10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 7-13, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com By itself, the decision by the Pacific Grove City Council to part ways with former city manager Ben Harvey cost the city $437,999 plus six months of health benefits to avoid a possible legal battle. But taken within a broader context, the total costs are well over $534,000 since January 2022, according to information acquired by the Weekly through a California Public Records Act request. Those expenses include an investigation into harassment of Harvey by Councilmember Luke Coletti, which cost nearly $50,000. Harvey had his detractors in P.G. over his seven years at the city—at first mostly residents who took issue with his decisions and missteps by staff, starting in 2017 with the failed Project Bella hotel project at the American Tin Cannery. Mayor Bill Peake began questioning Harvey more in public meetings, but did not appear to have enough votes on council to fire him. After Coletti won a seat on council in November 2020, relations became icier, with Coletti openly showing disdain for Harvey and acting as the lone vote against his contract renewal in 2021. In January 2022, Harvey filed a harassment complaint against Coletti, which prompted an investigation by Ellis Investigations at a cost of $49,267. City attorney Brian Pierik advised the council to hire an outside law firm to provide guidance on the investigation’s results, which cost nearly $15,000. (An Ellis investigator substantiated three of Harvey’s claims of harassment.) One result of the investigation was a recommendation that an outside firm conduct Harvey’s next performance review, which took place in spring 2023, for $32,162. According to a source with knowledge of that review, it was positive, but by July relations between Harvey and a majority of the council deteriorated. On July 26 they agreed to accept his resignation with a 6-0 vote, with Councilmember Chaps Poduri absent. Then on Aug. 30, the council voted to hire a search firm to seek both an interim and permanent city manager, at a cost not to exceed $42,000. There are likely additional costs related to Coletti conferring with Pierik over legal questions. Per the contract approved by the council in June 2022, Pierik’s firm, Burke, Williams & Sorensen LLP, receives $280 an hour for legal services and $305 an hour for special legal services. Pierik declined to provide a log of calls between himself and Coletti, claiming attorney-client privilege. The people who may someday live in a future affordable housing project were invited to weigh in on what the units should look like. At a workshop on Thursday, Aug. 31, dozens of people used colored stickers to show preferences for amenities, colors and names of homes to be built at 855 Laurel Drive in Salinas. The city of Salinas and County of Monterey are working together on a 100-percent affordable housing project on 4.7 acres. The development is on a small piece of an 86.6acre county-owned parcel that was abandoned for decades. “We are showing our communities that we will work together to get projects done to alleviate the housing hardship facing our families,” County Supervisor Luis Alejo says. Eden Housing, a nonprofit developer based in Hayward, is in charge of the project, which includes 132 units (a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments). The project will be located next to the Salinas Soccer Complex and the SHARE Center, a shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, and it will be close to parks and rec trails. Plans include a playground, computer lab and community center. The City of Salinas allocated $500,000 to the Laurel project, out of $7 million in American Rescue Plan funds it set aside for affordable housing. “This is going to be life-changing for so many people, so many families in our community,” City Councilmember Anthony Rocha says. The homes will be available for families who earn 30-to-60 percent of the area’s median income annually (currently between $32,120 and $72,240). Several people who attended the Aug. 31 workshop were agricultural workers. One of them was José Correa, an operator at Taylor Farms. “I hope that we are lucky enough to be able to apply for one of them,” Correa says. He currently rents a room for $800 but says he is getting evicted and will soon be sleeping in his car. Construction is expected to start in 2025 and be completed by 2030. Piling Up A rift between P.G. council members and former city manager proves costly. By Pam Marino news Thriving Business Growing a business isn’t an easy task, and that’s why Monterey County Business Council shares resources to help you expand your business and succeed. MCBC hosts two upcoming workshops. The Marina workshop is conducted in English, and the Gonzales event is bilingual in English and Spanish. 3-4pm Thursday, Sept. 7 at the Veterans Transition Center, 202 Twelfth St., Marina. Free. To register, visit tinyurl.com/MarinaBusinesses. 11:30am-1pm Wednesday, Sept. 13 at American Legion Post 81, 419 5th St., Gonzales. Free; lunch included. To register, bit.ly/mcbcsscsept2023workshop. For more information, call 2163013 or email jesus@mcbc.biz. Becoming a Leader If you’re interested in becoming a community leader and learning how local government works, the City of Salinas’ Community Leadership Academy can offer insight and guidance on how to participate. 6-8pm Tuesdays and Thursdays starting on Thursday, Sept. 14. Sherwood Community Center, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. Workshops are bilingual; must be 18 or older. Free; child care and dinner provided. 758-7019, jessicac@ ci.salinas.ca.us, tinyurl.com/12cla. Mental Fitness During the 2023-2024 school year, Salinas Union High School District is offering the opportunity to chat with family therapist Eduardo Eizner so parents and guardians can get tips on how to improve their parenting skills and support children’s mental health, talk about substance use and more. English session: 5-6pm second and fourth Mondays of the month. Bilingual session: 10-11am on Tuesdays. Virtual events. Free. To register for English sessions, visit bit.ly/suhsdmental2023; for bilingual registration, visit bit.ly/ suhsdmentalbi2023. For more information, call 796-7060 ext. 8161. Past Due If you’re struggling to pay your water bill, the City of Gonzales is partnering with the Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program to provide residents with one-time assistance on bills. For information or submit an application, call 726-8817 or visit taphelp.org. Garage Sale Finding and selling treasures in a garage sale can be fun. The City of Soledad hosts its third annual citywide garage sale with participants all over town. All garage sales that register will be added to a citywide map for shoppers. Last day to register is Sunday, Sept. 10; the sale is Sept. 16-17. Free registration. 223-5000, jvalenzuela@cityofsoledad.com, cityofsoledad.com. Homing In The design for an affordable housing project on Laurel Drive in Salinas nears completion. By Celia Jiménez Pacific Grove City Councilmember Luke Coletti at a meeting on Aug. 30, when council approved hiring a search firm to find a new city manager. e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX The total costs are well over $534,000. Daniel Dreifuss
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