8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 29-FEBRUARY 4, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Following a more than yearlong pause in the project, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors considered options for the upgrade or relocation of Seaside’s aging County Department of Social Services building on Tuesday, Jan. 27. In 2022, county officials began working toward the development of a new building that would become a nexus point for numerous services, including a modernized Seaside branch library and a family justice center. The existing 1.7-acre site at 1281 Broadway contains the current 11,000-square-foot social services building, and also includes the 4,500-squarefoot building occupied by Casa de Noche Buena, an emergency shelter for women and families with children, which underwent a major renovation in 2019. A 10-year deed restriction was recorded with the County in 2020 “for continued use of the site for the shelter operations.” After considering a four-story, 64,000-square-foot building, which had a cost estimate exceeding $110 million—and would call for the relocation of the shelter due to required parking— the supervisors directed staff to pause the project in November 2024 and look into lower-cost options that would not displace the shelter from the campus. In August 2025, seven lower-cost development options were presented to the county’s capital improvement committee, which decided that the options should be considered by the Board of Supervisors at a future date. That future date arrived on Jan. 27, when the board considered the options, which included renovation, demolishing the current building to make way for a new one or relocating the services to a new location, with one option proposing to move social services to a 75,500-square-foot facility on Highway 68, outside of Seaside. Seaside City Manager Greg McDanel asked that the services remain at 1281 Broadway. In a letter, he wrote, “We view this site as a cornerstone of the Broadway corridor and a tangible example of effective CityCounty partnership in service delivery, downtown revitalization, and community well-being.” Following robust discussion about managing the cost, supervisors voted 3-2 to pursue the option favored by McDanel, which calls to demolish the existing facility and build a three-story, 46,500-square-foot building with underground parking. Of the seven concepts, ranging from $16.7 million to $75.1 million in estimated cost, this was the highest-cost proposal. Tens of thousands of California American Water Company customers in the Monterey area could face a rate hike of 16.1 percent beginning Jan. 1, 2027. On July 1, 2025, the company filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), requesting to increase rates to fund a range of system improvements. Cal Am is seeking authorization to increase revenues for water service statewide by $63.1 million, or 17.2 percent in 2027; $22.1 million, or 5.1 percent in 2028; and $26 million, or 5.8 percent in 2029. The proposed increases would be spread across systems in 11 counties across the state that Cal Am serves. For the Central Division, which includes the Monterey System (serving most of the Monterey peninsula) and eight smaller satellite systems, Cal Am is requesting an increase in revenue of $25.6 million, or 24.4 percent from 2027-2029. Rate increases in 2028 and 2029 will be significantly lower, around 3-4 percent. Monterey resident Jody Schisel spoke up at a public participation hearing that drew roughly 50 people to a standing-room-only meeting in Sand City on Tuesday, Jan. 13: “As a person who is recently retired on a fixed income, I can assure you my Social Security and my small pension is not going to exceed 22 percent over the next three years, so I will be running a deficit.” The sentiment was echoed by dozens of residents for the next hour. The CPUC has hosted public hearings throughout the month, with the final hearing on Jan. 28. Josh Stratton, external affairs manager for Cal Am, said the company’s application includes “approximately $72 million for new and recurring infrastructure projects in the Central Division here in Monterey.” Cited projects include replacing six miles of water mains per year, rehabilitating three water storage tanks per year, and replacing aging tanks, among other things. Evidentiary hearings, during which an administrative law judge will develop a proposed decision, are scheduled for April. Big Build County supes move forward with revamp of Seaside’s Social Services campus. By Aric Sleeper NEWS PEOPLE POWER We The People teach-in offers workshops ranging from legal observer training to how to become more engaged in local elections. The event is organized by Indivisible Monterey and Watsonville Law Center. 1-5pm Saturday, Jan. 31. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. Free. Register at bit.ly/ WeThePeopleCCJan31. DWELLING DIVE Marina City Council meets to discuss an accessory dwelling unit ordinance, among other city business. Public comment is accepted. 6:30pm Tuesday, Feb. 3. City Hall, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 8841278, cityofmarina.org. WORKPLACE SAFETY Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of drug and alcohol use in the workplace in this workshop geared toward managers. It is presented by ARCpoint Labs of Monterey Bay and Salinas, in partnership with the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. 8:30-10am Wednesday, Feb. 4. Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, 353 Camino El Estero, Monterey. $75. (831) 324-0772, arcpointlabs.com/monterey-bay. COLLEGE COMMITMENT National College Resources Foundation presents the HBCU College Expo. Learn about historically Black colleges and how to apply for admission and scholarships. 4-7pm Wednesday, Feb. 4. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. (877) 427-4100, bit.ly/ HBCUMPUSD2026. ELECTION SEASON The Declaration of Intention filing period for judicial seats in the June 2026 election is now open. Judicial candidates must pay their non-refundable filing fee and/or submit in-lieu petitions at the time they file. Filing period ends 5pm Wednesday, Feb. 4. (831) 796-1499, countyofmonterey.gov/elections. ARMS OUT Vitalant hosts a blood drive. Donate blood for a chance to win a $500 gift card. 1-5pm Thursday, Feb. 5. Hilltop Park Center, 871 Jessie St., Monterey. Free. Make an appointment at vitalant.org or (877) 258-4825. CITIZEN WATCHDOG Pacific Grove Unified School District accepts applications for its Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. Applicants must live within PGUSD boundaries. Apply online at bit.ly/ PGUSDBondCommittee. (831) 6466530. Rate Hike Cal Am proposes double-digits rate increase to begin in 2027, citing infrastructure needs. By Katie Rodriguez The current 11,000-square-foot building was built in 1975 and houses staff of 60 to 70 employees, who serve about 34,000 individual case members monthly. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “We view this site as a cornerstone of the Broadway corridor.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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