In the News
Balanced Budget Approved
State Theatre Venue Bursts onto Visitor Scene
Review Process Continues For Proposed Public Service Center
Flags of Different Era Fly Over Plaza |
About Your Health | Volunteer
Balanced
Budget Approved, Challenges, Changes Ahead
Community comments and suggestions collected
during the last year served to shape the balanced City budget that was
approved by the City Council this summer.
General Fund operating revenues are estimated at some $46.5
million, up $1.5 million from last fiscal year. Expenses, however, have
increased as well, including retirement and health benefits costs. Some $1.2
million in State takeaways has also added to the challenge.
As a result, we’ve worked over the last year to develop a plan to
scale back even further and be more efficient where possible. This budget
trims five additional vacant positions from our workforce. We have thus far
avoided any more layoffs. |
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Our budget is
balanced in part through some “one-time” sources, such as $500,000
designated from the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) to pay for
several General Fund projects. We are not directing money into our
“reserve for economic uncertainty,” and we have reduced our maintenance
and renewal of City infrastructure, including buildings, parks and
streets. These measures cannot be sustained over the long term and
potentially could create increased costs down the road.
Some recreation, library and public works fees will increase, among
others. Services will also be reduced, and it will continue to take more
time to complete projects and respond
to community inquiries.
It has been challenging to evaluate each program, project, service
and fee. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we transition into
the revised work program.
Again, thank you for being part of the process. Community input has been
invaluable. Nearly 450 responses were collected from this year’s community
survey and many other comments were submitted via City comment cards –
online, via fax or mail. A summary of the survey will be included in
upcoming editions of the City Focus.
For more details, visit us online at
www.monterey.org/budget and
click on Budget News & Updates. The Fiscal Year 2005-06 budget is scheduled
to be posted in the fall.
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State
Theatre Venue Bursts onto Visitor Scene
 The newly renovated Golden State Theatre is
now open to accommodate groups of up to 1100 and support our efforts to
attract convention business.
Visitors infused some $12 million via transient occupancy taxes
(TOT) into our community last year alone, supporting our projects, programs
and neighborhood improvements.
The addition of the theater as a visitor venue has the potential to
increase City revenues by helping market Monterey as the place to bring more
conferences.
The theater offers a large lobby and mezzanine level perfect for receptions
as well as a main auditorium and balcony.
The theater’s architecture follows a medieval Spanish theme
complete with tapestries, wrought iron chandeliers, colorful heraldic
shields and gold ornamentation. It originally opened in 1926 and was
designed by the Reid brothers, who are known for designing the Fairmont
Hotel and Cliff House in San Francisco and the Hotel del Coronado in San
Diego.
Private restoration of the theater began in earnest in fall 2004.
The auditorium’s ground floor has been re-floored and reseated; stenciled
paintings have been restored; and new projectors are in place. A new, larger
movie screen has been installed and flown so the stage can be used for live
performances.
This historic community treasure is open for both visitors and residents to
enjoy.
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Development
Review Process Continues for
Proposed Public Service Center
 The proposed Public Service Center slated for
the corner of Madison and Van Buren streets continues through the
development review process. The project was designed to address office
overcrowding, consolidate services, enhance customer service and provide
storage
for resources and records at City Hall.
This spring the City Council sent the final Environmental Impact
Report and the proposed project to our commissions for review and
recommendation.
The Architectural Review Committee and Historic Preservation Commission
joint meeting was held in July, and the Planning Commission was scheduled to
review the project in August, at City Focus printing deadline.
The Council will consider the matter at the end of the commission
review process, tentatively set for fall 2005.
The EIR, which details how the proposed project fits in with and
affects the surrounding neighborhood, addresses a wide range of issues
including traffic, parking and historic preservation. The final EIR includes
community comments and questions along with responses to these issues, which
were provided by the environmental consultant and City staff.
