Beach Fire Management Pilot Program 02-03-15

8/9/2019 Beach Fire Management Pilot Program 02-03-15

1/160

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Council Report

February 3, 2015

To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City CouncilDouglas J. Schmitz, City Administrator

From: Sharon Friedrichsen

Subject: Consideration of recommendations related to a beach firemanagement pilot program

RECOMMENDATION(S):

1) To receive a presentation by the Air Pollution Control Officer of the Monterey Bay

Unified Air Pollution Control District;

2) To consider recommendations pertaining to a beach fire management pilotprogram and approve a pilot program;

3) To authorize staff to begin implementation of the pilot program, including submittal

of a coastal development permit to the Coastal Commission;4) To authorize funding of one police officer position to assist in education and

enforcement of the pilot program.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This item is before Council to consider recommendations related to a pilot program to

help manage the recreational use of beach fires. The pilot program does not propose to

ban beach fires. Rather, it includes an approach to prevent fires from being built directly

on the sand and to limit the number of fires, primarily through the use of fire containment

devices. The purpose of this approach is to allow the public to continue to enjoy beach

fires while attempting to mitigate some of the environmental impacts of beach fires on air

quality and the degradation of the sand.

The major components of the beach fire management recommendations developed by

the Forest and Beach Commission include:

Wood-burning fires must be contained within a fire containment device

U f 26 i t fi t i t d i t fi l ti


2/160


3/160

Wood-burning fires must be contained within a fire containment device

The City would purchase and install 26 semi-permanent fire containment devices

at five locations that would be available to the public on a first come, first serve

basis on a seasonal basis

Unlimited user-supplied propane fire devices allowed south of 10thyear-round

Up to five charcoal grilling devices (i.e. hibachi type grill) allowed south of 10th

year-round with a free permit obtained from the Carmel Police Department

Enhanced education and enforcement five days a week until 11 PM

On January 21, 2015, the Planning Commission reviewed these recommendations andapproved all of the components with the exception of the charcoal grilling devices.

Pilot Program Details:

Number and Location of Wood-Burning Fire Devices: As part of the proposed pilot

program, the City would purchase and install 26 off the shelf fire containment devices,

placed at locations in the cove and near the beach staircases as follows:

2 fire rings near the staircase at 10th




2 fire rings near the staircase at Santa Lucia

4 fire rings in the cove between 10th and 11th



4 fire rings in the cove between 13th and Santa Lucia

The Forest and Beach Commission recommended that no devices be placed at Martin

Way as the cove is traditionally covered in kelp and experiences a higher degree of wave

action. Current fire rules however allow beach fires at this location and this provision

may require possible changes depending on discussions with Coastal Commission staff.

It is possible that the use of propane fire may satisfy this rule or, alternatively, one or two

wood fire containment devices could be added to this location (either with an increase in

the overall number of devices or keeping the total number at 26 and reallocating one or

two devices from other locations). It is also recommended that only dry aged wood or


4/160

has the advantages of allowing for implementation by May 2015 as well as giving staff

the flexibility to use different models to evaluate the ease and effectiveness of installing,

cleaning and removing rings. Staff would also be able to procure new rings if needed

with greater ease. A variety of models may also assist if a permit system is put in place(i.e. permits could be issued based on location and device type). Estimated costs range

from $500-$1,500 a piece, which would be $13,000-$39,000 based on 26 devices. The

cost of the devices have not been included within the current fiscal years capital or

operating budget. Should the pilot program continue to the following year (2016), it is

recommended that a design committee be established around September 2015 to create

a device that is customized and based on Carmel design guidelines.

The devices would be placed and removed by City staff (no additional cost as existing

City staff and equipment will be used) on a seasonal basis to prevent the possible loss of

devices due to heightened wave activity. The timing of the removal of the devices will

vary according to the weather and when the tide line reaches the devices. Based upon

recent weather patterns, the devices may likely remain through the typical winter months.

Staff would make a concentrated effort to leave six devices in place during the winter

months, especially closer to 10thAvenue that may be better buffered from the tide. Once

wood- fire devices are removed, only user-supplied propane fire devices would be

allowed. Allowing a return to the status quo of wood burning fires directly in the sand

during winter will make it difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program in

addressing charcoal in the sand and sand degradation.

The wood-fire devices would be secured by burying a chain in the sand and cleaned by

the City (City staff and/or contract with another entity). Currently, the City has a budgetof $25,000 for beach cleanup and utilizes existing staff augmented by temporary labor to

clean the sand of charcoal and other residual materials left from beach fires. This occurs

once a week from Memorial Day through October. Part of the challenge in cleaning up

after beach fires is that the number of fires, the specific locations and the intensity is

unknown and varies each week. Some fires are still smoldering and cannot be cleaned.

The process itself is rather arduous and involves anywhere from 2-6 people placing

charcoal and other debris in trash bags and sifting the sand to remove charcoal. The

City current spends about $200 a day for two temporary staff to work six hours on

charcoal removal, with oversight by one existing City employee. The number of fires that

can be cleaned varies depending on the intensity of the residual fire. The use of

equipment to rake the beach has been explored in the past with mixed results. The


5/160

cost of cleaning efforts. One possible operational concern is that the fire devices will be

used as de facto trash cans. However, the combination of a City beach patrol officer and

a beach superintendent employed by the incoming trash hauler (starting in July) should

help deter and respond to this possible scenario.

Permits/ Reservations/Holidays:As the first phase of the pilot program, it is

recommended that the use of the fire containment devices be on a first come, first

serve basis. Usage will be monitored and a reservation and/or permit approach may be

added to the pilot depending on demand and to possibly accommodate preference for

locals, community events or other commercial special events. To address anticipated

increases of beach fire activities during holidays, the Forest and Beach Commissionincluded a recommendation to provide 25 portable fire devices for public use (again on a

first come, first serve basis) on the July 4th and Labor Day holiday weekends.

The portable devices would be available on site, such as near the restroom at Scenic

and Santa Lucia, and left on the beach for pickup by City staff or City contractors.

Propane and Charcoal Grilling Devices:The objectives of the pilot program are toeliminate burning charcoal and wood from directly touching the sand and turning the

sand grey and to reduce the amount of smoke from beach fires. One approach to

achieve these two objectives is to allow an alternative type of fuel, such as propane, to

be used. The Forest and Beach Commission has also included the unlimited use of

propane fire devices south of 10thyear-round. The devices come in different models, like

the campfire in a can and prices of models researched range from $65-$250 per unit.

At this time, it is recommended that the propane fire devices and accompanying propanebe supplied by the users (pack it in, pack it out approach).

In addition to propane, the Forest and Beach Commission recommended that up to five

charcoal grilling devices (i.e. hibachi grill) also be allowed under the pilot program. This

clause is intended to allow people to barbeque at the beach without having to use one of

the 26 larger fire containment devices. These devices would be supplied by the user

and allowed year-round south of 10

th

, but require one to obtain a permit, free of charge,from the Carmel Police Department. This clause was recommended for removal by the

entire Planning Commission during its January 21, 2015 meeting. This recommendation

was primarily driven by concerns that the contents of burned charcoal from the grill

would be dumped in the sand and that rules of 26 no permit fire devices yet five

permitted devices may be confusing to the beachgoers A suggestion was made to


6/160

to private security, will allow for the enforcement of beach rules and regulations. This

position will be a necessary component to explain the pilot program rules; monitor its

effectiveness and make recommendations regarding possible changes to the pilot

program based on field observations. In addition, this resource will be able to assist inaddressing other beach-related activities such as animal control, slope cutting and litter.

New signage and an extensive public education campaign, including the use of social

media, will be a necessary part of the pilot program.

