4/7/2026 - 10:00 AM

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

Recap:

CITY OF MONTEREY

• The Monterey City Council meets tonight (April 7, 2026) to discuss the following issues:
• Welcome and Introduce Dante G. Hall as the New City Manager for the City of Monterey
• Recognize April 2026 as Fair Housing Month
• Vote on Overruling Monterey County Airport Land Use Commission Rejection of a Child Care Facility at 2400 Garden Road
• Update from the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey (HACM) on Status of Displaced Tenants Resulting from the Fire at 800 Casanova Avenue and Reappropriate $150,000 in Unused Funds from the Rental Assistance Program to HACM and/or Other Organizations to Continue Support of Displaced Tenants
• About half of the displaced tenants have found new permanent housing, and about half are staying at a hotel in Marina
• Receive Three Annual Reports for 2025: Police Department, Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) System, and Military Equipment Purchase and Use
• See the meeting agenda at Monterey City Council Meeting - April 7, 2026.
• At its April 21 meeting in two weeks, the Monterey City Council will discuss poll results for proposed ballot measures for tax increases, Monterey One Water (M1W) proposed sewer rate increases, changes to the city's tree ordinance, and the city's future relationship with the U.S. Army for Lower Presidio Historic Park.

HEALTH CARE

• On Thursday, April 9, California State University at Monterey Bay will hold a public event at 10:30 am at the Student Union to celebrate a $15 million donation from Montage Health that allows Cal State Monterey Bay to establish the Montage Health Helen Baszucki School of Nursing.
• This nursing school will host the first public pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in the Monterey Peninsula area, as well as a new Master of Science in Nursing program.

AGRICULTURE

• On Thursday, April 9, the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (SVBGSA) Board of Directors will meet to discuss the potential economic impacts of water demand management strategies that will be mandated by the state to stop seawater intrusion into the groundwater aquifers of the Salinas Valley. Wells in these aquifers supply drinking water as well as irrigation water for crops.
• See the meeting agenda at SVBGSA Board of Directors Meeting - April 9, 2026.
• Total estimated annual losses to the agricultural industry range from 5,835 to 8,230 full-time jobs, $571 million to $803 million in labor income, $915 million to $1.291 billion in value added, and $1.358 billion to $1.932 billion in total output.
• See the study here: SVBGSA Economic Impacts of Demand Management.
• Numerous Monterey County wine producers are cutting back on production as demand for wine in the United States and the world continues to drop.
• The Monterey County Farm Bureau and other agricultural entities are warning vineyard owners that they can't simply abandon their vineyards when they stop vine management and irrigation. They must continue to control rodents and other pests to prevent the spread of disease.

MONTEREY REGIONAL AIRPORT

• February 2026 passenger numbers were up over February 2025.
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers have received their backpay and current pay and are no longer eligible to receive gift cards and other donations. However, the Airport is collecting and holding any new donations in anticipation of the next pay freeze due to ongoing shutdowns.
• United is increasing the passenger capacity of airplanes it uses for Monterey Regional Airport flights.

UNITED WAY MONTEREY COUNTY

• In partnership with California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) service puts money back into the pockets of working families through free, IRS-certified tax preparation for eligible individuals and families. 
• Go to this site for more information: United Way Monterey County Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

CONSTRUCTION

• Caltrans representatives are meeting with Monterey County business and community leaders today to discuss the planned South of Salinas Corridor Improvement Project on Highway 101 between Airport Boulevard in Salinas and the Chualar exit. This is a dangerous stretch of highway. Caltrans, in coordination with the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), will soon close off traffic openings on the median of this stretch of highway so trucks cannot make left turns that cross oncoming traffic.
• See more about this project at South of Salinas Corridor Improvement Project (Caltrans) and US 101 South of Salinas Corridor Improvement Project (TAMC).

MILITARY BASES

• On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce - in coordination with the Monterey Bay Defense Alliance and the City of Monterey - will host a breakfast: "Beyond the Hanoi Hilton: A Conversation With Former Naval Flight Officer and Vietnam Pow Larry Friese." 
• Monterey Bay Defense Alliance Chairperson Fred Meurer will provide an update on the military capabilities of local military bases.
• The event is at 7:30 am at the Monterey Conference Center.
• Register here: Monterey Bay Defense Alliance - April 15, 2026.
• Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will have representatives at the Association of Defense Communities annual national summit in Washington, D.C. on May 11-13, 2026.

Next teleconference will be held Tuesday, 4/21/2026 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.

Thank You to our MPCC Leadership Circle!

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