10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 23-29, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com To make the role of city councilmember more appealing to Seaside citizens of all income levels, the council voted in 2025 to increase the pay for councilmembers, which had remained stagnant at $400 per month since 1986. The raises came on the heels of State Senate Bill 329, passed in 2023, which increased the monthly salary caps for city council members in relation to population. For example, in cities with populations up to 35,000, like Seaside, members are allowed up to $950/month, or “an amount equal to 5 percent for each calendar year from the operative date of the last adjustment of the salary in effect when the ordinance or amendment is enacted.” Seaside city staff, based on the 5-percent yearly increase from 1986 to 2024, landed on a raise of just over $2,400 per month. An ordinance was adopted in May 2025, which included the $2,400 monthly amount and a $300 monthly automobile stipend for the mayor. The mayor and council members began to collect the salaries in June 2025. A year later, a resident contacted the city with a question regarding the ordinance. “Staff took the inquiry seriously and immediately initiated an internal review,” Seaside City Manager Greg McDanel says. The city retained outside legal counsel, who identified two legal issues. The $2,400 amount, based on compounding the percentage increase, was incorrect, and the pay raises should not have taken effect until one or more members of the City Council begin a new term and are sworn into office in December. On July 16, City Council adopted an ordinance immediately returning council compensation to $400 and a second ordinance establishing the correct pay, calculated at $1,180 per month. The city will also retain an independent accountant to establish a repayment process for the roughly $26,000 overpaid to each official. Councilmember Alex Miller was the sole dissenting vote. “My reasoning was straightforward: Since the application of the percentage formula was botched originally and had already created confusion, I felt it was prudent to avoid relying on that same calculation again,” he says. McDanel says that while this situation is unfortunate, it demonstrates the importance of accountability in local government. “Our focus continues to be ensuring compliance with California law, protecting the public’s trust and making the City whole through a transparent process.” In June, the Pacific Grove City Council heard an annual staff vacancy report, required by the state. According to the report, the city averaged vacancies of 12.5 percent in 2025. The P.G. Police Department averaged nearly 18 percent. Members of the Pacific Grove Police Officers Association (POA) contended that the situation looks better on paper than in reality. “The numbers do not reflect what officers face on the street every day,” POA President Sgt. Paul Nagamine said. “There is a significant difference between a position on paper and an officer available to answer calls for service.” According to the POA, PGPD is supposed to have 20 sworn officers, including four sergeants, four corporals, eight officers, two detectives, one traffic officer and one school resource officer. Officers must be fully trained and not be on light duty or extended leave. In 2025, there were 15 officers available for duty in January and February. The numbers continued to decrease each month until there were less than 15 officers, then fewer than 10 in September and October, a 60-percent vacancy rate. “That is not safe for the community, because on a typical shift with 60 percent officers there’s only one supervisor and one officer for the entire city during a 12-hour shift,” said Officer Robert Rutledge, POA secretary. He called it unsafe for the community as well as for officers. The POA asked for the council’s help in adding more staffing, but Mayor Nick Smith offered little hope the city will be able to fill vacancies anytime soon. “We’re always trying to do what’s best for our employees and what’s best for retention, but as everybody knows there’s a lot of economic upheaval, a housing crisis. We have to balance the budget,” Smith said. “I feel it is an investment, but we also have to make difficult decisions.” The POA filed a grievance on how pay raises are handled. That grievance was denied, and POA appealed. On July 15 the council voted 5-0 (with two councilmembers absent) to deny the appeal. Pay Back After an error was found, Seaside council members must return $26,000. By Aric Sleeper NEWS ORD’S LATEST Learn about the ongoing cleanup of the former Fort Ord. Technical staff will provide updates and offer bus tours of areas currently closed off to the public. 9am-1pm Saturday, July 25. Building 4522, Joe Lloyd Way, Seaside. Free. (800) 852-9699, fortordcleanup.com. ON THE BALLOT The candidate filing period for the November election is underway. Get help with the forms from Monterey County Elections Office staff during upcoming Books and Ballots events. 11am-5pm Wednesday, July 29 at Castroville Library, 11160 Speegle St.; Thursday, July 30 at Carmel Valley library, 65 W. Carmel Valley Road; Friday, July 31 at King City library, 402 Broadway St. Free. Make an appointment by calling (831) 796-1499. countyofmonterey.gov/elections. OPEN DOOR Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez hosts an open house. The winners of the painting and photography competition “We Are Southern Monterey County” will be unveiled. 5:30pm Thursday, July 30. District 3 Office, 1011 Broadway St., Suite C, King City. Free. RSVP at (831) 7555033 or pelayoE@countyofmonterey. gov. TALK OF THE TOWN Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church hosts a town hall meeting for Prunedale, Royal Oaks and Elkhorn residents. Ask questions and express concerns about issues in the communities. 5:30-7pm Thursday, July 30. Prunedale Grange Hall, 17890 Moro Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 755-5022, glennchurch.com. A DIFFERENT NAME The City of Salinas is planning to rename Cesar Chavez Library and Cesar Chavez Park. The public is invited to submit proposed names. Deadline is Aug. 14. bit.ly/ SalinasCCRenaming. ELEMENTAL INSIGHT The County of Monterey released a draft environmental impact report for its proposed Housing Element. The public is asked to weigh in on the report. Public review period ends Aug. 31. countyofmonterey.gov/ GeneralPlanUpdates. HELPING HANDS Closer Walk, an outreach center that serves unhoused people, is in need of clothing, snacks or monetary donations. Donate new or gently used clothing. 9-11am weekdays. Closer Walk, 22 Soledad St., Salinas. (831) 595-3165. P.G. Blues Pacific Grove has struggled to keep its police department fully staffed due to budget challenges. By Pam Marino Alex Miller voted against a corrected pay formula, preferring a flat $950: “I believed it would provide a clear, easily understood solution and reduce the risk of errors.” E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN Roughly $26,000 was overpaid to each official. DANIEL DREIFUSS
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