Monterey corrects fake red zones on Garden Road near airport

Photo by James Herrera - Monterey Herald

Monterey city crews used a light gray paint to correct illegally-placed red zones along Garden Road near Monterey Regional Airport on Tuesday.

Monterey >> Less than a day after a story appeared in The Herald about fake red zones being painted on Garden Road near Monterey Regional Airport, the city of Monterey quickly took action to rectify the situation on Tuesday.

About 250 feet of curb was painted red, without permission or permitting, sometime after the city had performed a slurry seal resurfacing project over the weekend of April 16-17.

An unknown person or persons painted the curbs in an effort to keep people from parking along that stretch of road which is frequently used by travelers as an alternative to paid, long-term parking at the airport. Others are able to park there for work or to patronize businesses nearby.

Using a light shade of gray, city crews painted over the fake red sections of curbing at a cost to the city of about $300.

Red zones mean no stopping, standing or parking. They are typically reserved for emergency vehicles and are often found in front of fire hydrants. The zones are usually long enough to accommodate a fire truck. Drivers illegally parked in a red zone can be ticketed even if they are sitting in the car.

Parking is allowed for up to 72 hours on any city street though overnight camping in a vehicle between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited.

Salinas hosts community budget session

As it prepares for the 2016-17 budget year, administrators with the city of Salinas are inviting members of the public to weigh in on their priorities.

Administrators and officials use a priority-based budgeting process to match spending to strategic goals, and as part of that they want input from residents, businesses and organizations.

To that end, two community budget meetings have been organized. The first took place on April 7 at Los Padres Elementary School.

The second is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 at Sherwood Hall, 940 N. Main St.

Spanish interpretation and child care will be available.

Administrators are also conducting a print and online survey. Links to English and Spanish versions of the online survey can be found here.

Spearheading city projects runs in the Roberson family

Besides approving the long anticipated Holman Highway/Highway 1 Roundabout project, new long-term vending locations and the TAMC-proposed 3/8 percent special sales tax, the Monterey city council approved of some special guests that made an appearance at Tuesday's city council meeting.

The council received a presentation from Bay View Academy students and Student Oceanography Club adviser Jennifer Ortiz, about a utility box at the corner of Pacific and Madison Streets in front of the Monterey Public Library that the students painted. Ortiz, who also happens to be Mayor Roberson's daughter, along with the students, spear-headed the endeavor that is the club's year-long “make the world a better place” project. During the presentation where the young people explained the steps involved in transforming the once gray box into a piece of artwork of colorful sea creatures, they were commended. At one point Roberson personally thanked Ortiz and said “I do not kiss all presenters – this was my daughter!”

Landwatch's Amy White caps eight years at helm of local land-use watchdog

After eight years leading Landwatch Monterey County, Amy White has announced plans to leave the local land-use watchdog organization to pursue a career in teaching.
White, 35, announced recently her last day with the organization will be April 29, and she plans to take off six weeks to work on her Gonzales ranch and serve as a consultant on a King City affordable housing project before beginning a dual masters and teaching credential program at California State University, Monterey Bay under a prestigious U.S. Department of Education grant with a focus on Salinas Valley education.
White, who joined the organization as associate director in 2007, took over as interim executive director when Chris Fitz left in 2008 and leaves as the longest-serving director in the organization's history.
While she took over in the midst of the contentious debate over the county's general plan update, White said she will most remember efforts to bridge the so-called “lettuce curtain” between  the Monterey Peninsula and the Salinas Valley, particularly on Fort Ord development and water supply project issues involving desalination and recycled water, and counts the organization’s backing of the Tanimura & Antle farmworker housing project in Spreckels among her proudest achievements. 
White was also known for her work on the Pebble Beach Company inclusionary housing project, the Whispering Oaks business park proposal, and Heritage Oaks, Ferrini Ranch, Harper Canyon, and Monterey Downs.
In a statement announcing her departure, Landwatch said White leaves the organization with "an incredible legacy of successful advocacy and consensus-building," and credited White's leadership with allowing the organization to become "a more powerful force for responsible growth and strong communities throughout Monterey County."