Receive a report on the outcome of the August 30, 2023, City Council Priorities Workshop, and provide direction to staff regarding the projects on the list, including but not limited to, adjusting the priority level, scheduling discussion for a future meeting, or whether to add, remove, or change items on the list.  

This staff report summarizes the current list of 22 active strategic priority projects and the direction noted at the August 30^th Priorities workshop. The full status for each project can be found in the staff report from the August 30th Priorities Workshop, included in this report as Attachment 1. At the end of the list, there are additional items that may need further direction from Council. Staff is requesting Council review the list and provide additional direction if any alterations need to be made to these next steps. Once this direction is finalized, this list will determine how staff time will be focused until the next strategic workshop or otherwise directed by Council.   

To quickly summarize the list:

• 15 projects were kept as Top Priority Projects
• 7 projects remain on the list but are not considered a top priority
• 6 items were brought up as potential new priorities to add to the list

Workshop Direction on the 22 Active Priorities:

1. Update Zoning Code & Design Guidelines AND Explore Reinstatement of the Design Review Board (DRB) - 75% Complete - Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff

2.  Develop Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance – 75% complete - Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Consider hiring a consultant to move this project through completion, or consider staff capacity

3.  Develop Telecommunications Ordinance Consistent with Federal Law –  85% complete - Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff

4.  Explore Opportunities for Permanent Outdoor Dining – 25% complete

•  Not a top priority
•  Consider changing this priority to “Develop a Downtown Master Plan”

5.  Review Barriers to Construction of Affordable Housing – 75% Complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff

6.   Explore Redevelopment of the North Lot at Sunset Center – 0% Complete

•  Not a top priority
•  Consider location as a possible housing element opportunity site

7.  Police/Public Works Building Renovation Project – 20% Complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff
•  Consider a bond to help finance the project
•  Increase percentage complete to 30%

8. Review Opportunities for Enhanced Fire/Ambulance Services – 10% complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Consider other options in addition to a JPA, such as contracting Fire Services with Cal Fire
•  Appoint an Ad Hoc committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tem Richards and Councilmember Baron, Acting Police Chief Watkins, Fire Chief Panholzer, as well as community members

9. Develop a plan to ensure that the City’s natural areas, as well as private property, are properly maintained to reduce fire risk – 55% Complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Complete the Wildfire Risk Assessment Plan
•  Agendize discussion on ways to educate the public on mitigating fire risks on their private property, evacuation planning
•  Focus on removing dead trees
•  Continue private property inspections for fire risks

10.  Develop Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) & Update Tree Ordinance – 60% complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as a top priority project
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff

11.  Stormwater Ordinances Update – 90% Complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as top priority project
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff

12.  Volunteer Group Oversight and Facilitation - 75% Complete

•  Not a top priority
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff
•  Consider changing the priority name to “Volunteer Oversight, Facilitation, and Appreciation”

13.  Increase Beautification Efforts – Ongoing – 50% complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as top priority project
• Continue with project as outlined by staff
•  Add more sidewalk and trashcan cleaning
•  Consider quarterly awards to businesses who have the most clean and beautiful business front and sidewalk area as an incentive.

14.  Develop a Facilities Maintenance Plan (Facility Renovation Projects) – 45% Complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as top priority project
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff

15.  Underground Utilities Rule 20A – 40% Complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as top priority project
• Continue with project as outlined by staff

16. Explore Opportunities for Scout House – 35% Complete – Top Priority

•  Review the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) findings
•  Provide direction to staff on exploring new opportunities, priority level, and timeline

17.  Coastal Engineering Study and Climate Committee – 20% Complete

•  Not a top priority
•  Continue with project as outlined by staff

18.  Review/Reformulate Approach to Reserves/Update Financial Policies – 35% Complete

•  Not a top priority
• Continue with project as outlined by staff

19. Develop and Implement Social Media Plan - 10% Complete

•  Not a top priority
•  Consider changing the priority to “Communication with Residents”, and focus on ways to get information out such as newsletters for residents, and emergency alerts.

20.  Explore Opportunities for Flanders Mansion – 10% Complete – Top Priority

•  Provide direction to staff on the priority level and timeline

21. Explore Street Addresses – 30% Complete – Top Priority

•  Keep as top priority project
•  Provide direction to staff in November after receiving an update

22.  Explore Parking and Traffic Management Program - 50% Complete - Top Priority

•  Keep as top priority project
• Provide direction to staff in November after receiving an update

New Priorities for consideration and direction

The following is a list of items that were brought up by one or more Councilmembers as potential new priorities to add to the list. Staff is seeking clarification on the direction for each item.

• Outdoor Wine Tasting Ordinance
  • Add as a new priority
  • Appoint an ad hoc committee consisting of Mayor Potter and Councilmember Baron

• Carmel Area Wastewater District (CAWD) - Carmel River “Bridge to Everywhere” Project
  • Add as a new priority
  • Focus priority on annexing Rio Park property

• Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) increase – Explore adding to the 2024 ballot
  • Add as a new priority
  • Consider increased TOT funds to finance the Police Building Project and other infrastructure

• Board and Commissioner Training & Onboarding
  • Consider adding as a new priority

• Undergrounding Power Lines - bigger project, separate from Rule 20A Priority
  • Consider adding as a new priority
  • Create ad hoc for an underground utilities district.

• Car Week Impacts and Safety 
  • Consider adding as a new priority