In the News
Service Request
| Seniors Save on Taxis | City Boards & Commissions
Rent a Bike Locker |
Property Lines
| MVPs Help make Community Safe Place
Report Problems, Service Request
24-7
Imagine this: It’s 8:15 p.m. and you discover the streetlight in front of your house isn’t working.
Log onto the Internet, contact the City and request that the light be fixed. While online, you receive a service number and an email
stating that your request has been processed for action. The next working day you receive another email telling you the work has been
finished.
No need for imagination. Try it out by logging onto www.monterey.org/publicworks.
Community members can now report service problems 24 hours a day, seven days a week by using the online service page. Community members receive a service number, which can be used to track the request via the Internet.
The types of online services include:
- Abandoned Vehicles
- Curb Repair
- Damage to Sign
- Dead Animal
- Illegal Dumping
- Parking Enforcement
- Potholes
- Utility Repairs
- Yard Waste Collection
“For the first time, we will have an interactive system in place that gives citizens
a chance to report problems and request services online,” says Public Works Director
Bill Reichmuth. “Our City is only the third city in the country to provide this type of service. Take a look – we are happy to serve you.”
Next Time Take a Taxi- Seniors Save 50%
How do seniors save 50% on taxi rides?
Through the City’s Senior Taxi Scrip Program, seniors can purchase a $20 booklet of taxi scrip (like coupons) from the City for $10. Scrip is used like cash – to pay for cab fare with
the Yellow Cab Company to travel anywhere within the City limits.
What are the rules?
Scrip is only good for travel within Monterey city limits. Seniors must be at least 65 and live in the Monterey city limits. Scrip cannot be given or sold to someone else and can only be used with the Yellow Cab Co.
Where can I buy scrip booklets?
Booklets are available at the Monterey Senior Center,
Hilltop and Casanova Oak Knoll park centers and at
the City’s Revenue Office.
For info call 646.3944 or email
us.
Focus on
City Boards & Commissions
The Planning Commission helps create a vision for the future development of Monterey. Almost every decision must strike a balance between private benefit and overall public good. This commission has several important functions:
1) Developing and maintaining the City General Plan. Currently the Commission is
leading the update of the City’s 1983 General Plan.
2) Developing specific area plans. The City Coastal Plan for the entire waterfront area from Seaside to Pacific Grove was recently completed by the Planning Commission and is now before the California Coastal Commission for approval. The Planning Commission is
also working with the Old Town Neighborhood Assoc. to complete a neighborhood plan for the Old Town residential area.
3) Administering the City’s Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances.
Projects requiring Subdivision, Use Permit and Variance approval are submitted to the Commission at their monthly meetings. They also hear appeals of decisions/recommendations made by the Architectural Review Committee and Small Subdivision Committee.
4) Performing research and developing other programs, plans and policies
as assigned by the City Council. The seven-member commission meets on the second and fourth Tuesday each month at 4 and 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Commission
members serve as volunteers and are appointed by the Council.
For more info on the Planning Commission, call the Plans & Public Works Department at
831.646.3885, or email Plans & Public Works Director, Bill
Wojtkowski.
Rent a Bike Locker
Bicycle lockers are now available to rent at the Cannery Row Garage, 601 Wave Street, and the East Custom House Garage, at Washington Street and Del Monte Avenue. Lockers can be rented on
a monthly or quarterly basis. Rates are $15 per month or $36 per quarter. There is a refundable
key deposit of $10. For more info, call the Parking Division, 340 Tyler Street, at
831.646.3953 or link to the City's
Parking pages.
Legal Beagle...
Property Lines - The Final Answer
Unfortunately, obvious “boundary lines,” such as fences or sidewalks, do not always mark accurate property lines. In many cases, a community member’s property line can extend to the curb or even to
the centerline of the street. While the land still belongs to the property owner, often the City has an established “right-of-way” or easement to have sidewalk, drainage, sewer or other utility improvements across this land. It can be confusing when deciding who is responsible for cleaning slippery sidewalks, trimming trees or unclogging sewer
backups. A property survey could be needed to conclusively establish property lines.
Remember – it’s better to know where the property line is than to assume that a sidewalk, hedge, fence or even utility pole defines the edge. Before making improvements take the time to find out. For info regarding City
easements and public “rights-of-way” on private property, call the Public Works Department at
831.646.3920 or the City Attorney’s Office at 831.646.3915 (suggest@ci.monterey.ca.us).
On Volunteering...
MVPs Help make Community Safe
Place
Who are MVPs?
Monterey Volunteers in Policing. Twenty-six volunteers logged more than 4,000 hours last year promoting safety in our community.
What do MVPs do?
Some of the places you’ll find MVPs: patrolling the streets, assisting in administration, checking on vacant homes and fingerprinting children (see photo) at special events – such as the Monterey County Fair, July 4th celebration
and DARE Day. “It’s an opportunity to give something back to the community,” says MVP Rob Simmons. MVP Tawfik Sabet, named Old Monterey Business Association’s 2001 Volunteer of the Year, makes sure that no cars get towed from Alvarado Street in preparation for Tuesday’s Old Monterey Market Place. Sabet visits every
business on the street each Tuesday to remind patrons that they need to move their cars.
Why are MVPs so important?
MVPs play a significant role in non-law-enforcement policing. Public Education
Officer Adam Costa says the volunteer program is
a partnership with the community. “People are taking an active part in preserving safety and improving quality of life.” Completion of the Citizens’ Police Academy is a prerequisite
to becoming an MVP. For more info, call the Police Department’s
Public Education office at 831.646.3819. For other City volunteer opportunities, call
831.646.3719 or link to the City's
Volunteer Pages
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