Monterey Wants More Wharf Money

Posted on by

Fishermans Wharf

Last year, the city decided to change its policy, after negotiations on rental agreements failed. Those changes caused several businesses to get eviction notices.

“When leases are up we want to get to market rate that doesn’t mean that it has to go from where it is today to market rate tomorrow and we expressed interest and council expressed interest in taking some time and ramping up market rate over a period of years,” said city manager Mike McCarthy.

Last month, Balesteri’s Wharf Front was evicted after being in its location for nearly 40 years. Owner Sam Balesteri said he had been paying $4,000 in rent on a month to month basis for the past two years.

Monterey Wants More Wharf Money

Wharf Lease Program Draws 200 Protesters

Posted on by

Wharfs 1960s

Is Haffa comparing a residence where the landlord maintains everything to wharf pilings? If the toilet at the Grotto backs up does Haffa call and pay for the plumber?

major issue is that last year the council voted to shorten lease agreements to 10 years. City Manager Mike McCarthy has repeatedly said, however, that they are not strict policies, but guidelines and that the council will negotiate. The city has offered lease terms that exceed that time period if tenants commit to make improvements to the premises on which their business resides. Also at issue is the cost of leases and whether they are fair market value.

“Leaseholder(s) pay $405 or $680 per month rent for waterfront properties,” Councilman Alan Haffa said Tuesday. “How much does a one-bedroom cost per month?”

Wharf Lease Program Draws 200 Protesters

Cops Want Higher Salaries AND Health Care

Posted on by

Can’t they remember that they chose $$ rather than health insurance originally?

PG Hpol Police

“They’ve been operating under our old contract that’s now expired,” said Kampe, noting that the decision to cut medical benefits goes back to 2006 when during labor negotiations with the department, employees were given the choice whether to give up health care benefits in exchange for a higher salary. They opted for the higher salary.

“Part of the reasoning was because many on the force had spouses who were providing health care coverage,” explained Kampe. “For most of the police force, it was better deal to get a higher salary.”

But Kampe also noted the move has been controversial.

“Now, they’ve been provided with higher salaries but some are saying they really need health care,” said Kampe, who noted that city administrators are now working to make some accommodations for health care coverage at slightly lower than market cost.

Cops Want Higher Salaries AND Health Care

Seaside’s Wastewater Is Going To Cost You

Posted on by

Why the water companies are so happy with the project. It used Other People’s Money so it’s no risk to them.

Customers are going to see a change on their bills as a result of the project. In an interview earlier this month, Stedman said to expect a 15-percent increase this year to pay for the pipeline construction and water purchase.

Seaside’s Wastewater Is Going To Cost You

Protest March Over Wharf Leases

Posted on by

The real soul of Monterey history. Don’t lose it.

wharf night

The protest and review of policies comes on the heels of the eviction of longtime business Balesteri’s Wharf Front gift shop earlier this month. That was after the store, the Paluca Trattoria Italian restaurant and The Coffee House, all located on the wharf and part of property leased by Sam Balesteri, were sent lease termination letters notifying them that their current leases were up at the end of August. Despite that, both the gift shop and coffee shop have remained open pending a lawsuit between Balesteri and the city. Balesteri wants compensation for the many improvements he has made to his building.

In June, Chris Shake, owner of Old Fisherman’s Grotto restaurant, complained about the negotiation process with the city, which led him to request a demolition permit to tear down his building when its lease expires in summer 2021.

Both Shake and Sam Balesteri’s son, Ben, said that they plan to join the march on Tuesday. In fact, Shake is closing his restaurant from 3 to 6 p.m. that day.

“My employees and families — they want to support it and be a part of it,” said Shake, who applauded Barrett for, as he put it, “having the common sense to bring this back for consideration.”

Protest March Over Wharf Leases

Purse Snatch In New Monterey

Posted on by

Violent sort of robbery.

800 block Grace

Google Maps

A female was a victim of a strong-arm robbery Monday in the 800 block of Grace Street, according to Monterey Police.
Officers said the victim was hit in the back of the head around 7:12 p.m. and knocked to the ground. The suspect stole the victim’s purse and got away before police arrived.

Officers said the victim had minor injuries. Police are looking for the suspect, described as a white man, 25 to 35 years old, about 5 foot 10, thin build and a white or gray goatee. He was reportedly wearing a black hooded sweatshirt with gray markings on the sleeves, a red ski mask, light colored blue jeans and black gloves.

Purse Snatch In New Monterey

Politics And Pigs Par For P.G.

Posted on by

Pet owners looking for pro pig politician.

The Pacific Grove candidates forum provided a mix of pigs and politics Thursday night at the recreation center when Bruiser the pet pig showed up with his family, the Hanes.
The Hanes family handed out Hershey Kisses and Hugs from Bruiser to forum goers and had a bright pink poster reading #SaveBruiser on display.

“We have a lot of confidence that hopefully we are going to win this appeal, we’ve been pleading with the city again, and again, to say please change this, let us keep him,” Lisa Hanes said.

Politics And Pigs Par For P.G.

Bruiser The Pig Sent Home From The Farm

Posted on by

Homeless Pig

Bruiser was originally supposed to acclimate to his temporary new surroundings, which includes horses, a baby pony and the other pet pig on Thursday, but the transfer was delayed a day because his new caretaker had to contend with some of those animals being colicky.

“I felt bad — she already had her hands full with another brood of animals,” said Hanes, “so we kept him another night.” The delay, however, cost the Haneses $500.

That’s because the daily fee the Haneses had been ordered to pay since Aug. 22 when they were ruled against in a third-party hearing before the city rose this week from $50 to $500 a day.

Bruiser The Pig Sent Home From The Farm

Library. Or Is It Another Art Gallery?

Posted on by

Renovations for non-book things.

Liberry

While current patrons still use some of the same tables and chairs that were there since 1908, somewhere along the way the original Douglas fir floor was covered with carpet while the building’s interior stained wood and arches were covered with paint. The original chandeliers somehow disappeared.

Now, as part of the renovation, Steele and her bevy of volunteers are also overseeing the creation of three replica chandeliers that are modeled after the originals that once hung. That’s while they prepare for an upcoming art exhibition and juried art show that will take place in the library’s gallery in early October.

Library. Or Is It Another Art Gallery?

Monterey’s Lighthouse Specific Plan

Posted on by

Outzenville buildings, open space and “art”. No, work on the traffic.

Lighthouse Ave Traffic

“Besides the traffic and parking, the biggest talking point was to look at building heights in that area,” said McCarthy, noting that in the future, three-story buildings would only be allowed under special conditions, could be no higher than 35 feet and would be required to be set back 12 feet from the second story to provide a two-story appearance. The project must also include public open space and pre-approved public art elements.

Monterey’s Lighthouse Specific Plan