World Aquatic Animal Day, Right Here in Monterey Bay | | Here are photos of a friendly and fun Sheepshead, seen by divers from time to time along the Breakwater wall (Coast Guard Pier). In the top photo he has a Turban Snail in his mouth. Photos by @bahuelga on Instagram. | | World Aquatic Animal Day is celebrated annually on April 3rd to raise awareness of the importance of aquatic animals and their plight. The day was created by the Aquatic Animal Law Initiative in 2020. The initiative aims to advocate for better policies, laws, education, and outreach to protect these animals. The day is dedicated to aquatic animals and raising global awareness about these often-forgotten nonhuman animals. While this day was celebrated yesterday, we can still celebrate and appreciate the diverse and abundant aquatic animals of Monterey Bay, today and every day. | Commercial Structure Fire at Carl's Jr. on Lighthouse Avenue | |
The Monterey Fire Department (MFD) responded to a commercial structure fire on Thursday, April 3, 2025, around 6:37 a.m. located at 902 Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey, CA. The incident was upgraded to a 2nd alarm (7 engines, 2 aerial ladder trucks, 1 breathing support apparatus and 2 Chief Officers). Crews arrived on scene within five minutes of the dispatch and found the Carl’s Jr. restaurant, on the corner of Lighthouse and David Avenues, with smoke inside of the building. Upon arrival, crews initiated fire-attack and made entry into the building. They found advanced fire spread throughout the attic, moved to a defensive mode, and exited the building due to potential roof collapse. The roof and several walls collapsed, and the building is deemed to be a total loss.
The fire was contained to the Carl’s Jr. building and did not spread to any other businesses in the area. Notifications were also made to State, regional, and local regulatory agencies due to potential runoff into the Monterey Bay.
Read the full news release published yesterday, April 3, and see more photos at https://files.monterey.gov/News-Releases/2025/25_0403-Commercial-Structure-Fire.pdf.
| Sidewalk Vending Town Hall, Wed., April 9 - Updates to Regulations | |
The City of Monterey Community Development Department is hosting a Sidewalk Vending Town Hall next Wednesday, April 9 starting at 6:00 p.m. in the Monterey Council Chamber, 580 Pacific Street. Community members will have an opportunity to be part of the discussion about proposed updates to sidewalk vending regulations that will come before the Monterey City Council on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The town hall will be recorded and available the following day for viewing on the City's YouTube Channel in the Town Hall playlist at youtube.com/cityofmonterey.
| Monterey Police Annual Report 2024 | |
The 2024 Monterey Police Department (MPD) Annual Report highlights the Department’s key
achievements, initiatives, and performance over the past year. This comprehensive report serves as a testament to the MPD’s commitment to ensuring public safety, fostering community partnerships, and delivering professional law enforcement services to the City of Monterey.
The Annual Report presents a blend of statistical data, narrative vignettes, and visual elements such as graphs and photographs to provide transparency and enhance accessibility for readers. The report underscores the MPD’s significant progress in addressing crime, community engagement efforts, training programs, and operational advancements.
In 2024, the MPD continued its focus on proactive policing strategies and strengthened relationships with Monterey’s diverse community, including residents, businesses, military personnel, educational institutions, and visitors.
The report also provides insight into the Department’s ongoing efforts to recruit and retain highly qualified personnel, further officer training to meet contemporary demands, and enhance public trust through transparency and accountability.
The Annual Report reflects the Department’s commitment to serve those who live, learn, work, and visit Monterey. It further illustrates the collaborative support of the City Council, City staff, and community members, who remain vital partners in the MPD’s success.
| Annual Reports are posted online in the Get Informed section of monterey.gov/police. | Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Draft Documents For Public Review | | |
The City of Monterey today (April 4, 2025) published Federal Community Development Block Grant draft documents for public review:
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The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan (“Con Plan”) and Draft FY 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan (“Action Plan”),
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The Draft 2025 Revised Citizen Participation Plan (“CPP”), and
- The Draft 2025 Analysis of Impediments (“AI”) to Fair Housing Choice.
The Final Con Plan, Action Plan, CPP, and AI are scheduled to be submitted to HUD by May 15, 2025.
PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD: The drafts of the Con Plan, Action Plan, CPP, and AI will be available for public review for a minimum thirty-day (30) public comment period starting April 4, 2025, and ending on May 6, 2025, at the following locations:
- Office of the City Clerk, 580 Pacific St., Room 6
- Office of the Planning Department, 570 Pacific St.
