Years of Litigation Expected for Water Board’s Attempted Takeover of Water Supply System

On Tuesday, October 10, the board of the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) voted 6-0 (with one recusal from a board member who would have voted YES) to determine that it's in the public interest and necessary for the water district to gain ownership of the Monterey Water System, now owned by the private California American Water Company (Cal Am). The board believes that voters authorized this government takeover when 55.81% of voters in the water district approved Measure J in November 2018. The board has also determined that the water district will pay $448,810,000 ($449 million) to Cal-Am as compensation for losing ownership of the water system.

This does not mean the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District now owns the water supply system. Although a majority of people voted for Measure J, Cal Am has the constitutional right to petition the judicial branch of government to challenge what was approved by voters and in the legislative branch. As stated in the staff report for the water board, "Cal-Am has stated its MWS [Monterey Water System] is not for sale. If the Board adopts a resolution of necessity and the District then proceeds to bring an eminent domain action to acquire Cal-Am’s MWS, District staff and its counsel anticipate Cal-Am will challenge the legal basis for and sufficiency of the resolution and some or all of the Board’s findings to support that resolution." 

This litigation will likely take several years. In the meantime, Cal Am will have the option to change positions and sell the water system, and the water district (and voters in the district) will have the option to change positions and decide not to acquire it.

Challenges Remain to Give All Monterey County Residents Access to Fast, Affordable Broadband

On Tuesday, October 3, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) held a Broadband Summit at CSUMB in conjunction with the release of its Broadband White Paper (State of Broadband in the Monterey Bay Region - October 2023) on how to achieve fast, affordable, universal access to broadband throughout the region. There is a lot of federal and state funding now available for this effort, but panelists from Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties identified some remaining challenges:

1. Local governments - especially in rural, poor areas - lack staff to implement broadband programs even when funding is available.
2. Maps showing geographical access to broadband aren't coordinated and are often inaccurate. 
3. Physical terrain of Central Coast is challenging - mountains are an obstacle.
4. Members of the public object to broadband infrastructure (such as antennas) that has an aesthetic impact.
5. It’s difficult and expensive to connect homes/businesses "way out there” in rural areas of the region.
6. Government confidentiality and corporate trade secrets make it difficult to get accurate access data for planning and mapping.

A panelist from Santa Cruz County hit the crux of the issue: private broadband companies aren't voluntarily going to provide services to customers if they take a financial loss doing it. Now there is a lot of government funding available to compensate for that loss. But...someone still needs to apply for the government funding and use it.

Your Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce routinely gets asked why local governments are focused on providing fast, affordable, universal broadband access through underground fiber optic cables (installed through microtrenching on the sides of streets and highways) rather than through aerial equipment or satellite connections. This is a question that needs more public discussion.

montereychamber.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: "Accounting: The Heart of Your Business"

Wednesday, October 18 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

MPCC Offices or on Zoom

FREE!

Join Tania Santos of Platinum Multiservices Inc. for a valuable presentation on accounting best practices. Learn how keeping a good set of books is an essential part of your business, your bookkeeping is what will help you grow and thrive and most importantly make informed decisions for you, your team, and your future. Spanish translation available.

Register Now >>

FALL MIXER: Monterey Plaza Hotel

Thursday, October 19 | 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Monterey Plaza Hotel | Monterey

$10 Members | $30 Prospective Members

Register Now >>

RIBBON CUTTING: Tap Truck Monterey

Thursday, October 26 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Schulte Road (off Carmel Valley Road) | Carmel Valley

Add to Calendar >>

What Our Members Are Up To: Congratulations to Monterey Conference Center, Rancho Cielo, and Woody's at the Airport!

It was an exciting weekend for these three MPCC Members:

• Monterey Conference Center awarded 2023 Stella Award for "Best Conference Center in the World"! In their announcement, the Stella Awards described the conference center as the "focal point for welcoming and encouraging cultural and economic prosperity for the City of Monterey."
• Rancho Cielo Construction & Sustainable Design Students over all competition champions at Orange County Sustainability Decathlon! The team won first in Architecture and Interior Design, as well as Sustainability and Resilience. They also took second place in Engineering and Construction and Communications and Marketing. The wins are the culmination of over a year of work, that began with Rancho Cielo's selection to enter the decathlon, the first time a vocational school had been invited to compete.
• Woody's at the Airport was voted #1 Best Airport Sit-Down Restaurant in USA TODAY's 10 Best Readers Choice 2023! Located before security at Monterey Regional Airport, Woody's is loved by locals and travelers alike. Stop in for Chef Tim's daily specials or menu favorites like his grilled steaks, sautéed sand dabs, and award-winning honey chili chicken wings! Stop by Woody's for a first-class dining experience from Chef Tim Wood & team.

Please congratulate them on their accolades next time you see them!

West End Mural Festival Returns to Sand City

The West End Mural Festival is taking place in Sand City through October 20. Twelve artists have been invited to participate this year — Some will be painting large scale murals throughout the week, while others will be participating in a local art battle at the festival's final celebration held October 20 from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM outside of Post No Bills.

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