Awards & Milestones

Travel + Leisure Magazine named Monterey #6 "America's Favorite Beach Towns" 2016

Here's a sampling of City of Monterey awards and milestones since 2016 to present, including marquee projects completed

Award/Milestone	Date Received/Announced	Description	Topic/Department
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award	November 2023	The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.	Finance
2023 Best Conference Center	October 2023	Stella Award by Northstar Meetings Group	Monterey Conference Center
2023 Advanced Technology Program of the Year for the City's Adaptive Traffic Signal System	June 2023	The City of Monterey was recognized by the California Transportation Awards for the 2023 Advanced Technology Program of the Year for its work on the City of Monterey Adaptive Traffic Control System. The City's Adaptive Traffic Signal System is active on 6 of the City's 7 arterial corridors. The system is currently on Lighthouse Ave, Del Monte Ave, N Fremont St, Foam St, Fremont St/Munras Ave, and Pacific St. As of January 2023, the City has completed SCOOT implementation at 41 signalized intersections, with significant reductions to average travel time (-16%), delays (-30%), stops (-40%), and an increase of average speed (27%). Because the system eliminates idling due to fewer stops and the resulting acceleration, vehicles burn less fuel and expel fewer pollutants and particulate matter. When completed, the system will result in a yearly reduction of 20 tons of criteria pollutants (NOx, ROG and PM).	Public Works/Traffic Engineering
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award, Government, Public Utilities & Transportation category	September 2021		Citywide
Grant-Funded Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Education Program Planned for City of Monterey	November 2020	The City of Monterey has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Education.	Traffic and Pedestrian Safety, Public Works
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting	November 2020	The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.	Finance
Monterey Police Receives ABC Grant	January 2020		Police
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting	September 2019	The The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.	Finance
Monterey Conference Center goes solar	July 2019
The Best Conference/Convention Center Under 100,000 Square Feet in California	February 2019	California Meetings + Events’ Best of 2019 issue	Hospitality/Conference Center
Van Buren Senior Housing Project	November 2018	An apartment project for extremely low, very low and low-income seniors	Community Development
Condé Nast Traveler - The Best Cities in the U.S.: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards - Small Cities	October 2018	#7 in Reader's Choice poll for cities under one million in population.
Holman Highway Roundabout - Photos from Ribbon-Cutting Event, Oct 12, 2017	Total of eight awards throughout 2018	CalTrans Excellence in Transportation Award Receives Judges Award of Merit, ENR (Engineering News Record) California's 2018 'Best Projects' - this is the 7th award earned for this project. Capio TAMC excellence League of Ca Cities 2018 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Award CMAA Norcal California Transportation Foundation American council of Engineering Companies
Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) Clean Air Leaders Awards	May 2018	#CleanAirLeadersAward2018 - MBARD recognized the City of Monterey for the significant amount of initiatives implemented to reduce climate impacts and improve air quality including:- Monterey began providing carbon-free electricity to businesses through Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) in March 2018. Residences will begin receiving their electricity through MBCP in July 2018.- Monterey has three electric vehicle charging areas with a total of five charging stations.- Bike lockers are available to rent at several public parking garages.- Monterey implemented several lighting upgrades throughout the City. The old lighting fixtures were replaced with the latest lighting technologies available and are reducing average energy consumption by 35%. More importantly: Every kwH saved reduces the need to produce this energy, thus reducing the carbon emissions and carbon footprint for the Monterey peninsula.- The Environmental Programs Office facilitates Green Business Program certifications and re-certifications. Pollution prevention measures include: using low emission building materials/carpet/furniture, purchasing low VOC paints/paint removers/etc., using low toxicity non-aerosol cleaning products, and buying renewable energy credits to offset CO2 emissions.- AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling was adopted into City Code, thus allowing for the City to monitor and enforce organic waste recycling efforts. This increases organic waste diversion and further decreases greenhouse gas emissions, as the City has access to an anaerobic digester at the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (MRWMD).- The City is currently exploring solar panel installation on City-owned properties to offset a significant portion of the City's energy use.- In 2017, Monterey received four Beacon awards for the following: 15% Agency Energy Savings (Gold Level), 29% Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions (Platinum Level), 7% Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions (Silver Level), and Sustainability Best Practices (Silver Level).- The City has two electric vehicles and seven hybrid vehicles for employee use.
