12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 21-27, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com In 1986, the City of Marina and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District formed a partnership with the Coastal Conservancy to acquire the wetlands around the KIDD radio tower. Core to that partnership was a “wetland enhancement plan,” approved by both agencies, that was to guide the 12-acre property’s future. MPRPD would get the funds for land, the City would operate the park. Together with a few other parcels, that property became part of LockePaddon Wetland Park, which MPRPD dedicated in 1991. In 1994, the city reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the property’s habitat value when it approved a Vernal Pond Management Plan. In 2004, MPRPD acquired another 6.5 acres behind the Marina library and adjacent to Del Monte Boulevard for habitat preservation. In 2005, the two agencies funded a master plan for the park that was adopted by MPRPD, but not the city. That has recently come to light as both agencies are taking a fresh look at Locke-Paddon because the Marina City Council has been pushing for a series of projects in the park, including an elaborate Asian Community Garden, that are on property owned by MPRPD, not the city. That property—the 6.5-acre “Isakson” parcel the district bought in 2004—is also the site of a thriving community garden built up over the last decade by volunteers for Citizens for Sustainable Marina. That garden grew after volunteers started watering oak trees MPRPD planted in 2013, and along with raised beds volunteers have planted, there are also now fruit trees. Meanwhile, the wetlands portion of the park—the purpose of the park’s formation—continues to fall into further disrepair. And per the agreement MPRPD and the City reached in 1987, the City entered into a 25-year lease agreement for the park’s property at a rate of $1 annually. That lease has since expired, and the two agencies have no formal agreement over who is responsible for operations and maintenance. The two agencies held a joint meeting in April to start sorting things out, and on May 6, the Marina City Council approved asking MPRPD to enter into a lease agreement on the Isakson property to create a 1-acre Asian Community Garden. They reaffirmed that ask at a July 1 meeting. On July 2, MPRPD hired Eric Morgan as general manager. He says he’s going to be looking for direction from his board, given that the 2005 master plan had a “pretty dramatically different vision…than what is there.” A 2.75-percent annual cap on rent increases, a rent registry and two other tenant protection ordinances are headed to Salinas City Council, again. The council voted in June to overturn the four ordinances, and instead advance a rental assistance program. But a petition for a referendum was certified on Aug. 15 after organizers with the group Protect Salinas Renters obtained enough signatures to send the matter back to council. (Early in the referendum effort, the council’s repeal ordinance was suspended, pending the outcome of the petition. That means the ordinances at issue remain in effect for now.) Salinas City Council is set to discuss next steps on Tuesday, Aug. 26. They have three options: undo their vote; send the matter to the voters in a special election; or combine it with a general election in 2026 (when there is a lower cost to place a referendum on the ballot). Members of Protect Salinas Renters are urging the council to repeal their vote. “That’s our preference, and then there will be relief for renters,” says John Silva, a physician and member of the group. Property owners, who have been vocal throughout the process, are backing a special election. “Families, renters and property owners deserve certainty and resolution now, not years from now. Delaying until a general election only prolongs uncertainty at a time when Salinas’ housing crisis demands immediate action,” Audrey Wardwell of 36 North Properties said in a statement. Others continue to advocate for rental assistance, part of an alternate package put forward by the mayor. “Rental assistance actually helps the renters who need help the most with housing affordability,” says Adam Pinterits of the Monterey County Association of Realtors. The four ordinances are rent stabilization; a rental registry, creating a database of all rental units in Salinas; just-cause eviction, requiring landlords to provide three months’ relocation assistance in evictions; and a tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Locke-d Up Projects in Locke-Paddon Park are on hold as officials assess a Marina park’s future. By David Schmalz NEWS OPEN DOORS Meet City of Monterey staff and learn about the variety of programs and services offered. Officials from various city departments will be on hand to meet residents. 5-8pm Thursday, Aug. 21. Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St., Monterey. Free. 646-3799, suggest@monterey.gov, monterey.gov/inyourcorner. PUBLIC SERVICE Salinas City Council meets and, as always, accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, Aug. 26. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. 758-7381, cityofsalinas.org. CLASS IN SESSION The Salinas Union High School District Board of Trustees meets and accepts public comment. 6:30pm Tuesday, Aug. 26. SUHSD District Office, 431 West Alisal St., Salinas. Free. 796-7000, salinasuhsd. org. IN THE WORKS Monterey County Planning Commission meets to discuss a proposal to construct a single-family home in Carmel. Public comment is accepted. 9am Wednesday, Aug. 27. Board of Supervisors chambers, 168 West Alisal St., first floor, Salinas. Free. 755-5025, countyofmonterey.gov. MAKING HISTORY Pacific Grove Historic Resources Committee meets to consider removing a Folk Victorian style home on Forest Avenue from the city’s Historic Resources Inventory. 3pm Wednesday, Aug. 27. City Hall, 300 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. 648-3183, cityofpacificgrove.org. HOUSING HELP The County of Monterey Health Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau hosts a one-year anniversary for Hope Housing, which provides housing services for those suffering from mental illness or substance use disorders. 1-2:30pm Thursday, Aug. 28. Nancy Dodd Community Center, 3043 MacArthur Drive, Marina. Free. 7554500, countyofmonterey.gov. STATE OF SALINAS Mayor Dennis Donohue gives the State of the City Address. The event will also include a city services resource fair, food and childcare. Spanish interpretation provided. 5-7pm Thursday, Aug. 28. Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St., Salinas. Free. 758-7407, salinas.gov. Rental Whiplash Salinas City Council to decide what’s next on referendum over housing-related ordinances. By Celia Jiménez Areas of Locke-Paddon Park go unmaintained, including the wetlands. There is no current agreement between the City of Marina and MPRPD for operations/maintenance. E-MAIL: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX The wetland portion of the park continues to fall into disrepair. DANIEL DREIFUSS
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