Development News for Monterey, California

Monterey City Council Proclaims June 2026 as Pride Month

The Monterey City Council officially recognized June 2026 as Pride Month by reading a proclamation. This proclamation honors the history of the LGBTQ+ liberation movement, supports the rights of all citizens to experience equality, and acknowledges the city's commitment to visibility, dignity, and equality for LGBTQ+ people. The city plans to raise the inclusive progressive pride flag at City Hall during June to symbolize pride, inclusion, and support for social movements advocating for LGBTQ+ individuals. The council noted that while marriage equality has been achieved, there is still progress to be made in equitable treatment and that education and awareness are vital to ending discrimination. Celebrations of Pride Month are seen as an opportunity to strengthen alliances, build acceptance, and advance equal rights.

Monterey Council Approves Sewer Service Charge Collection on Tax Roll Amidst Public Concerns on Notification

The council voted to approve the collection of sewer service charges on the property tax roll for fiscal year 2026-2027. This action follows a public hearing where protests were received. Carl Fritzer, the Environmental Regulations Analyst, presented the annual rate report and explained the process. He noted that the action confirms a majority protest did not exist, allowing the sewer update to take effect. The current action is part of a five-year plan of increases originally adopted in 2024, and this represents year three of those increases. Rick Hoyer, a member of the public, protested the method of notification, suggesting the Monterey Herald's limited readership and subscriber base in Monterey was insufficient. He advocated for direct billing instead of inclusion on the property tax roll, citing it as less objective and understandable for property owners, and easier for managing common area expenses for multiple properties. He urged for better public notification methods.

Monterey Sets Annual GANN Limit Appropriation at $183 Million for Fiscal Year

The council reviewed item seven, the annual GANN limit appropriation. The finance director explained that the GANN initiative, a proposition from 1979, sets a ceiling on tax revenues that can be spent on government activities annually. For the current fiscal year, Monterey's appropriation limit has been calculated at $183 million, based on $100 million worth of tax income, using factors provided by the State of California's Department of Finance. The council proceeded to vote on the item after public comment was solicited and none was received.

Urgent Plea to City: Prevent AT&T Landline Discontinuation, Preserve Lifeline Services

Nina Bey urged the city to take action to prevent AT&T from discontinuing local landline telephone service, which would also end lifeline and carrier of last resort (COLR) obligations. Bey emphasized the critical importance of copper line landlines as essential infrastructure, noting their 99.999% reliability and ability to function during extended power outages and disasters. These lines provide power to phones, ensure they ring for emergency calls (911, doctor), receive evacuation notices, and maintain connection with vulnerable individuals. Bey also highlighted the pinpoint location accuracy for emergency responders and superior voice quality compared to unreliable VoIP and wireless alternatives that require batteries and can fail during disasters. She cited thousands of testimonies of landlines saving lives during fires when electricity was cut. Bey detailed AT&T's multiple efforts to deregulate and escape COLR obligations, including petitions to the FCC to eliminate landlines and lifeline services in California, which will be automatically granted without opposition by June 22nd. She also mentioned AT&T's lawsuit against the state and CPUC to stop regulations and a state bill (ACA 9) that would remove telecom companies' public utility designation and oversight. Bey stressed this is an urgent public safety matter, particularly for those in rural, fire-prone, and vulnerable areas.