2018 Smart Stars Award Winners	June 2018	Best Conference Center - the Monterey Conference Center
Constant Contact Allstar Award for 2017	2017	Top 10% Allstar Award from Constant Contact for exemplary outreach and engagement.
CA Meetings and Events	February 2018	The new Monterey Conference Center was voted one of the best in California!
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award	January 2018	The City of Monterey received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2018-19 biennial budget. The award represents a significant achievement. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
One of the Best Small Cities, Reader's Choice	October 19, 2017	Condé Nast Traveler readers cast hundreds of thousands of votes for their favorite cities in the U.S. in the 2017 Readers' Choice Awards survey
Beacon Spotlight Award	October 17, 2017	From the Institute for Local Government, which promotes good government at the local level with practical, impartial and easy-to-use resources for California communities.
Clean Air Awards	June 23, 2017	By the Monterey Bay Air Resources District
Army Community Partnership Award	December 6, 2016	The U.S. Army launched this inaugural award program to recognize partnerships between installations and communities that provide cost efficiencies, improve community relations and mission training, and demonstrate ingenuity.
One of the healthiest small towns	September 2016	Monterey is one of the healthiest small towns in America, (Health Science Degree Guide, 2016)
Hidden Heroes City	September 27, 2016	City of Monterey Honors Military Caregivers by becoming a "Hidden Heroes City" \| Visit hiddenheroes.org for more information
Language Capital of the World		Article in Association of Defense Communities blog, dated Sep. 14, 2016
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award	July 21, 2016	Government, Public Utilities & Transportation
2016 Sister Cities International Innovation Award for Economic Development	July 16, 2016	The City of Monterey is honored for the cooperative project of bringing a half marathon to Dubrovnik, Croatia. This award recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding community and individual Sister City programs, promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation.
Great American Defense Community	June 21, 2016	In the Inaugural Year of the Award, The City of Monterey is honored as a Great American Defense Community by the Association of Defense Communities. Monterey is recognized for the support the provided to the military community in Community Building and Integration, Support and Collaboration, Educational and Employment Opportunities and Family Support.
Monterey County Weekly’s Best of Monterey County Awards	March 24, 2016	The Monterey Public Library was awarded “Best Library” because the “librarians and staff go to superhuman lengths to help ordinary citizens.” The Monterey Sports Center’s “cheerful” staff, daycare services and group exercise offerings contributed to The Sports Center’s award for “Best Fitness Center”, "Best Swimming Instruction" and "Best Youth Recreation" in all of Monterey County. The City Manager’s Office was the Editor’s Pick for “Best Government Use of Social Media”.
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting	April 19, 2016	The Government Finance Officers Association awarded Monterey the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015
Commendation for Building Maintenance Staff	April 7, 2016	On March 23, a guest visiting the Presidio of Monterey lost consciousness, fell and went into cardiac arrest. Ed Leon and Fred Pagan, City of Monterey Building Maintenance staff, observed her falling and went into action performing necessary steps, including CPR, to resuscitate her. Ed and Fred received a commendation for their courageous and heroic act of kindness and their effective handling of the situation.
Tree City USA		Monterey has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for over thirty consecutive years in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management
Plans and Public Works Belt Buckle Awards		The City of Monterey's Plans and Public Works Department gives out the annual Belt Buckle Awards. The recognition is given to exceptional employees, for their hard work and dedication to the organization and community.
Grants to the City		It is the policy of the City of Monterey to increase the financial assets of the City by seeking out and pursuing funding opportunities for programs and projects that will benefit the City and its residents.
Noted Designations		Language Capital of the World Tree City USA since 1981 Purple Heart City Hidden Heroes City Tsunami Ready Community