CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

CITY COUNCIL
Staff Report
SR 2017-120
August 8, 2017
Orders

TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members

SUBMITTED BY: Marc Wiener, AICP, Community Planning and Building Director

APPROVED BY: Chip Rerig, City Administrator

SUBJECT: Annual review of the Beach Fire Management Pilot Program

RECOMMENDATION

Receive an annual report on the Beach Fire Management Pilot Program and make revisions as necessary.

BACKGROUND / SUMMARY

BACKGROUND:
The City Council adopted the Beach Fire Management Pilot Program in June of 2016. The three-year program
is intended to restrict the number of wood fires on the beach and not allow any fires directly on the sand. The
following are the core components of the program:

Wood fires only allowed in City-provided fire devices seven days a week.
Wood fires must be 75 feet away from the base of the beach bluffs and a minimum of 200 feet apart.
A maximum of 12 wood fire devices are allowed and must be south of 8th Avenue.
Fires devices are available on a first come, first serve basis; communal sharing is recommended.
Only burn clean firewood no charcoal briquettes, other wood debris or trash.
An unlimited number of user-supplied propane fires allowed 25 feet away from the base of the bluffs.
Fires only allowed between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The Program requires that staff provide the City Council with a periodic update, following review and input by
both the Planning Commission and Forest and Beach Commission. The purpose of this meeting is for the
Council to receive an update on the Pilot Program and make changes if necessary.

PLANNING COMMISSION/FOREST AND BEACH COMMISSION REVIEW:

The Planning Commission reviewed the Pilot Program on July 11, 2017 and the Forest and Beach
Commission on July 12, 2017 in order to provide input and recommendations to the City Council. A bullet point
list of the specific recommendations is included as Attachment 2. In summary, both Commissions
recommended improved signage that includes information on how to extinguish the fires, and that the City
enhance its outreach and education efforts. Both Commissions also recommended increased enforcement
during the active summer months.
The Planning Commission recommended that the Council consider allowing beach fires to extend to 4th
Avenue, while maintaining the maximum of 12 fire devices, and consider reducing the beach bluff setback from
75 to 50 feet to better protect the fire devices from the tide.

The Forest and Beach Commission recommended maintaining current program requirements that beach fires
only be south of Eighth Avenue and set back a minimum of 75 feet from the bluff, but that the Council
considering modifying the program to reduce the 200-foot buffer between devices to potentially allow for
additional devices. The Commission also recommended that the City outsource the cleaning and maintenance
and that driftwood be actively removed from the beach so that it cannot be used in the fire devices. The
Commission recommended that the City research smokeless fire devices. Information on one particular brand
of smokeless fire device is included as Attachment 5.

STAFF ANALYSIS:

2016 Season: The City first installed two fires devices on July 7, 2016. Two additional fire devices (total of 4)
were installed on July 26, 2016. Temporary laminated paper signs were placed at all beach access points to
provide visitors the pertinent fire rules in place at any given time.

On July 28, 2016, the City received correspondence from the Monterey Bay Air Resources District informing
that beach fires constituted a public nuisance because of the poor air quality from the nearby Soberanes Fire.
The Pilot Program was suspended at that time. On September 6, 2016, the Monterey Bay Air Resources
District lifted the no-burn order, and the City installed 2 more fire devices (total of 6) on September 8, 2016.
On November 2, 2016 the Public Works staff removed all six wood fire devices off the beach for the winter
season.

2017 Season: As Carmel Beach recovered from heavy winter scouring, one fire device was placed at Eighth
Avenue in mid-May. As the beach continued to recover and the available sand area grew, two more devices
were placed between Tenth and Eleventh Avenues in late May. Six more devices were placed from Tenth to
Thirteenth Avenues in early June for a total of nine City provided wood fire devices as of July 1, 2017. The
City also installed new metal beach fire rule signs at all beach access points for the 2017 season (See Photo
Attachment 3).

Program Enforcement/Management: Along with the adoption of the Pilot Program, the City has enhanced its
enforcement of the beach fire regulations. Since August 2016, the City has spent approximately $12,000 on
private security to patrol the beach. Security guards patrol the beach from 5 pm-11 pm Friday and Saturday
night. Carmel Police Department patrols the beach nightly as well. The Police Department currently does not
have a dedicated beach officer, as the City is down two police positions and patrol shifts take first priority.
However, once the Police Department is fully staffed an officer will be assigned to patrol the beach and will be
assisted by security guards. The optimal situation will include two officers assigned to the beach so that the
City can have coverage seven days a week, which has been budgeted for and could be established by the
2018 summer season. Of important note is that since August 2016, there have been 172 documented illegal
fires on the beach.

The Forestry Division of the Public Works Department is currently responsible for daily cleaning and monitoring
of the City fire devices as well as cleaning up any illegal fires along the entire beach. Some of the issues faced
by Public Works staff include: 1) trash discarded into and trash burned in the fire devices, 2) filling the fire
devices with sand either to extinguish a fire or creates a flat surface for building a fire, 3) excess amounts of
water dumped on the fires, 4) illegal fires on the sand, and 5) burning driftwood, charcoal briquettes, and
commercial fire logs in the fire devices.
An average of 5 staff hours per day are spent cleaning and maintaining the fire devices. This has impacted
other job duties such as tree maintenance, watering, and planting.

Public Outreach/ Survey Results: Since the Pilot Program was adopted, the City has installed fire rule signs
at all beach access points, published weekly advertisement in the Pine Cone explaining the beach fire rules,
and instructed beach security guards to handout brochures explaining beach fire rules. Furthermore, the City
conducted a survey at various times throughout June and July 2017, in order to evaluate the success of the
Pilot Program and basic knowledge of the beach fire rules (Attachment 4). A total of 91 individuals participated
in the survey and the following is a list of pertinent results:

86% of participants are from Monterey County.