- Office of Housing Programs, 570 Pacific St.
- Monterey Public Library, Reference Desk, 625 Pacific St.
Please also note two upcoming meetings:
Monterey Planning Commission, Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - Review and Recommend to the City Council to Adopt the Draft 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, Draft Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan, Draft Revised Citizen Participation Plan, and Draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice for the Community Development Block Grant Program and Authorize Submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Monterey City Council, Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - Adopt the Draft 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, Draft Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan, Draft Revised Citizen Participation Plan, and Draft Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice for the Community Development Block Grant Program and Authorize Submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
| | In Case You Missed It: Know Your Wildfire Evacuation Zone | | If you attended the February 27, 2025 Wildfire Ready Town Hall at the Monterey Conference Center, who learned about the County's Wildfire Evacuation Zone mapping project. Now you can take a look at the map to find your Zone ID Number. Enter an address or Zone ID into the search bar to check the status of the area. This map is developed using the Alert Monterey County Emergency Community Alerting System. The map is linked from the Fire main page, the Fire Hazard Severity Zone and the Wildfire Ready web pages. | | New Web Page About CAL FIRE's Updated Fire Hazard Severity Zone Maps - Send Us Your Comments | | |
We have a new web page related to the recent updates to Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ) in California (see the March 13, 2025 news release). The new zones provide a more accurate assessment of wildfire risks based on modern climate data and fire modeling. These updates affect both State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA), influencing fire prevention measures, building codes, and real estate disclosures. As a Local Responsibility Area, the City of Monterey as 120 days from March 10, 2025 to adopt the states fire hazard severity zones per ordinance (AB 211). We are also seeking public input through May 15, 2025. Monterey Fire Department provides services to Monterey, Pacific Grove, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Sand City, Naval Postgraduate School, La Mesa Village, and Monterey Regional Airport.
Adoption of these newest maps for the LRA is required by Legislative Assembly Bill 211 (AB211). The City of Monterey Fire Department (MFD) has 120 days to adopt these map updates. MFD received these maps on March 10, 2025. The updated regulations will apply to those areas located within the MFD boundaries. The MFD has no influence over downgrading hazard levels, we can only increase them if justified.
| | Weekly Construction Update | |
This week we have construction projects continuing in several locations, and a new one week project starting next week - the San Carlos Beach Curb Cut and Concrete Pad - the City’s contractor will demo and form a curb cut in the parking lot. A raised island will be filled in with a concrete pad and curb cut so that a new pay station can be accessible. Work should be finished within the week.
In addition, final signing and striping will take place the week of April 7 on the MEASURE S and P Calle Principal between Polk and Hartnell ADA Improvements. The contractor will have temporary short duration closures to fog seal and install final striping.
The Measure S ADA curb ramps at the intersections of Prescott Ave, Hoffman Ave and Drake Ave is anticipated to be completed April 11.
See the full list of active projects at monterey.gov/construction.
| | Western Flyer 's Latest News | | The Western Flyer Foundation sent an update about their new sailing adventure—85 years after Steinbeck and Ricketts first journeyed to the Gulf of California. They have been thrilled by the outpouring of support in communities across California and Mexico, with around 1,700 visitors welcomed aboard so far! Follow what's next, described on their website at https://westernflyer.org/the-western-flyer-is-underway-a-historic-voyage-85-years-in-the-making. Here are a few photos from their journey. | | Kids in the Kitchen at El Estero Park Center | | |
Expand your palate while learning to cook and bake with our Kids in the Kitchen youth cooking class! Children will help prep and make a new dish each week as well as learn about nutrition and food safety. Dishes may include pasta, salad, sushi rolls, meatballs, cookies, and much more! Kids will learn the cooking essentials while enjoying their culinary creations.
| | In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Incentive Program | | The In-N-Out Cover to Cover reading incentive program is in full swing and ends on Saturday, April 12th. Children aged 4 to 12 are invited to participate by reading 5 books or 300 minutes to earn a free hamburger or cheeseburger at In-N-Out. Children can earn up to three gift card awards. Stop by the Monterey Public Library help desk or Bookmobile to sign your child up. Hurry, April 12th will be here before you know it! | | Whalefest Monterey 2025, April 12 and 13 | | |
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