CITY COUNCIL: AGENDA & MINUTES 26 May 2011

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA CITY COUNCIL


Closed Session and Special Meeting

Thursday, May 26, 2011—5:00 pm

Council Chambers

East side of Monte Verde Street between

Ocean and Seventh Avenues

Live video streaming available at:

www.ci.carmel.ca.us

I.Call to Order

II.Roll Call

III.Pledge of Allegiance

IV.Adjourn to Closed Session

Pursuant to Government Code Section 54965 et seq. of the State of California, the City Council will adjourn to Closed Session to consider the following:

1.Existing Litigation - Government Code Section 54956.9(a) - Monterey Peninsula Water Management District v. State Water Resources Control Board, et al. Santa Clara County Superior Court Case No. 1-10-CV163328.

V.Announcements in Open Session (if any)

VI. Orders of Council

A. Review and approve the proposed City Administrator profile as developed by the search firm, Peckham and McKenney.

VII. Adjournment

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. Carmel-by-the-Sea City Hall is an accessible facility. The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea telecommunications device for the Deaf/Speech Impaired (T.D.D.) number is 1-800-735-2929.
 
DRAFT



City Administrator


City of Carmel-by-the-Sea

The Community

Present day Carmel-by-the-Sea began on a summer day in the 1890’s when James Franklin Devendorf stood with his family on Pescadero Point gazing across Carmel Bay at the stunning crescent of white sand. It was here he decided to create a residential, family-oriented community that, from its inception, respected and enhanced the natural setting. With the community’s incorporation in 1916, City leaders passed an Ordinance in 1929 determining Carmel to be

”…primarily, a residential City wherein business and commerce have in the past, are now, and are proposed to be in the future subordinated to its residential character…”

Located 120 miles south of San Francisco on the Monterey Peninsula, Carmel today is renowned for its rich beauty and prides itself on its white sand beach, luxuriant landscaped bluffs, verdant urban forest, natural parklands, and roadside greenbelts all within a one-square-mile, built-out community. Monterey pines, live oaks, and Monterey cypress provide an abundant tree canopy throughout the City. Carmel offers its 4,000 residents premium, quality services and amenities. The City has a high median household income and property values and an average age of 55 years. The Carmel area offers outstanding educational opportunities through the Carmel Unified School District, which has won state and national awards for excellence, as well as institutions of high learning on the Monterey Peninsula.

Carmel community leaders and residents work diligently to create a balance between the focus on a quality residential community while taking advantage of a vibrant tourism base to support and enhance the experience. Residents have long resisted home mail delivery and, instead, continue the village custom of daily trips to the Post Office. This tradition of meeting one’s neighbors and exchanging local information contributes significantly to the spirit of the community. Residences are known by the home’s physical location rather than a street address, which creates a unique challenge for the provision of public safety services. The absence of streetlights and formal sidewalks in the residential district contributes to the forest-like atmosphere, with its abundance of over 80 acres of parks located throughout the City.

Rich in coastal resources, cultural heritage, and historical interest, Carmel attracts an estimated two million visitors annually. Condé Nast Traveler in November 2010 listed Carmel as one of the 10 places to visit, and TripAdvisor named the community the #1 Small City in the U.S. One can find excellent lodging, outstanding recreation, fine restaurants, and specialty shops adorning the streets of the business district. Since the turn of the century, Carmel has been a Mecca for artists, writers, actors, and playwrights. The $21.4 million renovation of the Sunset Center in 2001 provides an outstanding venue to feature a number of impressive offerings as does the Forest Theater, the first outdoor community theater west of the Mississippi. Each year, visitors are drawn to the diversity of festivals and events created to promote and enhance the creative traditions of Carmel, including the Carmel Bach Festival, Carmel Art Festival, and Carmel Authors & Ideas Festival. In addition, the Concours d’Elegance Car Parade and Display and Concours on the Avenue are held annually during “Car Week” on the Peninsula, plus a number of community events marking the Fourth of July, the City’s birthday and parade, and the annual tree lighting ceremony ushering in the holidays.

.

To learn more about the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea, please visit the City’s web site at www.ci.carmel.ca.us.

The Organization

Incorporated as a General Law City, Carmel is organized as a Council/City Administrator form of government. The City Council is composed of a Mayor and four Council Members, all of whom are elected at large. The Mayor serves a two-year term, and the Council Members serve four-year, overlapping terms. Municipal elections are held in April of each even-numbered year, and the seats of the Mayor and two Council members will be on the ballot in 2012. The Council provides community leadership, develops policies to guide the City in the delivery of services and achieving community goals, and encourages citizen understanding and involvement. Council Members also serve as the governing body of the Carmel-by-the-Sea Public Improvement Authority.

