The Carmel City Council will consider approving an agreement on Tuesday with Carver and Schicketanz Architects to prepare drawings for the beach restrooms project and direct staff to seek funding for it. The restroom project is just one of several issues the council will delve into at its first meeting of February.

Temporary restrooms were installed near the intersection of Scenic Road and Santa Lucia Avenue in 1986. In 2002, the city had hired the same first to evaluate a site at 10th Avenue and Scenic Road and another at 13th Avenue and Scenic, but, in the end, neither site was deemed suitable.

The site at Santa Lucia was then chosen in 2009 and plans began on it. Last June, the Planning Commission approved a design for the beach restrooms, but then rescinded approval about a month later after some members of the public protested.

In August, the City Council and Planning Commission held a workshop and agreed upon a direction. In November, the Planning Commission issued permits for the project. The three temporary restrooms are to be replaced with two ADA compliant restrooms, a janitor’s closet, a green roof, a free-standing wall in front to limit visibility from the beach, and a water fountain. There will be baby-changing stations in each restroom. The exterior will have a stone veneer over concrete. It is a 188-square-foot structure. There are to be no trees cut for the project.

A nice job for somebody

The council will also adopt a job description and salary range for a community planning and building director. The person filling the position would be one of the city’s five directors of operational functions. Previously, the duties were being fulfilled by the other four directors: administrative services, public safety, public services, and library. City staff recommends a range of $127,320 to $154,752 for the new position.

“There is important business need for this position at this time and funding is available,” says the report. “The position will provide assistance in administering and coordinating the city’s General Plan and ensure that Carmel’s unique environment, building and safety and related activities, budget preparation and scooting and other key projects are well managed.”

A financial update

The city will also consider a resolution that will revise many of the city’s financial policies — things like distinguishing capital investment from road maintenance and setting limits on how low or high reserve funds can be.

Currently, the city’s actual capital investment is lower than established policy by nearly $800,000, according to the report. Meanwhile, the reserves are in strong shape and in fact exceed recommendations in most instances. The general fund reserve is about $1 million more than its proposed maximum.

Among the changes is the removal of a paragraph that “the city recognizes that its primary revenue sources are locally generated, especially TOT and sales tax revenue, and for the most part, this revenue is generated by non-residents. …”

The Reserves Policy is considerably strengthened, with a vehicle, technology replacement reserves being established, a litigation reserve created and a pension obligation bond repayment reserve that will get an annual $70,000 contribution.

A neighbor’s appeal

The City Council will also hear an appeal from Jacqeuline Simonelli regarding the construction of a new home on Fifth Avenue near Lincoln Street. The property owner, Dennis Levett, plans a two-story home with a 70-square foot balcony.

According to the staff report, Simonelli, who lives on the western boundary of the proposed new home, contends that the two-story home will block the sun from her property and she does not like having such a mass overlooking her property.

The design won unanimous approval from the Planning Commission. The two-story portion of the home is 21.5 feet tall, lower than what is allowed. And the second story comprises just 25 percent of the total floor area. There is a 22-foot setback from the home to the western boundary.

City staff is recommending the council deny the appeal.