10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 6-12, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com Sal Colletto was born in 1904 and started fishing with his dad on Monterey Bay in 1914. In 1940, he acquired a piece of land in what is now Sand City that he used for drying fishing nets. At the time, the landscape was just sand dunes, dotted with oak trees, and eventually, Sal transported a house in Seaside slated for demolition—he got it for free—and put it on the property at what is now 748 California Ave. Over the years, the house became a hub for fishermen to gather, share food, conviviality and perhaps find some work. John Steinbeck is said to have spent some time there. The house remains in the Colletto family, and since 1970, so does an adjacent, derelict lot at 725 Dias Ave. that Sal’s son Bert bought for his roofing business. And now, Jeanne Colletto, Bert’s daughter, is hoping to turn that street-to-street area—from Dias to California—into “The Yard,” a park-like space that would host a rotating selection of up to four food trucks or trailers at a time. The concept includes seating, landscaping, two public bathrooms and one ADA-compliant parking space. The vision behind The Yard is to bring back the communal nature of Jeanne’s grandfather’s property next door when it was in its heyday—a place to gather, eat and socialize. Sand City’s council was first presented with the vision on Jan. 21. The project was coupled with a proposal that, if approved, would see the lot leased for two years for commercial truck storage in order to raise revenue for the buildout, and help pay medical bills for Jeanne’s grandmother, who is 95 years old. The council unanimously opposed that idea but were excited by the vision for The Yard, and indicated they want to see the area revitalized. Councilmember Michelle Adams said she “can’t wait for The Yard,” Mayor Mary Ann Carbone thought the concept was “great,” and Councilmember Marilee Diaz said, “I too think the food truck concept is amazing…I wish it could start right now.” A resolution to approve just The Yard—decoupled from the truck storage phase—is set to come back to the council for consideration on Feb. 18. Colletto is confident that her vision, despite the truck storage phase being off the table, remains viable, and if approved, the first steps will be getting a power connection and continuing to refine the plans with her landscape architect, Marie Goulet of Wild Land Workshop. In preparation for a new era in Washington, tensions are running high just over two weeks into the new administration. Among other things, communities are concerned about how the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will operate. Those sentiments came up at the County Board of Supervisors Meeting on Jan. 29 in response to a report provided by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office which detailed the number of incarcerated people who were released into ICE custody in 2024. “I would be interested to know if at this point in time, in this particular political climate, if this sort of cooperation could be suspended, what that would look like so we can do absolutely everything we can to protect our communities against mass deportations,” Supervisor Kate Daniels said. “I am concerned.” Beginning in 2018, the Sheriff’s Office increased restrictions on ICE agents’ access to incarcerated people in the Monterey County Jail. The Sheriff’s Office reported a total of 11 individuals in 2024 who met the criteria for qualifying charges related to more serious or high-level offenses, which are the circumstances under which local law enforcement can cooperate with ICE. But supervisors questioned whether or not the sheriff’s office needs to cooperate with them at all, as well as the potential consequences if they don’t. “If we don’t cooperate, those folks who have committed the most heinous acts will be on the street,” Supervisor Chris Lopez said. “My concern comes at the point [where] ICE will still be looking for them, and if they show up at their place of work that there won’t be collateral damage.” Others, like attorney Michelle Welsh, a professor of constitutional law at Monterey College of Law, feel that the less communication with ICE the better. “I would hope to see their relationship completely change to zero cooperation with ICE,” Welsh says. “That’s what they do in Santa Cruz. Their sheriff’s policy is not to cooperate with ICE at all.” Yard Work A permanent food truck park in Sand City seems within reach, if it can pencil out. By David Schmalz NEWS COLLEGE CAREERS Hartnell College seeks to fill 12 full-time faculty positions. A job fair allows prospective applicants to speak with department deans and learn more about the available positions. 1-5pm Saturday, Feb. 8. Hartnell College Main Campus, Steinbeck Hall, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Free. hartnell.edu/hr. SNIPPING CLINICS SPCA Monterey County offers free mobile spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats in South County. The clinics, scheduled for four dates in February and March, are sponsored by Hitchcock Road Animal Services. Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Wednesday, March 19 at King City Recreation Center, 401 Division St., King City. Wednesday, Feb. 26 and Wednesday, March 5 at Soledad Lions Club, 161 Park St., Soledad. $25/deposit for a spot, refundable on arrival. Make an appointment at spcamc.org/vet-clinic. PLANNING AHEAD The Monterey County Planning Commission meets to discuss the latest development proposals. Public comment is accepted. 9am Wednesday, Feb. 12. Board of Supervisors’ Chambers, 168 West Alisal St., Salinas. Free. countyofmonterey.gov. JOB HUNTING Monterey County Works is hosting a job fair to connect local employers with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1-4pm Wednesday, Feb. 12. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Salinas. Free. Register at montereycountyworks.com/ february-12-2025-job-fair. IMMIGRATION INFORMATION The Monterey County Immigration Rights Ad Hoc Committee hosts a “know your rights” forum. Speakers include immigration attorneys and the Mexican consul general. 5-6pm (resource fair), 6-7:30pm (speakers) Wednesday, Feb. 12. Alisal High School gym, 777 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. countyofmonterey.gov. COMMUNITY SERVICE Applications are now open for the Green Cadre program, which pays participants ages 18-24 to work on environmental, food insecurity and other community projects. Deadline to apply is Feb. 18. 796-3331, montereycountyworks.com/6wh0. SURVEY SAYS The City of Salinas seeks public input on its upcoming 2025-2026 budget. A survey is live for the public to share their priorities. Survey open through Feb. 28. Free. surveymonkey.com/r/W878CG2. Opt Out Annual presentation by the sheriff brings forth questions about cooperation with ICE in 2025. By Katie Rodriguez A rendering shows the concept for “The Yard.” Sand City City Council expressed support for it, but were against a two-year intermediate parking lot concept. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “I think the food truck concept is amazing.” GUSTAVO CARVALHO
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