Please view our e-blast HERE.

What’s at Stake at the August 19 City Council Meeting Tom Reeves On Tuesday, August 19th, the City Council will be considering two very important items that can have lasting impacts.  During the afternoon session which begins at 4pm, Consent agenda item 3 will be the second reading for two ordinances that will most certainly change the majority of our neighborhood. These ordinances will allow for any lot that is larger than 2400 square feet, which is roughly half the size of the majority of the existing lots, to be subdivided into two 1200 square foot lots. Each of these 1200 square foot lots can then have two houses. What this means is we have the potential for seeing a quadrupling of the number of houses and with this quadrupling will come the associated impacts. The changes also will allow two story structures to be built within 4 feet of the rear property lines. The first reading of these ordinances was approved with our district Councilmember Dr. Kim Barber being in favor. While this item is currently on consent, it will be pulled from consent and the public will have the opportunity to express their thoughts on the matter. These changes are being done at the behest of Sacramento and are in response to recent State legislation. However, five southern California cities sued the State asserting that the State laws violate home rule that is afforded to Charter cities of which Monterey is one. The State lost the case, but the State is appealing the ruling. In the meantime, the ruling stands but it only applies to those five cities that brought the suit.  As a Charter city, Monterey could also take legal action.  The other item of interest is item 11 in the evening session which begins at 7pm. This is going to be a joint meeting of the Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) Committee and the City Council. Of concern is the mention of using NIP funds to cover the cost of “maintenance”. The rules by which the Neighborhood and Community Improvement Program (NCIP) is governed are spelled out in section 6.6 of the City Charter. The City Charter is analogous to a constitution for the City and as such it can’t be changed without a vote of the public. The NCIP is specifically designed to fund capital improvements and the projects are selected by the NIP Committee. Capital improvements are any immovable item that are directly or indirectly attached to the earth. Almost all of the street widening, storm drain, park improvements and building renovations at Hilltop and Scholze park over the last 30 years have been funded through the NCIP. We have many unmet needs in our neighborhood and throughout the City. If the staff’s proposal will be to use the NIP funds to pay for grounds and building maintenance, this will require a vote of the public and it could take a substantial amount of funding away from the NCIP. Now’s the time to make your voices heard: Do you want to see the City take away a large source of funding improvements in our neighborhoods?

“CITY HALL IN YOUR CORNER” – CITY OF MONTEREY SERVICES FAIR Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Hilltop Park Center The City of Monterey is hosting a services fair, City Hall in Your Corner, Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie Street in the New Monterey Neighborhood. Come out and enjoy some hot dogs, games and activities for kids, and meet your City staff. This is a great opportunity to get to know the wide variety of programs and services offered for residents of all ages. City Manager Hans Uslar said, “This free event is a great opportunity to expand community connections, ask staff questions, and learn about the many programs and services the city offers, many of which residents may not be aware of. We hope to see many neighbors there!” Staff from all departments will be participating. This services fair is the first in a series we hope to bring to the community at least a couple times a year. Event information is posted at monterey.gov/inyourcorner.

2025 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Tom Reeves The City of Monterey is holding a public forum to receive input on the development of the 2025 Climate Action Plan (CAP).  People can find out more by going to: 2025 Climate Action Plan Development / Desarrollo del Plan de Acción contra el Cambio Climático 2025 Please note, on August 19th there’s a City Council meeting that conflicts with this forum. I brought this to staff’s attention and I was assured that there will more forums in the future.

Boards, Commissions and Committees (BCCs) Recruitment Process Tom Reeves Your City depends upon numerous Boards, Commissions and Committees (BCCs) to help the City Council navigate a myriad of issues and topics. If you would like to help out on a BCC, you can click HERE to learn more about the process and vacancies. It’s all of us that make Monterey the great place that it is, so do your part!