FISCAL IMPACT: The estimated cost of the pilot program is $179,000:

Component Estimated CostFire Devices (26 @$1,000 each) $26,000Portable Devices (25 @ $250 each) $6,250Cleaning $25,000Police Officer $106,500Signage (manufacturing only) $10,000Public Education Collateral $5,000Total $178,750

Budgeted (yes/no) Cleaning ($25,000) andseasonal security patrols ($40,000) are includedwithin the current fiscal year operating budget.Waterfront signage is also funded for $32,000 as acapital project within the current budget. Mid-yearbudget adjustment may be necessary as the

proposed pilot program begins before the start of anew fiscal year (7/1/). Additional costs for the pilotprogram are proposed to be included within the FY15-16 budget

Funding Source (general fund,grant, state) General Fund

The estimated cost of the purchase of the fire devices is $26,000, which is based on 26

devices costing $1,000 each. In addition, up to 25 portable devices for holiday use would

need to be purchased (estimated cost of $250 for a beach fire basket). Costs could beless for both the semi-permanent and the portable devices based upon the style

selected. Any increase in the number of devices would increase the cost of purchasing

devices as well as incremental costs of cleaning additional devices. Cleaning costs

remain proposed at the current funded level of $25,000. An entry level police officer is

included within the cost of the program for $106 533 which would be offset by funding of


7/160

community services staff absorb this function and monitor the workload. At this time,

there is no user fee proposed for the use

o

the fire containment devices.

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION DECISION HISTORY:

Council included beach fire management as part

o

Shoreline Management Plan

SMP) implementation

as 2014 key initiative

on

1/7/14 and held a public workshop

on the SMP and beach fires on 2/3/14

Forest and Beach Commission public meetings on 2/6/14, 3/6/14, 4/3/14, 6/11.14,

6/25/14,7/10/14, 8/28/14,9/11/14, 10/9/14,11/13/14, 12/4/14 and 12/11/14

Council adopted the guiding principles on 8/5/14

Council reiterated support for addressing beach fires as part

o

2015 goals

on

January 5 2015

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Supplemental staff report by Chief Calhoun

2. Forest and Beach Commission December 11, 2014 meeting draft minutes

3. Recent public comment

he following items can be accessed on the website at www ci carmel ca us or

can be viewed at City Hall

4. Presentations from the Forest and Beach Commission December

4

2014 public

workshop: Beach Fires City staff) and Public Health Impacts Associated with

Wood Smoke Exposure from Beach Fires MBUAPCD)

5.

Public comment from the December 4 , 2014 public workshop

6. Public comment from the January 21, 2015 Planning Commission special meeting

7. Presentation City staff) from the January 21, 2015 Planning Commission special

meeting

APPROVED:

istrator

I

Date: ::?

/5


8/160

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

Council Report

February 3, 2015

To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

From: Douglas J. Schmitz, City Administrator

Submitted by: Michael Calhoun, Director of Public Safety

Subject: Supplemental - Receive report and authorize funding of one PoliceOfficer position for the Beach/Parks Officer assignment.

RECOMMENDATION(S): Authorize the funding.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

In FY2014/15 Public Safety added one police officer position to the budget in anticipation of

funding this position in FY15/16 for the new Beach/Parks patrol assignment. On December

11, 2014 the Forest and Beach Commission approved several recommendations to reduce

the number of fires on the beach and improve the enforcement of beach rules and regulationsto keep our beach safe and clean for our residents and visitors. The recommendations were

approved by the planning commission and will be presented for consideration at the February

council meeting. Adding a full time public safety officer for the specific purpose of the

Beach/Parks officer assignment to the current police department staffing for education and

enforcement of beach rules and regulations is one of the recommendations by the Forest and

Beach Commission.

ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:

Presently there are seven police officers authorized in the public safety budget, three

Sergeants, two corporals, one Commander, and the Public Safety Director. Adding an officer

for the Beach/Park patrol assignment will increase the sworn staffing levels in the Police


9/160

the Peninsula and in our community. In 2012, The Carmel Police Department agreed to

provide one Police Officer on a half-time, as needed basis, to work with the PRVNT Task

Force in conducting its operations and investigations of narcotic and violent crimes on the

Peninsula. Last year, PRVNT requested all participating agencies assign an officer on a fulltime commitment to the team. This year the Carmel Police Department has committed one

officer to full time status with the team; however, the officer is still being used to cover shifts

as needed.

Due to our current staffing levels and participation in SRU and PRVNT, adding an additional

police officer will allow our department to dedicate an officer to the beach and park patrol

position while maintaining continuity of essential patrol functions throughout the rest of thecommunity. This will also allow us to continue our commitment of one full time officer to

PRVNT.

The essential duties and responsibilities of the Beach/Parks officer will include the duties of

the police officer position as stated in the job description but also includes enforcing all laws

and regulations enacted by local, state and federal governments on the beach and in our

parks. This will include working with staff to ensure permits regarding special events are beingfollowed while conducted on the beach. This position will be 40 hours, five days a week,

including weekends, from 3pm to 11pm Wednesday through Sunday. The Beach/Parks

officer will also attend Forest and Beach Commission meetings to report on beach/park

activity and community meetings as requested. During the winter season, or at times when

the beach has minimal activity, the Beach/Parks officer will be assigned to the downtown

commercial district. The Beach/Parks officer will wear a special uniform designed for beach

use. The job description for the Beach/Parks officer assignment isAttachment 1.

The benefit of this position will save the City in some circumstances from having to call in an

officer on overtime to cover a shift when a prisoner is being transported to County Jail and the

Beach/Parks officer is on duty.

Also, by adding the Beach/Parks officer assignment, the City will no longer need the services

of First Alarm Security patrol for monitoring beach fires and other regulations on the beach. InFY2014/15 the budget included $40,000 for the beach security patrol for three days a week

and those funds can be redirected to the Beach/Parks officer assignment.

SC C


10/160

No Public Safety #74010- Salaries

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION/DECISION HISTORY:

.


11/160

CARMEL BEACH/ PARK PATROL OFFICER:

DEFINITION:Under general supervision, performs a variety of duties involved in the enforcement of laws and

the prevention of crimes; conducts and participates in general investigations of crimes, accidents,

and cases; control traffic flow and enforces State and local traffic regulations; and performs avariety of technical and administrative tasks in support of the Police Department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be a sworn police officer working for the Carmel Police Department who is off probation

and has at minimum a Meets Expectations on the last yearly evaluation.

High School diploma or GED; at least 21 years old at time of appointment; must be a U.S.citizen or have applied for citizenship before application; possession of a valid California

Drivers License; vision of 20/100 corrected to 20/30 in each eye and normal color acuity;

possession of a current California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training(P.O.S.T.) Academy certificate or a current P.O.S.T. Basic Law Enforcement certificate.

DUTIESThe primary work assignment for the Beach & Park Patrol Officer will be Carmel Beach andMission Trails Park as well as other City parks and recreation areas and roadways surrounding

these areas. The objective of this position is to gain voluntary compliance by being visible and

by dealing with the public in a positive, effective and courteous manner. The duties will entailthe enforcement of local ordinances, state and federal laws. In addition to regular police officer

responsibilities the Beach & Park Patrol officer will:

Primarily patrol beach and parks, providing education and enforcement of specific regulations

and ordinances. Such activities may include; littering, possessing alcoholic beverages in public,

parking problems, retrieving lost items, finding their car,dogs on the beach, waste clean-up,camping on the beach, dunes encroachment, beach fires, traversing the coastal pathways, and

other municipal ordinances.

In addition to the above duties The Beach & Park Patrol Officer will be required to:

Performs routine patrols of the beach and parks. Assist regular patrol officers if needed onan emergency situation within the city limits;

Supervise visitor activities at City parks, facilities and beaches to reduce vandalism and

damage to City property;

Demonstrate knowledge and the ability to safely operate an All-Terrain Vehicle or four


12/160

Assist with Event Planning staff in regards to special events planned in this area and bepresent to assure all city ordinances and terms of contract are upheld;

Perform related duties as assigned.

