CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

AGENDA BILL
TO:

Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

Michael Calhoun, Interim City Administrator

FROM:

Rob Mullane, AICP, Public Works Director

SUBJECT:

Beach Fire Management Update

AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE

$ N/A

AMOUNT BUDGETED

$ N/A

APPROPRIATION REQUIRED

$ N/A

AB 1079
January 5, 2016
Consent Calendar

RECOMMENDATION
Receive an update on the City's Beach Fires Management Pilot Program
SUMMARY
Earlier this month, the California Coastal Commission supported the City's request to develop a Pilot
Beach Fire Management Program that utilized propane-fueled devices while increasing low-cost
recreational opportunities on Carmel Beach. The Coastal Commission considered and denied a
Coastal Development Permit (COP) for a Beach Fire Management Pilot Program that would have
utilized 26 wood-fire containment devices along Carmel Beach, similar to an older version (from May
2015) of the pilot program, a version that the City no longer supported. At and prior to the Coastal
Commission hearing, the City had requested that the Coastal Commission allow the development of an
updated version of the pilot program (submitted on November 2015) that utilizes a propane-fuel only
approach.
The Commission voted down the Commission staff-recommended wood-fire pilot program primarily on
the basis of health and safety impacts associated with wood fires and instead gave direction to their
staff to work with the City on a propane-only pilot program. This memorandum provides an overview of
anticipated next steps towards refining and implementing a propane-only beach fire management
program.
Over approximately the next 2 to 3 months, it is our intent to take steps towards further refining and
clarifying the approach the City would take in a propane-only pilot program. City staff anticipate the
following next steps:
1. gather information on both City-supplied and user-supplied devices regarding the safety of
such units and determine appropriate criteria and procedures that would be required to
ensure safe operation of such units;

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2. order and begin testing propane-fueled devices to determine which may be most suitable for
use for the 6 City-sponsored devices set forth in the November 2015 pilot program ;
3. identify and test 2 or more acceptable models for user-supplied propane-fueled devices;
4. conduct outreach to area stores (e.g., Bruno's Market, Nielsen Brothers' Market, Carmel Ace
Hardware, etc.) and encourage these stores to begin stocking propane-fueled user-supplied
devices for sale as well as for rent;
5. provide regular status reports to Coastal Commission staff on refinements to the pilot
program and seek their input and consensus on such refinements.
City staff anticipate bringing a COP for a refined beach fire management pilot program for consideration
by the City Council in March 2016. City staff have discussed the timing of implementing a pilot program
with Coastal Commission staff, and both the Coastal Commission staff and City staff would like to have
a program approved and in place by the start of the summer season (i.e., Memorial Day).

PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION

The City Council considered an appeal of the City's Beach Fire Management Pilot Program approval on
May 4, 2015 and May 7, 2015, and at the latter meeting, denied the appeal of the Pilot Program. On
August 6, 2015, the Council adopted an urgency ordinance enacting a prohibition on beach fires on
Carmel Beach Friday through Sunday and on Holidays. The Council extended the urgency ordinance
for a total period of one-year, on September 1, 2015.

ATTACHMENTS
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APPROI(ED :

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Michael Calhoun, Interim City Administrator

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