Measuring Success in City Government

The purpose of city government is simple: to make daily life work in ways that are safe, fair, and forward-looking. It’s not about hours in meetings or the number of reports we generate. Success is measured by results residents can see, feel, and trust. In Carmel, it’s also about protecting what makes our village unique.

Action, Not Talk

This week’s City Council meetings showed what that looks like. Thanks to the efforts of a highly effective workgroup, we directed staff to craft a plan for numbered street addresses. This will improve public safety and help first responders reach the right place faster while also making daily life more convenient. We allocated part of the Water District’s increased supply so residents can advance projects that require additional water credits. We also approved consulting work to help adopt Objective Design and Development Standards which will safeguard neighborhood character while meeting state law.

Beyond that, we invested in forestry equipment to keep our urban forest sand our crews safe. A modification to our firehouse required for our new fire engine was approved and we added project management services to keep pace with our ambitious capital program.

Some decisions were challenging, some surprising. After careful discussion, we voted for an ordinance to prohibit pickleball at Forest Hill Park while studying sound-mitigation options. Staff was also directed to prepare a resolution to wind down the Mills Act program. Designed in the 1970s to encourage historic preservation, it was felt it no longer fits Carmel’s high-value real estate market. Council believes there may be better ways to help owners of historic homes reduce costs and streamline improvements.

Each action reflects a council that listens, weighs options, and balances immediate needs with long-term sustainability. Residents participated throughout—exactly as it should be. As mayor, I couldn’t be prouder of our dedicated staff, our thoughtful council and commissions, and the positive, constructive engagement of our community. City government works best when we all work together, and Carmel is proving how powerful that can be.

Public Safety at a New Level

Perhaps the most important advance this week came in public safety. On Wednesday, Monterey Fire officially is managing not only our fire service, but also our ambulance operations. That means faster response times, advanced paramedic support on every engine, and the backing of a larger, fully staffed department. Carmel residents and visitors now benefit from one of the most capable emergency response systems in the region. Combined with future street addresses, we’ve raised the bar significantly.

The Bigger Picture of Success

On their own, these decisions—addresses, water allocations, design standards, quiet neighborhoods forestry, preservation policy, emergency services—may look unrelated. Together, they define how success should be measured: not by one big project, but by a steady stream of choices that improve quality of life, enhance safety, and preserve Carmel’s character.

Success isn’t abstract. It’s a chainsaw safely removing a dangerous limb. It’s an ambulance arriving more quickly. It’s peace and quiet. It’s a visitor or delivery driver finding the right house. It’s knowing when to act decisively—and when to pause and study before moving forward.

That is the role of city government: not perfection, but progress you can see and feel every day. On that score, Carmel is moving forward. To hear a podcast generated from this column, go to cli.re/citysuccess.

Dale Byrne, Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea

dbyrne@cbts.us