DESIRABLE SKILLS

Considerable knowledge of first aid and CPR techniques.

Considerable knowledge of the ocean/beach and its environment.

Considerable knowledge of municipal codes and coastal regulatory rules to properly advise thepublic and to enforce these rules.

Working knowledge of routine maintenance of all beach patrol vehicles and equipment, police

equipment and vehicles, radio procedures,

Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiate rescue procedures in emergency situations

Ability to recognize hazards and to exercise safety precautions to prevent injury to employeesand others.

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees and members of the public.

Remain calm in emergency situations.

Work independently in the absence of supervision.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of

work.

Beach patrol officers drive 4-wheel drive patrol vehicles that enable them to perform their duties

on the soft sand. In addition, officers patrol on 4-wheel ATVs during times of high tide and whenthe beach is congested with swimmers and sunbathers. In addition to being sworn police officers

familiar with the standards and practices of the Carmel Police Department, the Beach & Park

Patrol Officer will receive additional specialized training in CPR-PR, water rescue operationprocedures for first responders, and first aid.

UNIFORM & HOURS

Must be willing to work weekends and possibly a modified work schedule. Employees in thisposition must be available to work varying hours on weekdays, weekends and holidays during

the period of mid-June through early September. Incumbents work approximately 40 hours per

week (eight to ten hour shifts).

For uniformity and ease of recognition, the Beach & Park Patrol Officer will wear a beach

uniform per the Carmel Police Department uniform policy guidelines while on duty only with aprotective ballistic vest and Sam Browne with department issued firearm.


13/160

The Beach & Park Patrol Officer provides land services to the beaches, roadways, and parks

within the city limits of the City of Carmel-By-The-Sea.


14/160

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Personnel Calculation

Police Department

Current

Monthly

Range Title Step Salary

273 Police Officer 1 5,672.00$

F Y 14-15

Current Monthly Salary 5,672.00$

POA FY14-15 increase (eff. Jan 1, 2015) 3%

New Monthly Salary 5,842.16$

Number of Months paid in FY14-15 2

Total Salary Expense for FY14-15 11,684.32$

Holiday in Lieu 33.70$ 404.46$

Uniform 150.00$Medicare 177.46$

PERS 27.849% 3,253.97$

Deferred Comp 50.00$

Medical 555.80$ 1,111.60$

16,831.81$

F Y 15-16

Base Monthly Salary from FY14-15 5,842.16$

POA FY15-16 increase 3%

New Monthly Salary 6,017.42$

Number of Months paid in FY15-16 12

Total Salary Expense for FY15-16 72,209.10$

Holiday in Lieu 33.70$ 4,853.49$

Uniform 900.00$Medicare 1,130.46$

PERS 28.349% 20,470.56$

Deferred Comp 300.00$

Medical 555.80$ 6,669.60$

106 533 20$


15/160


16/160

ro rest ana ljeacn

Lommi

SSion uecemoer .u L

Ul4

UKAr 1minutes

3 Receive and discuss beach fire management recommendations

from

the ad hoc

Beach

Fires Committee and provide recommendations

to

the Planning Commission.

Commissioner Bang presented the beach fire management recommendations of the ad hoc

beach fire committee:

1. 26 wood burning fire pits

of

an appropriate size to be placed on

the beach-

2 at each

stairway and 4 in each cove .

2. Only burn

dry

seasoned f irewood- no driftwood, pallets or other materials.

3. City owned and placed and anchored by the City.

4 Cleaned daily.

5. First come -

first

served . No permits at this t ime.

6.

Allow

unlimited user supplied propane fires year round south

of

lO

th Ave.

7. Fi

re

pits will be provided seasonally and removed in winter based on beach conditions.

8. City

to

provide enhanced secur

ity

patrols 5 days a week unt :

p.m.

9. For pilot program a variety of fire pits will be tried.

After

pilot program a Carmel design

should be developed.

10. For summer holiday weekends the City will provide 25 additional portable fire baskets

per day. These w ill

be

left on

the

beach for pickup

the

following day by the City.

11. Develop a public education program on the new f ire rules and procedures.

12. Monitor the program and recommend changes as issues arise.

Commissioner Ferlito asked about allowing charcoal in addition to seasoned

wood

.

Commissioner Bang thought that should be allowed.

Commissioner Baron asked about th e proposed placement

of

the fire pits and expressed

concern

that

some homes may

get

more smoke than others. Perhaps

an

even spacing would

even

out

the smoke exposure to the homes.

Forester Branson explained how the fire pit placement was developed.

Commissioner Bang pointed out that the placement is where most people seem to want their

fires and adjustments can be made as the program is implemented.

Commissioner Carter pointed out

that

Memorial Day would

be

a good first test and some things

could be reassessed after

the

holiday weekend .

Public comment opened

at

4:29 p.m.

t-orest ana t eacn

Lomm

1on

uecemoer 11

, LU14

UKAt 1

mmures


17/160

Commissioner Bang noted that

the

winter season should give a good representation of

how

propane fires will

work

on the beach .

Skip Lloyd appreciated

the

work ofthe ad hoc committee and

the

Commission on

the

fire

issues.

He

expressed disapproval

of

the

installation

of

permanent fire pits and thinks

they will

be ugly.

He

also does

not

like dedicating the cove areas for fire as this will preclude the non-fire

use of the coves. He agrees that sign age and enforcement need to be in place for the program

to

succeed.

He

is in favor of having the fire baskets available

with

cleanup the next day.

Scott McKenzie thought that oil burning

tiki

torches, pig roasts, and generators should

not

be

allowed on the beach.

He

pointed out that smoke cannot be fa ir

to

everyone. He thought that

26 fire pits would result in some people being turned away from the beach. Enforcement of the

wood requirement, not to burn trash, and people holding places will be difficult. He pointed

out

that his proposal

will

solve most of the fire i

ssues

.

He

asked

if

catered food is allowed,

why not

catered fires?

Public comment closed at 4:42p.m.

Commissioner Baron thanked the

committee

for their

work

. He

thought that

fire pits

will

be

dirty

and there may

be

fights over

them but the

City needs

to

do

something.

He

noted

that

that

the

City needs

to

be committed

to

regular cleaning of

the

fire pits. He would like to also

allow free, permi tted portable charcoal fires allowed on the beach. Permits would be issued at

the

police Department along with

the

rule on fires and charcoal disposal. Perhaps they could

also be allowed in winter. He understands that this idea may not work, but as a trial, as part of

the

pilot program it should be considered.

Commissioner Bang

asked

for

clarification

of

commissioner Baron s proposal.

Commissioner Baron clarified his request.

Commissioner Ferlito thought that adding additional items

to

the original proposal may dilu te

the effectiveness of evaluating the program.

Commissi

oner FERLITO

moved

to

adopt the recommendations of the ad hoc commit tee

with

the addition of allowing charcoal in

the

fire pits and a strong recommendation for

an

enhanced

staff

patrol of the beach; seconded by Commissioner CARTER.

Chair Refuerzo asked

if

charcoal grills were being banned. Forester Branson noted

that

portable

charcoal grills are considered f ires .

t o

resr ana l:jeacn Lomm1ss1on

uecemoer 11

, LU14

UKAt 1

mmures


18/160

Comm issioner Baron pointed

out

that permits that would be issued by the police Department

would include all ofthe fire rules . He thinks that five per day is a reasonable number

to

try.

Commissioner

Fe

rl

ito

expressed concern

that

the

charcoal grill proposal complicated

the

issues

and a

pilot

program should have a clear message - fires in fire pits only.

Commissioner Baron pointed

out

that people may dump their charcoal in

the

trash or on the

beach, but we

won t

know unless we give the idea a try.

Commissioner Bang thought that the original proposals should be implemented and the issue of

charcoal grills

can be

considered later.

Commissioner Ferlito expressed her concern

that

charcoal will be dumped on

the

sand and

the

checking

of

permits

will

be additional work for the security patrols.

