Monterey · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monterey public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Presidio of Monterey public works funding
The council was scheduled to accept Army project awards putting more than $7.8 million into the Presidio of Monterey Public Works Fund, plus $25,000 for museum roof and restroom repairs. This is federal money supporting the Army's facilities that the city administers.
Budget deficit and Roadmap to Resilience workshops
The city faces a ~$12 million deficit next year and is balancing with one-time fixes: freezing 30 vacant jobs, cutting rental assistance in half, and using $3.5M in one-time NCIP funds. Staff promised a 'Roadmap to Resilience' over the next 6-8 months, and warned next year's budget will be even harder.
Ad-Hoc Community Cost-of-Living Reduction Task Force
A new eight-member stakeholder task force will look at city fees, processes, and efficiencies affecting affordability, chaired by a councilmember with a report due by end of 2027. Critics called it duplicative, imbalanced, and badly timed before an election.
Encroachment permit fee reductions
A local plumber told the council that new fees taking effect July 1 would raise his typical permit costs from under $700 to about $2,600 — a jump he called price gouging that will be passed to homeowners.
Measure S renewal for November 2026 ballot
The existing Measure S tax expires March 31, 2027. It brings in roughly $12 million a year for streets, sidewalks, and storm drains — money the city says it can't replace while facing a $12 million structural deficit. Voters will decide in November; it needs a two-thirds yes.
Permit fee increases draw homeowner complaints
Homeowners and a property manager blasted the city over permit fees that jumped from $594 to $2,690 for some encroachment permits as of July 1, arguing the fee study's hour-based billing doesn't match reality and costs get passed to tenants.
Parking tax shelved for November
A proposed 8% parking tax polled at about 52% — dangerously close to the 50% threshold — and consultants warned adding it to the ballot could drag down Measure S. Staff recommended against it this cycle but proposed future exemptions and refined revenue estimates of about $1.1 million.
Vacancy tax exploration
A vacancy tax polled at 61-67% support, and Councilmembers asked staff to explore it — possibly as a citizen initiative — though ballot deadlines make adding it to November difficult and it could compete with Measure S.
Business and Maintenance District Assessments
Downtown property owners will keep paying extra assessments for enhanced cleaning and services in Cannery Row, New Monterey, North Fremont, Alvarado Street, and Calle Principal — all cleared with no majority protests.
Council Agendizing Process Reform
How councilmembers get items onto future agendas was the night's main topic. The Council agreed to a simpler Brown Act-compliant process with City Manager consultation, staff timing estimates, and quarterly status updates — but rejected raising the approval threshold to a majority, which speakers warned would silence minority and district viewpoints.
Meeting Efficiency: Public Comment, Ceremonial Items, and Meeting Length
Councils meetings running to 11 p.m. prompted options like consolidating public comment, starting earlier, and moving ceremonial items and outside presentations to consent. The Council rejected cutting a public comment session or daytime meetings as inequitable, supported moving ceremonial items to consent, and will get detailed protocols back later.
Stronghold Engineering Litigation
In closed session, the council unanimously authorized filing an appeal in the city's long-running lawsuit with Stronghold Engineering.
Citywide Fee Schedule and Appeal Costs
The city adopted its first comprehensive fee update since 2013 — roughly a 6% increase generating about $650,000–$1 million. The council balked at a $4,180 fee to appeal planning decisions to the council, settling on $3,500, and directed staff to write an ordinance allowing the subsidy; low-income waivers need more legal research.
City Staffing Vacancies and Labor Concerns
The city has 65.5 vacant positions of 476 budgeted, with the management group above 20% vacancy. Labor groups warned that frozen non-general-fund positions, contracting out, and burnout are hurting services — and the mayor tied it to the tough budget choices ahead, including the Measure D vote.
Council Governance Policy Review
Mayor Williamson wants to rethink how items get on the agenda and how meetings run — possibly adding a monthly meeting. Councilmember Rasch pushed back that her health-and-safety items (a multifamily smoking ban, Highway 68/Skyline) have waited over a year. Discussion goes to a special meeting May 27.