Business Roundtable – 8/10/2021 – 10:00 am
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:
- City of Monterey. 93940 zip code (Monterey and Del Rey Oaks), 68% of residents 12 years and older have received at least one vaccine dose (Source). City has a mask requirement in most city facilities regardless of vaccination status. Senior Center and Library are now open. Next city council meeting (8/17) will feature continued discussion on zoning and conditions for retail cannabis operations. City has completed and published its 200+ page budget. City’s new website launched on Thursday. The City Currently has 12 firefighters at wildfires throughout in the state. 14 is the maximum the city can have out elsewhere.
- General Conversation: Weathertech Raceway-Laguna Seca. Great Car Week Pre-Reunion event on Friday, August 6 - closed Alvarado Street featuring 30 cars. 10% increase in attendance over 2019. Gate sales higher than expected so far. Tickets sales overall are at 2019 rates, their goal is 20% higher in 2021 as compared to 2019. Monterey County residents will receive 25% off of single-day tickets for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion until midnight on August 12. Buy tickets online and enter Promo Code: LOCAL25 for 25% off tickets. This does not apply to previously-purchased tickets. The organization is seeking more county funding for capital improvements. There are 300 camping sites for RV and tent camping, rec. trails, other amenities available for public use.
- Hospitality & Tourism. Monterey Conference Center: Officially opened on June 17 with the Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA) Conference, followed by Produce Marketing Association(PMA). The TED Conference - 10 days on property. Not held in Monterey since 2008, but in discussion for 2022. Lower registration and some attrition as COVID resurged. Conference Center is hosting RM Sotheby’s Auction. Two groups cancelled events in September and one group in October, but the venue still has solid booking through the end of the year. Conference center has managed to operate despite reduced staff levels. Cancellations make them cautious about hiring.
- Healthcare. CHOMP has 11 COVID patients in house. Two breakthrough cases of vaccinated people in the hospital, but they both had other co-morbidities and had compromised immunity. ICU half full. Managed. Looking at restoring some visitor restrictions. Triage tent is going back up. Preparing to use it.
- Community Foundation for Monterey County. COVID collaborative continues through the VIDA program: getting people vaccinated with trusted ambassadors - neighbor talking to neighbor. Community Foundation for Monterey County will hold a webinar on how to reopen while mandating vaccines in your workplace. Greenfield and Gonzales have been aggressive in working with VIDA for vaccinations. Spanish speaking women have a vaccination rate over 80%. On August 4, VIDA representatives knocked on 772 doors, had 406 conversations, and registered 36 people for the vaccine. Need to target teens and 20s and 30s who may feel immune to this. Community Foundation for Monterey County recognizes the need to do more messaging to businesses.
- Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. Cal Coastal: California Relief Grant portal is closed but may reopen again. Shuttered Venues Operations Grant - SBAPaycheck Protection Program - closed on May 31. Loan forgiveness if you have not applied-urged to do so.
- MST. 80% vaccinated staff. Require masks on bus - federal directive. Given out 300+ free day passes to get vaccinated. Trolley - 800 passengers daily. Free fares on Sundays through Labor Day. Free rides for MPC and Hartnell students. On August 20, CSUMB will be added - Otter card used for free access. Going through a comprehensive analysis of bus routes electric buses now in service, including Line 18 Monterey-Seaside-Marina. Another will operate in Salinas. A lawsuit has been filed against MST to stop the SURF! Bus Rapid Transit project.
Next teleconference will be held Tuesday, August 24 at 10:00am.
