Senior Programs Rely on Cooperation

Local seniors benefit from strong partnerships developed over the years with many organizations.
The Monterey Senior Center works hand-in-hand with Alliance on Aging to provide information and services addressing a broad spectrum of needs and interests. Since the Alliance on Aging office is adjacent to the newly renovated Senior Center, staff are in tune with the programs offered by both organizations and are able to quickly point seniors to the program that will best meet their needs.
The Senior Center also hosts a nutrition site and Brown Bag Program in conjunction with Meals on Wheels. Seniors have the opportunity to receive healthy, nutritious meals while socializing with other community members.
Other activities and classes available through multi-agency partnerships include “55 Alive” (a defensive driving course), Income Tax Assist-ance, Blood Pressure Tests, Flu Shot Clinics and a wide variety of movement and art classes offered through Monterey Peninsula College and Monterey Adult Education.
A Visiting Nurse Association Adult Day Care program operates Tuesday through Thursday at Hilltop Park Center. Seniors participating in this program are often visited by tots enrolled in a City preschool program housed in the same building.
For additional info on these programs, call the Monterey Senior Center at 646-3878 (tefertil@ci.monterey.ca.us).

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Grant Enhances Childcare Services

Monterey’s newest childcare center recently was awarded a $1.1 million grant to augment its service to the community.
The Monterey Center for Children and Families opened this summer and is licensed to serve 144 children ages six weeks to six years old. Located on Pvt. Bolio Road on the Presidio of Monterey, the Center is a joint effort of the City and the Department of the Army. It is managed by Work/Life Partnerships, a division of ARAMARK Educational Resources.
The three-year grant will provide for ...

• Tuition subsidies for 29 children from low-income families
• Professional development training programs for early childhood professionals
• Creation of a lending library and parent resource center, including a desktop computer system
• Parent education seminars and workshops
• Hiring of a full-time family services coordinator
• No-fee family field trips

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Airport Area Contamination Under Close Analysis

This summer the City and citizens learned of environmental contamination on property at and around the Monterey Peninsula Airport District.
Two plumes of contamination were found in the groundwater about 30 feet under the Airport, one of which has migrated under a part of the Casanova Oak Knoll neighborhood. The contamination does not affect water provided by the California-American Water Company (Cal-Am).
The groundwater pollutant is TCE (trichloroethylene), a solvent used for degreasing metals. Because the contamination was found on the site of the former Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is leading the analysis and cleanup effort. The contamination is traced back to the years 1942-89 when the U.S. Navy owned the property.
The City is committed to being an advocate for all affected Monterey community members. During the cleanup process, we will work to ensure that information is available and that the interests and concerns of the neighborhood are addressed.
Materials regarding these issues are available at the Casanova Oak Knoll Park Center, 735 Ramona Avenue, from Mon.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fri. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sat. 1 to 5 p.m.
Updates and contact info are on our Web site (http://www.monterey.org/).
The Groundwater Gazette, a newsletter, is published as updates are available and distributed to affected community members. It is also available online and at the Community Center.
For more details call the Army Corps of Engineers hotline at 1-800-227-0951, or call the City’s Public Works Dept. at 646-3920.

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Keeping Watch on Runoff into Bay

Monterey Bay Urban Watch helps answer questions about the types of runoff pollutants that are entering our storm drains and flowing into Monterey Bay.
By monitoring what flows into the ocean, we can
1) discover the types of pollutants that are endangering the Bay and the Marine Sanctuary, and
2) promote ways to prevent urban runoff pollution.
Urban Watch is a collaboration between the City, the Coastal Watershed Council, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and volunteers from our community.
Volunteers sample runoff during the dry weather season from July to October. Over the past three years, the cities of Pacific Grove and Capitola have joined in the effort.
To help enhance economic stability in area commercial districts, the City works with local community members to develop programs and plans to meet specific neighborhood needs.

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Collaborations Aid Local Businesses

• In the North Fremont Street area, the City has worked with local merchants and property owners, adjoining residential associations and the Monterey Fairgrounds to develop an area-wide plan. Key goals of the plan are to support neighborhood-serving businesses, improve appearance and establish a Business Improvement District.
• A City design awards program was recently established to recognize new construction projects within Monterey that embrace the setting and character of the surrounding neighborhood.
• Administered by the Architectural Review Committee, this program grants awards for new development that is both outstanding and harmonious. The program was developed to encourage designers and owners to meet the City’s design objectives as they work within architectural guidelines and review procedures.
• Nominate a project by submitting it to the City’s Planning Division and explaining why you believe it is exceptional. Nominations will be accepted through December. Awards for the first year of this program will be presented in February.
• For more info call City Planner Rick Marvin at 646-3885 (marvin@ci.monterey.ca.us).
• Our historic and commercial facade grant programs support preservation and City beautification goals. The historic preservation grants have helped property owners perform corrective maintenance so historic building materials are not lost. The facade grant program provides funding for commercial building repairs to improve their appearance to the general public.

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Designing “Historic Monterey” Plan Takes Group Effort

Improving the interpretation, preservation and promotion of Monterey’s history takes cooperation.
With the support of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (a federal agency), staff and officials from several local organizations are designing a coordinated plan to present the community’s history together as “Historic Monterey.”
“Historic Monterey” is being designed to make it easy, inviting and fun to explore Monterey’s colorful past.
For example, historic structures, resources and landmarks owned by separate entities and scattered throughout the City would have common signage and be identified and described in one brochure or pamphlet.
Guidelines that define what “Historic Monterey” is and how it will operate are being reviewed by agency participants from the City, Monterey State Historic Park and Monterey History and Art Association.
Restoration of this 1940 Chevrolet Police Sedan was completed in September.
PD-40 will be a part of Monterey’s special events and promotions.

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Help Identify Needs in Your Community

Bring upgrades to your surrounding community and local neighborhood – submit project ideas for the coming year’s Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP).
Established in 1985, NIP directs tourist-generated tax dollars into the City’s residential neighborhoods.
At least 16 percent of the money collected through hotel taxes (Transient Occupancy Tax) must be spent on neighborhood and community improvements.

What is a NIP project?
A Neighborhood Improvement Program project is any public improvement (not on private property) that upgrades streets, storm drains, sewers, sidewalks, walkways, lighting, traffic control devices, landscaping, parks, recreational facilities and/or other public buildings.

How does it work?
Projects are nominated by community members each year. Project cards are sorted by type of improvement and neighborhood. Costs are determined for valid project submissions and then projects are voted on by the NIP Committee, composed of residents.

What should you do?
Look around, see what needs improving and submit a project today. Print out the project card at right, fill it out and send the info back via email, fax or mail. The deadline to submit projects is Friday, Feb. 16.
For more info, call the City’s Construction Management Division at 646-3997 or email clement@ci.monterey.ca.us

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Parking Permits Let Residents Park Free

Monterey residents are eligible for a permit good for two hours of free parking in prime commercial areas of the City.
To get a permit, you must reside within the City of Monterey (evidenced by a current utility bill or rental agreement) and provide a current vehicle registration that shows the resident’s name and street address.
The parking permit is valid in the West Custom House Garage (at Franklin and Tyler streets), in the Waterfront attendant lot, the Cannery Row Garage and in the Cannery Row parking lot at Foam and Irving streets.
Permits cost $10 per year (January to December). Purchase permits at the Parking Division Office at 340 Tyler Street or call 646-3953 (http://silguero@ci.monterey.ca.us/) for more info.

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Rev. 02/19/08 L. Huelga  http://www.monterey.org/focus/winter00_01/news.html