80% know that wood-fueled fires are only allowed in City-supplied fire devices.
89% rated there experience with fire devices as either good or excellent.
48% unaware that propane-fueled fires are allowed on the beach.
34% unaware that beach fires are prohibited north of 8th Ave.
28% learned rules through signage; 23% are unfamiliar with rules.

The survey indicates that most individuals are aware that wood-fueled fires are only allowed in the fire devices
and the vast majority rate their experience with the fire devices as good or excellent. However, nearly one-half
of the individuals surveyed were unaware of the allowance for propane-fueled devices. Of important notes is
that 28% learned the rules through signage and 23% were unfamiliar with the rules. Based on the survey
results, the City could enhance its signage and outreach program with a focus on promoting propane-fueled
fires.

Experiences and Issues: Fires on Carmel Beach continue to be popular with locals and tourists. The Pilot
Program has been successful in protecting both quality of the air and the sand on the beach, while still
providing an opportunity for wood and gas-fueled fires. Due to the high tide line, the City has encountered
some difficulty in placing the maximum number of fire devices on the beach at the required 75-foot setback
from the base of the bluff. Furthermore, the high tide will periodically reach the fire devices, threatening to
displace them. The Council could modify the program to reduce the beach bluff setback from 75 to 50 feet to
assist with this issue, as recommended by the Planning Commission.

The majority of fires on the beach are wood-fueled, and according to the survey, users are satisfied City-
supplied fire devices. However, several of the survey respondents indicated a preference for additional fire
devices on the beach. The Forest and Beach Commission recommended reducing the 200-foot buffer between
fire devices, which would allow for additional devices, or at a minimum, allow the City to achieve the maximum
of 12 devices.

The City has not successfully administered the requirement for communal fire devices, and the Council should
consider eliminating this particular program requirement as there are significant challenges with enforcing it.

Beach enforcement officers have observed that there are only 1-2 propane-fueled fires per weekend on the
beach. Furthermore, the survey indicates that 48% of beach users are unaware that they can have propane-
fueled fires on the beach, which may in part explain why there is such a small number of propane-fueled fires.
Other factors could include the cost of purchasing the device and beach users may prefer the experience of a
wood-fueled fire over propane fueled.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The Pilot Program is categorically exempt from CEQA requirements, pursuant to Section 15311 of the State
CEQA Guidelines. Class 11 exemptions include the construction or placement of minor structures accessory
to existing facilities, including signage, and fire-containment devices, if installed seasonally as part of the Pilot
Program. Wood-fueled fires and user-supplied propane-fueled fire devices were allowed on Carmel Beach
south of 10th Avenue prior to the adoption of the Pilot Program. While the Pilot Program allows these types of
fires over a slightly larger area (south of 8th Ave) of the beach, this does not present any new significant
impacts.

The Pilot Program limits the number of wood-fueled fires to no more than 12, which substantially reduces air
quality impacts from fine particulate matter and other pollutants in wood smoke as well as decreases aesthetic
impacts from charcoal and ash left on the sand. While fire in any of its forms is inherently hazardous to some
degree, the Pilot Program results in more effective management of beach fires. The enhanced education,
enforcement, and outreach program component with part-time staffing by a beach patrol officer assists in
ensuring that beach fires are properly operated and extinguished, with ash and charcoal properly disposed.

RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY:
Staff recommends that the Pilot Program be continued for a second year. The City Council may modify the
program as necessary. Staff makes the following observations:

Consider modifying the Pilot Program to:

o Reduce the setback from the bluff from 75 to 50 to reduce the impact of high tide
o Decrease the buffer between fire devices (currently 200)
o Allow more than 12 fire devices on the beach
o Allow beach fires north of 8th Avenue
o Prohibit the burning of driftwood
Enhance the signage at the beach entrances by improving visibility and including information about
extinguishing beach fires.
Continue public outreach/education efforts with a focus on promoting propane-fueled fires.
Further research smokeless fire devices and purchase a device for testing on the beach.
Eliminate the requirement for communal fire devices.

FISCAL IMPACT

The Citys ability to fully implement the Pilot Program was limited in the first year due to the Soberanes Fire
and surf conditions. Staff anticipates full implementation in the second year, which will increase staff time and
associated cost to administer the program as reflected in the table below.

Service/Item: 1st Year Expenses: 2nd Year Projected Expenses:

August 2016 July 2017 August 2017 July 2018
Fire Device Purchase $12,000 $300 (Smokeless Device)
Signage $1,500 $3,000
Police Officer $25,413 $27,000*
Forestry Staff $13,445 $24,377**
Private Security $12,000 $30,000
Weekly Advertisement $2,328 $6,596***
Total = $66,686 Total = $91,273

*500 Staff Hours

**648 Staff Hours
***17 Weeks of Publishing (1/2 weeks of the program)
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION

On June 30, 2016, the City Council adopted the Beach Fire Management Pilot Program.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Beach Fire Management Pilot Program

2. Recommendations from Planning Commission/Forest and Beach Commission
3. Beach Fire Signage Photograph/Public Announcement
4. Pilot Program Survey
5. Information on Smokeless Fire Devices
 Attachment 1 Pilot Program

Beach Fire
Management
Pilot Program

Revised Program of June 2016

TableofContents

I. ExecutiveSummary ................................................................................................ 2
Objectives
KeystoSuccess:Measurement,ReportingandEvaluation
II. FireDevices ............................................................................................................ 6
Dimensions
Usage
HoursofUse
Availability
Exceptions
Cleaning
HazardAvoidance
Locations
III. PublicEducationandEnforcement ....................................................................... 11
ExecutiveSummary

