3/28/2023 - 10:00 AM

MISSION: We seek to provide timely, informative updates on regional topics relevant to our members.

Recap:

Monterey County Farm Bureau. More significant impacts in fields flooded in March, than in January, especially in Pajaro Valley. 20,000 acres flooded. But 90% of land not flooded, just saturated. Strawberries, leafy greens, artichokes affected. Flooded fields - soil evaluation, remediation may be needed. Silt needs to be analyzed. Too early for full assessment. May need to be re-plowed. Leafy greens - testing for pathogens in wellheads, irrigation, soil. 30-60 days after access to fields. Most likely no spring crop from those fields. $330m estimated damages from January, more this past storm in March. Information being collected now. A survey open right now for reporting damages. A lot of levee repairs require landowners and farm operators to arrange for repairs. Water draining slowly in some areas. Rivers will not be approaching flood stage this round of storms. Some water getting released from Nacimiento now in anticipation of latest storm. Silver lining, we do have water now - water in reservoirs to last for several years. San Antonio reservoir now at 62% and Nacimiento reservoir at 91%. See Monterey County Daily Reservoir & Dam Data. There will be market impacts with supply and/or price. Is there labor to do this work? Yes, we’re bringing labor back from Yuma and Imperial County. Will there be a Strawberry Festival? Not known yet. Strawberry Commission estimated 40% of strawberries in Pajaro Valley underwater. But there are strawberries produced in other areas of the region.
Healthcare. CHOMP opened a Crisis Stabilization Unit tied to the ER for adults with a mental health crisis. In January, 146 patients came in with a mental health crisis. Unit for 17 and under due to open in May. Using robots by Moxy Company for service delivery between units and rooms. Nurses can stay with patients. More efficient use of nurse time. No replacement of FTE or partial FTE. ER busy. Enough diesel for generators for many days of power outages. Trees fell on hospital campus, but none in patient areas.
MCCVB. Alyssa was embedded in Office of Emergency Management Services as the hospitality representative so that hospitality was heard at the office with PIO. Supervisor Askew arranged for this to enhance communication between emergency services and the hospitality industry. 35+ hotels offer evacuation rates Pro-V-Pro program.
United Way. 2-1-1 County Dept. of Emergency Management and 211 System in use
Financial. Waiting for FEMA to declare the current storm (March 9) as an emergency. Only funding for businesses is available for December-January storm.
Real Estate. Market moving better than last month. Demand keeps prices high, no sign of interest rates affecting prices.
Construction. Graniterock - Keith Severson was appointed to Monterey County Economic Development Committee as construction representative. Graniterock is currently focused on all emergency work - everything else on hold. Graniterock has a connection to Pajaro Middle School Algebra academy. Providing 450 backpacks for students with supplies. The middle school is closed and may not be open for the rest of school year. School doesn’t know where many of the students are. Living in cars, Watsonville fairgrounds, those in Las Lomas not affected.
Non-Profit. F5MC (First 5 Monterey County) collecting diapers for affected families. Distribute through ALL-IN Monterey County. (central point for distribution of items for affected people).
MPCC. Many of our members, businesses, non-profits, retail, have experienced significant financial losses due to storms and utility impacts. Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast on April 11, 2023.

montereychamber.com

TONIGHT! MIXER: Fairview Laguna Seca

Tuesday, March 28 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

10520 York Road| Monterey

$10 Members | $20 Non-Members

Join us for the Fairview Laguna Seca mixer! Enjoy refreshments and giveaways in this new event space with beautiful views! There will be a business card drawing for comp foursome golf & $500 party.

Grand Opening: McCune Audio•Video•Lighting

Thursday, March 30 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

21 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite D| Monterey

You are invited to celebrate the grand opening of our newest McCune facility! Monterey has been one of our flagship locations for over 30 years. From the Beatles last concert at Candlestick to the first TED Talks, we’ve been behind the scenes of some of the most memorable chapters in California’s history, and we're excited to start a new chapter in a new space.

Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast Sponsored by Pinnacle Bank: "Local Law Enforcement, Leadership and Business Concerns"

Tuesday April 11 | 7:30 PM - 9:00 AM

Ferrante's at Monterey Marriott | Monterey

Join us for an informative presentation on "Local Law Enforcement, Leadership and Business Concerns" presented by Pinnacle Bank.

Enjoy breakfast with local leadership, including District 5 Supervisor Mary Adams, Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto, City of Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober, City of Monterey Fire Chief Gaudenz Panzholer and District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni.