7/15/2025 - 10:00 AM

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

Recap:

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

• The City of Monterey is sponsoring a new program called First City Academy. Monterey residents will learn about city programs and services, gain an understanding of how local government operates, and find places for community involvement.
• It consists of eight weekly sessions on Thursday evenings from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm, August 28 through October 23, 2025 at various locations around the City, culminating in a graduation ceremony on October 23. It even includes a historic tour of the city on a Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) bus. To apply for this program, go to https://monterey.gov/firstcityacademy. Deadline to apply is Monday, July 21, 2025.
• Today (Tuesday, July 15, 2025), the Monterey City Council is voting on revisions to the city's Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, initiated by city staff in response to complaints about vendors at Fisherman's Wharf expanding operations into sidewalk space. (See Item 19 on the meeting agenda.) Under state law (Senate Bill 946, enacted in 2018), the city cannot prohibit sidewalk vendors and has limited regulatory power over them. Your Chamber sent a letter to the City Council supporting the proposed revisions.
• Also today, the Monterey City Council is voting on approval of environmental review and authorization to proceed with a small but helpful recycled water supply project. (See Item 15 on the meeting agenda.) Your Chamber sent a letter to the City Council supporting the project.  
• On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Seaside City Council will vote to approve a construction contract for Phase 1B of structure and parking lot demolition at the former Fort Ord. (See Item 9D on the meeting agenda.) Your Chamber sent a letter to the City Council supporting the demolition.

HOSPITALITY

• See Monterey reports that because Independence Day was on a Friday, the three-day weekend resulted in higher Average Daily Rate (ADR) but lower occupancy than the previous year.
• Episode Four of the See Monterey Pro v. Pro series features a professional sea kayaker and fishing guider versus a professional steer wrestler and winner of the 2024 Salinas Rodeo buckle for steer wrestling. This will be shown at the 2025 Salinas Rodeo. See it at Monterey Pro v. Pro.
• As a result of recent acquisition by Concert Golf Partners, the golf club off of Highway 68 now known as TPC Monterey at Pasadera is going to be part of the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour’s TPC (Tournament Players Club) Network.
• Java House, an Indianapolis-based cold brew coffee brand, will be title sponsor of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES event this month at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The event on July 25-27 will be called the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey.

MPCC

• Your Chamber's Annual Business Excellence Awards are on Thursday, July 17 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Embassy Suites - Monterey Bay in Seaside. This is the fun event with the table centerpieces. Register here: Annual Business Excellence Awards.

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday, 7/29/2025 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

Annual Business Excellence Awards presented by West Coast Community Bank

Thursday, July 17 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Embassy Suites by Hilton Monterey Bay Seaside, Seasife

Presented by West Coast Community Bank, this event increases public awareness of the vital role business plays on the Central Coast and gives recognition to those businesses that have achieved excellence in their fields. 300-plus Peninsula business and community leaders attend to show their support for the local businesses that make up the backbone of our community.

We'll See You on Thursday! >>

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