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         JAN - FEB  2008

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Parking on sidewalks blocks pedestrian access

SIDEWALK PARKING ENFORCEMENT

The Monterey Police Department has received a number of complaints regarding vehicles parked on, or obstructing the sidewalks in residential areas. Pedestrians are forced to walk into the street to maneuver around parked vehicles that block the sidewalk.
 
Obstructing the sidewalk not only impairs use by able-bodied pedestrians but creates significant problems for people confined to wheelchairs, physically impaired residents, the elderly, and parents pushing small children in strollers.
  Parking a vehicle on, or otherwise obstructing the sidewalk, including allowing your vehicle to extend into the pedestrian right-of-way while parked in your driveway, is a violation of California Vehicle Code § 22500, which states in part:

No person shall stop, park or leave standing any vehicle, whether attended or unattended…on any portion of a sidewalk, or with the body of the vehicle extending over any portion of the sidewalk. Lights, mirrors or devices that are required to be mounted upon a vehicle under this Code may extend over the sidewalk to a distance of not more than 10 inches.

  The Police Department has begun an aggressive educational and enforcement campaign to address this problem. Once that effort is complete, vehicles found in violation will be subject to a citation.

Watch the Video Public Service announcement

Focus Features

 

New Dog Park Rules!
The City of Monterey opened a Dog Park at El Estero Park this winter. The park has already become very popular and is being used by residents and visitors alike. However, the Police Department would like to remind everyone that laws pertaining to dogs must be followed when visiting the Dog Park.
  When taking your dog to and from the park, it must be leashed and the leash can not be removed until you are in the confines of the park. Dogs must be licensed and should be wearing a collar with the license attached at all times while at the park. Owners are responsible for picking up after their dogs and there are bags and trash receptacles available for this purpose. For a full list of the rules,
click here
  If you have any questions, please contact Lt. Leslie Sonné at 646-3971 or sonne@ci.monterey.ca.us.

Storm Drain Awareness
b
y City
Engineer Tom Reeves
I recently received a call from a painting contractor who was stopped by a Monterey police officer from pressure washing a building. The caller was very polite and said that the officer was very courteous and professional. The officer informed this contractor that it was against our City Code to allow wash water from a building to flow into the storm drain system. 
  The contractor asked me if this was true and why is it prohibited. I explained that yes, it is true, wash water from a building must be contained on-site, such as by it being absorbed in a planter area or collecting it and placing it in the sewer system. I went on to explain the rationale: while it seems a bit absurd because, after all, the rain will do the same thing, the difference is that when it’s raining, there’s plenty of water to dilute the contaminants that come off of the building. During dry weather, the pollutants are concentrated and therefore can cause more harm to the aquatic environment.
  Everyone needs to do their part to report violations of the City’s storm water ordinance.  With very few exceptions, nothing but clean water is allowed to enter the storm drain system. If you think you’ve witnessed a violation, call me at 646-3448.


Green Building Expo a Hit!

by Green Building Intern Jeff Condit

The City of Monterey welcomed over 600 curious participants to the 1st Annual Green Building Expo at the Monterey Conference Center. The event provided an open forum for local green builders, architects, and service providers while kicking off the education component of the City's Green Building Program. Attendees had a chance to hear from top experts in the green building field on the best techniques to make their homes and businesses more sustainable and environmentally-friendly. This was a first for Monterey and the Peninsula and sets another high standard by our City. Thanks to all who helped make it a success!

Monterey Accepting Applications for
Green Building Directory

by Green Building Intern Jeff Condit

The City of Monterey is currently accepting applications to be included in
its upcoming Monterey Green Building Directory. Local green building contractors, architects, and service providers are encouraged to fill out an application located at monterey.org/green

 

City Solutions  
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
 
When storms knocked out electrical power to thousands of homes in Monterey, people were unable to get information from electrically powered sources, such as television and the Internet. Information was available on radio, mostly local FM and AM stations. Did you know the City operates its own radio station? 1610-AM normally broadcasts traffic and parking reports. During an emergency, 1610-AM is the place to turn because that is where you will get the latest information from the City. During the height of the storm Friday, the City updated information every hour on 1610-AM.

 

Body & Mind –  New Year, New You!
by Monterey Sports Center Fitness Manager William F. Rothschild

Please join us in celebrating 2008. Our "New Year – New You!" Winter Shape Up Series will take place at the Monterey Sports Center all January.

As the Holiday Season gives way to the "I’ve got to get back in shape" season, we find ourselves heading to the gym or to the outdoors to work off some of that Holiday Cheer we enjoyed. At the Monterey Sports Center, we celebrate this time of year by offering our guests a wide variety of classes and fitness services that help give the fitness seeker valuable information and proper motivation to get the new year off to a roaring start.
   Every January, we offer a Winter Shape Up Series that features free body fat testing, blood pressure screenings, innovative classes,
a flu shot clinic and a Health Screening. This year’s slate of activities promises to be our best offering ever with something sure to please everyone in the family. We’re calling this year’s series "New Year – New You!"
   We invite you to start your New Year off right by dropping by the Monterey Sports Center and helping us celebrate 31 days of fitness! View the Shape-up Calendar.  Take a video tour of the Monterey Sports Center

Events

 

Register Now for Recreation Programs
By Recreation Supervisor Shannon Beltran

The Recreation and Community Services Department Winter 2007/Spring 2008 Activities Guide is available for pick-up at the Downtown Office, the Monterey Sports Center and the four Community Centers. Pick up a copy and learn about the exciting programs being offered through May 2008.
  Gymnastics, ballet, arts and crafts, field sports, and a variety of youth and tot programs are just some of the activities being offered. The Recreation Department also offers Preschool, After-school and School Holiday programs. The Monterey Senior Center will be offering a variety of new programs for adults and seniors including the Joy of Singing, Mental Gymnastics and Water Color Painting. The Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center has a variety of new programs for tots and youth including Tots-In-Motion!, Fantastical Fairy Fun, Junior Pirates Adventures and Pizza Pizzazz Party. Register now for these and many other Spring programs.
For more information, call 646-3866 or click on monterey.org/rec

 
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