Chair Refuerzo asked Commissioner Ferlito if she was willing

to

amend her motion to allow a

limited number of permit ted charcoal

gr

ills.

Commissioner Ferlito declined

to

amend her

motion

.

Chair

REFUERZO

presented a substitute motion

to

adopt the recommendations of the ad hoc

committee, allow charcoal use in the fire pits, a strong recommendation for

an

enhanced staff

patrol of the beach, and allow 5 free,

permitted

portable contained charcoal cooking fires per

day with fire rules provided at the issuance of the permit by the Police Department. Seconded

by

BARON

The motion carried by the following vote:

AYES

:

NOES:

ABSENT :

ABSTAIN :

Carter, Baron, Refuerzo

Ferlito, Bang

None

None


19/160

January 28, 2015

Mayor Burnett, Vice Mayor Beach, and Councilmembers Dallas, Talmage, and

Theis:

I'd like

to

provide some background on the inclusion of the 5 permitted charcoal

fires, by police station permit,

in

user supplied devices feature that the Forest

and Beach Commission approved in our proposal for

the

beach fire management

pilot program.

This aspect of the Forest and

Beach

Commission's proposal offers a number of

immediate benefits to the public, at minimal risk and cost:

It provides coastal recreational

access to

fires, albeit small ones of a

different variety, during the

winter

months when the fire rings are

unavailable.

s

the smoke from charcoal fires

is

significantly less than

that

from wood

fires, the five permitted fires would provide a

less

harmful way

to

increase

the recreational capacity of the beach in addition to the first come, first

served fire rings.

It

will provide the city

with

a small

toe

hold in

the

business

of

issuing

permits if it should come to that. If the rings prove to be problematic

over the next year, the issuance and management of a limited number of

permits now will provide the city with some knowledge of another

possibility. This

is

insurance at a minimal cost.

s

a member of the majority of the Forest and

Beach

Commission that approved

the proposal for the

pilot

program,

I believe th t the purpose of the pilot

program should not necessarily be to find the best solution now but rather to

put the city in a position to

try

to find the best solution next year.


20/160

Wil l these devices be dirtier than the fire rings? Will people dump charcoal

on the beach? Maybe, but the charcoal in a small hibachi combusts

completely during dinner, and by

the

time

that

dinner

is

complete, the

apparatus is cool enough for the car and the garbage can

at

home, ashes

and

al

l. We shouldn't be afraid

to

experiment based on

an

assumption

that

people will misbehave. A better path is available watching the public and

learning from their behavior.

Will the permits cause confusion? Perhaps,

but

easy signage

{Fires

in rings

or

by

police station permit only )

is

possible, and the physical permit from

the police station would have the rules and regulations printed right on -

bus

your charcoal, stay away from the slopes, etc.

Will people make

the

trek to

the police station

to

get the permits

to

secure

the

experience? Will they then follow the rules? Maybe. I know

that

as a

resident that enjoys the beach, I'd make the trek myself. Perhaps others

would as well. And i f no one makes the effort,

that

also will be an

important piece of data.

I believe

that

these and other questions, and the resultant answers, will provide

important information for the city council to consider in 2016 on the path to a

final plan to contain the smoke and sand issues related to beach fires.

I hope that you'll agree that this pilot program is

just that

a pilot program, a

learning experience on the way to a f inal set of rules. We have an excellent

opportunity here to do and learn, rather than guess and react.

With all respect,


21/160

Documents 4, 5, 6 and 7

Can be found by accessing onl ine atwww.ci.carmel.ca.us or you may view

documents with the City Clerk at Eastside of Monte Verde Street between Ocean

and Seventh Avenues, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us/http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us/http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us/http://www.ci.carmel.ca.us/


22/160

Presentations rom December 4 2014 Forest and Beach Commission Workshop


23/160

N

]

)

.

0

E

Q

.

)

0

n

Q

s

;

-

l.

c

C

)

m

Q

m

c

.

c

n

s

.

)


24/160

.

0

.

c

-

c

c

n

.

c

:

J

.

Q

c

0

~

c

o

~

a

3

;

J

.

J

E

.

0

>

0

0

0

a

Wo'rkshop intended to obtain input

on

proposal for

imple.

tn

entation'


26/160

tr: o i t

y

; o . ~ . n ~ s

\ . . . ~ I

;1 1:1. \. A

I

r 1 . ,\.J.

_ \

.

Air Quality

1. . :-t1

.

..

o; , I

Glass and other trash left on beach and path

. .

Safety issues.related to fires left burning on beach

or

.put out with sand

leaving hot coals buried

nGraffifi destroying sandstone., revetments torn ap_rt. o make fire pits

Bl.Jrning of toxic substances

. , Debris w ~ s h e q into the bay, comes back in storms

Banks eroded by people dragging fire materials

Reputation of beach as pristine, white sand at risk

4


27/160

.

0

Q

)

c:

J

.

0

n

-

o

0

.

0.cC

)

c

-

r

o

Q

)

0

cr

o

n

.c

.

~

f

.

\

.

J

0

.

L

&

:

J

c

.

C

)

c

-

c:

J

.

0

4

=

.

Q

)

n

+

=

n

Q

)

:

J

n

n

-

.

)

+

-

f

r

o

/

)


28/160

j

.

.

J

J

.

)

J

.

.

.

.

.

.

_

.

4

.

.

Q

)

o

E

0

.t

:

c

o

c

c

o

c

-0

.

Q

)

E

.

Q

)

>


29/160

.

C

/

o

c

L

>

o

E

L

>

+

-

0

>

c

0

>

0

>

o

s

o

>

1

-

0

L

>

c

>

.

a

o

L

>

o

0

>

C

o

m


30/160

t

\

,

I

i

t

.

.

C

J

E

L

.

0

+

-

C

J

c-

.

)

r

.

0

C

J

Q

)

E

'

C

c

r

c

o

r

.

0

+

-

c

C

J

Q

)

.

c

C

J

r

J

c

c

Q

)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


31/160

;

i

. ..

. 1

Carmel is one of very few

white sand beaches n

Ca. Made up of sand

formed from wave action

off of native granite.

Charcoal s graying sand.

. .

9


32/160

.

n

-

L

r

.

C

c

r

n

(

1

)

-

.

c

?

(

1

)

c

n

L

.

0

c

.

-

.

c

r

(

1

)

.

c

0

c

0

r

:

J

,

_

.

,

c

.

(

1

)

,

#

0

:

.

.

.

-

.

\

.

.

I

1

r

.

.


33/160

v

.

.

,

(

,

\

.

.

n

Q

(

.

)

c

c

o

.

n

c

:

J

n

'

I

'

>

0

.

0

,

C

c

-

cL

.

:

J

a

l

I

I

.

.

J

.

I

.

.

.


34/160

.

I

'

~

I

-

.

.

,

.

-

\

I

\

,

'

0

.

.

c

o

n

Q

.

c

+

-

0

+

-

n

0

>

0

c

Q

c

N

:

J

,

l

0

cc

o

o

0

.

I

(

t

o

I

.

.

\

.

c

(

'

.

}

.

Q

+

-

o

.

f

'

(

\

-

c

.

.

\

.

.

.

-

I

'

\

.

.

.

.

,

'

,

.

.

,

-

;

-

J

.

'

w

.

.

.

.

.

\

.

.

t

I

I

I

.

'

.

.

,

.

~

.

-

.

J

.

h

:

.

.

.

-

:

.

.

'

'

{

I

u

:

,

_

.


35/160

.c(rc

0

E

C

/

C

00

+

-

0

+

-

c:

J

0Er(.c

+

-

((:

J

C

(

:

(

)

T

'


36/160

- ~

....


37/160

-

-.ObJ e

cttVesiJ;;)rj

i

r iciples

Objectives: -

1 < 1

JI t

. .

