City of Monterey Focus In The News

In the News

Picture of City $5 Million Lighter Gets Clearer

Background
During the past few months, we have grappled with the City’s projected revenue and expense gap. To date, we estimate there will be a $3.5-million gap between General Fund revenues and expenses in the upcoming fiscal year and a $5.1-million gap in the 2004-05 fiscal year. Unfortunately, the budget gap is not a fixed number since it is impossible to know when and if the economy will begin to improve. In addition, we don’t know how much local revenue the State will choose to divert, how much employee benefits and expenses will increase and how secure other revenue streams will remain in the future.

To deal with our budget gap, the City has re-evaluated how we spend and collect money.

Update
The Budget Reduction Plan, completed this spring, outlines how the City will bring the
budget back into balance. It ensures that vital community needs are met and that the health, safety and welfare of our neighborhoods and business districts are preserved.

The budget plan for fiscal year 2004-05 was adopted by the City Council on May 20. And the changes affect a number of important City services and a number of our valuable employees.
Cutbacks touch every City department and many programs – a few include, but are not limited to, reduced Library hours; closure of a neighborhood community center; reduced levels of maintenance for streets, buildings and parks; and decreased support for various grant and community-service programs.

Fifty-six staff positions, which includes 46 full-time positions and ten regular part-time jobs (30 hours/week) will be eliminated or reduced by June 30, 2004. Right now, 24 of those targeted positions are vacant. Community members are encouraged to get involved and participate in the budget planning process. Stay tuned to local media and our Web site for details about budget-related meetings and work sessions. Or check back with the City’s Web site. Send comments anytime.

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Project Updates -
Multi-Plex Theater, Cypress Center Get Go-Ahead, Move Forward

Del Monte Center – Construction on the 13-screen, state-of-the-art theater at Del Monte Center starts this summer. And developer Century Theaters expects to open the doors
in early summer 2004. To be constructed near Mervyn’s, the theater is expected to rejuvenate that end of the shopping center. Once the new screens are open, the existing six-screen theater complex will be replaced with a retail use.

East Monterey – Cypress Center will bring a 24-hour Chevron gas station and mini-mart,
a restaurant and a new office/retail building to the corner of North Fremont Street and Casanova Avenue. Situated between the existing Safeway and Ralph’s grocery stores, this lot was essentially vacant for almost 20 years. This will be the first new construction on North Fremont since Blockbuster arrived in July 1990, and it is expected to spark additional
commercial revitalization along North Fremont.

As part of the overall effort to enhance the North Fremont commercial area, the City is working with the businesses on North Fremont Street to set up a Business Improvement District, similar to the ones that we have in Downtown and on Lighthouse Avenue.

For more details on economic development in the City, call the Planning Division at 646.3885 or email fell@ci.monterey.ca.us .

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About Your Health -
Reducing Stress through Exercise, Fitness
In these days of international issues, financial doldrums and tough decisions about spending cuts, we have plenty of sources of daily stress.
Combined, these pressures can lead to bouts of depression and lethargy.
On the other hand, an excited aerobics instructor challenging us to “get in one more rep” as the music inspires us to new levels can lift the fog of frustration a bit. A few weeks
of a regular walking program can do wonders for both our psyche and our waistline.

How does it work?
As energy levels rise in response to our newfound exercise commitment, so does our outlook on life. Ordinary people feel capable of doing extraordinary things. Those “magical endorphins” produced by exercise are the body’s own naturally produced, 100% organic substances that relieve pain and induce feelings of well-being and relaxation.

Just like the “high” a mountain climber gets when the ascent is complete, so too the person who completes an exercise activity feels energized as they head to work or back home, content and ready to face any challenge.

Dealing with excuses
But I’m too busy – I just can’t find the time to exercise. Stop. Think about what you do on days off: watch a little television; grab a drink and check out the game?

Instead, go out for a walk – put on the Walkman to catch the game. Push the kids in the stroller and take your family down to the park and back. You’ll still catch the game, get some quality time with the family AND fit in that daily shot of exercise.

Facts about fitness
Research shows that even a few short rounds of exercise cumulatively, such as 10- to15-minute walks, can provide the same benefits as a single, long activity. Still, if you like and/or need the motivation, there’s nothing like a cardio kick-boxing class or a spinning session.
Find just what you are looking for at the Monterey Sports Center and our community centers including cardio salsa, basic training, yoga sculpt, pilates, race and pace and deep hydro dynamics. Fight back against the daily grind. Your mind and your body will thank you for it.

For more info on classes, visit our Sports Center Web site at or call 646.3866.

Find that Perfect Activity
Take a class, workshop or course or join an exercise group. There is much to choose from.
Just pick up an Activities Guide or go online at www.monterey.org/rec and find something that fits your needs.

At the neighborhood playgrounds, recreation leaders supervise and entertain kids with games and arts and crafts projects; and they take them on weekly field trips. Children at Whispering Pines Day Camp and Camp Quien Sabe resident camp learn about nature and how to cook outdoors; and play games, folk dance, sing, hike and create nature crafts. All age groups can take a cooking class or play sports. Aquatic classes, sports camps, cheerleading camp, tot activities and fitness classes are also open.

Activities Guides are available at the Monterey Recreation & Community Services Department office at City Hall; the Monterey Sports Center; all community centers; and the Monterey Public Library.

To get in on the action or for more details, call 646.3866 (www.monterey.org/rec).

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cable
Ch. 25

CITY TV

City Council Meetings:
LIVE first and third
Tuesdays, 4 and 7 p.m.
Re-cablecast
Thursdays, 4 and 7 p.m.

Eye on Monterey:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m.

Monterey up to date:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30 a.m.