TheCityofCarmelbytheSeaseekstocontinuetherecreationalopportunityofbeachfireswhileexploringoptionstominimizetheimpacts
ofwoodfueledbeachfiresonthecommunityandthesensitiveenvironmentalresourcesofthebeach.Assuch,apilotprogramhasbeen
designedthatconsistsoftheallowanceofupto12woodfueledfiredevicesalongthebeachindesignatedareasaswellastheallowanceof
usersuppliedpropanefueledbeachfiredevicesalongCarmelBeach.ThewoodfueleddeviceswouldinitiallybeCitysupplied;however,the
pilotprogramwouldalsoallowtheCitytochangetheapproachtoonethatprovidesforthesamenumberofusersuppliedwoodfueled
devices.Ineitherscenario,thewoodburningdeviceswouldbelocatedatdesignatedlocationsnearbeachaccessstaircasesandaminimum
of75ftseawardofthebaseofthecoastalblufforseawardlimitofthedunes.Thelocationsforwoodfueleddeviceswouldbebetween
EighthAvenueandSantaLucia.Initially,thepilotprogramwouldrequirethathalfofthewoodfueleddevicesbecommunitydevices,while
therestofthedevicesavailableonafirstcome,firstservebasis.Thenumberofcommunitydevicesmaybeadjustedupwardordownward
aspartoftheprogram,andtheCitymayopttoprovidewoodforthecommunitydevices.Thedeviceswouldbeavailableatnocost.TheCity
wouldensurethattheCitysuppliedfiredevicesareregularlymaintainedandcleaned.

Inadditiontothewoodfueleddevices,theCitywouldallowandencourageusersuppliedpropanefiredevicesalongthebeachbetween
MartinWayandEighthAvenue.Thepropanefueleddeviceswouldbeallowedataminimumof25ftfromthebaseofthebluff.TheCity
does not envision a restriction on the numberof usersupplied propanefueled devices, but in the event of public safety needs or other
unforeseenissues,mayneedtoestablishreasonablelimitationsinlatterphasesoftheprogram.Thepilotprogramalsoincludesenhanced
educationalandenforcementefforts,includingtheuseofprivatesecurity,Citypoliceofficersandvolunteerstoeducatethepublicaboutthe
pilotprogramanditsassociatedrules.Thepilotprogramdurationwouldbeuptothreeyearsandwouldincludeactivemanagementtorefine
theprograminresponsetolessonslearned.Nocharcoalbriquettefireswouldbeallowedunderthepilotprogram.

Objectives

Theprinciplesofthebeachfiremanagementpilotprogramaretwofold:(1)tomanagethenumberofbeachfiresand
(2)torefinethebeachfiresrules.Theobjectivesoftheprogramare:(1)topreservethequalityofCarmelBeachs
whitesand,(2)toenhancerecreationaluseandpublicsafetyofCarmelBeach,and3)toprotecttheresourcevaluesof
thebeachenvironsincludingambientairandwaterquality.
TheCitysLandUsePlanprovidesbroadguidanceregardingbeachuse,protection,andmanagement:

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 2

 Provideforawidevarietyofpassiveandactiverecreationalexperiencesforallbeachuserswhileprotecting
theresourcevaluesofbeachenvirons(Goal44)
ManagetheCity'sbeach,parkandopenspaceresourcesinamannertoencourageuseandenjoymentby
residentsandvisitors(Objective49)

Allowbeachuserstheopportunitytoenjoyafireforwarmthorcooking,whileprotectingthesandfrom
degradation(Objective410)
Lowercostvisitorandrecreationalfacilitiesshallbeprotectedandencouragedandwherefeasible,provided.
Developmentsprovidingpublicrecreationalopportunitiesarepreferred(PolicyP462).
Provideadequatefacilitiesthatwillservetheneedsofthepublic,mitigatedamagetotheenvironmentand
respecttheneighborhood(Goal43)

Managingthenumberofwoodfueledbeachfirestogetherwhileprovidingforpropanefueleddevicesminimizesthe
degradationofthesandwhilealsoincreasingpublicsafetyandenhancingambientairandwaterqualityinaccordance
withtheCoastalAccessandRecreationElementoftheCitysLocalCoastalPlan(LCP).Thepilotprogramattemptsto
balancetheseobjectivesanddevelopoptionsinaccordancewiththegoalsandobjectivescontainedwithintheLCP.

KeystoSuccess:Measurement,ReportingandEvaluation
Picturedbelowisacloseupof

sandgrainsonCarmelBeach
ProgramElements:
ObjectiveO1PreserveSandQuality
Measurement:Eliminatecharcoalandburnedlogsfromthesand.TheCitywouldbeprovidingfora
limitednumberofwoodfueledfires(upto12)indesignatedareasorfirecontainers.Ashcanswould
beprovidedforproperdisposalofcharcoalandashfromanyusersuppliedwooddevices,andCitystaff
wouldberesponsibleforregularlyemptyinganyCitysuppliedwoodfueleddevices.TheCitywould
alsoallowusersuppliedpropanefueleddevices,andthesedeviceswouldnotgeneratecharcoalorash.