E-iminate charcoal and burned ogs from the sand

Reduce the amount of wood smoke to residents affected by beach

fires

P r i n c i p l e s : ; : : _ : _

Limit the number of fires on .the sand

. ., t

No fires directly on sand

. Purpos-

e:

. .. _ .

,Find

m i d d l ~

approach toaddress objectives whUe allowing tradition

of beach i r e s Na status quo. No ban fires .

.

15


38/160

e s e

a

r c h

a

i t o r n

a

Be

c h

: ~ ~ -

r ul s

435 Beaches

in

California, .38 allow fires

The state recently removed 7 beache.s from allowing fires

Nati.ParkServioe, Ocean Beach pilot begun this

s u m m

to address toxic materials,

broken glass, metal, hot coals and nails, fires not being extinguished properly;

unauthorized

fires pilqt

n s t ~

l l s 2

fire rings (only place for fires), fires must be out by

9PM ,

no

fi

res

on

Spare

the

Air days.

Newport

Beach starting

this summer, only lump charcoal may be burned

in

the fire pits,

purpose is to address same issues as above while still providing warmth and cooking

No public beach

in

Carifornia allows fires directly

on

the

s ~ n d

No public beach:

n

Californ ia allows

.

an unlimited

numberof

fires

Some beaches require permits

Some perrnit fires only in summer months

6


39/160

Cn.

r rilunity

Input

Carmel Resident Association CRA)

sustainable Carmel

Friends of the Forest

.SAND

Carmei Innkeepers Board

Chamber

of

Commerce Board.

c rmel

Po.ice Chief

Citizens, Council Members

Coastal Commission

, -

.

:

. 7


40/160

Coastai Commission Staff Input

Overall objective: affordable access for all users o the beach

Current land use plan allows for limiting number

o

fires and for taking fires off

sand

Use.o permits would require CC approval

Use o motorized rakes would require CC approval for each

us

concern is

for harm to kelp and n t r u ~ o n into visitors space also does not pick up fine ash

Charging for setting up fires would require CC approval

Recognize need to reduce number n winter

Some concern expressed for current number

o

large events which limit access

to both beach and parking

18

PropOsal;

.One

Ye:ar

Piot toAChieve


41/160

rc

_ o -

Guid i rlQ. P r h J c i p : l ~ s

. .

...

, No.change,

n

fire

aUowed

locations

26

Contain merit devices:

2

.at

e a c t n ~ t a i r c a s e

1Oth

_to

Martin

Way) and 4 in each cove,-

suppHed

by city, cleaned by city

Add.tlon91

p o r f a b l e p r o p n e

fire pits allowed, supplied

by

ihdividuals, pack it

in,

pack it aut .

tJse

o

.off-the..:shelf product during one

year

pilot period

:

No

permits:

i r s f c : o m e

first served during

piiQt

Conta.nment device rerrtovea in winter, propane-only ffres during

those months

.

. Continuation;of current security

and

police support

19

n

.

J

-

a

.

(

)

s

-

+

-

-

o

+

-

-

)

.

c

n

I

.

c

.

J

n

-

.

E

r

>

w


42/160

N

n

+

-

c

-

D

c

r

c

0

c

-

.

0

r

t

0C

-

I

.

c

n

I

J

.

c

+

-

n

I

-

E

r

>

w


43/160

l

)

)

l


44/160

l

h i

s a n d

l e a r . t e t

. ~ . . . . . ,,

--

- - ~ - - - - - ~ - - - ~ - - . . . .

...,..

~ _ _ . _ . . _ . .


45/160

Next SJe:ps

Forest and Beach review and recommendation

'

J

- P l a n t l i n ~ f o m m s s i o n

reviewa

nd

recomm.endation

~ _ . ' l '

1

-

.

--

. . ..

..

J =

Cjty

-

C . o U r l

~ J

R e ~ i e w

a ~ c

f

approval

t' ' . ..

'1 ' ...

_ l ~

'>. 1 J

' .

.oastal Commission review and a p p r g v . ~ i l

..

jf required

.. k I a

. .

" ' I

/ . r f1 '

:l

.

-.Signage and pgbllc educatiOn ~ o be developed

..

J

Cl

.

-- '

l m p l e ~ e n t t i o n

of .pilot:

..

IYiay,.

201 .5:

o

Ma

y.'2016

r

l l j

1

u

..

Evaluation and a,djustments

23


46/160

D;is

us

si .n

Location

- Number

of

fires

- Type of fuel

- Ring examples

-Permits User fee

- Recovery for cleaning

- l=valuation criteria

4


47/160


48/160

What is the

Monterey

Bay Unified Air

Pollution Control District

A government agency responsible for air monitoring

permitting enforcement long-range air quality

planning regulatory development education and

public information activities related to air pollution.

The Mission of the Monterey Bay Unified Air

Pollution

Control District is to Protect

the

Public

ealth

and Environmental

ealth while

balancing

Economic and Air

Quality

Considerations


49/160

.-.

c

tn

e

I

)

.

)

f

J

c

1

.

:

-

.

0

E

\

w

n

c

0


50/160

ir Quality

n

the Carmel rea

Particulate atter smol


51/160

U

c

:

m

c

a

C

J

>

Q

u

o

c

0

:

_

0

0

j

l

c

>

Q

J

,

,

,

Q

J

s

r

d

u

Dear Ms. Friedrichsen and Mr. Schmitz,

>

>Please accept

my

letter regarding

th

is

issue

since I will not be able

>to attend the Dec . 4th meeting. I appreciate

the

chance to state my opinion.

>

>

1. First, there is no asset more valuable than our WHITE SAND beach.

>

>

2 Mother Nature appears no longer able to wash away all

that

humans are dumping on her beach in the form of

charcoal and

>

debris.

>

>

3. Even

with

the best intent , once

that

charcoal mixes

with

the sand, there

is

no way

to

pick

it

up. Add

to

that

darkness

> and possible Inebriation

of

attendees,

it

ends up

that

dawn reveals

the

mess

left behind

for

citizens

to

take up

garbage on their

> morning walk.

1

can attest

that it

takes away from what is supposed to

be an

enjoyable visit .

>

> 4. Improved signage only helps in citations proving

i t

was posted . Few people will read them

BEFORE

they arrive

with

their

> plan of using whatever fuel they bring

for

their event.

>

> 5. I believe people would be relieved

to

be able

to

rent and/or purchase supplies AT the beach either provided by the

ci

ty

or

an

> approved purveyor. It takes too long

to

educate the public as to appropriate materials and it's usually too late.

>

> 6 There are numerous baskets which contain fires used on beaches in other states. A custom one is not needed.

>

>

7.

Renting

or

buying needed supplies could offset the cost of employing someone and the four wheeler

with

a metal

lined trailer

> brought out at the fire curfew

to

shine the light on the need to wrap up t

he

festivities and discard the

hot

coals

properly and

>

safely. This person would have the ability to communicate with officers if further support was needed.

>

>

8.

We

have proved unable

to be

good caretakers of t his precious resource and short of a moratorium, significant

measures

Sharon Friedrichsen

From:

Ken

mit -


83/160

Sent:

To:

Subject:

Tuesday December

02. 2014

6: 9AM

Doug Schmitz; jason [email protected]; [email protected]; Ken Talmage Council;

Steve Dallas Council ; Council Member Beach; Sharon Friedrichsen

Beach fires

Dear ity

Council members

We would like

to

add our voices

to

your meeting on December 4th in hopes

of

fostering better care

of

our

beaches.

November

28th. 2014

To the

City Council

As

long term homeowners on Scenic Road

we are

concerned for

the

stewardship

of

our beautiful white beachfront

of

Carmel. Much has changed over the years but nothing as dramatic as

the

Carmel beach and coastline. Now it is so

disheartening

to

walk

the

beach and

come

across

the

remains

of

fires charred Jogs and blackened sand that litter our

coastline and destroy our kelp forests.

