8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 20-26, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com In 2019, the Pebble Beach Company gave the City of Monterey the Old Capitol Site, a 135-acre property south of Highway 1 opposite the Del Monte Center. Subsequently, the city rezoned the land—a mostly pristine forest of Monterey pines— from low-density residential to parks and open space. Yet five-plus years later, and after the city has spent about $1.2 million in fuel reduction projects and clearing homeless encampments—some of which were so entrenched that they had two stories—it’s fair to ask: Is the property an asset for the city, or a liability? It’s become clear that opening the land to the public is going to be a high hurdle to clear. Over several months last year, the city conducted outreach to gauge what the public would like to see on the property, and local mountain bikers saw an opportunity. There are no trails in Monterey where it’s legal to ride bikes, and the Old Capitol Site seemed like a perfect way to remedy that. Online surveys reflected popular support for the concept. But after considering the options from all the angles—environmental, legal and financial—city staff, on Feb. 12, presented their findings to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and recommended a preferred concept for the park that would only include hiking trails with no bike access to minimize environmental impact. The site is one of the world’s few places home to the federally endangered Yadon’s rein orchid, which are only known to grow—worldwide—in five habitats from the Monterey Peninsula to Moss Landing. The Parks and Rec Commission approved that recommendation, which will come before City Council in the coming months. But even if it is approved, commissioners suggested— per staff’s recommendation—putting the preferred park concept on the shelf for now, as the estimated price tag to build it is nearly $13 million. The city’s current budget shortfall to fix its aging infrastructure over the next five years is about $40.6 million. “When the city has other priorities, other existing infrastructure to maintain, it is a challenge,” says Recreation Manager Shannon Leon, who presented the concept to the commission. “But it is a beautiful space.” The preferred concept for the park would impact eight acres, and to mitigate that impact per state law, Leon adds, the city would have to acquire 16 acres of habitat elsewhere to put into preservation. In April 2023, the Carmel City Council approved a two-year contract with Flock Safety, a manufacturer and operator of surveillance systems, to install 30 license plate reader cameras. The cameras, installed around the perimeter of the city, in town, and in some residential areas, alert police officers to suspicious activity based on flagged vehicles. But just how many cameras were necessary, as well as concerns over privacy and aesthetics, prompted the creation of an ad hoc committee. The committee met several times over the past year to address concerns about the company and review language in the contract. Now, with the contract set to expire on March 30, the Carmel City Council met to discuss how to approach the new contract based on the findings from the committee and recommendations from Police Chief Paul Tomasi. On Feb. 4, the council voted 4-1 to approve the recommendation from the Carmel Police Department, which includes reducing the number of leased cameras from 30 to six, with a provision to add up to six more cameras during the term of the contract, and limit spending to $30,000 over the two-year term. However, concerns remain. “Everything I’m hearing about Flock doesn’t sound right,” said City Councilmember Bob Delves, who suggested the city explore alternatives to using the company’s surveillance cameras. Flock, a $4 billion startup with cameras in more than 4,000 cities across 42 states, has faced multiple lawsuits for Fourth Amendment violations related to warrantless government surveillance, according to findings from the ad hoc committee. “Everybody already uses Flock,” said Councilmember Jeff Baron, the sole dissenter of the motion, questioning whether an alternative exists, and if it does, whether it would be different. “I share the concerns raised about the company, but I have to start by saying we are where we are,” Delves said. “It’s tempting to throw the whole thing out and start over, but I don’t want to take away the tool.” In Park Monterey’s Old Capitol Site is slated for hiking trails, if the city can ever afford them. By David Schmalz NEWS SCHOOL WORK The Monterey County Office of Education hosts a job fair featuring representatives from various school districts in the county. 9am-noon Saturday, Feb. 22. Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave., Salinas. Free. 755-0379, bit.ly/MCOEjobfair. WHAT’S IN THE WATER Join fellow “water warriors” to test water quality of the Salinas River. Breakfast is provided. 10:30am-1pm Saturday, Feb. 22. San Lorenzo County Park, 1160 Broadway St., King City. Free. 204-1381, montereywaterkeeper.org. FIX YOUR STUFF Repair Cafe Monterey helps the public fix items to keep them in use and out of the landfill. 11am-3pm Saturday, Feb. 22. Old Town Hall, 999 Angelus Way, Del Rey Oaks. Free. bit.ly/RepairCafeMonterey. FIND A JOB Monterey County Works hosts 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. 26. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Salinas. Free. Register at montereycountyworks.com/ february-26-2025-job-fair. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORT The City of Marina seeks public input on environmental justice policy ideas. This workshop is part of a series of events for the city’s General Plan update. 4-6pm Wednesday, Feb. 26. Vince DiMaggio Park Community Building, 3200 Del Monte Blvd., Marina. Free. ahunter@cityofmarina.org, marina2045.org. BUDGET IN FOCUS The City of Salinas holds a budget meeting to gather feedback from residents on their priorities. 6-8pm Wednesday, Feb. 26. Salinas PAL, 100 Howard St., Salinas. Free. 758-7381, cityofsalinas.org/ News/2025-2026-Budget. ROUNDABOUT REVIEW The County of Monterey proposes adding a roundabout at the intersection of Castroville Boulevard and San Miguel Canyon Road in Prunedale. A study on the project is now available for public review and comments. Review period ends at 5pm March 17. Study available at bit.ly/MCprojects or in-person at Public Works Department, 1441 Schilling Place, second floor, Salinas; Prunedale library, 17822 Moro Road, Prunedale; Castroville library, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville. Mail comments to Maribel Ramos-Peredia, County of Monterey, 1441 Schilling Place, Salinas, CA 93901, or email to Ramos-PerediaM@countyofmonterey. gov. 755-4800, PWFPSupportStaff@ countyofmonterey.gov. Flock Flyaways Carmel City Council decides to move forward with Flock cameras, with a caveat. By Katie Rodriguez A rendering shows a possible trail design through the Old Capitol Site, a 135-acre, treefilled property that was given to the City of Monterey by Pebble Beach Co. in 2019. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “The city has other priorities. But it is a beautiful place.” BFS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS
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