12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY december 14-20, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com There aren’t many hurdles left to clear for Monterey-Salinas Transit’s SURF! project, which is planned to be a rapid transit busway between Marina and Sand City, and would have its own, separated roadway to the west of Highway 1 between the two cities. In theory, the project seeks to reduce traffic during commute times. Once built, how many people will actually ride on it? That’s unknown, but the idea, MST General Manager Carl Sedoryk says, is akin to the famous Field of Dreams line, “If you build it, they will come.” The project is fully funded—it’s budgeted at around $78 million, with $6 million set aside as a contingency for potential cost overruns. The last pre-construction hurdles that remain are to get coastal development permits from the cities of Marina and Sand City, as well as the California Coastal Commission. Both cities have approved local coastal plans, which allow them to grant the permits without the matter coming before the statewide commission. However in this case, a 2.5-mile stretch along the highway is outside of both cities’ LCP jurisdictions. On Dec. 5, Sedoryk came to Sand City’s City Council meeting to apprise them of MST’s recent work in general, but the conversation quickly shifted to how the SURF! project would impact Sand City. One of the project’s two endpoints is on Playa Avenue, just west of its intersection with California Avenue between two high-traffic shopping centers in the small city. Vibeke Norgaard, Sand City’s manager, had already been in communication with MST regarding traffic impacts of the project on that intersection and wanted to see more data, and expressed a desire for there to possibly be a roundabout at the intersection. So MST’s traffic consultant on the project, Frederik Venter from KimleyHorn, ran a traffic simulation that shows the impact of a roundabout at that intersection. In short, it shows the roundabout would increase travel times because the path going north out of the Costco parking lot—which is California Avenue—would be reduced to one lane. Instead, of the four options Venter presented to the MST board at a meeting on Monday, Dec. 11, the board—along with Norgaard—agreed the best option is three lanes, with dedicated left- and right-hand turn lanes. Sedoryk says construction is expected to start next September and that it will take about 25 months. YWCA Monterey County serves people in crisis, including survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. In 2022, the nonprofit’s 24-hour crisis line received 2,675 calls related to domestic violence services. The YWCA also provides a shelter and counseling. It has also provided legal advocacy services since 2002, but no longer. On Nov. 2, the organization received a letter from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services notifying them they will not receive additional funds from the state’s Legal Assistance Program, which has provided funds to the YWCA since 2018. Legal advocacy services had been free to YWCA clients, who received assistance with restraining orders (for domestic violence or harassment), cease-and-desist letters, and in some cases, immigration cases. Only 29 out of 75 organizations received funding from Cal OES this year. August Rivera, lead legal advocate for YWCA, says Cal OES’ decision depended heavily on having an in-house family law attorney; YWCA has instead relied on partnerships with other agencies, including Monterey College of Law and Watsonville Law Center. The loss of funding means the end of the organization’s Legal Advocacy Department, which will primarily impact low-income migrant or undocumented women who are fleeing domestic violence and harassment. “The financial barrier created by the loss of this program will have a profound impact on victims seeking justice,” YWCA’s CEO Christine Duncan wrote in a letter to donors. According to the YWCA, 75 percent of calls its Legal Advocacy Department received last year included a request for a restraining order. In 2022, 575 survivors received aid with restraining orders, ceaseand-desist letters, child support and more. The nonprofit stopped providing restraining order services on Dec. 8, and on Jan. 1 will suspend all other legal services. High Tide MST’s SURF! project is advancing, but kinks are still getting smoothed out. By David Schmalz news Building the future MILPA is hosting a Youth Futures Workshop, inviting participants to use their creativity and imagination to propose solutions for the next 100 years in California, all while building community. 4-6pm Thursday, Dec. 14. MILPA, 339 Melody Lane, Salinas. Free; food provided. For ages 14-34. 676-3079, nloeza@milpacollective.org, bit.ly/yfmworkshop. Holiday Feast The City of Marina is looking for volunteers to contribute to its holiday dinner and Winterfest experience from 1-4pm on Sunday, Dec. 17. There are opportunities to help with meal prep, checking in guests, serving and more. Volunteer opportunities: 2-5pm Saturday, Dec. 16; 11am-2pm or 2pm-5pm Sunday, Dec. 17. Rocky Han Community Center, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. 760-0281, cityofmarina. org. Tree Trim In addition to its weekly park cleanup, Friends of Seaside Parks hosts a session on what you need to know to keep fruit trees healthy through pruning and care. Peter Quintanilla, a certified arborist and pruning specialist, shares the basics. 10am-noon Saturday, Dec. 16. Havana Solis Park, between Lincoln and Havana streets, Seaside. Free. Bring clippers and gloves to participate. Water Rates Marina Coast Water District is planning to update its service rates and the board will hear a report from a consultant on rate structure to help the district implement a five-year plan for water, recycled water and sewer services. The presentation will include information on rate-setting in California, the process and timeline. 6pm Monday, Dec. 18. Marina Coast Water District office, 920 2nd Ave., Suite A, Marina; also available via zoom bit.ly/4algtHl, using webinar number 845 8535 1458 and passcode 628311. 384-6131, mcwd.org. Civic Service The City of Pacific Grove has several open volunteer positions on committees and commissions available, including the Planning Commission, Historic Resources Committee and Task Force on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Each body meets at least monthly; appointments will be made on Jan. 17. Deadline to apply is 5pm Thursday, Dec. 21. Applications and forms available at cityofpacificgrove.org or the City Clerk’s office at 300 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. For more information, email cityclerk@cityofpacificgrove.org or call 648-3100. In Need YWCA Monterey County eliminates legal advocacy services after losing state funding. By Celia Jiménez Though Sand City has less than 400 residents, thousands flow in and out of its shopping centers daily. The challenge is to keep things moving as bus traffic increases. e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX Construction is expected to start next September. Courtesy of MST
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