City of Soledad Government News

City of Soledad and the Arts Council for Monterey County hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for three new murals in downtown Soledad last Saturday.

The City of Soledad has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program, a significant initiative aimed at fostering economic growth in rural communities.

City of Soledad recently hosted its first-ever ceremony to raise the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag, in partnership with local veterans.

The City of Soledad is the first South Monterey County community to adopt the 2023-2031 Housing Element, a document that will ensure Soledad adequately plans to meet the housing needs of all community members.

Tenants at 150 Encinal St. in Soledad received three letters dated Aug. 1. In one, they were notified they have a new landlord, Mi Tierra Linda, LLC. The second alerted them to “extensive renovations,” and noted the new rental rates, which are much higher than what they are currently paying.

One the most important roads in Soledad is Front Street. It runs through downtown and is the main road that takes you in and out of the city.

City of Soledad launched a crack seal project in July to help roads last longer and give motor vehicles a smoother drive.

Soledad’s newest councilmember, Eva Banuelos, was sworn in during the June 5 council meeting.

Officers from the Soledad Police Department were responding to a call for service on April 15 when they were notified of a potential threat to the community — a possible bomb in the bed of a nearby truck.

Soledad residents worked for months to bring a referendum to the ballot and motivate voters to reject a five-district map the City Council selected last year.

Soledad City Council has authorized the purchase of 4.61 acres of property located at 540 Gabilan Drive to facilitate the construction of about 100 affordable rental units.

On March 26, Soledad city employees received an email announcing Councilmember Ben Jimenez Jr.’s resignation, a little less than a year before the end of his term. He is the second councilmember to resign in less than six months.

A community center can bring people of different ages together and give them a sense of belonging. It’s also a venue for people to learn new skills.

The city of Soledad has hired three employees for its Community and Economic Development Department, including Kao Nou Yang as the new community and economic development director, taking over for Bryan Swanson.

The campaign, which highlights the benefits of shopping locally on the community, economy and environment, started off with the installation of 72 banners along Front Street.

After they were locked in a 2-2 split on Dec. 6, the Soledad City Council reconvened Dec. 8 to revisit the politically divisive question of how to draw a district map for the city.

The Soledad Police Department will increase patrols and provide other traffic safety programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on roads.

Partners For Peace recently celebrated the graduation of 27 Soledad seventh and eighth graders for its inaugural Step-Up Mentoring class at the Soledad Community Center.

During a special meeting on Nov. 13, the Soledad City Council voted to fill the seat vacated by Alejandro Chavez via the March 5 election, the same time voters will decide on Soledad’s district maps.

Councilmember Alejandro Chavez has resigned effective Oct. 31 after 13 years of service. The Soledad City Council will discuss filling his seat on Nov. 15.

With big smiles and cheers, about 20 people showed up at Soledad City Hall on Monday, Oct. 30 to deliver a petition with 1,405 signatures.

With big smiles, members of the Soledad Committee for Voting Rights walked into City Hall to deliver the 1,398 signatures—two signatures shy of their 1,400 goal.

Alejandro Chavez, a Soledad City Council member, and Erica Padilla-Chavez, Hartnell College’s trustee for Area 6, have resigned from their elected positions to move out of the county.

Earlier this month, the cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City rejected three proposals they received for waste hauling services.

As Salinas Valley cities like Soledad and Gonzales look to expand their footprints by annexing surrounding farmland and converting it into housing and other uses, there’s an ongoing debate.

At Blas Santana Park, new lights were on over the sports field for the first time last week—wonderful news for kids and teens who play soccer regularly at this park.

Sen. Anna Caballero stopped by Greenfield and Soledad to present checks for $1 million and $400,000, respectively, to Greenfield for radio transmission and reception upgrades and to the Soledad-Mission Recreation District.

Among local cities that have recently transitioned to district elections, Soledad will be the only one with a rotating mayor.

At the grand opening of Soledad’s newest public amenity, the 3.5-acre park was filled with excited children, happy parents and city officials.

Soledad is the latest local city to transition away from at-large elections. The concept is that underrepresented voters have more influence in a small district.