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 3

 Byeliminatingwoodandcharcoalresiduefromthesand,thequalityofCarmelswhitesandbeachwill
bepreserved/enhanced.Priortooratthebeginningofthepilotprogramaswellasthroughoutits
implementation,theconditionofthebeachwouldbedocumentedthroughphotographsand/orvideo
footagetodemonstratetheeffectivenessoftheprograminimprovingtheaestheticsofthebeachand
shorelineareas.TheCityrecentlyobtainedanaerialvideoofthebeachthatdocumentsthepre
programamountofcharcoallocatedthroughoutthebeach.TheCitywouldarrangeforsubsequent
aerialvideofootagefollowingthefirstyearoftheprogram,andpotentiallyfollowingthesecondyear,if
thefirstpostprogramfootageisinconclusive,todocumenttheprogramseffectoncleanlinessofthe
beach.Photoswouldalsobetakenfromtheblufftopattheset(fixed)locationsatquarterlyintervals
toassessbeachcleanlinessandappearance.
ObjectiveO2EnhancePublicUseandSafetyofCarmelBeach
Measurement:InstallCitySuppliedFireDevicesorDesignateAreasforUserSuppliedWoodFire
Devices.Thefirstphaseoftheprogramwouldincludeathoroughcleanupofexistingcharcoalonthe
beach.TheprogramalsoincludestheCityinstallingupto12CitysuppliedandCitymaintainedwood
fueledfiredevicesatspecificlocationsadjacenttopublicbeachaccesspointsbetweenMartinWayand
EighthAvenue.Thefiredeviceswouldbeavailableonafirstcome,firstservedbasisfrom4pmto10
pmdaily,althoughtheCitywillalsodesignatehalfofthedevicestobecommunitydevicesand
availableforshareduse.Citysupplieddeviceswouldbeanchoredintothesandatfixedlocationfor
thesummerandfallseason,andremaininplaceuntilthreatenedbywinterseasonwavescouras
discussedbelowinHazardAvoidance.Thedeviceswouldberemovedforaportionofthewinterstorm
seasonandmayalsoberemovedatothertimesoftheyearinresponsetoatsunamiwarning,orduring
otherperiodsofunusuallyhightides,offseasonstorms,andlowbeachprofileconditions.TheCity
supplieddeviceswouldbereturnedtothebeachoncestormsandhightidessubside.Thespecific
locationofthemajorityofthedeviceswouldbeadjustedthroughoutthepilotprograminorderto
selectlocationsthatareleastpronetoseasonalbeachscour,andassuch,canremaininplaceaslong
aspossibleintothewinterstormseasonandasearlyaspossiblefollowingthewinterseason.User
suppliedportablepropanefueleddeviceswouldbeallowedyearround.TheCityanticipatesthatlocal
andareawidestoresmayalsotorentoutusersuppliedpropanedevices(orwoodburningdevices,
shouldthesebeallowedinlieuofCitysuppliedwoodfueleddevices),andtheCitywouldprovide
informationonwheresuchunitsmaybeacquiredonbeachareasignageandontheCityswebsiteas
wellasapartofthebeachfiremanagementeducationalprogram.Whilenotapartoftheinitialphase

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 4

 ofthepilotprogram,shouldtheprogramincorporatetheCitymayalsosponsororcontractwitha
vendortoprovidepropanefueleddevicesforrentatalocationwithintheCity,ifthisisdeterminedto
beanecessarycomponentforincreasingaccesstoportableuseroperatedunits.Thisprogram
componentwouldneedtobefurtherrefinedandmayinvolveamodificationtorestrictionsintheCitys
MunicipalCoderegardingcommercialactivitiesintheshorelinearea.
ObjectiveO3ProtectResourceValues:AirandWater
Measurement:Reducetheamountofwoodsmokeandcharcoaldebrisgeneratedbybeachfires.The
programprovidesforareduced(upto12)numberofwoodfueledbeachfiredevices,whichforCity
supplieddeviceswouldbecleanedbyCitystafforacontractor,andwhichforusersupplieddevices,
wouldincludetheinstallationofashcansatbeachaccesspointsforproperdisposalofcoalsandash.
Theprogramwouldalsoallowwideuseofpropanefueleddevices,whichproduceneithercharcoalnor
smoke,otherthanwhenusedforgrillingfood.Nocharcoalfueled(briquettes)fireswouldbeallowed.
Theprogramwouldsubstantiallyreducewoodsmokeanditsassociatedpublichealthhazards.Itwould
alsoeliminatetheaccumulationofcharcoalonthebeachandintothemarineenvironment.New
signagewouldbedesignedandinstalledtoinformbeachusersofthepilotprogramsbeachfirerules.
SignagewouldalsoincludeinformationonthelocationsofandhoursofoperationforCitysupplied
devices,thetypesofusersupplieddevicesthatarepermissible,andoptionsforobtainingusersupplied
devices.StafffromtheMontereyBayAirResourcesDistrict(MBARD)operatedanairquality
monitoringstationonprivatepropertyalongScenicDrivebetweenMayandDecember2015,and
collecteddataonparticulatematter(PM2.5)levels.Althoughthemonitoringstationhasbeen
removed,theCitywillcontinuetoworkwithMBARDstafftoevaluatetheeffectivenessoftheprogram
onmaintainingacceptableairqualityforbeachgoers,ScenicRoadpathwayusers,andnearby
residents.Ifwoodsmokenuisancecomplaintspersist,CitystaffwouldconferwithMBARDstaff
regardingthereestablishingamonitoringstation.AsdescribedaboveinObjectiveO1,both
photographicandvideofootagewouldcontinuetobecollectedandevaluatedtodemonstratethe
reductionofcharcoallitteronthebeach.

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 5

 Reporting:
StaffwillreturntotheCityCouncilwithanupdatein120daysfollowinginitialadoptionofthis
program.Duringthepilotprogram,CitystaffwillprovidequarterlyupdatestotheCitysForestand
BeachCommissionatscheduledpublicmeetingsonthestatusofthepilotprogramandreceivepublic
commentonthecomponentsoftheprogram.Approximatelytwotothreemonthsbeforetheendof
eachyearofthepilotprogram,areportwillbepresentedbeforetotheCitysForestandBeach
Commission,CityPlanningCommission,andCityCouncil,toassistindeterminingifchangestothepilot
programshouldbemade,orifsufficientinformationhasbeencollectedsuchthatapermanentchange
totheCitysbeachfiresmanagementshouldbeimplemented.Thereportwillbesharedindraftform
withCoastalCommissionstaffforinputpriortoCityCouncildiscussionoftheprogram,andeachyear,a
finalyearendreportwillbeprovidedtoCoastalCommissionstafffordocumentation.

