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08/29/2023 - 10:00 AM
MISSION: We seek to provide timely, informative updates on regional topics relevant to our members.
Recap:
- City of Monterey. On Wednesday, August 30, the Monterey City Council will receive an update on the status of its Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Mid-Pen for construction of an affordable housing development on city property adjacent to City Hall, at the site of dilapidated buildings on the corner of Madison Street and Van Buren Street. The amount of land proposed for the development is higher than what was in the original Request for Proposal (RFP), so some residents are concerned about parking availability for city council meetings and other city government meetings. See background about the meeting agenda item: Monterey City Council Meeting - August 30, 2023. On Tuesday, September 5, the Monterey City Council will vote on an ordinance requiring property owners in the City of Monterey who rent their properties to register with the city, provide information to the city about their rental arrangements, and pay an annual fee to the city. The draft ordinance is not yet available for public review. The comment period ends on Monday, September 4 for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) on the City of Monterey proposed Housing Element for the 6th Cycle (2023-2031). The Monterey City Council and Monterey Planning Commission will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, September 19 to consider comments and approval of the proposed plan. Get more information here: 2023-2031 City of Monterey Draft Housing Element.
- County of Monterey. Otto’s Bread Company is opening a bakery in Downtown Salinas and is receiving a loan from the Cal Coastal-County of Monterey Small Business Revolving Loan Fund. For more information about this fund to help small businesses grow and flourish, go to Monterey County Revolving Loan. Joby Aviation will continue to maintain its research and development facility in Marina, but its planned large manufacturing facility will be located in another state. While the State of California and County of Monterey offered incentives up to $200 million to locate the facility in Monterey County, other states with weaker regulatory mandates offered much more generous incentives of up to $500 million. Californians tend to vote for elected officials who prioritize environmental and labor protections, and this means additional costs and delays for companies to build and operate manufacturing plants. “It’s definitely a sell to get people to move from other states to California,” said someone familiar with the situation. On August 30 at 5:30 pm there will be a meeting about the Pajaro Long-Term Recovery Plan.
- Healthcare. Thursday, August 21 was the busiest day in the history of the Emergency Room (ER) at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, with 220 people coming in. Although opioid overdose deaths have skyrocketed in California, Monterey County has a death rate among the lowest of the 58 counties in the state, in part because of a program founded in 2014 and led by Montage Health called Prescribe Safe. Ohana is sponsoring Family Day on Friday, September 1 at the Monterey County Fair, which means children 12 years old and under get free admission. See information at Monterey County Fair.
- Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau (MCCVB). Monterey County Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCCVB) is still researching and compiling the economic benefits of Car Week in 2023, but it appears hotel revenue is about the same as in 2022. Major September conferences and events in Monterey County include the CalTravel Summit, FIRA USA in Salinas, the Monterey Jazz Festival, the Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7, and Representatives of MCCVB spoke at the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council meeting on August 18 about their Responsible Travel Initiative. International coverage for Monterey feature in CosmopolitanUK.
- Real Estate. Although the real estate market in Monterey County is down 10% compared to a year ago, Car Week coincided with about 20 houses going into escrow, some at very high prices.
- Construction. Please be patient with road work.
- Transportation. The Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee received a presentation on August 28 from an official with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) about the proposed Scenic Route 68 Corridor Improvement Project. This project will either consist of converting each intersection between Monterey and Salinas from traffic lights to roundabouts, or it will consist of “signal enhancement” with intermittent road widening. The project is meant to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reconnect habitats. See more information at Scenic Highway 68 - Salinas to Monterey
- Journalism/Media. The Monterey Herald is sponsoring a "Herald Heroes” program to recognize community heroes. The public is encouraged to submit nominations. Go to Herald Heroes for more information.
