Tag Archives: Tina Rau

When the Music Gets Too Loud in Pacific Grove

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case 2025-01084

What started as a simple proposal to raise outdoor music limits in Pacific Grove has become an FPPC investigation into whether a city councilmember’s business ties were just a little too close to the stage.

Councilmember Tina Rau owns 215 Forest Avenue, home to the bar and record shop Pop & Hiss. When the City Council voted in March 2025 to move forward with raising the allowable noise level from 70 to 80 decibels, Rau made the motion herself—without recusing, even after a resident warned her of the obvious conflict of interest.

Now the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) is investigating four complaints (click to download) alleging Rau failed to disclose her ownership interest and voted on a matter that could increase her own rental income.

The latest twist: state business filings show the “tenant” (Michaela Kuenster) and “landlord” (Tina Rau) were actually members of the same LLC, Lovers Point Properties, along with Rau’s spouse. That revelation undercuts the City Attorney’s earlier claim to the FPPC that Rau was merely a “disinterested landlord.”

So what began as a debate about decibels has turned into a broader question of ethics, disclosure, and divided loyalties at City Hall.

In Pacific Grove, the music might get louder—but so is the call for accountability.

LoversPoint Properties LLC

When the Music Gets Too Loud in Pacific Grove

Where Should The Weed Store Go?

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Would it be nice for the stoners if it was in a roundabout?

While there had been lofty sales tax revenue predictions for a pot shop opening in the city, the estimate has plummeted significantly.
An argument in support of a 2022 ballot measure that was signed by Councilman Chaps Poduri and then-council candidate Tina Rau, who has since been elected, told voters that one weed dispensary could bring $300,000 to the city.
But in a public report to councilmembers in late June, Mogensen said that the estimated annual revenue for a dispensary is ‘ ‘up to $50,000; actual amount of annual revenue may be more or less than this estimate.

Where Should The Weed Store Go?

Pacific Grove Council Raises Halted

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The council directed staff to bring back an ordinance on Sep. 3 to formally repeal Ordinance No. 25-007, which raised council stipends from $420 to $966 per month and the mayor’s from $700 to $1,610. The May ordinance was automatically suspended after a referendum petition qualified in July.

Following the repeal, staff will later return with an agenda report outlining potential dates for a public vote on council pay. The measure could appear on the ballot in June or November 2026, or during a standalone special election.

And Councilman Paul Walkingstick turns it into a kooky DEI subject,

Councilman Paul Walkingstick noted that Pacific Grove recently voted to move to a by-district election system, and the city already struggles with gathering a diverse group of candidates to run, either from different classes or different neighborhoods

Pacific Grove Council Raises Halted

Useless Land Acknowledgement Process Starts

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Fake History being accepted as truth.

However, such acknowledgments have come under scrutiny for being little more than feel-good measures. That sentiment and others were discussed in a lengthy article by two University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill associate professors — who are also members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Choctaw Nation — and a San Diego professor. The statements, they said, often fail to include that indigenous groups owned the land, describing indigenous peoples as mere “stewards” or custodians.”

Useless Land Acknowledgement Process Starts

$300,000.00 In Tax Revenue For Pot Sales Downgraded

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Butterfly Weed

Chaps Poduri must have been high when he estimated that figure

“It is estimated that one cannabis dispensary within city limits could bring in $300,000 annually,” according to the argument in support of the 2022 ballot measure given to voters that was signed by councilman Chaps Poduri and then-council candidate and current councilwoman Tina Rau.”Why should Pacific Grove lose out on this revenue stream?”
But in a public report to councilmembers ahead of last week’s meeting, city manager Matt Mogensen said that the estimated annual revenue to the city for a pot shop is now estimated to be “up to $50,000.”

$300,000.00 In Tax Revenue For Pot Sales Downgraded

Tina Uses The Power Of The Force

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Uses her vote allowing loud music at a bar she owns.

TinaPopHiss

Pacific Grove officials are mum one week after a member of the city council voted on a new city rule that some residents say amounted to a conflict of interest. At the March 19 council a council meeting, councilman Joe Amelio proposed an ordinance to allow louder music at downtown businesses and restaurants. The revised noise law would benefit several establishments that host live and recorded music, including a venue called Pop & Hiss at 215 Forest Ave.
But just before the council was to deliberate on the proposal, a resident said during the public comment period that councilwoman Tina Rau should recuse herself from the discussion since she owns the building that Pop & Hiss occupies. Rau did not do that, and neither she nor the other five council members addressed the issue. Minutes later, Rau made a motion to allow louder music. The city council passed the measure 4-2.

Tina Uses The Power Of The Force

Did Pop N Hiss Violate Alcohol Rules?

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Plop And Miss desperately trying to be a bar/nightclub.

Pacific Grove Police Department issued a citation on Friday, Nov. 29, after receiving six complaints related to violations of the business’ license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC), which prohibits any audible music outside the premises after 10pm. (“Multiple subjects contacted dispatch to complain about the loud music and alcohol consumption beyond the allotted ABC permit time frame,” Cmdr. Brian Anderson says.)

Did Pop N Hiss Violate Alcohol Rules?

2024 Elections

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Vote Machine

Mayor –
Nick Smith (W) 2,344 votes.
Dan Miller 1,715 votes.

Council –
Luke Coletti 2,490 votes.
Chaps Poduri 2,519 votes.
Paul Walkingstick 1,707 votes.
Tina Rau 2,460 votes.
Carmelita Garcia 1,185 votes.
Chilla Kartalov 798 votes.

Measure B, another school bond wins
Measure Q, The anti-timeshare measure wins.
Measure Z, reduce the size of the city council fails.

School Board President winner is Mike Wachs, a come-here who lost a bid for Mayor in 2022.

2024 Elections

 

Weakly Endorses Poduri

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Shocked? Couple of errors in that gushing review. The citizens of P.G voted for the hotel at ATC and the potato round about is not behind PG High.

Also endorses Tina Rau, the hateful DEI Chairperson.

Vote Machine

Since being elected to the City Council in 2020 as a freshly minted U.S. citizen, Chaps Poduri has proven to be to be a bright light among local politicians. He rightfully voted in
favor of the hotel project at the former American Tin Cannery, pledged his support for the takeover of Cal Am, voted for establishing a cannabis dispensary in P.G., advocated for a skate park in town, he has sought to add support and defense for the much-maligned Diversity Equity and Inclusion task force, voted against requiring restaurants to dismantle their parklets and using city funds to replace them. He spearheaded the process to study the dangerous five-way intersection behind P.G. High School, and that work has produced a $5 million grant from TAMC and approved plans for a teardrop-shaped roundabout.

Weakly Endorses Poduri