FireDevices

DimensionsandStyle

TheinitialCitysuppliedwoodfueleddevicestobetestedandusedwouldbemadefromsteelwith
approximatedimensionsbetween1624incheshighand3048incheswide.Thesedevicesweigh
approximately100200poundsandwillbepartiallyburiedandsecuredinplace.Thesedevicesare
designedtoremainfixedandnotbemovedtootherlocationsbythepublicorspecialevent
organizers.TheCitymaypurchaseandtesttwoormoredifferentunitstogaugeappearance,
reliability,andeaseofoperationandwillalsodesignatehalfofthesedevicesasavailableforshared
(community)use.Duringthefirstyearoftheprogram,theCitywillconveneareviewCommitteeto
determinethepreferreddesignordecideiftheCityshouldpursueacustomdesignfortheseCity
supplieddevices.
Inaddition,beachgoerswouldbeallowedtobringandoperateusersuppliedpropanefueled
devices.Thesearetypicallysmallerthanthesteelwoodfueldevices,andavarietyofmodelsare
availablefromlocalhardwareandgardenstores.Propanetanksarealsoavailableindifferentsizes.
Citystaffhaveidentifiedseveralofftheshelfmodels,andtheCitywoulddisseminateinformationon
itswebsiteregardingalistofofftheshelfoptions,theircost,wheretheycanbeobtained.The

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 6

 websitemayalsoprovideforuserfeedbackonperformanceofdifferentofftheshelffiredevice
options.

PicturedbelowarethreeexamplesofpotentialinitialoptionsfortheCitysuppliedfiredevices.

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 7

Picturedbelowaretwoexamplesofpotentialusersuppliedpropanefueledfiredevices.

Usage

Usersuppliedpropanefueleddeviceswouldbeallowedyearroundandascloseas25feetfromthebaseofthecoastalbluff.City
suppliedwoodfueledfiredeviceswouldbeprovidedinthesummerandfallseasononly,restrictedtoareasaminimumof75feetfrom
thebaseofthebluffandfurtheroutifpossible,andlimitedtoamaximumof12suchunitsatdesignatedlocations.Usersuppliedwood
fueleddevicesarenotpermitted.Usersofcitysuppliedwoodfueleddeviceswouldbeinstructedtoonlyusedry,curedwood,andno
driftwood,palletsorothermaterials(suchasChristmastrees,furniture,andtrash).Notrash,glassorothermaterialsmaybeleftinthe
device.

HoursofUse

Woodfueledbeachfiredeviceswouldbeallowedfrom4p.m.to10p.m.,sevendaysaweekduringtheportionoftheyearthatthe
beachiswideenoughtosupportsuchdevices.Beachfiresinusersuppliedpropanedeviceswouldbeallowedfrom4p.m.to10p.m.,
sevendaysaweek,andyearround.

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 8

Availability

TheinitialplanforthemajorityoftheCitysuppliedfiredeviceswouldbethattheyareavailableonafirstcome,firstservedbasisand
couldnotbereservedorheldinadvanceforuseexceptinlimitedcircumstancesassociatedwithaproperlyissuedspecialeventpermit.
TheCitywouldalsoinitiallydesignatehalfoftheunitsascommunitydevicesforsharedusebybeachgoers,withtheCitypotentially
supplyingthefirewoodforthesecommunitydevices.Inaddition,onefiredevicemaybereservedinassociationwiththeissuanceofa
specialeventpermitfromtheCityandinaccordancewiththeCitysspecialeventpolicies.TheCitywouldlimitthisspecialeventpermit
relatedreservationtooneofthedevicesonanygivenday.TheCitywouldalsolimitthesereservationstonomorethantwosuch
reservationsinanygivenweekandnomorethanfoursuchreservationsinanygivenmonth.TheremainingCitysuppliedfiredevices
wouldbeavailableforthegeneralpublic.Shouldtherebeoperationalissueswiththespecialeventrelatedreservations,theCitywould
adjustthatcomponentoreliminateit.Shouldtherebeoperationalissueswiththefirstcome,firstservedapproach,theCitywould
potentiallyincreasethenumberofcommunitydevicesandmayalsodevelopareservationsystemforsomeoralloftheCitysupplied
devices.TheCitywouldconsultwithCoastalCommissionstaffonthespecificsofanysuchprogramadjustment.Shouldtheuser
suppliedwoodfueledoptionbeimplemented,theavailabilitywouldbesimilar:onafirstcomebasis,exceptasassociatedwitha
properlyissuedspecialeventpermit.

Exceptions
DuringtheholidayweekendsofJuly4thandLaborDay,tomeetpeakbeachfiredemand,theCitymaysetupaprogramtodistributeup
to25additionalportablepropanefueleddevicesforpublicrental.Thefeeforusewouldbereasonable:ontheorderof$20$50forthe
day.Thesecouldbemadeavailableatatemporarystationsuchasatrailerorsimilarmobilefacilitylocatedatasuitablelocation.
PotentiallocationsincludeintheDelMarParkingLot,attheintersectionof8thAvenueandScenicRoad,orasimilarlocation.This
componentwouldonlybedevelopedandimplementedifothermeansofsalesorrentalsofusersuppliedunitsaredeterminedtobe
inadequatebytheCityinconsultationwithCoastalCommissionstaff.Thiscomponentmayconstitutecommercialactivityintheshoreline
area,whichiscurrentlyprohibitedundertheCitysMunicipalCode.Assuch,theimplementationofsucharentalcomponent,ifmade
permanent,mayrequireaZoningOrdinanceAmendmentandLocalCoastalProgramAmendment.

Cleaning

Overseveralmonthsin2015,airqualitydatawascollectedalongwithphotographicandvideofootageofbeachconditions(sandquality).
TheAugust2015implementationoftheCitysInterimMoratoriumonweekendwoodfueledbeachfireshasreducedairpollutantlevels
andhasresultedinalowerrateofaccumulationofcharcoalonthebeach.However,therestillareareasofcharcoalthatcouldbefurther
cleanedusingsiftingdevicesandsmallequipment(abovethekelplineandinthecorridorwherethedeviceswillbelocated).TheCity

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 9

 mayundertaketheseadditionalcleaningmeasuresinadvanceofinstallingCitysuppliedfiredevices.RegularcleaningoftheCitysupplied
deviceswouldberequired.Itisanticipatedthatthedeviceswouldbecleanedatleast3or4daysaweek,andthiscleaningwouldbe
donebyCitystafforaCitycontractor.