- Utilities. Representatives from engineering firm AECOM will make an informational presentation on the Los Padres Dam Alternatives Study, which was released in April 2023. There will be one workshop in-person and one virtual. The Alternatives study fulfills a requirement of an agreement between the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, California American Water, the National Marine Fisheries Service and the State Coastal Conservancy to determine the feasibility of removing or improving the dam, which sits on the Carmel River and was constructed in 1949. Public Invited to Los Padres Dam Alternatives Public Workshops:Tuesday, August 29th, 2023 at 6:00-8:00pm, Carmel Valley Community Youth Center 25 Ford Rd
- MPCC. 21st Annual Leadership Luncheon on September 6, 2023.
Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 09/12//2023 at 10:00 AM.
If you are interested in participating on the teleconference or being added to the list, please contact monica@montereychamber.com.
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21st Annual Leadership Luncheon presented by Aera Energy
Wednesday, September 6 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Portola Hotel & Spa | Monterey
$75 Members | $90 Prospective Members
Presented by Aera Energy, our 21st Annual Leadership Luncheon gives community leaders, local business owners and engaged citizens an opportunity to gain further insight into the current business climate on the Monterey Peninsula.
An impressive panel of federal, state and local elected officials cover topics such as: new projects taking place in their jurisdictions, new business coming to the region and important issues that have impact on the future viability of our local economy.
LAST CHANCE: Register Now >>
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MIXER: Habitat for Humanity Nonprofit Mixer
Thursday, September 21 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
4230 Gigling Road | Seaside
$10 Members | $20 Non-Members
$50 Table Sponsor (Includes 2 Tickets)
Share about your nonprofit, its impacts in the community and engage with fellow nonprofit leaders.
Register Now >>
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QUARTERLY BUSINESS INSIGHTS BREAKFAST: "Navigating A Responsible Energy Transition" presented by Chevron
Wednesday, October 11 | 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Ferrante's at Monterey Marriott | Monterey
$45 Members | $65 Non-Members
Join us for an informative presentation on "Navigating A Responsible Energy Transition" with Brad Williams, Senior Partner & Chief Economist at Capitol Matrix Consulting.
Register Now >>
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Leadership Monterey County: Infrastructure Day
The August 25, 2023, Leadership Monterey County (LMC) Program focused on infrastructure, with the 30 participants spending the day visiting and engaging with key personnel at organizations charged with overseeing structures and facilities vital for Monterey County residents.
- The day began with a visit to ReGen Monterey, whose mission is to turn waste into resources in the most cost effective and environmentally sound manner to benefit local communities. LMC participants toured its recycling operations under the insightful guidance of key communications and operations staff.
- Next up was a visit to Monterey One Water to visit the sewer treatment facility that serves residents of North Monterey County.
- LMC participants then toured the Monterey Regional Airport, where they were briefed on its operations and ongoing renovation and modification efforts.
- The day ended at Joby Aviation, with a demonstration of a prototype all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi.
In short, it was a full and fun day that offered LMC participants unique insight into critical issues and vital organizations.
The Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce is a proud sponsor of Leadership Monterey County, with many MPCC Members involved in the program both as presenting organizations and cohort participants.
Applications for the next year's cohort will open in late 2023. Complete the LMC Interest Form to stay up to date on all things LMC, including 2024 application dates.
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Path of History: Monterey Officials Work On A Proposed Future History Path
Even back in 1939, the Monterey Chamber of Commerce knew the city’s rich history was good for business. Chamber members, with help from the Monterey History and Art Association and a Custom House historian, created a tourist map of nearly every historical site they could identify – 55 in all.
The sites on the 1939 map were no doubt historic then, but the map is trapped in time. It mainly focused on the Mexican and early American eras of the city, with no buildings from the early 20th century. There was nothing about Indigenous people or the waves of immigrants who came in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Two additional paths are proposed by consultants Page & Turnbull, incorporating more immigrant stories and early-20th-century buildings: The Pearl District Cultural Heritage Walk and The New Monterey Cultural Heritage Walk.
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Please forward this e-blast to your colleagues, customers, clients, friends, family and fellow community members!
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