Aluminum Fireboat Enhances Waterfront Safety | Budget Preparations in Full Swing
Military Collaborations Good for Community | Ounce of Preparation Keep Sewage at Bay
Reach Out, Volunteer | Volunteer on the Importance of Conservation
Old Town Plan Aims to Retain Area's Character

Aluminum Fireboat Enhances Waterfront Safety in City

A brand-new, 34-foot aluminum fireboat is the latest addition to our public safety arsenal.
   Designed to enhance protection for Monterey’s two wharves, waterfront businesses and the nearly 600 boats in the harbor, the fireboat offers an added level of protection for the entire community.
   Monterey Marina slip holder Tom Callaham agrees, “Having seen firsthand the ravages of a waterfront fire back East, it is essential that we are able to combat a marina fire from the waterside.”
   Fire personnel have been training on the new equipment, which has an enclosed cabin and a combined pump and engine that will shoot larger amounts of water than the department’s previous boat, a 13-foot prototype inflatable.
   Funding for the boat was provided thru a grant from the U.S. Fire Administration and donations from the Dunspaugh Dalton Foundation. The U.S. Navy and Coast Guard support training efforts and have provided our berth since 1945.

   Interesting boat facts:
   > length – 34 feet 7 inches
   > outboards – 2x225 horsepower, 4-stroke
   > top speed – 38 knots
   > capacity – 10 people
   > electronics – radar, GPS, depth, chart plotter, EPIRB
   >gallons per minute – 1506 at 165 psi pump pressure

View the fireboat while enjoying waterfront walks along the Coast Guard Pier during open hours. And stay tuned for a boat naming contest.
   If you would like more info, contact Fire Captain Barry Perkins at 646.3900 or visit the City online at www.monterey.org/fire

Budget Preparations in Full Swing

Be part of the process as we prepare for the upcoming budget year. Our community has faced three continuous years of budget reductions in an effort to eliminate a structural imbalance. Fortunately these efforts have been largely successful. Major revenues have almost returned
to levels seen five years ago and the State, at least for the time being, has not threatened to raid City money to help balance their budget.
   That said, the City’s Reserve for economic uncertainty is currently $2.2 million short of the 15% General Fund operating budget target. In addition, spending on City infrastructure (streets, sewers, storm drains, etc.) is far below what it should be. So we still have tough decisions ahead! Your suggestions are vital to establishing the City’s financial plan and shaping your community’s future.
   This spring we are weighing all factors to determine appropriate income and expense levels in order to develop a balanced plan that meets overall needs.

   How can you participate?
1) Attend the public meetings and/or hearings during the budget process (see budget meeting calendar below).
2) Send your ideas by phone 646.3799, fax 646.3793 or email suggest@ci.monterey.ca.us
3) Stay tuned to local media for opportunities to participate in meetings and work sessions.
For more details, call the City’s Finance Department at 646.3940 or visit www.monterey.org/budget

Military Collaborations Good for Community

More than $9 million is being invested in military facilities in the Monterey Peninsula area in order to expand language-learning capabilities here and meet national demands.
   The U.S. Army has contracted with the City to design and remodel more than 15 existing structures at the the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center & Presidio of Monterey (DLIFLC & POM) and Ord Military Community. Within the next six months, some 110 additional classrooms and offices will be created to accommodate 1400 more people, including students, faculty and support staff.
   This community partnership brings additional monies to the City for programs and services and also provides growth opportunities for staff.

Breathing New Life into Closed Schools
The classrooms at the Monte Vista and Larkin school buildings are once again teaming with activity thanks to the military.
   DLIFLC & POM moved into the reconstructed buildings in late 2005 after spending more than $1.5 million to remodel and upgrade them with state-of-the-moment technology, accessibility ramps and facilities and newly configured offices.
   The military plans to rent the school sites from the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District for up to five years.
   Larkin Park (pictured), at Monroe and Clay streets adjacent to the Larkin school site, remains open to the public. The upper playfield at the Monte Vista School site is also available for community use.

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Ounce of Preparation Keeps Sewage at Bay, in its Place

Sewage … you don’t want to think about it, let alone see it. That’s why community members need to be prepared for sewer backups.

Are you prepared?
In order to safeguard your home, the City requires all property owners who meet certain criteria to install two devices: a sewer relief vent and a sewer backwater valve. These devices are required on your property if the lowest plumbing fixture is not at least two feet above the nearest upstream manhole. (see diagram)

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   Our inspectors have identified the properties that need these devices and notified owners by mail of their responsibilities. Soon you can check your property status by entering our GIS portal at www.monterey.org/cityhall.html 
   Property owners are responsible for damages when backups occur. Most standard homeowner insurance policies do not provide coverage for damage due to sewer backups, however most insurers will add such coverage for an additional premium.

How does your City prepare?
We regularly inspect the entire sewer main system, including manholes and pump stations.
All mains are cleared on a routine schedule, and prevention is a priority. However blockages can occur, causing sewage to back up into a lateral line attached to a private building. That’s why we require sewer relief vents and sewer backwater valves on vulnerable properties and work
to educate community members on how to prepare.
   For more info, visit the City’s Web site or send an email to building@ci.monterey.ca.us

Reach Out, Volunteer to Serve

• Office Support – From helping with filing in the Law Library to scanning documents and inputting data, office assistance is always welcome!
• Gardening Assistance – The V.I.P Gardeners help maintain and beautify City parks and gardens. Assist with planting, pruning, watering, plant feeding and general landscape maintenance.
• Special Event Help – Focus on making a difference in the lives of others, as an individual or as part of a group, by participating in Dare to Care Day April 28. Visit www.communityofcaringmp.org  for ways to stand up and be counted.
• Library Outreach Services – Take the Monterey Public Library to homebound residents. Outreach volunteers reach out by selecting and delivering materials on an agreed-upon schedule. See article below for more details.
• Library Bookstacks Volunteer – Keep the Library straight. Monitor the appearance of the bookstacks and maintain order by aligning shelves and making sure books and
  other materials are in place.
• Volunteen Summer Program – Teens 13 to 16 gain work experience by volunteering. Application deadline is May 9 (www.monterey.org/volunteen).
• Upcoming Trainings – Look for opportunities for history volunteers in April and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) members in May.

For more info, call Volunteer Services at 646.3719 or visit www.monterey.org/volunteer

Volunteer Passes on Importance of Conservation

Conservation volunteer Bill Doering leads by example.
   As a science teacher at Santa Catalina School in Monterey, Doering teaches his students to care for the environment through community service.
   Doering and his students collect, measure, monitor and eradicate invasive kelp in the Monterey Marina, and along the way, assist the City, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and California Dept. of Fish and Game in managing and protecting our corner of the bay. The support is invaluable, and Doering’s commitment to providing a learning experience through community service provides a lasting impact on a new generation.
   For info on volunteer opportunities, see previous article or call Volunteer Services at
646.3719 or visit www.monterey.org/volunteer

Old Town Plan Aims to Retain Area's Character

The area plan for Old Town, which establishes guidelines for the neighborhood and shapes future growth, was adopted by the City this last year.
   Community members worked closely with staff to identify design and land use elements as well as historic preservation and circulation issues that ultimately affect the look and feel of the area.
   The area plan calls for an historic survey (or broad-brush review) of Lower Old Town, which includes properties between Van Buren Street, Clay Street, the Presidio of Monterey and Monterey High School. This survey does not designate a property as “historic” but indicates where additional research should be completed before building alteration or demolition takes place.
   The Lower Old Town historic survey is scheduled to be considered by the Historic Preservation Commission and the City Council this spring.

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