Progress Continues Toward the New Naval Innovation Center at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)

The U.S. Naval Support Activity Monterey is advancing with its plan to build and operate a Naval Innovation Center at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). This facility would focus on education, research, and experimentation of technology for military operations. It is a step forward in the Chamber’s continual goal to promote the military capacities of local bases and keep them located on the Monterey Peninsula.

An environmental impact document has been prepared, entitled "Environmental Assessment for the Naval Innovation Center at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS)." Because this is a federal project, environmental review is under the jurisdiction of the federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) rather than the state California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Your Chamber is waiting to see if opponents of this facility contend there are shortcomings in the environmental analysis. This is a typical tactic used to delay and stop construction of proposed projects.

Water supply is an obvious issue for opponents to exploit. However, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) has "signaled that they will establish a separate allocation of the new local water supply to meet Department of Defense needs." In the event that opponents are able to undermine the authority of MPWMD or willingness of MPWMD board members to provide water, the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) has offered to provide water for this facility.

Meanwhile, your Chamber supports the continued operations of our existing local military bases. On Friday, April 12, 2024, the Chamber’s Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast will feature a presentation from the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center. This event is cosponsored by the City of Monterey and the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance (MBDA). Register for this event here: From the bottom of the ocean to the stars; and a new generator too! - the Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center.

Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Update

During rainy winter months, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD) and California American Water Company are able to extract water from the Carmel Valley Alluvial Aquifer and pump it to the Seaside Groundwater Basin for storage and supply to water customers as needed. This is the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project, one of the three legs of the “three-legged stool” of the Monterey Peninsula Water Supply Project. (The other two legs are recycled water - Pure Water Monterey - and desalination.) On February 12, 2024, the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee received a comprehensive summary of the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project from representatives of California American Water Company (Cal Am) and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD).

Right now there are two wells that can be used for injection of ASR water into the Seaside Groundwater Basin. On March 6, particulate matter entered the system from the Carmel Valley Alluvial Aquifer and caused a significant decline in the amount of water that could be injected into the basin. On March 18, the MPWMD board voted to authorize an emergency contract for rehabilitation of these wells. Unfortunately, ASR was having a productive water year: the project had diverted 478 acre-feet of water from the Carmel River Alluvial Aquifer to the Seaside Groundwater Basin as of February 29, 2024.

For more information, see Memorandum: Residual Plugging of ASR 1 and ASR 2 from High SDI Water and Loss of Specific Capacity and Item 12: Consider Findings Pursuant to Public Contract Code Section 22050.

City of Monterey Final Performance - State of California Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA)

The State of California requires cities and counties to plan for their community future housing needs through a multi-year Housing Element incorporated into their General Plans. Each city and county has a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) of new residential units that it is allocated to meet for various levels of income. The 5th Cycle (2015-2023) is now complete, and cities and counties are submitting their data to the California Department of Housing and Community Development. Here’s how the City of Monterey did in the 5th Cycle (source: Adopt a Resolution Accepting the 2023 General Plan Annual Report, Item 13):

Has Your Business Recently Received a Lawsuit Threat Based on Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

On occasion, small businesses in California are targeted by lawsuit threats from parties with often-unsubstantiated or petty claims of violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal law enacted with broad bipartisan support in 1990. If the business sends a payment as a “settlement” to the accuser, the problem gets resolved. Apparently a new rash of these so-called “drive-by” lawsuit threats is underway in California. Your Chamber hasn’t heard about this practice locally in recent years, but we want to continue providing educational opportunities to our members so they can ensure compliance with this well-meaning but sometimes-exploited law. Please contact Monica Lal at monica@montereychamber.com or at (831) 648-5350 if you have experienced abuse of the Americans with Disabilities Act or want to attend educational seminars about compliance.

montereychamber.com

MIXER: Equine Healing Collaborative

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

902 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Salinas

MIXER: Café Carmel

Thursday, April 4 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Ocean Avenue, between Mission & San Carlos, Carmel

Quarterly Business Insights Breakfast: Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center Update

Friday, April 12| 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Monterey Conference Center, Monterey

Monterey Bay F.C. Named Business of the Year

at MPCC's Annual Awards Dinner

Congratulations to Monterey Bay F.C. on being named our 2023 Business of the Year at Saturday's Annual Awards Dinner!

Monterey Bay Football Club is an American professional soccer team based in Monterey County, California. The club was established on February 21, 2021, and is a member of the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer league system.

Since its inception, Monterey Bay F.C. has embraced the local community. Everything, from their strategic local partnerships down to their team colors, embodies all that is the wonder, beauty, magic and diversity of Monterey Bay.

The home of the Union, Cardinale Stadium at California State University Monterey Bay, is lined by the region’s iconic Monterey cypress trees and offers a one-of-a-kind professional soccer experience. Monterey Bay F.C. matches have become a place to gather as a community and your crest is something we all want to wear over our hearts.

Congratulations, Monterey Bay F.C.!

Visit Website