HazardAvoidance

TheprogramincludeshazardavoidanceguidelinesandtriggerpointsforthetimelyremovalofCitysuppliedfiredevicespriortothe
devicesbeingthreatenedbyhightides,largestorms,andwaveaction.Theintentofthisprogramcomponentistomakefiredevices
availableaslongaspossiblethroughouttheyearwhilebeingcognizantofshorelinehazardsandprotectiveofsensitiveenvironmental
resources(i.e.,airandwaterquality).

Beachwidthandtheupperreachofthewashofthewavesvarythroughouttheyearandfromseasontoseason.Ingeneral,thebeachis
widestinthesummermonthsandnarrowsconsiderablyinthewinterstormseason,whenstorminducedwaveserodethebermand
lowerthebeachprofile.Theextentandtimingofwinterbeachscourvariesfromseasontoseason.Insomewinters,thebeachisnearly
completelyscouredout,suchthatthewashofthewavesisallthewayuptothebaseofthebluff.Inmilderwinters,thereareareasof
thebeachthatareneverscouredout,particularlyinthemorelandwardandprotectedareasofthebeach,suchasnearTenthAvenue.
Inthetypicalwinter,however,mostifnotall,ofthefiredeviceswouldbethreatenedbyscour.

Initially,itisanticipatedthattheCitysuppliedbeachfiredeviceswouldbeinplaceforuseduringthepeakbeachuseseason:fromMarch
1toNovember1.Thisistypicallywhenthethreatfromshorelinehazardsislowest.Thebeachfiredevicesmayberetainedforsome
periodbeyondtheMarch1toNovember1period,providedthatfavorableweatherconditionsandalowthreatofstormdrivenwave
inundationcontinue.Outsidethepeakperiods(i.e.,November1throughMarch1),theCitysuppliedfiredeviceswillberemovedfrom
thebeachtoavoidpotentialhazardsandinundation.Atthebeginningofthewinterstormseason(onoraboutNovember1),Citystaff
willmonitortheconditionofthebeachatleastweekly,includingmeasuringthewidthofthebeachberminthevicinityofthefire
devices.Beachfiredeviceswouldberemovedorrelocatedpriortobeingthreatenedbywaveinducedbeachscourand/orinundation.

Theinitialthresholdforremovalofadevicewouldbeiftheupperwashofthewavesiswithin10feetofthedevice.Ifthisdistance,in
practice,doesnotprovidesufficienttimeforCitystafftoremovethedevice,alargerdistancemaybeestablished.Managementofthe
Citysuppliedfiredevicesmaybemodifiedinresponsetoextremeoceanconditions.If,thereisanunusuallyearlyorheavywinterstorm
season,suchthatwaveinducedscourthreatenstounderminethefiredevices,Citystaffwouldremoveanythreateneddevicesearlierin
theyear.Similarly,ifaheavywinterstormseasondelaysthepostwinterrecoveryofthebeach,theCitymaydelaythespringtime
installationofsomeofthedevices.

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 10


Inaddition,ifthereisanextraordinarystormorhighwaveeventforecastedoutsideofthetargetuseperiod,thedeviceswouldbe
removedandreturnedassoonasitispractical.Boththethresholdforremovalandreplacementtimingwouldbecomponentsthatthe
pilotprogramwillfurtherdevelop.

Locations

TheinitiallocationsfortheCitysuppliedwoodfueleddeviceswouldbebetweenEighthAvenueandMartinwayandshallbespaceda
minimumof200feetapart.Alllocationswouldbeatleast75feetfromthebaseofthebluff.Utilizingadaptivemanagement,thelocation
(ordesignatedlocationinthecaseoftheusersuppliedwoodfueledoption)ofthedevicesmaybeadjustedasneededduetotopography
ofthebeach,waveandtidalactivity,ortobettermeettheneedsofbeachusers.Amapofaccesspointsandapproximatelocationsfor
theCitysupplieddevicesarecontainedinFigure1.UsersuppliedpropanefiredeviceswouldbeallowedfromMartinWaytoEighth
Avenuewithasetbackrequirementofatleast25feetfromthebaseofthebluff.

PublicEducationandEnforcement
Publiceducationandoutreachwouldbeakeycomponentofthepilotprogramwithanemphasisonproperuseofpropanedevices.The
Citywoulddevelopanddistributepubliceducationmaterialstotrytoreachthepublicregardingthepilotprogramandthenewbeach
firerulesbeforetheyarriveatCarmelBeach.Inaddition,theCitywoulduseacombinationofprivatesecuritystaffandadedicated
policebeachpatrolofficertoeducatethepublicabouttherules,gatherdataandassistinmonitoringtheeffectivenessofthepilot
program.Theuseofdocentsandothervolunteerstohelpexplaintherulestothepublicmayalsobeaddedaspartofthe
communicationstrategy.

OnlineInformation:BoththeCityswebsiteandotherassociatedwebsites,suchastheCarmelChamberofCommerceandtheMonterey
VisitorsandConventionBureau,wouldbeupdatedtoreflecttheuseoftheallowedfiredevicesandotherbeachrules.TheCitywould
alsoreachouttootherwebsiteprovidersthataregearedtowardactivitiesatCaliforniabeachesandtravelrelatedsitestoexplainthe
newrulesandrequestassistanceinprovidingupdatedinformationtothepublic.

OtherSourcesofInformation:Pressreleasestolocalnewspapersandtelevisionstationswouldalsooccurregardingthebeachrulesand
theuseofbothCitysuppliedandusersuppliedbeachfiredevices,aswellasoutreachtoschools,collegesandcommunitygroups.The
hotelindustrywouldbecontactedandgiveninformationalcardsthatcouldbeprovidedtoguestsaboutthebeachfirerules.Local

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 11

 grocerystoreswouldbeprovidedinformationtodistributetocustomers,includinginformationregardingwhereusersupplierpropane
devicescouldbepurchasedorrented,andwherepropanetankscanberefilled.