Based on input from the EIR process, the public, commissions and the Council
will be able to make informed decisions about the project. Upcoming public
meetings are posted on our Web site at
www.monterey.org/civiccenter
.
An upgraded Civic Center would improve customer service levels and staff
coordination. For background details or to review the project report and
stay updated on the latest developments, visit the Web or call 646.3770.
Flags of
Different Era Fly Over Plaza
Four flags fly over Simoneau Plaza … the
Spanish, Mexican, Californian and American.
The flags at our transit plaza recall an earlier time and represent
three countries who have unfurled their banner over Monterey.
The Spanish first arrived here in 1602 and then returned June 3,
1770, to establish the presidio and mission at Monterey.
In September 1822, word reached Monterey that Mexico had won its
freedom from Spain and that California, hence Monterey, was now part of the
Mexican empire.
The Mexican flag graced Monterey’s sky until 1846 when U.S. forces seized
the pueblo during the Mexican-American War. The California territory became
part of the United States and the Stars and Stripes have flown here ever
since. Both the California Republic and
American flags are replicas from 1846. As a result, the American replica has
28 stars.
Each flag is handmade and represents the different eras for the
countries. Keep in mind that flag standards and designs may have changed
over time and when flags are in need of repair, flags from other time
periods may fly during the interim.
To learn more about flags, visit the Monterey Public Library (www.monterey.org/library).
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ABOUT YOUR
HEALTH...
Persistence Key to Keeping Weight Off, Staying Fit
Time to check in on your ongoing resolution
to lose weight. How are you doing; are you still exercising?
The key to losing weight and keeping it off is persistence. There
is no “best” exercise when it comes to losing weight. Every form of exercise
has its pros and cons. Your “best” exercise is one in which you can persist.
Perhaps you like swimming or jogging or walking. Stick with it – build on
it. Don’t force yourself to do something you don’t enjoy.
Check out these tips and keep moving forward.
Establish a realistic goal. Come up with something you really believe
you can achieve. For example, if you weigh 240 pounds today and want to be
220 by fall, then figure it will take ten weeks. Ten weeks times two pounds
per week equals 20 pounds. That’s realistic. Losing two pounds per week is
as simple as adding one hour of daily exercise and eliminating daily
dessert.
Design a program to reach your goal.
If you’re not sure what is “best” for you, consult a personal trainer for
ideas. Establish specific, measurable objectives, such as “I will walk for
30 minutes each evening after work.”
Track the progress. A written record of accomplishments is
motivational. If you skip a few days, the empty pages scream out at you to
get back on track.
Consider building a solid support system. Get a co-worker to meet you
every day
to exercise during lunch. Or set up appointments with a trainer.
Constantly reassess.
Your goals and fitness levels may change. If you are not reaching your
goals, you may need to work on being more consistent or adjust your eating
habits more significantly. All exercise will burn some calories, but to
achieve weight loss, you must burn more calories than you take in.
Try to avoid empty calories and focus on good, healthy eating of
smaller portions.
Weight loss is all about persistence. The key to keeping it off is to choose
lifestyle changes you enjoy for the long term.
For more info, call the Monterey Sports Center fitness department at
646.3495 or visit
www.monterey.org/sportscenter.
Volunteer to
Care for Your Community
 Assist in City code enforcement –
conduct survey of zoning violations in residential
neighborhoods and enter data into computer database. Involves driving.- Homework Pals help kids succeed –
provide homework help to kindergarten through fifth grade students at
various school sites in Monterey. Training is underway.
- Help engineers with blueprints/plans
– scan plans, provide basic drafting assistance. A few hours of volunteer
time each week is all it takes.
- Convert rough sketches into CADD –
if you have a little CADD experience, support the Fire Department in
preparing for emergency situations. Very flexible hours.
- Keep sea lions off public docks –
discourage our seasonal residents from lounging in and around the Harbor
and Marina.
For more info, call Volunteer Services at
646.3719 or visit
www.monterey.org/volunteer.
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