10/15/2024 - 10:00 AM

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

Recap:

City of Monterey

At their meeting today (Tuesday, October 15), the Monterey City Council is expected to vote to move forward with the next steps toward actual construction of a 41-unit affordable housing complex on city land adjacent to City Hall (at the intersection of Van Buren and Madison). See the item at Monterey City Council Meeting - October 15, 2024 - Item 7
An exclusive negotiating agreement has been in place for about 18 months between the City of Monterey and Mid Pen Housing, and weekly meetings have resulted in a 99-year lease agreement
A consultant extensively searched the area for tribal and historical artifacts, including 15 evacuations, but found nothing of significance.
Your Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has supported this project since it was part of a 2019 proposal to develop certain city parcels for affordable housing to meet state Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals. It conforms to the Chamber’s long-standing goal of "Housing Affordability for Local Workforce — A Balanced Choice of Options"

County of Monterey

The final Monterey County Economic Development Committee meeting for 2024 will be on November 6. For more information about this committee, go to Monterey County Economic Development Committee
At their meeting today (Tuesday, October 15), the Monterey County Board of Supervisors will discuss whether or not to “direct and authorize the County Administrative Officer to immediately implement a hiring freeze for positions funded by General Fund discretionary revenue.” See the item at Monterey County Board of Supervisors — October 15, 2024 — Implement Hiring Freeze
This was an item added to the meeting agenda via addendum
The County Administrative Officer informed the Board of Supervisors that "Despite efficient management and stewardship of County of Monterey fiscal resources, the County faces significant challenges” to its budget.
Note that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has placed a measure on the November 5, 2024 ballot (Measure AA) that would increase the sales tax in unincorporated areas of Monterey County to provide additional revenue for the county
Your Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce did not take a position on this tax increase

City of Marina

The Marina City Council will vote today (Tuesday, October 15), on a long-planned Downtown Vitalization Specific Plan, which would ultimately "allow for the development of 1.3 million square feet of new office and retail space while also providing enhanced density with another 2,904 residential units being built. More importantly, the plan will help spur economic development in the urban core of Marina.” See Marina City Council - October 15, 2024 - Item 13(a) and 13(b)

Healthcare

Flu/Cold season is now referred to as “Respiratory Season” with COVID and RSV as factors — and it's right around the corner!
When it comes to flu, COVID, and RSV, we have low numbers in our community right now. COVID is still around and accounts for a few hospitalizations per week at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula
There are a lot of questions about what vaccines to get. Dr. Martha Blum, Montage Health’s Medical Director of Infection Prevention just wrote a piece on what to get and when. You can find it on our website along with locations on where to get your vaccines
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To honor those affected by breast cancer, the hospital is lit in pink at night. This month is a great month to continue to remind everyone to get their screenings and to know their risk factors. Montage now has a free hereditary genetic risk assessment for certain cancers

Tourism & Hospitality

Monterey showed up big at IMEX Global Meetings and Events Trade Show with guerilla marketing, video wall showing the destination, and launched the new Meetings Campaign
A busy couple weeks hosting 60 media guests including The Points Guy who showcased planning, hosting and enjoying a corporate meeting/event through non-traditional channels
See Monterey invited our business partners to join in a meet & great with editorial content and social media teams
In just three days See Monterey received new followers, over 800k impressions and 4k engagements
Content across Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Salinas Valley, and Carmel by the Sea
Note The Points Guy has 9 million unique viewers per month, 4.5 million social media followers is regularly tapped as an expert on outlets such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, New York Times and more
Monterey County Tourism 2030 Roadmap

MPCC

Join us for the MBDA (Monterey Bay Defense Alliance) Fall Breakfast — Register now
Thank you to all who made the 2024 Monterey Bay Business Expo was a success, including Presenting Sponsor Rayne Technology Solutions and our 53 Exhibitors!
MPCC will be participating in the City of Monterey Trunk-or-Treat and Movie in the Park at Colton Hall Lawn on Saturday, October 19

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday 10/29/2024 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.