- General Conversation Topic: Prop 19
- Key Industry Topics: See list below
Business Roundtable – 1/26/2021 – 10:00am
MISSION: success in two stages of the Coronavirus threat:
1) response to the immediate threat; 2) economic recovery when the threat diminishes
RECAP
Response to immediate threat
1. City of Monterey. SIP lifted-return to tier system in California. Outdoor dining, personal services, nail salons, hair salons. Welcome news. Mandatory evacuation orders in place. Fire Department has added an additional engine on standby from 7:00pm tonight to Friday am in San Benancio Road area due to possible flooding. Fire Chief emphasizes that those asked to evacuate should do so. Special rates at certain hotels available for evacuees. 2 Public Cannabis forums for public and potential vendors. Today at 10:30 am and Thursday at 7:00pm. Haveyoursaymonterey.org
2. Hospitality & Tourism. There will be hotel evacuees rates. MCCVB collaborating with Michael Freed (Post Ranch Inn) regarding technologies for cost effective indoor ventilation for indoor dining and services. Still in development stage. MCCVB notifying members what the purple tier restrictions are, some residents concerned. MCHA encouraging individuals to participate at the Board of Supervisors meeting at 1:30 today, will be speaking at meeting re: testing of Ag workers. 1st item on the agenda.
3. Agriculture. Farm Bureau will be addressing Supervisors re: vaccination plan for Ag sector. Partners in Ag, friends in unions and clinics working collaboratively to present plan in conjunction with Dr. Max Cueva from Clinica de Salud with plans for traffic management, clinicians, reservation system for employers and guidelines. 4 sites planned with possible 5th in South County. This will require a lot of resources.
4. Retail. Outdoor seating a start but 25% indoor capacity is critical, needed to aid many sectors of retail. Del Monte Shopping Center reports the are uncovering tables and Great Clips and Magic nails should be opening tomorrow.
5. State of California. Sacramento Report. See attached
6. Health Care. bit of good news to share, slight decrease in COVID patients at CHOMP with total of 50 patients in-house, 35 in isolation, 5 in the ICU. 16 out of 20 of our ICU beds full. Thus far, 552 COVID patients admitted to the hospital with sadly a total of 66 deaths. Percent positivity rate decreased from a high of 20% in early Jan. to around 6% this week. Hopeful this means less hospitalizations in the coming weeks, continue to support Monterey County Health Department with vaccinations, three days of clinics a week and a half ago, vaccinated more than 1,000 people in phase 1a ( not health employees or staff) , will hold a second three-day clinic for MCHD later this week. Montage Health in process of launching two mass vaccination clinics — one at Community Hospital & Marina Wellness Center — capacity of up to 7,500 vaccinations per week, subject to vaccine availability. More information www.chomp.org/vaccine.
7. Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. Monterey County Bank going full speed on PPP. Government is being more particular about the paperwork so they are seeing some flags on social security numbers and VIN numbers, etc. 10-15% of the applications are being kicked back and a lot of refiling is happening. Other than that the process is going pretty good.
8. Non-Profit sector. – United Way exploring additional rent and utility assistance and are working with the county on that for availability this calendar year. 80% of median income is the target group of recipients. County Health is looking at their capability to increase mass vaccinations and a portal has been setup. United Way might assist on volunteer coordination.
9. Transportation.- MST coordinating with County on evacuation concerns. Phase 1b, Tier 2 phase has been eliminated, no indication when drivers will get vaccine. More service restored-trips being extended to 10PM on certain routes and fare reductions to lines serving senior residents. Go to MST.org
10. General Conversation: Prop 19 passed on 11/3/20 – Julie King, attorney with Pierce King Law Firm reported. In two weeks half of the act goes into effect. The other half in April. This only affects California real estate and there are significant unanswered issues. Part 1 offers tax break to older homeowners when they move from a primary residence. Two year clock to buy or build a new residence. Julie defined assessed versus Fair Market value. If you have anything other than a primary residence that you want to pass to a child, it will be reassessed at transfer. The child has to move into the house after the parent still living in the house dies and file Homeowners exemption. Another child can move in to preserve it. If parent goes into a care facility it may negate the ability of the child to move in without reassessment. . Alex Winkle of Schwartz Law Group added additional information. Everyone has questions because the text of the law isn’t clear. They predict an increased turnover in property as a result of this law. Rental rates will probably go up because taxes will go up. Assessment appeals currently 12-18 months and once this goes into effect it will probably extend 2-3 years which extends the statutory limit to process the appeal. Talk to your tax professional now and after 2 weeks your options will be more limited. Family farms and family residences discussed as it relates to parent child transfers. The BOE says a residence on the property is not required for a farm transfer. Each individual parcel looks like it will need to be transferred individually under this but could be part of the legislative correction that is anticipated.
11. Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 2/2/2021 at 10:00am
General Conversation: Cost-effective ventilation for businesses.
