Posting Signs, Legal or Not | About your Health
Voices Heard, Votes Count on Nov. 2
Nominate an NIP Project | City TV

Final Answer on Streetlights
Streetlights illuminate our neighborhoods, streets, parks, plazas, wharves, trails, hotels, motels and parking lots.
But how do streetlights work?
Contrary to popular belief there is no master on/off switch in the City that turns the lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Each streetlight works individually and goes on and off with a photocell, attached on top. If the light is out, the photocell probably needs replacing, instead of the bulb. Bulbs, which range in wattage from 70 to 400, last three to four years.
What about saving energy?
Conservation efforts are ongoing. For example, we replaced all 110 lights in the tunnel with energy efficient bulbs, reducing them from 400- to 360-watt lights. In addition, many of our streetlights on traffic poles have been reduced from 250 to 225 watts.
How can you help?
Community members are encouraged to let us know when a light is out (locate the number on the pole and report it online or call 646.3927).

Posting Signs, Legal or Not?
Garage Sale this Saturday, House for Sale by Owner, Elect Joe Brown for Dogcatcher.
We see these signs every day, posted on telephone poles, erected in front yards and placed in various public places. But are these signs legal?
The City’s sign ordinance prohibits posting signs on any tree, shrub or utility pole located on public property or placing signs so they encroach upon a public street or sidewalk.
Unlike other signs, political signs are allowed on most public lands, unless they create a dangerous condition (such as signs placed in the roadway median) or interfere with upkeep of the property. A City ordinance also prohibits political signs around the City Hall complex
and grounds and Colton Hall.

For more info, call our Community Development Department at 646.3885 or stop by the office at Colton Hall, corner of Pacific and Madison streets.

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ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
Back Basics - Preventing, Dealing with Back Pain
At some point in our lives, nearly 80% of us will experience low back pain.
In some cases, this may be a simple dull, annoying ache. Or we may experience
intense and prolonged pain requiring medical attention.

Why does back pain affect so many?
1) Our core body strength is insufficient. That means we don’t keep our abdominal and spinal muscles in good shape. Without sufficient, functional core strength,
we are susceptible to injury, particularly when lifting, bending or twisting. Other activities commonly associated with low back pain include pushing, pulling, slipping, tripping or falling.

2) We sit down a lot. Long periods of sitting or driving, especially with vibration, can often lead to low back pain.

3) We may put ourselves at greater risk by our lifestyle choices. Personal health factors such as obesity, smoking, poor posture and mental stress all contribute to the development of low back pain.

How can we avoid low back pain?
The most important strategy for preventing low back pain is education. We can learn how the back works; about techniques for lifting; optimal posture positions; exercises to relieve back tightness and stress; and the management of stress itself. If you have lower back pain, consult a professional for treatment.
As with many other health conditions, the best way to avoid low back pain is to participate in daily fitness activities and make smart lifestyle choices. Check out the Monterey Sports Center for a number of aquatic and land-based classes and activities to make your exercise motivating and fun.

The Monterey Sports Center features more than 100 weekly group exercise classes including Yoga, Pilates, water aerobics, indoor cycling and more. Many of the group exercise classes offered include functional components to develop good abdominal and spine strength.

For more info, call the fitness department at 646.3495 or visit us online
at www.monterey.org/sportscenter.

Voices Heard, Votes Count on November 2
In Monterey, throughout the state and across the nation, voters will make important decisions on Nov. 2 as part of the general election. Exercise your right to vote.
The first step is registering to vote. For citizens who are at least 18 years old, it’s easy to register.
Forms are available at the Monterey Public Library, City Clerk’s Office, the Post Office and Monterey County Elections Office. Download a copy from the Web: www.ss.ca.gov/elections/elections.htm
Remember to re-register whenever you move.
Get a form, fill it out and send it in before Oct. 18.

Upgrade Your Community, Nominate an NIP Project
Send in your project ideas for the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) and help your community.

What is a project?
A Neighborhood Improvement Project is any upgrade (not on private property) to public streets, storm drains, sewers, sidewalks, walkways, lighting, traffic control devices, landscaping and beautification, parks, recreational facilities or other public buildings.

Nominate a project today!
You can nominate a project by completing the nomination card online at www.monterey.org/publicworks/nip/nipform.html

What happens to submissions?
All nominations are sorted by type of improvement and area. Community members may be contacted to clarify submittals – so include your name, address and telephone number on the card.
Costs are estimated on valid project nominations; and then the NIP committee, composed
of community members, votes on the projects. The deadline to submit projects is Feb. 11.

For more info, call the City’s Construction Management Division at 646.3997.  

City TV Offers Council Meetings and More

Missed the LIVE City Council meeting on cable Ch. 25?
Catch rebroadcasts on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4 and 7 p.m. between meetings.
Or check out a VHS tape copy from the Monterey Public Library.

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