Monterey County Government News

Steve Pleich shares his experience with the Grand Jury.
Photo courtesy of RDNE.

MONTEREY COUNTY — Many residents have never heard of a Civil Grand Jury, or if they have, they know little about its purpose. In California, a Civil Grand Jury is required in each of the 58 counties.

When Monterey City Manager Hans Uslar addressed his city council, staff and the public in his Feb. 15 State of the City speech, he began on a note of levity, saying that he’d recently read a headline asserting that artificial…

Former Pacific Grove city manager Ben Harvey is currently the top candidate for the same job in Ojai, in Ventura County, less than six months after he agreed to a mutual separation with the P.G. City Council.

David Schmalz here. Several weeks ago, Weekly Editor Sara Rubin suggested the time was ripe for a cover story about the Peninsula’s water situation. I agreed, as the many nuances of the current state of play are hard to capture…

MONTEREY COUNTY — County of Monterey is providing assistance to the County of San Benito after a recent fire affected their administrative offices, resulting in the loss of essential office furniture and supplies. On Sept. 8, Hollister firefighters responded to …

During a special meeting on Oct. 4, Salinas City Council voted to terminate City Manager Steve Carrigan’s contract. The council deliberated for two hours in closed session, then announced their unanimous vote, 6-0, to fire Carrigan (Councilmember Steve McShane was…

They say love is a powerful force, and it is one force keeping Salinas City Manager Steve Carrigan in Salinas.

Salinas City Council hired Steve Carrigan in a hard time for cities. It was January of 2021, deep in the throes of the Covid-19 pandemic. Out of 78 applicants, he was unanimously selected.

It’s a pleasant 67 degrees in Seaside as I write this, slightly warmer than the usual high of 65. Such moderate temperatures are so normal for Seaside that it’s easy, for those who haven’t traveled further inland this summer, to…

Less than a week after parting ways with their last city manager, members of the Pacific Grove City Council voted on Wednesday, Aug. 2, to form a subcommittee to search for the next one.

The Pacific Grove City Council voted 6-0 in a closed session meeting on Wednesday night, July 26, in favor of a separation agreement with City Manager Ben Harvey. Harvey will voluntarily resign by end of day today, Thursday, July 27.…

Santa Cruz County has withdrawn from an agreement with Pajaro Valley Regional Flood Management Agency (PRFMA) after the two disagreed on how to spend roughly $1 million in funds meant to address flood risk in South County. PRFMA is made …

GONZALES — Gonzales City Council has appointed Carmen Gil to the position of city manager. Gil has been with the city as Director of Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships since 2020 and served as interim city manager from June 2022 …

Sara Rubin here, thinking about the many city services I use every day, sometimes without thinking about them—storm drains and asphalt maintenance are not always so obvious to me. Then, of course, there are things that are more explicitly transactional—checking…

KING CITY — State and local leaders came together last month to dedicate the King City Post Office in honor of former postmaster and veteran Rudolph “Rudy” Banuelos. A dedication ceremony was held May 26 outside the King City Post …

On June 5, Gonzales City Council appointed Carmel Gil as city manager.

Sara Rubin here, thinking about how elections get a lot of attention—and for candidates, they take a lot of effort—but it is not until after officials are elected that the work actually begins.

KING CITY — King City Mayor Mike LeBarre, Fort Hunter Liggett Garrison Commander Col. Lisa Lamb and Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin have officially signed a memorandum of understanding to form a partnership known as the Central Coast Military and …

David Schmalz here, happy that, for now at least, it appears American democracy remains intact, at least in most places. That said, I wish this fundamental aspect of this country—that every vote should count, and that everyone eligible can vote—didn’t…