City of Monterey Focus City Briefs

City Briefs

Teens: Find Work at City! | General Plan Shapes Citys Look, Feel
Row Hotel Receives Coastal Commission OK | Del Monte Beach Resubdivision Continues
Budget Reflects Community Concerns, Priorities | Job Opportunities Available at City
Born to Read Celebrates Baby’s Birth - at the Library

Upkeep of Street, Drain, Sewer Systems Takes Time, Money
People don’t often call the City to say that the streets are clean, the sewers are flowing or the streetlights are working, but that’s OK. Our goal is a well-maintained infrastructure that people can depend on. We accomplish this in various ways:

Through inspections and a pavement management computer program, we can predict the deterioration rate of each street and make timely repairs. Using a camera to inspect the City’s sanitary sewer system, we’ve set priorities for maintenance. This year, we are making $1 million worth of repairs to the sanitary sewers. We are developing a Geographic Information System (GIS), which will help us better manage the information we have about our City’s infrastructure. We have worked to reduce pollutants in the stormwater runoff that flows into the Bay. In the past year, we inspected, cleaned and maintained the City’s 50 miles of stormdrain lines. All catch basins were cleaned at least once; more frequently, if necessary, during heavy rains. Street sweepers swept more than 16,000 "curb miles;" residential areas biweekly/commercial areas five times each week. More than $650,000 is designated to be spent for stormdrain maintenance-related activities and other water-related improvements this year. This does not include additional costs for construction projects to improve our system.

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Teens: Find Work at City!

Eligibility: Teens ages 16 and older.
Qualifications: Creative, organized, responsible, energetic, talented and flexible. Positive attitude that combines enthusiasm, spirit, cooperation, patience and a willingness to learn.
Type of jobs: Summer part-time positions working with various age groups: playground leaders, swim instructors, lifeguards, resident camp counselors, resident camp support staff, cardio/weight room attendants and day camp, sports camp and cheerleading camp counselors. Click here for additional volunteer opportunities.
To apply: Applications are available at the Recreation and Community Services Office at 546 Dutra Street. For more info on part-time jobs and summer employment, call 646-3866 (vierra@ci.monterey.ca.us).

General Plan Shapes City's Look, Feel
It’s time once again to update the City’s major policy document – the General Plan. Monterey’s plan was adopted in 1983 and is nearing the end of its 20-year life span. The General Plan is a set of projections, objectives and guidelines that govern the City’s physical shape and character. This winter the Planning Commission began the process by: developing a citizen participation program proposed to include public town hall meetings and a 15-member General Plan Committee, which will help translate the ideas and issues gathered at the public meetings into a workable plan; reviewing the vital elements that will guide the update process, which include preserving the City’s natural and historic setting; meeting social needs including housing; and maintaining a strong economy.

Row Hotel Receives Coastal Commission OK
The Monterey Peninsula Hotel received approval this winter from the California Coastal Commission to move forward with construction. Hotel plans include space for a restaurant, meeting rooms and retail shops. The plan is an improvement over the project that was previously approved for the site located between Prescott Street and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Construction at the site had been delayed for years due to financing issues. The hotel project will provide new access to the water next to Bubba Gumps Restaurant and along the Bay side of the hotel. In addition, new access will enable viewing of the back side of Ed Ricketts’ Lab plus its old fish tanks. As part of the project, a portion of McAbee Beach will be dedicated to the City, producing a City beach in the heart of Cannery Row.

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Del Monte Beach Resubdivision Continues
The resubdivision of some 40 undeveloped lots on the beach located between Beach Way and the U.S. Navy property is moving forward. The Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which includes responses to public comments, has been prepared and circulated on the project that calls for 12 single-family houses and eight townhouses. Following publication of the Final EIR, the resubdivision will be reviewed by various City commissions and the City Council. We anticipate the review process to occur over the next two months. After City review, the resubdivision will be submitted to the California Coastal Commission for approval as well.

Budget Reflects Community Concerns, Priorities
Get involved in the City’s annual budget process and help establish our financial plan. Let us know what you think the City should be doing!
"By understanding community concerns, we are better able to develop a sustainable work program and allocate our time and resources effectively," says City Manager Fred Meurer.

What can you do?

Attend the Community Connections forum scheduled for Weds., March 28, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza.
Participate in the other public meetings and/or hearings throughout the budget development process, see budget meeting calendar below.
Call, fax or email us with your suggestions and ideas.

For more details call 646-3940, or visit www.monterey.org/budget

Budget dates to remember:

March 28, 7 p.m., public forum, Monterey Conference Center
March 30, Cultural Arts Grant Applications due to Museum
April 23, 7 p.m., NIP Committee Project Selection, Council Chamber
May 15, 7 p.m., City Council Reviews NIP Projects, Council Chamber
June 5, 4 p.m., City Council Budget Study Session, Council Chamber
June 19, 7 p.m., City Council Public Hearing, Council Chamber

Dates are subject to change. Check www.monterey.org/futrmtg.html for current meeting dates and times or call 646-3935.

Job Opportunities Available at City
Interested in working for the City of Monterey? Here’s some information you’ll need to know.

Pick up our brochure "How to Get a Job with the City of Monterey."
Review current openings. Check out the employment board in the Personnel Office (399 Madison Street); call our job hotline at 646-3751; or visit our jobs Web page.
If the position you are interested in is not currently open, fill out an Interest Card at the Personnel Office. Applications are available in the Personnel Office or on our Web site and are only accepted for current openings. For more info, call City recruiters Debbie Jones or Laine Figueroa at 646-3765 (figueroa@ci.monterey.ca.us).

Jobs for teens and volunteer positions are also available. Visit our Web page.

"Born to Read" Celebrates Baby’s Birth - at the Library
The Monterey Public Library’s brand-new Born to Read program encourages parents to read to their infants. Reading together helps babies feel loved and secure, and it boosts their language development. Looking at pictures and touching or holding books enhances a baby’s ability to listen and focus. How does it work?
Born to Read supports parents by providing the following: storytimes to develop a baby’s interest in reading; recommendations for print, audio and video parenting resources; informational programs, answers to parenting questions and connections to medical and social agencies.
Parents, babies and siblings ages 2-5 are invited to enjoy rhymes and stories at Baby and Me Rhymetime the last Friday of each month at 10 a.m.

For more info, call the Library at 646-3934 (ysdesk@ci.monterey.ca.us). Visit the Library Web page for current schedules.

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