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Endless opportunities to be informed, to engage & to enjoy!
Read on for these items in this issue: Reminder for CRA's Annual Meeting May15th on Tourism, City Council Meeting highlights from this week - May 5 & 6 with Addresses & Budget and Fire Zone Maps & Regulations, Upcoming City Meetings including subjects Draft Housing Element sessions - May 14 & 20th, Carmel Coastal Hazards Local Program Update May 15th, Important City FY2025/2026 Budget Workshop May 21st, Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week 2025 May 30 - June 7th with a Special CRA Members Discount, and our usual full listing of local meetings, activities, events and more through June!
May 15th 2025 - CRA's Members Only Annual Meeting -
Doors Open at 5:30pm
Exploring Tourism in Carmel
Held at Carmel Youth Center - SW Corner of 4th and Torres
(behind the Carmel Police Dept - parking recommended on Junipero or in Vista Lobos)
Please join us! This year CRA is hosting the leaders from Visit Carmel, Carmel Chamber and See Monterey for a Q&A session to learn more and hear from you. This Annual meeting will explore how our local tourism organizations are funded, how their efforts are different yet complement each other, including how our tourism and our residential community connects.
  
At our annual Members Only CRA program (with new Members welcome to join at the door) we also introduce our newest Board Members, provide highlights on our services, our membership, and our participation with City projects and area nonprofits. Plus we will present our Business Recognition award.
Enjoy finger foods, wines, and waters, immediately after this program, mix with fellow members and enjoy the best view of Point Lobos and our Village through the windows of the Carmel Youth Center at the corner 4th and Torres. Don’t miss it!
Here are more details on this Annual Meeting and those held in the recent past.
Big Topic Highlights from this weeks City Council Meetings
Full Council Monday Agenda is HERE, for Tuesday is HERE
May 5th City Council - Consider Ballot Vote on Standard Addresses
HERE is this topic Staff Report - requesting a decision on if a public Ballot Vote should be considered for November 2025. Mayor Pro Tem Delves also provided an update on the Citizens Committee researching potential addressing, for future consideration and decisions by Council.
HERE is the YouTube from this session
HERE are the Slides used for this live presentation
HERE is the Carmel Pine Cone issue from 5/9 - cover article
HERE is the Monterey County Weekly - article "The Carmel City Council rejects holding a special election to decide street addresses."
This topic concluded with a 4/1 approval of the recommendation of NO November 2025 Ballot Vote. The Citizen/Staff Committee will continue to flesh out the details of what a possible implementation could be and pros/cons called out.
It was also suggested (but not yet decided) a) that there must be a timely commitment on sharing Committee results, b) should we have contest for ideas on addressing and c) that a community postcard tally should be considered when more information becomes available.
Visit this CRA Page for background and next updates on this topic.
Don't forget there is a 3 page guide "No Addresses - No Problem (maybe)" providing pointers to many challenges.
May 5th 2025 - Fire Zones Maps, Regulations & 5ft Defensible Space
HERE is the Staff report for this topic
HERE are the Slides prepared for this live presentation
HERE is the YouTube from this topic
HERE is the Carmel Pine Cone - cover article covers this topic
This session generated significant discussion with the public and Council. Council agreed to recommendation #1 of only approving the FireZone Maps, but to explore a possible citizen committee to work with Staff on the implications of the increased impact on landscaping, building requirements and our urbanized forest - with the overall feel of our Village. This item will return to Council in the coming months.
Visit this CRA Page for background and next updates on this topic.
And please see upcoming "Carmel Prepares" Workshop - Saturday June 21st Carpenter Hall at 10:00AM.
May 5 & 6th - FY 2025/2026 Carmel Budget & Policy Efforts
HERE is the Staff Report on updated Budget Policy & Financial Guidelines updates & recommendations - on May 5th
HERE are the Slides for this topic prepared in advance
HERE is the YouTube from this topic
HERE is the Staff Report on Fee Schedule request for approval - on May 6th
HERE are the slides for this topic prepared in advance
HERE is the YouTube from this topic, and it continues HERE
This was approved with a late summer followup requested
HERE is the Staff Report on the draft FY2025/2026 Budget Book.
HERE is a direct link to the Budget Book - a May 6th item
HERE are the slides for this topic prepared in advance
HERE is the YouTube from this topic
This was an introduction of full Budget Book, no decisions were made.
This budget work is the most critical responsibility of our City Council and this directly influences what gets done in the next 12+ months.
PLEASE invest some time to review the draft Budget Book (or minimally the slides used above) - and send your questions and concerns to [email protected] in advance of the Wednesday May 21st Workshop in City Hall at 3:30 where the Council will dive into the details.
May 14th - Upcoming City Planning Commission - Housing Element Amendment Draft - agenda HERE
In addition to standard agenda items, this meeting will include the first review/introduction to the Housing Element Amendment Draft - reflecting the 10 months of work by the AHA & City Team members. The singular goal of removing the City-owned sites (Vista Lobos & Sunset Center lots) has been achieved in this work.
This topic will be discussed in depth by the City Council and Planning Commission in a joint workshop on Tuesday May 20th in City Hall at 3:30pm.
