the Staff Report, including the fact that no public comments were received on the subject.
Mayor McCloud opened and closed the meeting to public comment.
Council Member Jason Burnett advocated for an April Municipal Election in 2012 with "clear direction" to improve the election process from April 2010. He recognized the importance of public confidence in the process.
Council Member Karen Sharp stated that the April Municipal Election has been a tradition and the City would lose “celebratory feeling” if election date moved to November.
Council Member Paula Hazdovac advocated for maintaining Municipal Election in April and contract with a private contractor.
Mayor Sue McCloud advocated for the City contracting with Martin & Chapman.
Council Member HAZDOVAC moved to maintain the status quo of having the Municipal Election date in April, seconded by Council Member BURNETT and carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: BURNETT; HAZDOVAC; SHARP; & McCLOUD
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS: NONE
3 comments:
I was very surprised in changing his opinion Jason Burnett did not voice the concerns of a poll watcher and advocate for the county running the election over the city with only technical support from a private contracter and the holding of the election in June when local candidates would not get lost in the November election issues and the cost would be attractive and allow time for newly elected candidates to master the budget issues and other important issues. Bottom line Jason changed his mind but did not adequately explain why.
Two things to mention here: One, it has been realized that a June election date is problematic because of the budget cycle. An early June election would result in council members being sworn in sometime mid-June. They would then have to approve a budget by the end of June that others had crafted. (July 1 is the start of the new fiscal year.)
Secondly, the light bulb went on for all following this issue that if the election were moved to November, Sue McCloud would have an additional seven months in office (assuming she IS going to finally retire after many years of promises). And no one wants to see that happen. Thus, no one continued to advocate for the change in election dates.
The council vote for the municipal election in April 2012 was a vote to put Female B is charge of the election. No thanks! This unanimous council vote tells me nothing is going to happen to Rich Guillen. Zero, zip, nada, nothing. If this council can entrust the integrity of an election to someone so compromised by her actions in the Jane Miller case, etc., then no one with integrity can trust this council do anything with integrity.
The day Carmel city employees had their letter published in the Pine Cone, the day Steve Rana spoke for the Carmel Police Officers Association at a council meeting, and the day our representatives entrusted an election to Heidi Burch, is the day I lost all faith, confidence and trust in city employees and council members.
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