10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 22-28, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com In 2019, the Monterey City Council approved accepting a gift from the Pebble Beach Company, 135 acres of Monterey pine forest south of Highway 1, across from the Del Monte Center. At the time, the land—called the Old Capitol Site—was zoned for “planned community,” and by accepting it, the council agreed to permanently rezone it as parkland. The transaction meant that PBCo would satisfy a condition of its 2012 approval with the county for a Pebble Beach subdivision; the condition required the Old Capitol Site be transferred to an approved entity to be managed as parkland. And though the city was starting to get serious about tightening its expenses, city staff recommended accepting the offer. Even Carmel Mayor Dave Potter, who served on the Monterey City Council earlier in his political career, came over the hill to urge the council to take the land. Only Tyller Williamson—now mayor, then councilmember—voted against it, expressing concerns, among other things, about the city taking on more financial responsibility. The city has since spent close to $1 million on the property, including hiring BFS Landscape Architects to develop a park plan for the property based on site conditions, community feedback and environmental constraints like protected species. With all the information in hand, city staff presented to the Parks and Rec Commission on Feb. 12. They offered a preferred plan for the park that would only allow hiking trails, and no bikes, citing costs and environmental constraints. Even still, that plan— which includes fenced trails through the forest—would cost an estimated $13 million to construct. The Parks and Rec Commission recommended the council approve the plan, but table it until more money was available. On May 20—just as the council deliberated about how to finance city infrastructure costs—the preferred Old Capitol concept finally came to City Council for approval. They were asked to decide on three options for the site: Approve the preferred concept, which would guide any future environmental review process; make the property open to the public only on existing fire roads, which would cost about $1 million in planning and permit costs; or, the now-cheapest option, continue to maintain it at a cost of about $300,000 annually. The council voted 4-0 to approve the preferred plan (with Gino Garcia absent), meaning if the city can ever afford it, it could be a park someday. The Carmel Unified School District administration is once again under a magnifying glass. Parents are demanding the district place Superintendent Sharon Ofek on administrative leave and pursue a third-party investigation into allegations laid out in a lawsuit filed on April 22 by former Carmel River Elementary School principal Alberto Ramirez. Bobby Pfeiffer, a Carmel Valley mother of two students, spoke up during a CUSD board meeting on Wednesday, May 14 and said many no longer trust the board. “Sharon Ofek was supposed to bring a new era to the district,” Pfeiffer says. “All we see is new accusations.” Ramirez alleges his firing was retaliatory and he suffered discrimination and harassment. Among other claims, he says Ofek pressured him into asking the board to hire her on as superintendent. Ramirez’s lawsuit states that “the hiring and new leadership of Ofek were not in any sense a break from [the district’s] dark past, but simply the next chapter of it.” In a statement, CUSD officials write: “The false allegations made by a former administrator involve a personnel matter and the district cannot go into detail regarding why Mr. Ramirez’s employment was discontinued…The district strongly disputes the allegations of wrongdoing and plans on vigorously defending itself in court.” Board president Jason Remynse, one of two current board members who voted in 2024 to appoint Ofek, says, “I stand behind Superintendent Ofek, as her leadership has been critical to the success that the district is currently experiencing.” Remynse adds that under Ofek’s leadership the district has expanded dual enrollment opportunities for students, and attendance has increased. Ofek’s predecessor, Ted Knight, resigned in 2023 with a $770,000 separation payment, which is the subject of another pending lawsuit claiming the payment exceeded the legal limit. There are three active lawsuits in Monterey County Superior Court against CUSD. Up a Tree The future of Monterey’s Old Capitol Site is finally decided—maybe. By David Schmalz NEWS SUPERVISOR SPEAKS District 2 County Supervisor Glenn Church speaks at an event hosted by the Monterey County Business Council. Church will discuss issues impacting North County. 11:30am-1pm Friday, May 23. Crazy Horse Ranch, 475 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas. $65/members, $100/ non-members. 216-3000, mcbc.biz. FUTURE LEADERS The Greenfield Youth Council, along with the Gonzales and Soledad youth councils, hosts the South County Youth Summit. The program includes workshops on leadership and advocacy, a resource fair, lunch and a keynote address by Cynthia Moreno, press secretary for Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. 9:30am-3:30pm Saturday, May 24. Greenfield High School, 225 El Camino Real, Greenfield. Free/students in grades 8-12. Register at bit.ly/ SouthCountyYouthSummit25. 3129966. SAVING THE SLOUGH Elkhorn Slough Foundation Land Steward Ken Collins leads a guided walk to highlight amphibian conservation and pond restoration in the hills above Elkhorn Slough. 10am-noon Saturday, May 24. Location on the Reserve provided after registration. Free. 728-2822, bit.ly/ ElkhornSloughWalk. PUBLIC FACING The King City Council meets to discuss city business and hear public comment. 6pm Tuesday, May 27. City Hall, 212 S. Vanderhurst Ave., King City. Free. 3853281, kingcity.com. CARING FOR CAREGIVERS Hospice Giving Foundation hosts a workshop in Spanish for those taking care of loved ones at the end of their lives. The workshop includes stress management practices, selfcare tips and more. 5-7pm Wednesday, May 28. César Chávez Library, 615 Williams Road, Salinas. Free, donations accepted. 3339023, bit.ly/HGFworkshop. BALANCING THE BUDGET The County of Monterey’s budget hearings for the 2025-26 fiscal year include department presentations. 9am Wednesday, May 28. Board of Supervisors chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas; on Zoom at bit.ly/ BudgetHearing25. Free. countyofmonterey.gov. SWEPT UP The City of Salinas launched a new street sweeping program in various areas. “No Parking” signs have been posted, and a 90-day warning period is underway. Warning period ends July 31. bit.ly/ SalinasStreetSweeping. Head of School Parents demand a third-party investigation into Carmel Unified superintendent. By Celia Jiménez A preferred plan for the Old Capitol Site property includes fenced walking trails through the forest. But even that option would cost an estimated $13 million to build. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX If the city can ever afford it, it could be a park someday. BFS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
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