Monterey officials celebrate Frank E. Sollecitio ballpark with March ribbon cutting

After the Monterey City Council voted unanimously last November to approve the Frank E. Sollecito Jr. Ballpark artificial turf field despite concerns over possible health problems from the rubber crumbs and goose droppings, officials from the city will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony honoring the new outfield at 1 p.m. on Satuday, March 12^th.

Monterey County's health officer Dr. Edward Moreno had put the council at ease before Christmas when he told them that based on the available studies, there's no evidence of public health impacts from the use of tire crumbs in artificial turf. 

“This ballpark is a centerpiece of Monterey's baseball heritage,” said Assistant City Manager Hans Uslar. “It's important for our baseball leagues and especially Monterey High School because they play their games there. We've had a lot of good ballplayers come from there.”

Construction on the field, which besides being used by the high school baseball team, is also used by the city recreation program, was done by NorCal Contractor for $713,700. Funds came from the city's Neighborhood Improvement Program, the Capital Improvement Program and contributions from the community.  

Salinas starts recruiting police officers

The Salinas Police Department will be conducting an informative orientation for persons who are interested in becoming Salinas Police Officers. This orientation will allow potential candidates an opportunity to learn about the department, recruitment, and the hiring process.

The orientation will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the City Hall Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave, Salinas.

The Police Recruit position is now open and will close April 6. People interested are encouraged to apply through CalOpps here. Questions can be directed to Sgt. Kim Robinson at (831) 758-7120 or Salinas Human Resources at (831) 758-7254.

Marina interchange project plan back from Cal Trans' final review

The plan for the Highway1/Imjin Parkway interchange came back from Cal Trans' final review with comments and the City of Marina is in the process of negotiating its response.

The on- and off-ramps that usher traffic from Highway 1 to Imjin Parkway in Marina will be getting design improvements in the next few months though no start date has yet been set, a city engineer said work on the project may commence sometime this summer.

Since Caltrans owns the freeway right of way, all proposed Imjin Parkway interchange modifications with Highway 1 require its approval.

The existing intersection was constructed in the mid-60s and has not been modified since with the exception of the northbound ramp which was part of the Fort Ord Reuse Authority “Imjin Parkway Reconstruction Project.”

The project includes two traffic signals at the northbound and southbound ramp intersections with Imjin Parkway. It also includes the removal of existing northbound and eastbound free-right turn lanes, the widening of the Imjin Parkway northbound off-ramp terminal and all associated signing and striping at the Highway 1/Imjin Parkway interchange.

The city is also in talks with PG&E to coordinate any safety improvement projects or work to be done on a gas line that runs through that area at the same time the ramp work is to be done.

Seaside considers extending Monterey Downs agreement another year

The Seaside City Council will consider a third amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Monterey Downs, LLC for the proposed Monterey Downs and Monterey Horse Park in the former Fort Ord.

The amendment is an extension of the agreement for twelve months so the city can complete its compliance with the California Environmental Act (CEQA), to obtain the project entitlements and to complete negotiations of the Disposition and Development Agreement.

“The extension is necessary for the city and the applicant to both continue to meet the terms of the ENA and requirements for the parties to move forward,” said Teri Wissler Adam, Seaside contract project manager.

The Final Environmental Impact Report – a key component to completing the project – has not yet been submitted and there is no scheduled date for its publication.

“There are other thing that need to occur, but it is the EIR that is at the crux of it,” said Adam.

The council will also receive the Monterey Downs Fiscal and Economic Impact Analysis Final Draft Report dated Aug. 2015 at the Thurs. March 3 meeting. That report was prepared by Willdan Associates for Monterey Downs, LLC and the peer review and supplemental sensitivity analysis conducted by Economic & Planning Systems on behalf of the City of Seaside.

“The idea is to provide the council with economic and fiscal information on the project,” said Adam. “There are no decisions being made on the project.”