Our

family has long enjoyed gatherings on the beach including bonfires for many years and frankly the thought

of

losing

that privilege

was

unwelcome.

However

after seeing tile damage that has

been

occurring over the last decade our family

has

come

to

the conclusion that

we can no

longer ignore the fact that these beach bonfires

are

causing great environmental

harm. It s

now

time for fires

to be

contained and regulated.

Our

beach is too important a resource both for tourism and

for the

beauty it holds

to

be

destroyed

by

these irresponsible practices

We are in

full support

of

removing all fires from the sand and installing permanent pits

to

contain

the

fallout from the

debris. This is a good

irst

step

in

undertaking this serious problem.

S

in

cerely

The Smith

Family

Scenic Road

Sharon Friedrichsen

From

Doug Schmitz


84/160

Sent

To

Subject

---Original

Message----

From: Dixie D Smith

Tuesday, December 02, 2014

8:38AM

Sharon Friedrichsen; Mike Branson

FW: Carmel beach and the fire pits

Sent: Monday, December 01, 2014 PM

To: Doug Schmitz

Subject: carmel beach and the

fire

pits

Thank you for taking this on. t have to say I've not spent a lot of

time on

the beach late at night to s

the

fires

built

directly

on the sand. I have seen The remains when I'm walking the beach in the morning and how dirty I Beauty is

taken

away due

to the aftermath

of ires . I do agree required portable fire pits would restri

ct the

mess and keep the

sand in its natural beauty. The video

told it

beautifully

Sent

from my

Phone

DIXIE

HUGHES

AEP

CASL CLU FINANCIAL SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL

CAINS LIC 0376423 Office

Stockton, Ca

If

you do

not wish to receive email communications from New York life, please reply to this email, using the words opt

out

" In the subject

line

. Please copy email_optout@NewYork Life.com New York

l ife

insurance Company

51 Madison Ave.

New York,

NY

10010

haron

Friedrichsen

From:

Doug Schmitz


85/160

Sent

To:

Subject

-Original Message----

Tuesday December 02 2014 8:

21

AM

Sharon

Fr

iedrichsen; Mike Branson

FW: Beach fires

From RichardAndref uMI W U

Sent: Monday December

01 2014 1 :1

PM

To: [email protected]; Doug Schmitz

Subject:

Beach

fires

Dear Carmel-by-the-Sea Forest and Beach Commissioners:

Regarding unlimited and unregulated fires

at

Carmel

Bea

ch the t ime has come to quit permitting such fires.

This

tradition

was part of the early history

of

Carmel but has become too big and uncontro llable.

Just

as

we learned about negative health effects

from

smoking cigarettes decades

ago

we n

ow

know the

negative effects

of

health from air pol lut ion caused by fires.

In

addition dirtying of he fabled white sand and damage to

kelp are ruining the beach and wildlife environment.

Fires on the beach are a

major

concern

for us

in deciding whether

or not to

move

to

our property in Carmel. We

hope

you

will ac t boldly

to

help

us with that

decision and

to

help

the

entire commun

ity

of

Carmel-by-th

e Sea.

Richard and Ramona Andre

Sharon Friedrichsen

From

Sent

To

Subject:

Alfred Seccombe

Wednesday December 03 2014

4:5 PM

Sharon Friedrichsen

beach fires


86/160

My name is Alfred Seccombe. I am current chair of the US Green Building Councl in Monterey County and

own a sustainable building company North Star Construction, on Ocean Ave I was hom in Carmel in 1950.

My

father was rector ofAll Saints when it was located at the present city hall and was responsible for the

building

of

the current church.

I think

the

environmental concerns of Sustainable Carmel are hogwash.

I AM STRONGLY OPPOSED to regulating fires on Carmel Beach. This tradition is n indelible part of the life

of anyone who grew up in this community.The spirits of John Steinbeck, Robinson Jeffers, the Plein Aire

painters, and all the Ohlone who visited that beach for 10,000 years will

be

greatly saddened if this ordinance

passes.

One by one the great traditions ofCarmel are stolen away by newcomers who dont appreciate the spirit of the

original community.

I

am

afraid that when the last fire dies out on Carmel Beach, the real CarmelCarmel will die with it.

.

Alfred Seccombe

North

Star

Construction

It

9

QQ 16

Carmel,

CA

93922

T:

-

- '

- .

F ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

-

\

Sharon Friedrichsen

From:

Barbara Livingsto ws g Ji.._

Sent:

Thursda

y

December

04

2014 11:22 AM

To:

Karen Ferlito; kathleen bang; Mike Branson; Sharon Friedrichsen; Doug Schmitz

Subject:

Beach Fires . _


87/160

Dreadfully sorry not to be at the meeting this afternoon. I am infavor of permits

for

fires and limited number of t hem .

I believe that smaoke from fires

is

injurious

to

our health. I would entrtain idea of ci

ty

contracting with someone

to

issue permits provide the fire makings assign the fire pit and clean up after. I do not favor an independent contractor

dliing business at the beach. Spreading the fires along the beach may not be a bad idea especially since we now know

that the winter storms do not cleanse the beach

of

charcoal. . Good luck today in your deliberations. I applaud you for

your due

diligence and concern for our natural environment of beach and forest. Barbara Livingston

I do not believe that signage will have any effect on the behavior

of

beach goers. That is why a city contract to provide

the services above may bve a very good idea. Assigning the fire sites numbers would make

it

simple for people to find

ona map and go to that place for

their

fire. Especially helpful on crowded weekends and holidays. If we are serious

about limiting than I hope

you will consider a veery limited

number

of fire permits. hank you. Barbara Livingston

Barbara Livingston

l?re a cn11

Carmel CA 93921

E

gac611

ga ld@[email protected]

if

Paiil J O

Ol:J'

. .

. D CarmeiPineCone; 'Margaret

Eaton'; 'Barbara Livingston'; 'Greg D'Ambrosio'; 'Chris Hardy'; 'Linda Anderson'; 'Steve


90/160

Subject

:

Hi Mike,

Brooks';

F P L o y d @ r ~ l n i f l

sAl

;

Lori Frontella

RE:

Fire workshop correspondence

Will we all

be

receiving the proposals as well? With the workshop only one day away, I am hoping that the focus of the

meeting will

be

on evaluating the proposals, not affirming our mission to do something about the problem. Without

that

information made available

to

all, we will lose this valuable opportunity

to

receive public input on the specifics

of

the

proposals.

Also,

as I have copied my fellow commissioners on this email, please include this email in the public record, and make it

available-

with the others that you have just sent- to the public tomorrow.

Thanks Mike,

Jeff

From: Mike Branson [mailto:[email protected]]

Sent:

Wednesday, December 03 , 2014 8:42AM

To: David Refuerzo; Karen Ferlito; kathleen bang; Dr. and Mrs. Michael Carter; Jeff Baron

Cc

Sharon Friedrichsen; Doug Schmitz; nielsr@,QRHiillit:nl t; PD Carmel PineCone; Margaret Eaton; Barbara Livingston;

Greg D'Ambrosio; Chris Hardy; Linda Anderson; Steve Brooks;

F P L i o y d ~ i E d 3 l i l f t t t 1 f n ;

Lori Frontella

Subject:

Fire workshop correspondence

Good Morning Everyone,

I have attached a PDF of the correspondence the City

has

received to date regarding tomorrows beach fire workshop.

This information will also

be

posted on the city web site and hard copies will be available at the workshop.

