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CRA News November 1999
Selected articles from the newsletter of the Carmel Residents Association
Carmel's favorite
cartoonist to speak at Nov. 18 meeting
"Capturing Carmel and a few ports along the way"
| Thursday, November 18 -- Regular CRA Meeting | |
| 4 p.m. -- Refreshments 4:30 p.m. -- Bill Bates speaks Vista Lobos Meeting Room, Torres between 3rd & 4th |
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Who best captures the spirit and essence of Carmel? Who makes us laugh at the eccentricities of our village? Bill Bates, of course. No matter how many times we stand in line at the Post Office looking at his framed cartoons, they never cease to amuse us.
Come to CRA's Nov. 18 meeting prepared to be well entertained by the tales of this talented artist, cartoonist and caricaturist. And, as a bonus, Bill has generously donated one of his books and a poster which will be given away in a drawing, as well as an on-the-spot portrait sketch.
Owner with his wife, Lei Lei, of the popular Bates Carmel Cafe, on Mission between 5th and 6th, Bill has painted the interior walls with reproductions of his famous cartoons and the ceiling beams boast the names of famous Carmel personalities.
Bill Bates was born in Texas, coming in the Sixties to San Francisco's North Beach where he worked as a book illustrator and free-lance commercial artist. He started his successful cartooning career with a comic strip, PING, in the San Francisco Examiner.
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A Carmel Business Improvement District is proposed |
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"Costs can be passed on to consumer at every business level." A group of Carmel businessmen has proposed to the City Council the formation of a Carmel Business Improvement District (CBID). About $750,000 would be raised annually through increases in the hotel tax, paid mostly by visitors, and in an assessment on retail and restaurant sales, paid by both residents and visitors. Benefit Assessment Districts do not require voter approval. The money raised would be used exclusively to benefit the businesses within the district, and could include: Promotion of public events in public places. Furnishing of music in any public place in the area. Promotion of tourism. Activities which benefit businesses located in the area. Parking facilities. Benches. Street lighting. Parks. Decorations. Fountains. Also, tourism promotion now paid by the city would be taken over by the business district. City Administrator Jere Kersnar outlined the plan at the Nov. 2 City Council meeting. Several members of the public, mostly from the business community, spoke up with concerns. Among them, that this would add a new layer of bureaucracy to city government. The members of the council agreed to postpone formal consideration until the many businesses in the proposed district themselves reach agreement. However, as the plan states, "Costs can be passed on to the consumer at every business level." Under "Potential Benefits," the proposal notes, "Assessment can be passed on to consumer, just as sales tax is." It further notes, "The business community and the city residents become partners, since a percentage of funds collected can be granted back to the city." The granting, if any, would be by the controlling business advisory board, comprising eight members of the business community and one city representative. And, the granted funds could only be used by the city for items which benefit the business community. Apparently referring to the increased tax on hotels/motels and the assessment on businesses and restaurants, the plan states: "Taxation WITH representation!" This obviously does not refer to the residents and visitors who would do the paying. Further "Potential Benefits" are outlined: "Long-range funding for marketing is established and controlled by our business district ... A business advisory board is in control of budget development. The budget is submitted to the City Council for approval ... and they can suggest modifications. Although the city collects the money ... the expenditure is (by) the CBID advisory board." Councilwoman Barbara Livingston expressed concern about the limited amount of control City Council and its commissions would have over the activities funded by the CBID. Former CRA president Lou Rolle, in a memo to council, said, "It would seem incongruous for the city to consider ... hidden taxes that are actually paid by visitors and residents to fund projects that have no identified priority for the prudent use of this tax money ... As we enter the 21st Century, it is hoped that the Council will reaffirm its allegiance to the City's charter as a residential community. This assessment district/hidden tax proposal is not consonant with this charter. I urge the Council to not endorse participation in it." |
CRA's candidate-endorsement policy has been revised
After much discussion, the CRA board has accepted the recommendation of its Issues and Education Committees to adopt a policy regarding endorsement of local candidates after candidates' forums.The primary purpose of CRA candidates' forums has always been community service and member and public education, with a third component of deciding which candidates to support. The Board has decided to separate this endorsement so that the forums will stand alone as educational events.
Beginning with the next election:
- Forums will be sponsored by CRA alone and moderated by the impartial League of Women Voters.
- A list of questions on specific issues of concern to the CRA will be sent to all candidates prior to the forum.
- The board will meet a few days following the forum and, using candidates' written responses as well as their comments at the forum, decide whom to endorse.
- The endorsement and specific reasons
for the decision will be given to the media and published in the CRA
News.
In the past, members met in caucus immediately following a candidates' forum, discussed the candidates and decided by ballot whom to endorse. Several problems emerged:
- Should only members who are Carmel residents vote? What about those in the sphere of influence?
- With larger crowds and a growing CRA membership, it became cumbersome to distribute ballots to CRA members without seeming rude to non-members.
- And, with long forums, some members
could not remain for the caucus, leaving a smaller number to make the
important decisions.
Design Traditions Project consultant to report findings
Noré Winter, the Colorado consultant hired to assist the city in its Design Traditions Project, will be in town Nov. 16 - 18 to present the "Draft Design Traditions Project Products."On Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m., Winter will present this report to the Planning Commission and on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m., the City Council will hear the results and recommendations of this in-depth study.
Copies of material put together by Mr. Winter will be available in the Planning Department after Nov. 8.
A Preservation Celebration
On Saturday, Dec. 4th, from 2-5 p.m., Carmel's historic preservation groups will gather in Devendorf Park to celebrate Carmel's history and current preservation efforts. Sponsors of the event are: Carmel Preservation Foundation, Flanders Foundation, Carmel Heritage, Tor House Foundation, Carmel Cottage Society, Carmel Residents Association and the Lester Rowntree Native Plant Garden Committee. Come and learn more about these energetic community groups and join in the fun at an event that recalls the old Carmel "SirCuss" Days. There will be lots of information on historic preservation, music, food, drinks and games. See you there.City Council honors CRA for Beach Cleanup
Recognizing that "for nine years, at an estimated value of $60,000, the members of the Carmel Residents Association have contributed in excess of 5,058 volunteer hours to the monthly Carmel Beach Cleanup," the City Council presented a Certificate of Appreciation to CRA at its meeting on Nov. 2. President Shirley Humann and Beach Cleanup Chair Clayton Anderson accepted.The certificate says in part, "It is through the loving care and ongoing maintenance by these stalwarts of the community that Carmel-by-the-Sea's beach remains pristine, safe and inviting."
In thanking the Council, Clayton Anderson said, "We greatly appreciate the continual help given to us by Gary Kelley and his Forest and Beach Department staff." He also mentioned the satisfaction workers derive from the many positive comments by visitors from the U.S. and abroad who say that they wish their communities could have such a project.
