4/30/2024 - 10:00 AM

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

Recap:

City of Monterey

• City of Monterey officials are reviewing the final 8 of the 13 applications submitted for cannabis retail operations. Interviews will be the next step, and then officials will recommend four applicants for licenses
• Approved cannabis retail districts include the Cannery Row Business District (except Cannery Row itself), North Fremont Business District, Old Town Business District (except Alvarado Street), and Lighthouse Avenue Business District
• The Monterey City Council is reviewing a preliminary draft budget proposal for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2024-2025
• The City projects $107 million in expenses and $105 million in revenue, but it expects to end with a balanced budget because the City cannot fill all authorized positions in this fiscal year and does not expect to be able to fill them all for the upcoming year
• For the first quarter of 2024, the City of Monterey collected 2-3 percent more in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from hotels than it did in the first three months of 2023

Healthcare

• Get your Advance Care Directives into the system/records – nearly all county health care systems use Epic medical care software, so you only need to fill out once
• Montage was the Big Sur Marathon volunteer medical provider
• 50 volunteers, 31 instances of medical assistance leading to 4 hospital visits, but all sent to hospital were discharged quickly.

Hospitality & Tourism

• Big Sur Closure Update: Thank you for your support for the Big Sur community during the closure. It has been a difficult time for businesses and workforce
• Public can use convoys in morning and evening, as reported in news. Note that anyone can use 7:00 AM convoys South. Anyone can use 5:00 PM convoy North. But have to leave on 5:00 PM convoy if no place to stay overnight. 5:00 PM convoy (South) only open to residents and essential workers and a confirmed lodging reservation
• Make sure you get in the convoy line ahead of time
• May 7 - Benefit at La Playa. Promote social media, including on-line auction or donation

County of Monterey

• Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca Updates
• Litigation is over. Settled with Highway 68 Coalition for sound mitigation
• A study will start on July 1. Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca has a $2 million commitment for noise mitigation. Noise issue is related to area of track between Turns 6 and 7
• Upcoming events: See 2024 Season Schedule.
• May 2-5 – Laguna Seca SpeedTour (Trans Am)
• May 10-12 – Motul Course de Monterey (IMSA)
• May 17-19 – Ferrari Racing Days
• Thursday, May 2 is the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca All Chamber Mega Mixer. Register here
• Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca had no attendance change 2022 to 2023 however ticket sales are up so far in 2024 compared to 2023, except for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (INDYCAR) on June 21-23
• Ticket sales are down slightly, likely due to date change from September to avoid television broadcast conflict with the Summer Olympics
• This year is the 50th anniversary of Laguna Seca historical racing events

Non-Profit

• United Way: National Volunteer Month was April. Annual awards event last week with 35 nominees. United Way Monterey County income tax assistance program served 1300+ households, $1.8 million in refunds, claims for $550,000 in EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit). United Way Monterey County participated in the state legislative day for United Way organizations in California. Major bills of interest:
• AB 2191 - California Earned Income Tax Credit Outreach, Education, and Free Tax Assistance Grant Program
• AB 3020 - 2-1-1 Infrastructure Act - state support for 211 system
• SB 1246 - California Prompt Payment Act for nonprofit organization contracts
• The Chamber refers people regularly to 211 for consumer concerns, etc.

Utilities

• Units 6 and 7 power plant superstructure is demolished. Project will be concluded in May. Vistra will seek county permits to expand for battery storage phases 4-5 in May
• House Assembly Speaker Rivas and Senator Laird visited the battery storage complex last week. Gov. Newsom issued a press release on April 25: California Achieves Major Clean Energy Victory: 10,000 Megawatts of Battery Storage

Transportation

• Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project
• Night work has been completed. Expect Increased truck traffic transporting equipment for construction activities. Weather conditions may also affect work at various locations in the area
• PLEASE BE ALERT! Traffic control is in place for your safety! The enforceable speed limit through the construction zone is 25 MPH. Preston Drive will be closed at Imjin Parkway until August of 2024.

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 5/14/2024 at 10:00 AM.

If you are interested in participating on the teleconference or being added to the list, please contact monica@montereychamber.com. 

Your feedback is welcome.

montereychamber.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: "Food, Microbes & Mood: How Food & Microbes Alter Brain Chemistry" with Emily Nahas Reistetter of Grounded Health & Wellness

Wednesday, May 1 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Zoom or In-Person at MPCC Offices

FREE

Register >>

ALL CHAMBER MEGA-MIXER: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Thursday, May 2 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Salinas

Register >>

RIBBON CUTTING: ISR Monterey Bay

Tuesday, May 7 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

202 Calle Del Oaks, Del Rey Oaks

Register >>

MIXER: The Club at Pasadera

Thursday, May 16 | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM

100 Pasadera Drive, Monterey

Register >>

Public Notice: County of Monterey Office Equipment & Furniture Surplus Sale

The County of Monterey will be hosting a public sale for office equipment and furniture deemed surplus by the County of Monterey.

Surplus equipment will be available for sale ONE DAY ONLY, Friday May 10 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at 1488 Schilling Place, Salinas. Nothing can be “held”. All Items must be removed between

Items available for sale:

• Office Furniture

• Office Chairs (Task/Guest)

• File Cabinets (Lateral/Vertical)

• Bookcases

** Equipment sold “as is”, “where is”. Sales are final “cash & carry”. Exact cash only. No personal checks accepted. No exceptions. No equipment available to load or dismantle items. No assistance available to load (come prepared to haul away). Bring your own tie down and securing equipment.

Big Sur: Highway 1 Updates

Access to northern Big Sur:

As of Monday, April 29, visitors are able to access northern Big Sur businesses, parks and trails via twice-daily convoys on Highway 1 operated by Caltrans. Convoys will run at 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM each day. These are the only opportunities to travel into/out of Big Sur each day, so visitors must plan accordingly. If you do not exit Big Sur in the 5:00 PM convoy, you will not be able to leave until 7:00 AM the next day.

The public will have access in both directions during the morning convoy. In the afternoon, the public will be able to use the northbound convoy to leave the area; however, only visitors with existing travel reservations will be allowed to join the southbound convoy. Travelers are advised to arrive at the convoy staging areas as early as possible to be included. Please note, there is no exit from Big Sur to the south.

Access to southern Big Sur:

Access to the southern part of Big Sur, including hotels and businesses, is currently available via Highway 1 coming north through San Luis Obispo County. Due to slides along Highway 1, access from the northern part of Big Sur via Highway 1 is not open at this time.

** Be advised that closures on Highway 1 are impacting travel to Big Sur. Conditions are rapidly evolving, so check current conditions before traveling. If you have plans in Big Sur, contact your hotel, restaurant or tour provider for more information, as hours of operation and services may be limited at this time. Please be respectful, patient and kind to all involved in your travels to Big Sur, as these hardworking teams are doing their best to make sure you have a great experience in their community.

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