MISSION: We seek to provide timely, informative updates on regional topics relevant to our members.
Recap:
City of Monterey. Council meeting tonight. See agenda. a.) Monterey Peninsula Airport District and City of Monterey - authorize signing of fire services contract. Includes “creative solutions” to service on Highway 68 corridor and Ryan Ranch. b.) Monterey Peninsula Airport District and City of Monterey MOU - negotiate detachment of city properties adjacent to Highway 68 to airport ownership - properties are in Airport Master Plan. LAFCO would need to approve it c.)Ordinance to increase compensation for Mayor and City Council. d.) MCWD role in delivering water. The local water district is not delivering enough water to us. Cal-Am and MPWMD will be involved. Completed draft housing element and needs to achieve RHNA. "In the end, the developers will pay the price for water.” Hans response to Kathy asking about who is going to pay for it.
Healthcare. CHOMP is busier than it has ever been, both hospital and urgent care. August 31 is Overdose Awareness Day. Montage is doing the entire month focused on opioid misuse and illicit drugs laced with fentanyl. Montage also runs the Prescribe Safe program. There were 65 opioid-related deaths in Monterey County both 2020 and 2021, and many of the deaths appeared to be people taking counterfeit pills, made to look like prescription medications, that actually containing fentanyl. See media advisory. Uptick in COVID cases but not severe. Credits vaccination rates for lack of severity.
TAMC. Principal Engineer for Hwy 68 project-Doug Bilse: Caltrans and TAMC held an open house about Highway 68 Improvement Project on July 19.150+ attendees showed up. Kickoff to environmental review - Notice of Preparation (NOP) document will be released late September early October. There are two alternatives: (1) roundabout at every signal (2) modify signals. “Our entrance statement” is scenic. See background for Scenic Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project. Realized commuters are not aware, hard to contact them. In-person hybrid presentation with Chamber in the future. Many different needs and concerns to balance. Wildlife crossings will be part of both alternatives. Science of Roundabouts. Will have a video for TAMC website. Laguna Seca Main Gate entrance-possible relocation with a 4th lane on the Laureles Grade that would ease traffic entrance there.
Financial, SBA, Loans & Grants. Businesses suffering from storm damage can continue to apply for FEMA. Deadline extended from 7/20 to 9/1/23. Home-based childcare training. Collaboration with State Dream fund funding and other funding. Feds have raised prime rates to 8.5%