Mike

Sharon Friedrichsen

From

Sent

To

kathleen bang

Friday December 12 2014 6: 6AM

Sharon Friedrichsen

Subject

Fwd: LETTER for Subcommittee and Commissioners

SubCommittee for Beach Fires.docx; ATT00001 .htm

ttachments


91/160

Begin forwarded message

From Shirley

To kathleen bang

Subject LETTER for Subcommittee and Commissioners

Date December 11 2014 at 2:46:54 PM PST

December 11,

2014


92/160

Dear Kathy:

I just wanted to write a letter in support

of

limiting the number of

off

the sand

fires to 26 or less . I

m

in favor of increasing

the

cleaning of

the

beach by city

staff

and of increasing the

patrolling

the beach

to

remind people

of

how

they

can help to preserve the fragile beach by following regulations. At the same

time, they could be invited

to

join in the

next

scheduled beach clean up so

they

can have

firsthand

knowledge of the damage being done

I have been

horrified

for years at the damage being done to

our

beach and

to

the

ocean. I believe

that

the theory

of

the ocean "cleaning the beach" in the

winter is like saying there are no waste management issues because my trash

can is empty. Just because the sand may have some

of

the residual

fire

debris

removed from the sand only means it s in the ocean with n unknown, but most

likely negative, impact .

Thank

you

for

all

your

hard

work

on this issue.

If

difficult

and

unpopular

choices are not made at this time, I fear that we will look back from some point

in the future and be heartbroken

that we

did not make more of n effort.

Sincerely yours,

Shirley Moon

Sail

;tu

:ce::ie 0 a c

Sharon Friedrichsen

From:

Sent:

To

Subject:

John Cromwell

Thursday, December 18, 201411:05AM

Doug

Schmitz

; Sharon Friedrichsen

More on beach fires

Attachments:

Santa Lucia stairs - charred wood 1.jpg; Santa Lucia stairs

-charred

wood 2.jpg; Santa Lucia

stairs - charred wood 3.jpg; Santa Lucia stairs - charred wood 4.jpg


93/160

Hi Doug and Sharon,

Thanks

for

both responding to

my

earlier email. I

was not

able to make

the

hearing

but I m

sure it

was

a lively discussion.

After our big storms last week, we headed to

the

beach Friday afternoon to walk

our

dog. It was challenging negotiating the

stairs at

the foot of

Santa Lucia due

to the

build

up

of

charred logs, mixed

with

kelp. I ve attached some photos

of what we

found

. It seemed pretty

consistent- the

charred wood and charcoal seems to get pushed up to the high water mark, rather

than getting

sucked back

into the

sea I noticed it in several places south of 10th where the charcoal seemed to be gathered

at the

high water mark.

So i t reaffirms my concern

that our

policy of counting on big waves to clean the beach

is

not really a solut ion- and

is that

really a

fair

way to

the

ocean and all

the

sea life?

This seems like a real problem to me.

Best regards,

John

From:

Doug Schmitz

Date: Tuesday, December 2, 2014 at 8:18AM

To:

John

Cromwell


94/160

end up having

to

close our windows because the wood smoke

is

too strong.

ealth

concerns

My wife and I are both cancer survivors. We purposely did

not

put wood burning fireplaces in our house when we remodeled

because of the smoke. It is a known fact that burning wood fires generate cons iderable amounts of carcinogenic

chemicals. Much worse than cigarette smoke. Why we allow the burning of these open fires given the health and air quality

concerns makes no sense.

Beach appearance and safety

We walk the beach nearly every morning. It is not uncommon

to

find smoldering fires early in the morning. Wh ile I have not

stepped on any hot embers I have tripped over half buried firewood . Aside from the risk

to

children and others from still

burning fires, the biggest issue

is

that the beach is clearly becoming gray in many areas south of

lOth

, particularly as you get

closer to the embankments. t is unsightly, with immeasurable chunks of charred wood fragments and ash discoloring

the

sand. The city seems

to

count on big waves

to

clean up the mess but that does not seem

to

be a reliable fix. And what does

that

mean

for

what we are contributing

to

the health of the ocean.

Conclusion

We would prefer that there not be any fires.

f

there must be fires and I see no reason how anyone could argue that we must

have f ires) then spread them across the ent ire beach so they are not concentrated near the Point and funneling the smoke

and the crowds into the southern end of Carmel. Limit the absolute number of fires by requiring permits for all fires. And use

the permit fees to pay

for

the cleaning

of

the beach,

not

just the f ire pits, but all

the

trash and waste left behind by

the

beach

fire

crowds. Finally,

what

ever

is

ultimately decided upon,

it

must

be

patrolled. And there should

be

a simple means

to

report

infractions when they are happening, rather than having

to

wait till Monday morning

to

complain

to

the City.

. ..... . . : . ~ .

We greatly appreciate your efforts in helping find a solution

to

this problem.

Kind regard

s

John Cromwell

. .- ._ .


95/160


96/160

I

.

.

.


97/160

.

I

.

.

J

~

.

.

,

.

l

.

~

.

t

.

(

4

.

.

~

'

.

~

.

.

t

t

\

l


98/160


99/160

Public omment for January 21 2015 Planning Commission Meeting

Dear Planning Commission and City Council,

As a Carmel resident

of

over ten years and regular user of the beach in many ways, I would find it

irresponsible

of

you

to

ini tiate any Pilot Programs regarding beach fires on Carmel

Beach

without further

exploration, research, and

time

.

It

has been clear

from

the beginning

of

this debate

that

the selfish

interests of a very small group

of

individuals has been the focus of prohibitive measures to limit fires and


100/160

potentially ban them altogether. The research has been poorly shared and misrepresented by limited

examples

of "destruction" depicted in the Public Workshop,

Beach

Fires December 4 2014.

Run

down

to the beach right now and see how it looks

Carmel is a beautiful beach and if you've seen it lately, since we've had some winter swell and ra in, it is

pristine once again. There are collection areas

of

debris near the walls and revetments where the sand

is much higher than the tide line. These areas are created artificially at the end of each summer to

protect the walls, staircases and revetments from winter swell erosion, by bulldozing sand from the tide

line up

to

the walls. As a byproduct, these areas

of

higher sand allow any floating

or

loose debris to land

as

wave action and higher tides during early winter allow. These areas are concentrated with charcoal

and kelp which has been very helpful in the recent cleanup by the City.

It was

nice

to

see a backhoe and

a couple

of

guys clean those areas up in a day and a half. There is still some charcoa l and other debris,

but

most

of

it is gone.

The idea

of

permits is the most prohibitive in my opinion. It is great to plan ahead, but that is nearly

impossible with coastal weather. Spontaneity is the beauty of the beach

to

most of us. We work all

week and want to spend a few wonderfu l hours on the beach with family and friends around a warm fire

on a chilly night and we can t, because we don t have a permit.

The idea of fire rings presents multiple issues. Will the elements erode them and create sharp rusty

metal

to

step on? Will they become trash receptacles? Will people abuse them? Are they unsightly?

If

we have one freak storm they will be destroyed and scattered about the beach.

Who gets a fire ring? When

can

you stake yours out?

In

the dark am hours? At 4:00pm? How many

arguments will lead

to

violence over fire rings. I've seen fights between dog owners on the beach and

this is way more likely create conflict.

Five

permits for

BBQ s????????

26 fi re rings?????? Only 31 families get

to

have warm food on the

entire beach???????

Unlimited

use of

propane heating devices?????????????? How many canisters of propane will

be

l

eft

on

the sand or thrown in the ocean? Or be thrown in the garbage

to

rupture in the back

of

the garbage

Good dry wood, a reasonable diameter

of

your

pit ,

ENFORCEMENT and

EDUCATION

are the most

logical solutions. At least look at the evidence over a full cycle or two before implementing a plan that is

poorly thought out and only a means of quick prohibition that could ruin one of Carmel s most favored

institutions

for both residents and visitors.

Thank you your time,


101/160

for

Trent L a v i ~ } -

Concerned Resident

...

t

6S

US

Mesa Drive, Carmel,

Ca

93923

To: Carmel-by-the-Sea Planning Commission

From : Graeme Robertson-Resident of Carmel-by-the-Sea

Date:

January 21, 2015


102/160

Subject: Beach Fires

1 appreciate the opportunity to comment on

the

Beach Fire matter. My family has

lived in Carmel for over 50 years. I attended Carmel River School, Carmel

Middle

School and graduated from Carmel High School in

1977.

