12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY august 8-14, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com For years the City of Marina has contemplated a bond measure to upgrade its aging facilities. This includes a new city hall, as well as police and fire stations. On July 23, Marina City Council reviewed four options that ranged from $20-$60 million. An estimated $16 million would go toward building a new fire station, providing faster response times. A new fire and police station and community center, plus renovation of the civic center on Hillcrest Avenue, is expected to cost more than $60 million. Marina’s City Hall is in double-wide trailers—it was supposed to be temporary, but nearly five decades later is still up and running. City Manager Layne Long has voiced that instead of upgrading old facilities, it would be more cost-effective to build new ones. After a lengthy discussion and public comments, the council voted 3-1, with Mayor Bruce Delgado opposing, to direct city staff to draft language for a $50 million bond measure for the November ballot. If approved, a median-income family would pay $272 annually. “I hope the public will support this,” Councilmember Kathy Biala said during the July meeting. However, the measure faces several challenges. According to surveys conducted by the city’s consultant, only 51 percent of voters would be in favor. Currently, the measure needs 67 percent to pass (this, however, would change if statewide voters pass Prop. 5 in November, reducing the threshold from 67 to 55 percent for housing and infrastructure measures). “I think that most would agree it’s unrealistic. I wanted to try for something smaller, like a $20 million bond for a fire station,” Delgado says, noting many residents favored a fire station. John Sanders, who has lived in the city for over four decades, says the city didn’t engage residents in the process nor was enough information provided, such as a breakdown of repairs needed in city hall or the fire department, to make an informed decision. Councilmember Brian McCarthy says it is important to include the measure in the presidential election and let voters decide. “It would be negligent not to put it on the ballot at this point,” he says, noting the city has spent over two years working on this measure and many residents have shown interest. “They deserve an opportunity to weigh in at the ballot box.” The measure requires one more council vote of approval to make the Nov. 5 ballot, with a deadline of Aug. 9; council was set to vote on Wednesday, Aug. 7, after the Weekly’s deadline. For weeks this summer, the number of cases of Covid-19 in California’s large metropolitan areas were quickly increasing, as well as across the country, driven by a group of highly contagious variants dubbed FLiRT. While anecdotal evidence in Monterey County pointed to more cases, it seemed to be lagging behind other regions. Now it appears to be catching up. On Monday, Aug. 5, the Monterey County Health Department convened a phone call with hospital officials and other providers to confirm that the level of Covid transmission is considered “high,” based on higher numbers of people seeking care for respiratory illnesses at hospitals and clinics and higher levels of the virus being detected at two coastal wastewater treatment plants. (The state no longer requires the reporting of Covid cases.) Officials also track deaths—there were just under 10 reported in July, about the same as the summer surge in 2023, says MCHD epidemiologist Kristy Michie. There have been outbreaks in local senior facilities, which is serious since people who are elderly or with chronic conditions are more at risk for hospitalization and death. Data from Monterey One Water’s regional treatment plant north of Marina shows a marked increase of detectable virus beginning in mid-July. Influent tests at the Carmel Area Wastewater District south of Carmel show a slight jump in mid-June, which then lowered, but has been steadily increasing ever since. Michie advises people to stay home if they’re sick to protect vulnerable people in the community. People can go out in public after symptoms improve and have no fever for 24 hours as long as they wear a well-fitting mask for five days after. Wearing masks in crowded situations is a good idea, as well as improving ventilation or taking gatherings outdoors. Those at higher risk who did not get last fall’s Covid booster are encouraged to do so; it will not prevent them from receiving the updated booster this fall. New Build City of Marina considers a $50 million bond measure to upgrade its facilities. By Celia Jiménez news On the Ballot The deadline for candidates to file for the Nov. 5 election is fast approaching. Candidates have until 5pm Friday, Aug. 9. Nomination documents available 8am-5pm at Monterey County Elections, 1441 Schilling Place, Salinas. Appointments encouraged. 796-1499, candidateservices@countyofmonterey.gov. Into the Fire Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association invites the public to a presentation about wildfire danger. Presenters include representatives from Monterey Fire Department, Community Emergency Response Team, Connally Insurance and more. 6-8pm Monday, Aug. 12. American Legion Hall, 1100 Veterans Drive, Monterey. Free. montereyvistaneighborhood.org. Public Process Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets and accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 9am Tuesday, Aug. 13. Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas; and livestreamed. Free. 755-5066, countyofmonterey.gov. Planning Ahead The Monterey County Planning Commission meets to discuss accessory dwelling unit regulations in the coastal zone. 9am Wednesday, Aug. 14. Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas; and livestreamed. Free. 755-5025, countyofmonterey.gov. Sign Up The Seaside Planning Commission meets to consider various projects and accepts public comment. The agenda includes requests for new signs to be constructed at shopping centers on Del Monte and Fremont boulevards. 6pm Wednesday, Aug. 14. City Council Chambers, 440 Harcourt Ave., Seaside; and livestreamed. Free. 899-6707, ci. seaside.ca.us. Help Out Volunteers are needed to help support the Monterey County Fair in shifts running Aug. 18 through Sept. 3. Volunteers can contribute in areas such as setup, entry receiving and administrative support. Sign up at bit.ly/3WRESQc. Talking Groundwater Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency accepts applications for its six committees that discuss matters related to groundwater sustainability plans for the subbasins managed by the SVBGSA. Applications accepted through Aug. 20. bit.ly/4fw4Ik2. Gone Viral Monterey County’s risk for Covid-19 rises, following a big surge statewide and across the nation. By Pam Marino Mayor Bruce Delgado voted against the $50 million bond measure as proposed, and instead advocates for a smaller, $20 million measure for just a new fire station. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “I hope the public will support this.” Daniel Dreifuss
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