May 15th - Upcoming Special Workshop City Coastal Hazards Local Program Update - in City Council Chambers at 4:00pm - agenda HERE
May 22nd - Upcoming Special TAMC Workshop on Monterey County Roads, held in City Chambers Thursday 5:30 - 7:30pm - HERE
Diving Deeper into Upcoming FUN Community Events (in date order)
The 5th Annual Carmel Culinary Week is May 30 - June 7, with memorable experiences for visitors as well as the community. On behalf of Visit Carmel and Good Roots Events, they are offering CRA a 15% off member discount applicable to all the ticketed “village-wide” events. The code is exclusive to CRA members only. Simply use the code “CRA” when making a purchase. Ticketed Events Include:
Party in the Plaza (May 30) – Kick off the week in style at Carmel Plaza, where you’ll indulge in a hand-curated selection of gourmet bites and exquisite wines from Carmel’s finest restaurants and wineries.
La Dolce Vita on Dolores Street (June 3) – A delightful family-style dining experience set against the charming backdrop of historic Dolores Street. Enjoy authentic Italian-inspired dishes from local chefs, paired with premium wines and accompanied by live entertainment.
Soirée-by-the-Sea (June 4) – An intimate evening at La Playa Hotel, featuring the freshest seafood creations from Carmel’s top culinary talents, including roaming oyster shucking, and Fire & Ice elements.
Culinary Showdown at Carmel Farmers Market (June 5) – Witness top chefs go head-to-head in a thrilling live cooking competition at Devendorf Park, where speed, skill, and creativity combine to create extraordinary dishes.
Boho Bites & Beats (June 6) – Immerse yourself in a feast for the senses! This vibrant celebration blends global flavors, fine wine, live music, and unexpected surprises into an unforgettable street fair of food and fun.
Participate and Engage! - Listing by Date
Community Calendar - Coming up in May and all of June
• 5/14 Special Habitat for Humanity Charity Event - 5:30-7:00pm - Registration or Donations HERE (see image below)
• 5/14 Regular Planning Commission Meeting - including first preview of Housing Element Amendment DRAFT - 4:00pm in Council Chambers HERE (see image above)
• 5/15 CRA's Members Annual Meeting 5:30pm Carmel Youth Center HERE
• 5/16-18 Carmel Art Festival in Devendorf Park - HERE (see image above)
• 5/17 CRA’s Beach Clean Up – West end of Ocean Ave 9:30-Noon
• 5/17-18 Monterey Symphony's Rachmaninoff Concerts - HERE
• 5/20 Housing Element Amendment Draft Council & Planning Commission Session - in Council Chambers at 3:30pm
• 5/19 Carmel Womans Club Program & Tea with Neil Hotelling 2:00-3:30pm
• 5/21 FY 2025/2026 City Budget Workshop with Council - in Council Chambers at 3:30pm
• 5/22 Monterey Road Conditions Workshop with TAMC- in Council Chambers at 5:30pm (see image above)
• 5/23 Sunset Center's free Terrace hour 6:00PM HERE
• 5/26 Memorial Day - 11:am Event in Devendorf Park with Am. Legion Post 512 (see image above) ....note City Offices are closed
• 5/29 CRA Community Table at Carmel's Farmers Market 10:00am-2:00pm
• 5/30 Sunset Center's free music Terrace Hour 6:00pm HERE
• 5/31 Pancakes with Carmel-by-the-Sea Police (see image above)
• 5/30-6/7 Carmel-by-the-Sea Culinary Week 2025 - HERE (see special discount offer for CRA members above)
• 6/2 Special Monday City Council Meeting 4:30pm in Council Chambers HERE
• 6/3 Regular Tuesday City Council Meeting 4:30pm in Council Chambers HERE
• 6/6 Sunset Center's free Terrace hour 6:00PM HERE
• 6/7-8 Carmel Surfabout
• 6/13 Sunset Center's free Terrace hour 6:00pm HERE
• 6/19 Carmel's Third Thursday 4-7:00pm
• 6/20 Sunset Center's free Terrace hour 6:00pm HERE
• 6/21 CRA’s Beach Clean Up – West end of Ocean Ave 9:30-Noon
• 6/21 Carmel Prepares Community Workshop on Defensible Space plus - 10-11am in Carpenter Hall HERE (see image above)pm
• 6/26 CRA's Community Table Carmel's Farmers Market 10:00am-2:00pm
Plus
• Every Thursday – Carmel's Farmers Market 10am-2pm - Devendorf Park
• Every 2nd Saturday – Weedies in Mission Trail Nature Preserve 9:30-noon
• Every 2nd Saturday – Carmel’s Art Walk 4-7pm
• Every 1st & 3rd Monday - Carmel Womans Club Programs & Tea 2-4pm thru early June
AND...Here is a listing of events hosted by our City through end of 2025
....and more for those who plan way ahead....
CRA's Annual Feast in the Forest for CRA Members and their Guests -Saturday September 13th - at Indian Village in Pebble Beach
Be sure to save the date. This year's theme will be tropical/polynesian - and once again Tim Wood will be our Chef-Caterer! There will be great music and great auction items too.
Registration and other details to follow. Check the details for this year's event HERE, and for prior years Feast in the Forest - HERE for 2021, HERE for 2023 and HERE for 2024.
Post Script: Our sincere thanks goes to all of the City Staff, our Mayor and all of the professional craftsmen who've contributed to installing the Memorial Benches in Devendorf Park, for Barbara Livingston and Jan Reimers - amazing volunteer citizens and champions for our Village in the many decades past.
It was so great to have Brian & Elaine Livingston in town from Vermont (Barbara's son & wife) to share memories and enjoy these last week.
 
We provide the latest current information and resources on our CRA Website for our Members, Residents, in our Village and beyond! This includes our calendar, documents, publications, current info on Hot Topics, links to other Village sources and organizations and so much more. Your suggestions are always welcome!
This and every past "News You Can Use" and the CRA Voice Newsletters can be found on our Archives page HERE.
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