My two younger

brothers also attended the aforementioned schools. My wife, Chris, and I have

raised our two sons, Andrew and Austin, in Carmel. There are many, many

wonderful attributesof our Village... too many to list here. However, the Crown

Jewel

is the Carmel Beach.

We

have enjoyed many wonderful family memories

on

the

Beach and we walk the Beach on a consistent basis. Our son Austin,

when he is home, surfs at the Beach several times a day. We gather with friends

and family at and on the Beach at all times of the year.

The

ability to gather a

group, spontaneously, for a spectacular Carmel sunset and beach fire is one

of

life's great pleasures. The entire Carmel Beach has always been a sacred

ground for our family and the broader community.

I think

we

can all agree that the Carmel Beach is a special place for all of us and

that we

care deeply about the care and maintenance of the Beach including its

long term viability. While there has been considerable work and analysis done

by the Forest and Beach Commission on the Beach Fire issue, I know it requires

significantly more input from a much wider group of community members which I

believe will produce a much better solution for

our

beloved Beach.

My

suggestion is:

-Rake the Beach several times a week during the busy months

-Employ Ambassadors

to

walk

the

Beach

to

educate the people who are

building fires on the clean-up rules

-Develop a one page handout explaining

the

rules on Carmel Beach. The

Rob

ullane

From

Sent

To

Subject

Margaret via Drop

box

Wednesday, January 21, 2015 11:09

M

Rob Mullane

Margaret Eaton shared Beach Fi

res

to

F&B.docx with you


103/160

' t . P .

I

f .

t .J

From Margaret :

\

.i

lv

p f c:\. 1 1,

w

1 i;y-llu. Seo

Pl

anni

ng &

Building D&pt.

Dear Commissioner,

Please distribute the attached memo to the other Planning Commission

members. I submitted this memo (along with many others since then) last

February. The only change that I have been able to see since this memo was

written is that the security officers, when they are there, have managed to

stop most fires north of 1Oth.

The smoke from beach fires is a public nuisance. It is unhealthy for the

humans and animals that breath

it.

We support the City s efforts to reduce

this hazard and the other environmental problems that accompany it, most

notably the charcoal and the trash that gets left on the beach. This nuisance

needs to be abated.

Thank you for considering this request.

Maggie Eaton

Sustainable Carmel

To: The Forest and Beach Commission, Carmel, California

From: Maggie Eaton, 26215 Hilltop Place, Carmel, California 93923

Re

Fires on Carmel Beach


104/160

Date: February 16 2014

Almost 20

years

ago, my

husband

and I bought a home on Carmel Point. We loved

going to the beach and would have suppers there on weekends using a campfire

or

the

hibachi to cook. At

that

time, it

was very pleasant and

we enjoyed

the

fact

that

people could have fires on the beach. That

pleasant

experience has gradually

disappeared . We no longer go to the beach

on weekend

evenings for picnic

suppers-there are too many people, too many rowdy parties, and way too many

fires. The smoke can be choking and there have been increasing incidents

where

even though we live 2 blocks from

the

beach

we

have to close our doors and

windows because of the smoke coming from

the

beach. I take my dogs out every

night, often walking above the beach, and have seen nights

where

the fires

were

so

numerous

that

I

cannot

count

them. Many

are

above

lOth,

too

big

and too close to

the beach bluff walls. I see fires built on the rocks by

the

Santa Lucia steps. Fires in

th ese places encourage others to

repeat

the violation. I have seen people building

fires with wood logs so large that they

are

thrown down the bluffs, often falling

short of

the

beach and

tearing

up the vegetation. There are now well-worn paths

on

the bluffs

that

people use to

transport

heavy things onto the beach. There

is

also

such an accumulation

of

charcoal

and

partly

burnt

wood pieces

that the

sand is and

remains

black/gray

above the tide line. I understand that the City crews

attempt

to

remove this wood and charcoal but it is an impossible task given the large areas of

charcoal fields

and the

small size of

the

charcoal pieces.

On

the higher

tide

days, my

dogs and I

walk

and play closer to the bluffs where the charcoal is

most

plentiful. On

these

days,

my

dogs legs become so black with charcoal that I need to

shampoo

them when we

return

home to prevent black smudges all over the house. Charcoal

does not

wash

off with just water.

Also,

increasingly,

the

beach

has

become littered

with

trash

on

Saturday,

Sunday,

and Monday mornings from those who have used the beach the night before. This is

happening throughout the year,

not

just in

the

summer

or

on holidays. Because of

that

trash

and the

fact

that

my dogs will

eat abandoned trash

(melted chocolate

After years ofwitnessing these problems, I started photographing. And for over a

year

and since I joined Sustainable

Carmel

I have been going periodically to the

beach

on

weekend evenings and handing

out

a Sustainable Carmel bookmark

that

lists the beach

ru

les. I

ask that

people take their

trash away

with them and I give

them a trash bag if needed. l also remind people to follow the beach fire rules.


105/160

Many people in these encounters have told me that they

are

not aware

of

any beach

rules.And while most people say they will comply, it is clear that too many do not.

Some

are

even scornful of the approach and they tell me

that

they use the fire to

burn

their

trash or

that

they

bury

both

their

fires and trash. At first I

thought these

were jokes but l have seen (and photographed) evidence that people are doing just

that.

I have reached a major conclusion from these beach walks and patrols-- that beach

fires and

trash are

linked: there

are

too many people

now

using the beach because

fires are allowed. More and more of the

trash

left

on

the beach is related to the

fires-cut

clothes hangers used as food

skewers

plastic and Styrofoam packages

that contained raw meat charcoal lighter, fire extinguishers, etc. Further (from my

conversations with beach users building fires),

these

people most often do

not

live

in Carmel (or live here only part time). This

means

that they do not see

what the

beach looks like after they leave

and

combined with

the

fact

that there

is no

enforcement of beach

rules

these visitors have little incentive to make the effort

to

leave the beach clean. Also, given the

trash

left behind, it is clear

that

much

of

the

picnic shopping supplies

are not

coming from Carmel shops. The plastic

shopping

bags

now banned

in Carmel), the large quantit ies of plastic cups,

cutlery

beer

soda water, and paper supplies etc indicate that our beach picnickers are shopping

at

places like Safeway or big box stores. I conclude from this

that it

would be difficult

to make a case for any economic benefit to Carmel of allowing beach fires to

continue

unabated

as they

are now

.

It breaks my

spirit

to see how

trashed

the beach has become and how the joy of

being there has diminished. y neighbors and I now

spend

too much time on the

beach grousing about the degradation and the mess. I am nostalgic for the days

when beach fires were few and the sand was clean. But unfortunately, those days

are gone. The harm I witness (wild animals and dogs scavenging at the picnic sites,

the piles

of trash

some of which gets washed

out

to

sea

the smoke pollution,

and the

charcoal fields, plus the costs and time of beach

trash

collection) has exceeded any

benefit that I can identify of allowing an increasing number ofvisitors to build fires

and

then

walk away from the mess

they

have created.

All of these photos below were taken between the Santa Lucia steps and the next

steps to the north

t

3th Avenue

Trash next

to

several beach fires, Sunday, 9 AM April 2012 note charcoal next

to

stone wall where another fire had burned

just under

hanging vegetation)


106/160

Part of the charcoal debris field near the stone walls north of the Santa Lucia

Steps

mber 2013


107/160

-

..

...

.

.... - .

;

--

-

. .

.

....

:

_

.

,

..

-

Fires

on

the rocks

.

..

-

:

..

. ..

This fire had pieces of burned plastic in it. Note the footprints of sea birds which

scavenge pi.cnic sites early every morning


108/160

.

pig

roast

late

M

in Sept 2013 wher

Beach Fire Management Pilot Program 02-03-15

Documents

Transcript of Beach Fire Management Pilot Program 02-03-15