Signage:Signagewouldbeinstalledthatprovidesinformationregardingalloweddevicesandthelocationswherefiredevicesare
allowed.LocationsfornewsignagewouldincludetheDelMarparkinglot,atthebeginningoftheScenicRoadpathway(Scenicand8th
Avenue),atthebeachaccessstairwaysalongScenic,andatbothendsofthe4thAvenuebeachaccesspathway.Informationalsignage
regardingthepurposeofthepilotprogramandtherulesandrestrictionswouldbeinstalledatkeylocationsstartingattheDelMar
ParkingLot.AsthenorthernlimitforbeachlimitsmaychangeunderthePilotProgram,theDelMararea,the8thAvenueaccess,andthe
10thAvenueaccessasappropriatewouldhaveamarkertodelineateanddifferentiatewherefiresareallowedandnotallowed.Signage
indicatingtheuseoffiredevices,withasimplemessagesuchaswoodfiresonlyinCitysuppliedfiredevicesor(forthewinterseason)
propanefiresonly.Signagewouldbeplacednearthestaircasesandotherbeachaccesspoints.Suchsignagewouldbeinstalledin
locationsthatminimizeobstructionsofcoastalviews,e.g.onrailings,nearthesideofthestaircasesand/or,onlandingshalfwaydown
thebeachstaircases.Signagematerialsforthepilotprogrammaybemetal;however,permanent(postpilotprogram)signagewouldbe
simple,rustic,andprimarilymadeofwood,inkeepingwithCarmelsexistingaesthetic.Universalsymbolswouldbeusedwhere
appropriate.Specificsigndesignsforthepilotprogramwouldbedevelopedwithinapproximatelythefirsttwoorthreemonthsofthe
programsapprovalandpresentedtothePlanningCommissionforreviewandapprovalofsigndesign.

Messaging:TheCityspubliceducationmaterialsandsignageprogramwouldexplainthepurposeofthepilotprogram,whichisto
encourageresponsibleandsafebeachusewhileprotectingthecharacterofCarmelBeachandtheresourcevaluesofthebeachenvirons
(i.e.,ambientairandwaterquality).

Personaloutreach/contact:TheCityintendstouseacombinationofpolicestaff,privatesecuritystaff,andvolunteerstoexplainthe
rulestothepublic.TheCityhasrecentlyprovidedforabeachpatrolpoliceofficerstaffingfrom5pmto11pm,sevendaysaweek.This
officerisdedicatedtopatrollingthebeachandwillbeonsitetoaddressissuesregardingviolationsofbeachfirerules.Privatesecurity
officers,ifretainedtoassistwithbeachfiremanagement,wouldbetrainedbytheCarmelPoliceDepartmentregardingthebeachfire
rules,andwouldserveasafriendlyandhelpfuleducationalresourcetoexplaintherulestothepublic.TheCityalsoplanstoutilizelocal
volunteers,somestationedatthebeachstaircases,andotherswalkingthebeach,toexplaintherules,helpnotifythepublicaboutthe
availabilityofCitysuppliedfiredevicesortheallowablelocationofusersuppliedfiredevices,trackdataregardingwherebeachusersare
from(inordertohelptargetadditionalpubliceducationandoutreach),anddocumentcompliancewiththebeachfirerules.These
volunteersmayalsoprovideotherobservationsaboutthepilotprogramingeneral.Thevolunteerswouldcarryanddistribute
informationalcardsthatexplaintherulestomembersofthepublic.Thecardswouldhaveacommentsuggestionandlinktoacomment
formontheCityswebsiteandanemailaddresssothepubliccanprovidefeedbackonthepilotprogram.

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 12

Figure1:MapofCarmelBeachAccessPointsandPotentialInitialCitySponsoredFireDeviceLocations

Accesspoint
Accesspoint Accesspoint
Accesspoint Accesspoint,
publicrestroom

10thAvenue ApproximatelocationsofCitysponsoredpropanefiredevices;devicetobeplaceda
Startof minimumof50feetfrombaseofbluff.
placementof
firedevices

BEACH FIRE MANAGEMENT PILOT PROGRAM - JUNE 2016 13

 Attachment 2 Commission Recommendations

CITY OF CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA

MEMORANDUM

TO: HonorableMayorandCityCouncilMembers

SUBMITTEDBY: MarcWiener,CommunityPlanningandBuildingDirector
MikeBranson,CityForester

SUBJECT: RecommendationstotheCityCouncilregardingtheCarmelBeachPilotFire
ManagementProgram.

DATE: July20,2017

DuringtheirregularmeetingonJuly13,2017,theForestandBeachCommissionreceivedareporton
thepilotbeachfireprogramonCarmelBeach.TheCommissionreceivedinformationfromtheCity
ForesterandthePublicSafetyDirectoronthecurrentstatusofmanagingandenforcingthefire
program.Severalmembersofthepublicalsoprovidedtheiropinionsonthefireprogram.

Followingdiscussion,theCommissionershadthefollowingrecommendationstoaidtheCityCouncilin
determininganymodificationstothepilotprogram:

Continueandexpandoutreachandeducationefforts;includehowtoextinguishfires
Improvesignage;includehowtoextinguishfires
Considerhealthimpactsinprogramobjectivesandincludeinanyeducationmaterials
Collectmoredataonsmokeimpacts,userdemographics,andfirepractices
Moreenforcement
Retaincurrentbufferszones,numberofunits,andfirezoneuntilmoredataiscollected,signage
isimproved,andenforcementisincreased
Outsourcecleanupandmaintenance
Utilizevolunteergroupstoassistwithoutreachandeducation
Researchfireunitsthatfeaturesmokelessfiretechnology
Removedriftwoodfromthebeachtopreventitsuseinthefireunits
Possiblyreducethe200footbuffertoallowearlierplacementofmoreunits

 Attachment 2 Commission Recommendations

DuringtheirregularmeetingonJuly12,2017,thePlanningCommissionmadethefollowing
recommendations:

Considerallowingfirepitsnorthupto4thAvenue
Increaseenforcementduringthemostactivemonths
Considerallowingthebluffsetbacktobereducedfrom75to50feet
Improvesignagetoincludeinformationaboutextinguishingfires
Enhancepubliceducation/outreachefforts
Havemoretrashreceptaclesatthebeach

Attachment 3 Beach Signage

Attachment 3 Beach Signage
 PROTECT AND ENJOY IT
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has established beach fire
rules to help improve the experience of all the beach users
and protect the environment.

