16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY December 7-13, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com When the California state budget allocated $20 million to the County of Monterey to use for recovery efforts in Pajaro following massive flooding in March, no strings attached, it was a gift remarkable for its size and its flexibility. How to divvy up that $20 million is a tougher project. It has been the subject of five months of community meetings hosted by the County Department of Emergency Management. That led to DEM’s recommendations to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Dec. 5, on how to allocate the $20 million. But as community members spoke to the board, it immediately became clear that they have different priorities than DEM officials suggested. DEM proposed distributing $6.7 million to natural and cultural resources, including $3.5 million for upgrading the Pajaro library to offer additional space for community gatherings; $3 million for community grants to support things like beautification, education programs and interpretation services; $2.7 million for street improvements and signage; $1.15 million for emergency preparedness and response, including $500,000 to purchase vehicles such as a flood rescue boat. The recommendations from DEM also included $6 million for recovery, including direct financial support to businesses and individuals, regardless of immigration status. That became a sticking point for community members who spoke up during the meeting on Dec. 5, and wanted to see $12 million—double the proposed amount—go toward direct financial relief. “We want to ensure residents and small businesses are given financial relief first,” said Sister Rosa Dolores Rodriguez, founder of Casa de la Cultura and chair of the Pajaro Disaster Long-Term Recovery Alliance. Jessica Guzman of the Centro Binacional Para El Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño said the funds shouldn’t go toward infrastructure projects. “It feels that the County is evading its responsibility, funding things they have failed to do long before there was any damage by the floods,” Guzman said. Carmen Herrera-Mansir, executive director of El Pajaro Community Development Corporation and Erica Padilla-Chavez, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank, echoed the request to allocate $12 million for relief. County Supervisor Luis Alejo questioned several line items, including $500,000 proposed for a study on housing: “How is that going to help us advance getting housing built?” Supervisor Glenn Church suggested a compromise plan to increase the amount of direct relief funds from $6 million to $9 million. He also suggested cutting the housing study, plus another $500,000 for a welcome sign and $2 million for Pajaro Middle School‘s recreation facility upgrades, which will not impact the timeline to reopen the still-shuttered school. Amid extensive public comment and discussion, the board delayed a vote, and planned to reconvene on Dec. 6, after the Weekly’s deadline. Dividing the Pie With $20 million in state funds to spend on Pajaro, residents ask for more in direct aid. By Celia Jiménez The levee on the Pajaro River breached on March 11, leading to widespread flooding and evacuation orders impacting about 2,000 people in Pajaro, where recovery efforts continue, nine months later. NEWS “It feels that the County is evading its responsibility.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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