On the Volunteer Front
Experiences Impact People Around the World
When Irina Mikhailova packs her bags to return to her native Russia, she’s taking along valuable volunteer experience.
A Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) exchange student, Irina is studying public administration. She’s preparing for a career in the nonprofit world, and she’s developing skills by helping out our volunteer program.

On Volunteering:
In her volunteer role, she can compare how the two countries organize volunteers and discover what motivates people and what volunteers expect.
“I am surprised by the huge number of volunteers, and the fact that volunteering is an ongoing, organized process. In my country, volunteering is rather chaotic and spontaneous.”

Impacting the Community
As a volunteer, Irina collects and organizes community resource data, designs newsletters and brochures, assists with the Volunteen Program and helps organize special events.
Community Resources Coord. Tish Sammon says it’s wonderful to have Irina on board. “She is full of enthusiasm and energy, and we really appreciate her flexibility and willingness to tackle any job at hand.” Irina returns to Russia at the end of July to start her new journey.

To join the volunteer team or get more details on volunteering, visit www.monterey.org/volunteer
See Odds n Ends for some “hot” volunteer opportunities and for contact info!

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Dealing with Disasters - A Regional Effort
People get trapped in trenches or in tall buildings and trees, structures can collapse during earthquakes and sometimes community members get lost. Who responds to these major emergencies and how do we get aid to those in need?

The Monterey County Urban Search and Rescue Team, created after the attacks of
Sept. 11, is designed to unite the right people and the needed equipment during such disasters.

How does it work?
The team is composed of 30 members from the Monterey Fire Department and Salinas Rural and North County Fire Protection districts. They train together and work together with specialized equipment to prepare for unique challenges. Because it’s a regional team, we can depend on help from our neighboring communities during a crisis AND save money on training and equipment purchase.

Responses to date
In 2002, the team responded to five emergencies in the county, and as of this writing, they have already had one call this year to help an injured tree cutter, trapped 100 feet in the air.
Moving ahead, the group looks to upgrade their skill level and be certified through the California State Office of Emergency Services as a medium rescue team (Type 2) this year and graduate to heavy rescue (Type 3) by July 2005.

Together we can better protect the health, safety and welfare of our community. For more info, call 646.3900 (roth@ci.monterey.ca.us).

Join the NERT Team, Be Prepared
Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) training helps you be self-sufficient during a major disaster. This program offers info, material and easy-to-follow steps so that you can prepare your home, family and workplace. You’ll learn how to turn on/off utilities, use a fire extinguisher and perform first aid.

Choose a date that works

Wednesdays 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Aug. 13 thru Sept. 17
Nov. 5 thru Dec. 10
Saturdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Oct. 4 and 11
For NERT members
Quarterly drills 8 a.m. to noon
June 28, Sept. 27 and Dec. 13

To sign up or for more info, call 646.3900 or email rodewald@ci.monterey.ca.us

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Energy Reduction Efforts Save Tax $$
Saving energy means saving money. Here are some of the ways the City works to conserve energy and natural resources.

Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs).
Last year, the City added a Toyota Prius HEV to our fleet. It has traveled more than 10,000 miles on less than 170 gallons of gas, a whopping 60.65 miles per gallon. We have also replaced gasoline-powered vehicles with electric carts to use on the Coastal Trail and around City Hall.
Spirotherms in water heating systems.
Spirotherms were installed in the Police Department and Monterey Public Library water systems. The spirotherms clean the system of particles that build up in the pipes and lines. They increase the heating capacity while reducing the amount of energy needed to move the water through the system.
The City is also researching the use of solar-powered heating systems and microturbines that work alongside existing heating systems.

Citizens Make Traffic Stops, Examine Crime Scenes,
and Walk in the Shoes of Police Officer
Practice concrete police and emergency service skills in the City’s Advanced Community Police Academy.

What’s new?

Field trips to the coroner’s office and the Monterey County Jail
Hands-on exercises at crime scenes, identifying and collecting evidence
Investigations at fire scenes, determining causes
Training with the gun simulator
Drills in handling and investigating traffic collisions and traffic stops

The advanced course is an extension of the basic Community Police Academy, which has been offered since 1995. Graduates of the basic academy are eligible to take the second course. The next basic class begins on Sept. 3 and runs for 12 weeks each Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more info, call Public Education Officer Adam Costa at 646.3819 (costa@ci.monterey.ca.us) or visit www.monterey.org/mpd

Groundwater Treatment Starts in Neighborhood

Background
Pollutants were discovered in the groundwater some 30 feet under the Monterey airport in 1998. TCE (trichloroethylene – used to degrease metals) was identified, and the pollution extends from the airport down into the Casanova Oak Knoll area between Ramona and Casanova avenues. The contamination does not affect water provided by the California-American Water Company (CAL-AM). The pollution occurred while the U.S. Navy had an active air base, the Naval Auxiliary Air Station from 1942-83, on land leased from the airport. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Regional Water Control Board are responsible for cleanup efforts. They continue to work with affected neighborhood members to answer questions and ensure public safety.

Update on Clean up
A chemical oxidation treatment system for the removal of the TCE was set up at Casanova Oak Knoll Park early this spring and will soon be fully operational. Tests of the treatment system began in May. The aboveground part of the treatment system consists of tanks, piping, pumps and gauges. A security alarm monitors the system and alerts the proper authorities in case of an emergency. The treatment will run on a test basis for a year; then it will continue for about seven more years. The system was designed and constructed by the Corps of Engineers with funding from the Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) program.

More info about the system will be available soon on the Corps of Engineers’ FUDS Web site clicking on the link to the “Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey.”

For more details, call the Corps hotline at 1.800.227.0951 or call the City’s Public Works Department at 646.3920.

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