After a self imposed pay increase flounders because of a referendum.
Nick’s Ad, July 4 Carmel Pine Cone
Bankrupt Mayor Looking For Work
Category Archives: Pacific Grove
Carl’s Jr Site To Be Cleared Soon
Last fast-food place in PG.
Demolition of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant in Monterey that was destroyed by fire in April will begin in a couple of weeks, a city official said this week. At about 6:35 a.m. on April 3, a large blaze engulfed the fast-food eatery at 902 Lighthouse Ave., causing the building to collapse. Firefighters from numerous jurisdictions responded to the dramatic blaze, which did not injure anyone.
C’mon, Who Doesn’t Like Pickleball?
Just watch out for pickleball rage.
Viral video shows Peter Shonk violently kicked on pickleball court
The Morris Dil Courts on Fountain Avenue and 14th Street getting a makeover.
Soundproof fencing was already added earlier this year and now resurfacing and restriping efforts have been completed, turning the court closest to Fountain Avenue a dedicated pickleball space while the next court over was restored for tennis.
$300,000.00 In Tax Revenue For Pot Sales Downgraded
Chaps Poduri must have been high when he estimated that figure
“It is estimated that one cannabis dispensary within city limits could bring in $300,000 annually,” according to the argument in support of the 2022 ballot measure given to voters that was signed by councilman Chaps Poduri and then-council candidate and current councilwoman Tina Rau.”Why should Pacific Grove lose out on this revenue stream?”
But in a public report to councilmembers ahead of last week’s meeting, city manager Matt Mogensen said that the estimated annual revenue to the city for a pot shop is now estimated to be “up to $50,000.”
Not So Fast For That 130% City Council Pay Increase
We have people acting as if serving on the council is some kind of full time career.
P.G. City Council, led by Mayor Nick Smith, voted 5-2 in favor of an increase based on Senate Bill 329, passed in 2023, which amended state law on compensating councilmembers. The changes allow for a five-percent increase per year since the last increase, in P.G.’s case, 1998. It means councilmembers would see an increase from $420 to $966 per month. In the mayor’s case the increase is $700 to $1,610. In either case, it’s a 130-percent increase.
That pushback came two weeks later in the form of a referendum filed by former councilmember Luke Coletti, representing a group called Transparent Pacific Grove. Citing projected budget challenges in the coming years, Coletti called for the decision to go to the voters in an election or be rescinded by the council.
Opponents of the referendum have suggested that some volunteers were incorrectly telling people that the increase in compensation included health care and future raises. Former mayor Bill Peake brought up the question during a council meeting on June 18. Coletti clapped back, accusing Peake and others of spreading disinformation.
Maybe The Rent Is Too GD High
Or their homes are being rented out to STRs.
Monarch butterflies are quite a sight to see, arriving mid-October and staying in the area through the end of February.
But, these butterflies are starting to dwindle.
“Ever since we began monitoring monarch butterflies — since the 1990s — what we have seen is a steep decrease in their population, an over 95% drop,” said Natalie Johnson, who works at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.
What’s causing the drop in these species? There are a few factors…
“One of the reasons is habitat loss,” said Johnson. “Another is pesticides, and clime change.”
Weed High
Pacific Grove City Council is set to take a major step forward in implementing a voter-approved cannabis retail program. In Wednesday’s meeting, city officials will hold a first reading of amendments to the city’s Cannabis Licensing Ordinance and vote on new administrative procedures and licensing fees.
The storefront will be limited to one location, situated no closer than 1,000 feet from schools, youth centers and daycare facilities, as mandated by Measure M. City staff emphasized the program’s alignment with the city’s financial sustainability goals, though administrative costs are still undetermined.
P.G. Fires Cops In Schools
Afraid of guns? Or give the student one less resource to go to when being abused by teachers?
The board’s decision not to continue the program comes after an incident in September 2024 in which a transient who trespassed on the P.G. High threatened to shoot a school employee. In November 2023, another man vowed to kill P.G. High’s former principal after wandering around
inside the city’s middle school.
School board member Jennifer McNary pointed to numerous reasons she didn’t want a police presence at P.G. schools.’ ‘I’m not in favor of guns on campuses,” McNary said.
Wild Fish Manager Getting Deported
Add to the list of legal fails at Liz Jacobs’ P.G. restaurant.
Juan Carlos Contreras, 43, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs enforcement officials June 4, according to the owners of Wild Fish on Lighthouse Avenue, where he’s worked for five years. While Contreras has lived in the United States for about 25 years, immigration officials have started efforts to deport him.
according to Monterey County Superior Court documents, he was arrested Feb. 4, 2018, and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive blood alcohol content of nearly twice the legal limit, DUI with a previous conviction within IO years, and hit-and-run. In October 2022, Contreras again pleaded guilty to DUI and enhancements of excessive blood alcohol and multiple DUIs in exchange for prosecutors dropping the other charges.
A plea agreement reviewed by The Pine Cone shows that, in exchange for the deal, Contreras signed a form that stated, “I understand that if I am not a United States citizen, that my plea of guilty or no contest may result in Immigration consequences such as deportation, exclusion from admission into the United States, and denial of naturalization or amnesty”
Cal Am HQ Leaving P.G.
Country Club Gate becoming a ghost town?
The relocation will centralize Cal Am’s field operations employees and office staff, including customer service. A listing for the building by commercial real estate firm Mahoney & Associates, said “the property is conveniently situated along the Highway 68 corridor between Monterey and Salinas.” The building is located between Upper and Lower Ragsdale drives. California American Water has been located on Forest Lodge Road in Pacific Grove since 2007.