New Monterey City Councilmember Is Appointed

Last night (Monday, December 12, 2022), the Monterey City Council unanimously selected Gino Garcia among eleven applicants to fill a two-year, at-large vacancy on the city council. Councilmember Garcia is an Associate Planner at the Santa Cruz-based Ecology Action, which has a mission "to collectively create a climate-safe and equitable future for the Central Coast and beyond.” We hope to provide a formal opportunity in the next couple of months for Chamber members to meet the new Monterey City Councilmembers Kim Barber and Gino Garcia.

The Monterey City Council is likely to have a new and different perspective than previous City Councils about how various businesses and property owners in the City of Monterey affect social injustice and contribute to climate change. Contact Monica Lal at [phone] or [email] if you would like to be involved in initiating ways to collaborate constructively with the Monterey City Council in addressing such concerns.

Ambitious Housing Goals Likely to Create Controversy

One major area where the Chamber and the new Monterey City Council appear to be in alignment is housing. Most of the eleven applicants addressed housing supply and affordability challenges for the city and region. Our own Government Affairs Liaison cited the city’s state-mandated Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of 3,654 new housing units (for all income levels) by 2031. He predicted that zoning changes and other new policies that will be necessary to build those 3,654 units (a 27% increase in total number of housing units from current numbers) will be highly controversial.

In fact, the entire Monterey Peninsula region (and City of Salinas) will be faced with significant challenges in achieving their Regional Housing Needs Allocation goals for new residential units. Your Chamber of Commerce will be seeking thoughtful and effective public policies to help our local governments increase housing affordability for the local workforce with a balanced choice of options.

montereychamber.com

HOLIDAY MIXER: Oscar's Playground

Thursday, December 15 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Oscar's Playground | Cannery Row, Monterey

FREE

Please join us for the Oscar's Playground Grand Opening Holiday Mixer! Enjoy local wines from Cannery Row wineries, beer, seltzer, soda, sparkling and still water provided. Food and refreshments provided by local catering company, light snacks, charcuterie boards, and holiday faire. There will be raffle giveaways and Carolers onsite.

We're hitting the ground running in 2023!

Save the date for these upcoming events in January:

RIBBON CUTTING: Second Chance Thrift Store

Thursday, January 5 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

443 Lighthouse Avenue #A | Monterey

RIBBON CUTTING: North American Mental Health Services

Thursday, January 12 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

1035 Cass Street | Monterey

RIBBON CUTTING: Santa Cruz County Bank

Thursday, January 19 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

480 Main Street | Salinas

Annual Membership Luncheon

Wednesday, January 25 | 11:30 AM PM - 1:30 PM

The Inn at Spanish Bay | Pebble Beach Resorts

Schuman HeartHouse Shelter Groundbreaking: Donate Today!

Community Human Services is the only organization in Monterey County providing shelter, transitional supportive housing, and street outreach for transition-aged youth; as well as a shelter with supportive services for women and families with children, with a second shelter, Shuman HeartHouse, opening in 2023. These unique programs are BIG JOBS that require BIG SUPPORT.

You can Stamp Out Homelessness by giving generously to ensure that these youth, women, and families have a safe place to sleep each night and the support they need to be successful.

Donate Today!

Five MPCC Members Recognized in the 2022 Michelin Guide California

Congratulations to the five MPCC Members recognized in the distinguished 2022 Michelin Guide California! Stop by to congratulate the them on this fantastic achievement and to taste why they are recommended by MICHELIN as must-stops for epicureans throughout Monterey County:

Gusto's Handcrafted Pasta & Pizza (Seaside)
Lucia Restaurant & Bar at Bernardus Lodge (Carmel Valley)
Montrio Bistro (Monterey)
Péppoli at Pebble Beach Resorts (Pebble Beach)
The Sardine Factory (Monterey)

Visit Website

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Recruiting Volunteers

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is recruiting volunteers for the annual golf tournament, to be held January 30 - February 5, 2023.

They are specifically in need of the following positions:

Player, Spectator, and Special Services Shuttles
Gallery Management Ambassadors
Spectator Information

Learn the benefits of becoming a volunteer, what each position entails and how to register at attpbgolf.com/volunteers.

Learn More & Register

MPCC LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

Please forward this e-blast to your colleagues, customers, clients, friends, family and fellow community members!

montereychamber.com