The following are the current priority goals established by the Council.

􀂃 Explore Fire Department options.

􀂃 Manage the City’s challenging financial picture.

􀂃 Concentrate on short-term marketing and economic development.

􀂃 Take steps now to plan for 2016 when we will either have a new supply of water or be facing cuts of about 70%.

􀂃 Plan for the phased renovation of the Forest Theater and develop funding options.

􀂃 Implement programs and projects that protect and enhance Carmel Beach.

The City Council appoints the City Administrator, City Attorney, City Treasurer, and City Engineer. The City Administrator is responsible for all employee appointments and actions and has oversight of fiscal and budget matters and the day-to-day operations of all departments. The City has a $14 million operating budget and a professional, supportive staff of 66 full-time (plus 10 part-time) employees in the departments of Administration; Community Planning & Building; Community Services; Public Works; Forest, Parks & Beach; Harrison Community Library; Fire; and Police. The City enjoys the assistance of a Planning Commission, Library Board of Trustees, Community Activities and Cultural Commission, Forest and Beach Commission, and Historic Resources Board.

The City’s top three revenue sources include transient occupancy tax, property tax, and sales tax. Recently received data illustrate that there is a welcome up-tick in all three major revenue categories. However, due to increasing employee salary and benefit costs over the past decade, the Council is currently reviewing shared services, including Fire, with either the City of Monterey or CalFire for budgetary savings. In addition, the City is evaluating a Paid Parking Program for the purpose of increasing general fund revenues.

The Position

Discussions with the Mayor and City Council, management team, community representatives, and residents elicited the following information regarding the ideal candidate for City Administrator.

Residents of Carmel realize the contributions from business and tourism, but they also jealously guard the residential character of the community. This results in a need to focus on the financial viability of the community and its infrastructure while managing the inevitable changes.

The City Administrator will be comfortable working with an actively engaged citizenry that is accustomed to high standards. Developing the confidence of the community, City staff, and Council, the Administrator will explain, interpret, and propose new approaches and decisions in a professional

manner. The Administrator will be unflappable and calm under pressure and stand firm on City principles.

Carmel is seeking candidates with creativity and proven leadership. The Administrator will look to the future and envision opportunities for the community as well as the path to get there. A strategic thinker who is able to identify additional revenue sources and make clear, research-supported recommendations for Council consideration is desired. Sensitive to the needs of the community and organization, the City Administrator will actively engage with neighboring jurisdictions in the discussion regarding potential shared services and will provide recommendations for increased efficiencies and sharing of limited resources.

Teaming with the City Council, the City Administrator will maintain effective relations and treat all fairly, equally, and respectfully. The ideal candidate is politically astute and remains apolitical, allowing the Mayor and Council to determine the final decision. The City Administrator will be an effective listener and skilled communicator (both verbal and written), able to interpret Council policy to the organization and guide staff in its implementation. The Administrator will be of the highest integrity and ethical standards and genuine in character.

While respecting the talents of staff, the City Administrator will serve as a mentor and coach in order to enhance the delivery of high quality services to the community. The new Administrator will be a hands-on manager, able to roll up his/her sleeves and get the job done. The Administrator will bring energy to the organization, effectively communicate expectations, and promote and enhance teamwork and unity. It is expected that the City Administrator will possess strong organizational and planning skills and the ability to remain consistent with the plan while juggling a variety of priorities. Lastly, a calm demeanor and sense of humor will be essential.

Most importantly, the City Administrator will be respectful of Carmel’s history and identity and passionate about serving the community. Visible, accessible, and actively involved in the community, the City Administrator will become part of the fabric of Carmel. The ideal experience will be in a small coastal community with a focus on balancing components of residential, natural beauty, and tourism. Proven experience in municipal finance/budgeting; labor relations; planning, building, and design guidelines; and/or engineering is desired. A Bachelor’s degree in public or business administration or related field required; Master’s preferred.

The Compensation

The salary for this position is open depending upon the qualifications of the selected candidate. The City offers an attractive benefits package including CalPERS retirement; health, dental, and vision insurance; life and AD&D insurance; monthly automobile allowance; and annual leave and holidays. In addition, a deferred compensation program is available.

The Recruitment Process

To apply for this exciting career opportunity, please send your resume and cover letter electronically to:

Peckham & McKenney

apply@peckhamandmckenney.com

Please do not hesitate to contact Bobbi Peckham toll-free at (866) 912-1919 if you have any questions regarding this position or recruitment process.

Search Schedule

Resume filing deadline July 8, 2011

Preliminary Interviews July 18-27, 2011

Recommendation of Candidates July 29, 2011

Final Interview Process August 12, 2011

These dates have been confirmed, and it is recommended that you plan your calendar accordingly.