CITY OF MONTEREY

• At its July 7, 2026 meeting, the Monterey City Council officially recognized that a majority of voters rejected Measure D, a proposed sales tax increase that was on the June 2 ballot. The city council also officially recognized that a majority of voters (via mail under the Proposition 218 process) did not approve a proposed property fee increase for stormwater operations, maintenance, and regulatory compliance. Finally, the city council placed a renewal of the Measure S sales tax (originally approved in 2014 as Measure P) on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
• The Monterey City Council on July 7 also authorized the city to participate in upcoming State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) hearings concerning a proposal to modify or rescind its 2009 Cease and Desist Order (CDO) (amended in 2016) that prohibited California American Water Company (Cal Am) from supplying water to new service connections or increasing water usage at existing properties. Ending this moratorium on new water uses could change housing and economic development patterns on the Monterey Peninsula.
• The City of Monterey is working with other agencies to ensure preparedness for wildfires in the late summer and fall and for flooding and wind damage in the winter.
•  The City Manager is meeting with representatives of the city's business improvement districts, most recently the North Fremont Business District.
• Tonight (July 14, 2026), the City of Monterey Planning Commission will vote on approval of an Architectural Review Permit and a Use Permit for the remodel and expansion of an existing motel and restaurant at 2101 North Fremont Street. This is the site of the vacant Casa Verde Inn and the vacant Caruso's Corner restaurant, which closed in 2017. The number of guest rooms would increase from 18 to 19 through conversion of the existing manager's unit, and the former restaurant dining area will be remodeled into a new reception area, lounge, office, storage, housekeeping/linen space, preparation area, and a guest-only continental breakfast area. No public restaurant, cafe, table service, or commercial cooking is proposed under the current applications.
• The property was purchased in 2017 by Lakshmi Hotel Partners, which proposed building an Avid Hotel there. In 2025, the Shake family (local owners of Old Fisherman's Grotto and other restaurants and businesses), purchased the site. The hotel is called The Isabella. See the agenda item at 2101 North Fremont Street -Approve Architectural Review Permit Application ARP-26-0027 and Use Permit Application UP-26-0097 for the Remodel of Existing Motel and Increase in Motel Rooms.

HOW'S THE LOCAL ECONOMY DOING?

• Some retail and restaurant managers are reporting slower business than expected on the weekdays, although weekend business remains lively. Some people are describing the housing market as "sluggish," although prices aren't going down. Monterey Regional Report is experiencing strong passenger rates for its flights, which is also revealed in parking lot occupancy.

UTILITIES

• The headquarters of our region's Community Choice Aggregation public power agency, Central Coast Community Energy (3CE), moved as of July 1 from 70 Garden Court, Suite 300 in Monterey to 20 Ryan Ranch Road, Suite 214 in Monterey. 3CE started operations in 2018 at the Garden Road site with twelve employees, when it was known as Monterey Bay Community Power. As the agency expanded to encompass five counties, staff has grown to 43 employees at headquarters and an additional 16 employees at regional locations in Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties.
• 3CE plans to acquire land and develop a permanent headquarters somewhere in Monterey County in the next three years. In late 2025 and early 2026, 3CE officials were negotiating with Marina Community Partners/Shea Homes to acquire four acres of property located north of the Veterans Administration Hospital and south of Best Buy in The Dunes on Monterey Bay Development.
• 3CE will hold an annual meeting, open to the public, on September 16. Speakers will report on various aspects of the power industry.

TRANSPORTATION AND CONSTRUCTION

• Today (July 14 at 1:00 pm) the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) will hold a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the City of Marina to celebrate the completion of the Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project, a critical commute corridor connecting the Salinas Valley and the Monterey Peninsula. Your Chamber will have representatives in attendance.
• The Carmel Valley Road Resurfacing Project continues from Carmel Rancho Boulevard to just east of Via Petra, near the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Construction is anticipated to continue through fall 2026, but work was halted on July 3–6 to accommodate Independence Day weekend and will halt August 5–17 to accommodate Car Week.

CHAMBER BUSINESS

• Remember to register for your Chamber's Business Excellence Awards dinner on July 23. This event features the Design-A-Centerpiece Contest. Get information and register here: Annual Business Excellence Awards.

Community Foundation for Monterey County Annual Report

The annual report theme for 2025 is the CFMC’s tagline, Here for Good.

Introduced in 2002, it has a wonderful triple meaning. They are here to do good work, and they’re going to do this work in perpetuity. Perhaps most importantly, they’re going to do it Here in Monterey County. The power of local philanthropy helps open doors, strengthen communities and create brighter futures. The highlights in this issue show that impact in action, including:

• Granting $46.2 million, Awarding $2.1 million in scholarships
• Community leadership work
• SIEDI and COAD initiatives
• Raising $17.1 million for 213 local nonprofits through Monterey County Gives!
• Donor and scholarship stories
• Community Impact investments and more

New Scam Alert: PG&E Disconnection

If you get a call threatening disconnection of your PG&E service and told to pay with a bar or QR code, its a scam. Don't be fooled!



This new scam has already stolen tens of thousands of dollars from residents in Monterey County. If you get a call, hang up and check your own account with PG&E.

Thank You to our MPCC Leadership Circle!

Visionary Members

Cornerstone Members

Foundational Members