12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY january 26-february 1, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com For the last 19 years, Monterey Peninsula Engineering has operated a concrete recycling facility in southern Marina, just east of Highway 1 and across the street from the District 4 county supervisor’s office. With the exception of those who work in that building, the piles of concrete debris on that site have been out of sight. But that is soon to change as The Dunes development in Marina continues apace, and nearly all of the old military barracks south of Imjin Parkway and west of the highway have been demolished, clearing the way for future residences, businesses and a park. Paul Bruno, MPE’s chief financial officer, says that development to come is the catalyst for why MPE has been on the lookout for a new location for the recycling facility, including four different locations in Del Rey Oaks. The site MPE ultimately decided would be best is in the former Fort Ord on the north side of South Boundary Road. “It’s something not near residential,” Bruno says. “It won’t even be visible from the roadway.” Last October, Del Rey Oaks City Council approved an agreement to be the lead agency for an environmental review of MPE’s proposal, which MPE would pay for (about $40,000). During that Oct. 25 meeting, City Manager John Guertin stressed the need for the city to find more sources of revenue. Managing the land the city was given from the former Fort Ord—which, 25 years ago, conventional wisdom thought would be an economic boon—has instead become an albatross sapping the small city’s resources while putting nothing back into city coffers. “We have narrow revenue sources in the city, and from all appearances we’re heading into a recession,” Guertin told the council. “A big priority for me is to look for any opportunity we can to broaden our revenue sources.” Regarding the possibility of future development along South Boundary Road, Guertin added, “Even in the best case scenario moving forward, we’re at least five years out before the first shovel hits the ground.” Erin Harwayne, a planner for Denise Duffy & Associates—the firm Del Rey Oaks hired to conduct the environmental review—says she expects their work to be done in a few months. And while there were initial concerns when the proposition came before council that it might impact the 28-mile Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway, Guertin says this is a temporary use—something to bring in revenue as the city continues to work toward developing land it was given, but is now paying for. For the second time in three years, the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District is considering building staff housing, an effort aimed at reducing turnover. Administrators say the high cost of living and lack of housing hinders the district’s efforts to hire and retain teachers. “We can no longer wait for others to deal with this [housing] crisis,” MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh says. The cost of living is one reason people resign, and every year the district hires about 100 new teachers. Over the past five years, Soledad Unified, Salinas Union High, and Monterey Peninsula Unified school districts have looked to bonds to build or purchase housing units to provide below-market-rate housing for employees. The first two passed bond measures in 2020; MPUSD’s didn’t make it to the ballot because its board voted against taking it to voters. In a recent survey completed by over 300 workers (25 percent), MPUSD staff showed strong support for the concept, with 70 percent saying they were very interested in workforce housing. On Jan. 24, the survey results were presented to the board. The concept is to build between 30 and 60 units, ranging from one- to three-bedrooms. Nicola Williams, president of the Monterey Bay Teachers Association, says there are mixed feelings among teachers. Some appreciate the district’s efforts, while others feel frustrated since every year it is harder to afford to live in California and Monterey County. “The general feeling is that ideally, we would earn enough in salary that we could afford to purchase our own house,” Williams says. MPUSD’s potential bond proposal is in an early stage. If by the end of this year the board approves placing a measure on the ballot, it would appear in the 2024 primary election and would need 55-percent voter approval to pass. The dollar amount remains to be decided. Hide Away An obscure concrete pile in Marina is likely relocating to Del Rey Oaks. By David Schmalz news Accessibility Updates Learn about what has taken place so far in Monterey’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan update, which is in progress. The city is hosting two town hall meetings, inviting the public to provide feedback and perspectives on programs and activities, as well as access to city-owned facilities. 10am in-person; 6pm online Thursday, Jan. 26. Monterey City Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. 646-3762. Register for zoom at bit.ly/MontereyADAupdate. For more information, visit haveyoursaymonterey.org/ada-transition-plan-update. Business Savvy Monterey law firm Fenton & Keller hosts its annual “New Year, New Laws” seminar, geared toward business owners, HR managers and other professionals who deal with personnel issues. The seminar focuses on new employment laws and workplace compliance issues in 2023, including pay transparency requirements, fair employment practices and wage updates. 8-11:45am Friday, Jan. 27 and Tuesday, Jan. 31. Bayonet & Black Horse Golf Course, 1 McClure Way, Seaside. $75; registration is required at fentonkeller. com/new-year-new-laws-2023-registration. For more information, contact Julia Smith at 373-1241, jsmith@fentonkeller.com. Budget Talks It’s budget season, and the Salinas community budget forums are underway, seeking public input from residents. Take a survey online or attend one of a series of four community meetings (three are remaining) to provide feedback on what budget priorities you would like to see in the coming years. 6-8pm Tuesday, Jan. 31. Salinas City Hall, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. 758-7201. Survey at bit.ly/salinas23. Fresh Foods The city of Seaside wants to bring back a farmers market and is looking for qualified individuals or organizations to manage it. The operator would manage a certified market in the West Broadway Urban Village, the City Hall parking lot or Oldemeyer Center parking lot providing affordable, accessible, fresh fruits and vegetables for the community while reflecting the city’s diversity. Bidding period runs from Jan. 23 through 4pm Feb. 24. Seaside City Hall, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside. For more information, contact Dan Meewis at 899-6821 or dmeewis@ci.seaside. ca.us. Second Round MPUSD revisits a potential bond measure to build staff and teacher housing. By Celia Jiménez In the forefront, heavy machinery knocks down blighted military barracks. In the background, across 1st Avenue, is part of a concrete recycling lot that will have to move. e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX “It won’t even be visible from the roadway.” Daniel Dreifuss
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==