10/25/2016
From Harlan Jencks: "Oak Grove Neighborhood Association (OGNA)
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The meeting was called to order at 7:15pm by President Harlan Jencks
Attendance: A total of 21 Oak Grove residents attended:
Officers/NIP Reps Present:
President
Harlan Jencks
Vice-President
Elisa Fireman
Secretary
Donna Galletti
Treasurer
Jan Bell
Member-at-Large
Donna Horton
NIP Representative
Tom DiMaggio
NIP Representative
Luz Adam-Alternate
Attended:
Clara Foster
Patricia Chaffey
Linda and Bob Filderman
Carol Mermis
Robin McKee
Helen Brooks
Dona Betzold
Kathy Nolan
Stephanie Anabo
Seamus Dorrian
Jeannie Qu***ia
Michele Berti
Amy Hischler??
Harlan thanked Elisa Fireman for stepping in for him when he was injured and doing a good job in his absence.
1.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the July 19, 2016 meeting were distributed by e-mail and posted on NextDoor. Paper copies were also available to review at the meeting.
A motion was made by Dona Betzold to approve the minutes as written; and was seconded by Tom DiMaggio. Minutes were approved.
2.
Treasurer’s Report:
Jan Bell reported that we currently have a bank balance of $1.529.10.
Beginning balance: $1.578.14
Expenditures: One-check for $49.04 to Elisa Fireman for food for the Free Little Library reception
3.
Nomination of NIP Representatives:
Tom DiMaggio and Luz Adam were elected as the NIP Representative and Alternate, respectively, for 2017 by the OGNA Board at the September 3rd, 2017 board meeting.
Tom expressed that 2017 be his last year. Harlan encouraged residents to think about being an NIP representative in the future.
4.
City Planning Update-David Wright
Due to the concerns of some neighbors about AirBnB’s in the neighborhood, David was invited to give an update and answer questions.
He works in the Planning, Engineering and Environmental Compliance Division for the City of Monterey and is the Code Compliance Coordinator.
He spoke of the city’s plans for Infrastructure/Public Safety. These include:
NIP Projects, Street Repair, and CalAm pipeline repairs. These projects are currently being completed throughout Monterey.
David shared that residents had brought to his attention the possibility of
one particular property being used as an Airbnb. This property is where the massage parlor was on Ocean Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. Recent construction had been done to the space and it appeared that the property was going to be used as apartments. As neighbors had been told several months ago by the leaser of the property that this space was to be used for office space they were concerned the space would be used as short term rentals, which currently are not allowed in the city of Monterey.
As we held our meeting, David noted that City Council was discussing the possible change to a charter to allow short term rentals in the city of Monterey.
David had researched and informed residents that all permits were in order during the construction and remodel of said project. He said that unless they were used as short term rentals/Airbnb’s there is no violation.
Robin McKee, who with her husband, has a long term lease on the property said they were remodeled as apartments. However they plan to be used for long term rentals, as well as for her mother and mother-in-law to live in if necessary as they get older.
Robin said she hoped the city would change their mind on the charter as the short term rentals bring money into the city.
David said that if anyone knows of any property in Oak Grove that is on the Airbnb website to let him know. The city has a $200,000 enforcement budget to be used to conduct “stings” of said rentals in order to insure compliance. However, due to the large quantities of rentals, the city relies on information from the public as to violators.
Rentals can be no less than 30 days, and there is a $1,000 a day fine for violators. He said that most violators comply after their first violation. Many homes in the city of Monterey rent rooms to local military personnel who attend NPS and DLI, as well as local college students attending MIIS, CSUMB and MPD. However, these are normally long term leases (one year or more in duration) and therefore not in violation.
What is not allowed under the current short term rental ordinance, is renting a room(s) in homes and well as renting out the entire home for a short term rental.
David shared that the city of Carmel has gone the route of court action and even “red tagged” homes in violation. Pacific Grove has a short term rental ordinance that appears to be well regulated. Property owners who do short term rentals pay a Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
One resident asked David what the rules are about the noise from trucks making deliveries to NPS and our local disposal company as well as the constant noise from recycling trucks. David spoke to her after the meeting.
5.
Donations made on behalf of OGNA.
Clara Foster made a motion to make a donation of $25 to Westland Hospice House in memory of long time Oak Grove resident Fran Carpino who recently passed away. This was seconded by Luz Adam. Membership voted to approve the expenditure.
Donna Horton provided information on the Alzheimer’s Walk on October 8th, 2016. Donna and Laura Horton and Elisa Fireman will be participating for the Oak Grove Team known as “Take that Alzheimer’s”. Donna invited residents to join them. Elisa discussed OGNA making a donation to the walk.
A motion was made by Linda Filderman for a donation of $100 be made to the walk. Dona Betzold seconded the motion. It was voted to make a donation.
6.
Notes on OGNA Board Planning Meeting 09/03/16
Four of the five board members met to plan long term goals for Oak Grove for 2017. Discussed were:
An annual Summer Yard Sale to be held the last Saturday in June.
Plans to ask residents what the needs of the neighborhood are.
Harlan noted that Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey would be looking for panels of resident to discuss neighborhood resources and anyone interested should contact him.
7.
Monterey Police Department (MPD) Update-Officer Rusty Jenkins
Very low incidents of crime reported in Oak Grove. Patricia McCaffrey shared that someone had tried to break into her apartment on Park Avenue. She reported it to MPD and filed a police report. She mentioned seeing a man in the neighborhood recently near her apartment in the very early morning hours (2 am) which frightened her. He just hangs out on the sidewalk. She was encouraged to call MPD when she saw him again.
Officer Jenkins gave an update on the three juvenile boys. He had spoken to two of the boy’s fathers in July. Since then it has been reported both on Next Door and to MPD that the acts of vandalism and intimidation have continued.
Old Business:
No update on the property at 499 Ocean Avenue.
New Business:
Holiday Breakfast:
Harlan thanked Donna Galletti and Michele Berti doing a good job of planning the Holiday Breakfast event last year. Everyone had a great time and he asked if they would agree to plan the event again this year. Both agreed to do so. Date proposed was Saturday, December 3rd, 2016 at 9 a.m. and will again be held at Bay Café and Cantina.
Next Breakfast Gathering: Will be held on Sunday October 9th at 9 am.
Michele Berti will make a reservation so residents are to contact her if they will be attending in order to get an accurate count.
Next General Meeting: Tuesday, November 15, 2016.
The meeting adjourned at 8:37 pm
Respectfully Submitted by
Donna Galletti, Secretary
DRAFT-10/13/16 dlg"