The daily hours for beach fires Propane-fueled fires are

are between 4pm and 1Opm
No reservations required to
use the fire pits
Wood-fueled fires are allowed
ONLY in the fire pits supplied
by the city
Beach fires are proh ibited
north of 8th Avenue
Do not use water or sand to
extinguish fire in a fire pit. Let
the fire burn itself out
allowed at least 25 feet from
the base of the bluff or dunes,
from 8th Avenue south
toward Martin Way
Please don't leave any trash
or recyclables on the beach or
in the fire pit
If you are planning an event
on the beach, please contact
(831) 620-2020

For more information:

http://ci.earmel.ea.us/carmel/
 Attachment 4 Beach Fire Survey

Section1:Introduction
Thegoalofthissurveywastoassessfirepitusageandpublicknowledgeoffirerules.Publicintercept
surveyswereconductedatCarmelByTheSeaBeachonJune6th,June11th,July1st,andJuly4thof
2017.Ninetyoneindividualswereincludedinthesample.Individualswereaskedtoparticipateinthe
surveyiftheywerecurrentMontereyCountyresidentsorhadusedthefirepitsonCarmelByTheSea
Beach.Atotalof29individuals(32%ofthesample)hadusedthenewfirepitsonatleastoneoccasion.

Section2:Demographics
A.CityofResidence

Themajority(86%)ofthesamplewascomprisedofMontereyCountyresidents.Allindividualssampled
wereCaliforniaresidents,exceptforanindividualfromSeattle,WAwhohasusedthefirepitsonce.

B.Gender

Fortyfivefemalesandfortyfivemaleswereincludedinthesample.Oneindividualdeclinedtostate
theirgender.

C.Age

Awidedistributionofageswasobservedinthissurvey.Theyoungestindividualwas16yearsoldand
theoldestindividualwas87yearsold.Themeanagewas45yearsandthemedianagewas50years.

Age(Years)
1% 1%
12%

19%

22%
14%

15% 16%

Under20 2029 3039 4049 5059 6069 7079 8089


Resultsof"CarmelByTheSeaBeachFirePublicSurvey"
Section2:FrequencyCountsofResponsestoPublicSurvey
1.HowoftendoyouusethepublicbeachfirepitareasonCarmelBeach?
Daily 1
Monthly 3
Annually 4
Occasionally 3
Usedonce 18
Never 62

2.Didyouknowthatpropanefueledfiresareallowed25feetfromthebaseofthebluffordunes,
Southof8thAvenueonCarmelBeach?Circle:YesorNo
Yes 47
No 44

3.DidyouknowthatbeachfiresareprohibitedNorthof8thAvenue?Circle:YesorNo
Yes 60
No 31

4.Didyouknowthatthedailyhoursforbeachfiresarebetweenthehoursof410pm?
Yes 55
No 36


Resultsof"CarmelByTheSeaBeachFirePublicSurvey"
5.Wheredidyoulearnaboutthebeachfirerules?Pleasecircleallthatapply:Neighbor,PineCone,
Radio,CityWebsite,TV,BeachSigns,Other(Pleasespecify)
Neighbor 3
BeachSigns 23
Television 1
PineCone 17
PineConeandNeighbor 3
PineConeandBeachSigns 11
PineConeandTelevision 1
WebsiteandBeachSigns 1
MontereyHerald 1
MontereyWeeklyandTelevision 1
Allspecifiedmedia 2
Other(Localdebates,spokewithcountyofficial) 2
Unfamiliarwithbeachfirepitrules 25

6.WoodfueledfiresareallowedONLYinthefirepitssuppliedbythecity.Circle:TrueorFalse
True 80
False 8
Donotknow 3

7.Howwouldyourateyourexperienceusingthefirepit?Circleoneresponse:PoorFairGood
Excellent.Ifyouscoreditaspoor,pleaseexplainwhy.
Excellent 6
Good 12
Fair 1
Poor 1
Noresponse 71

8.Whendidyouarriveatthebeachtosecureabeachfirepit?
Before4pm 17
Between4pmand10pm 8
After10pm 1
Noresponse 65

9.Wasthereanythinginthepitwhenyouarrived?CircleYesorNo.Ifyes,pleaseexplain.
Yes(Trash) 4
Yes(Wood) 4
Yes(TrashandWood) 1
No 27


Resultsof"CarmelByTheSeaBeachFirePublicSurvey"

10.DoyouhaveanysuggestionstoimproveoutreacheffortsabouttheCarmelBeachfirerules?
Improvesignage 25
BuildmorefirepitsonCarmelBeach 14
Prohibitallbeachfires 5
Other 10
Nosuggestions 37

 Attachment 5 Smokeless Fire Pit

Oursmokelessfirepitsworkthroughadoublewall,secondarycombustiondesign.Whatthatmeans
isthatwhenthefireisburning,thewallsheatupandthehotairrisesthroughthegapbetweenthe
twowalls.Theairexitsthewallcavitythroughthelineofholesaroundtherim.Thispressurized,
heatedoxygenmixeswiththesmokeandcausesittoreburn.Thisissecondarycombustion.

Ofcourse,itisstillanopenfirepitsosomesmokewillescape.

Howmuchlesssmokeisit?Example:

Ifthewindisblowing,nooneismovingtheirchairtogetoutoftheway.

Ifyouhavefriendsover,noonegoeshomesmellinglikesmoke.

Youdontneedtoshowerafteracampfiretogetthesmokesmelloutofyourhair