About Monterey / Awards and Milestones

Awards and Milestones

Monterey State Beach Travel + Leisure Magazine named Monterey #6 "America's Favorite Beach Towns" 2016

Here's a sampling of City of Monterey awards and milestones for 2016 - 2018.

Award/Milestone Date Received Description
Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) Clean Air Leaders Awards  May 2018

#CleanAirLeadersAward2018

MBARD recognized the City of Monterey for the significant amount of initiatives implemented to reduce climate impacts and improve air quality including:

- Monterey began providing carbon-free electricity to businesses through Monterey Bay Community Power (MBCP) in March 2018. Residences will begin receiving their electricity through MBCP in July 2018.
- Monterey has three electric vehicle charging areas with a total of five charging stations.
- Bike lockers are available to rent at several public parking garages.
- Monterey implemented several lighting upgrades throughout the City. The old lighting fixtures were replaced with the latest lighting technologies available and are reducing average energy consumption by 35%. More importantly: Every kwH saved reduces the need to produce this energy, thus reducing the carbon emissions and carbon footprint for the Monterey peninsula.
- The Environmental Programs Office facilitates Green Business Program certifications and re-certifications. Pollution prevention measures include: using low emission building materials/carpet/furniture, purchasing low VOC paints/paint removers/etc., using low toxicity non-aerosol cleaning products, and buying renewable energy credits to offset CO2 emissions.
- AB 1826 Mandatory Commercial Organics Recycling was adopted into City Code, thus allowing for the City to monitor and enforce organic waste recycling efforts. This increases organic waste diversion and further decreases greenhouse gas emissions, as the City has access to an anaerobic digester at the Monterey Regional Waste Management District (MRWMD).
- The City is currently exploring solar panel installation on City-owned properties to offset a significant portion of the City's energy use.
- In 2017, Monterey received four Beacon awards for the following: 15% Agency Energy Savings (Gold Level), 29% Agency Greenhouse Gas Reductions (Platinum Level), 7% Community Greenhouse Gas Reductions (Silver Level), and Sustainability Best Practices (Silver Level).
- The City has two electric vehicles and seven hybrid vehicles for employee use.
2018 Smart Stars Award Winners June 2018 Best Conference Center - the Monterey Conference Center
League of Ca Cities 2018 Outstanding Local Streets and Roads Award April 2018 For the Holman Highway/Highway 68 Roundabout
Constant Contact Allstar Award for 2017 2017 Top 10% Allstar Award from Constant Contact for exemplary outreach and engagement.
CA Meetings and Events February 2018 The new Monterey Conference Center was voted one of the best in California! http://ca.meetingsmags.com/california-me-best-2018-winners
Distinguished Budget Presentation Award January 2018 The City of Monterey received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2018-19 biennial budget. The award represents a significant achievement. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting.
One of the Best Small Cities, Reader's Choice October 19, 2017 Condé Nast Traveler readers cast hundreds of thousands of votes for their favorite cities in the U.S. in the 2017 Readers' Choice Awards survey
Beacon Spotlight Award October 17, 2017 From the Institute for Local Government, which promotes good government at the local level with practical, impartial and easy-to-use resources for California communities.
Clean Air Awards June 23, 2017 By the Monterey Bay Air Resources District
Army Community Partnership Award December 6, 2016 The U.S. Army launched this inaugural award program to recognize partnerships between installations and communities that provide cost efficiencies, improve community relations and mission training, and demonstrate ingenuity.
One of the healthiest small towns September 2016 Monterey is one of the healthiest small towns in America, (Health Science Degree Guide, 2016)
Hidden Heroes City September 27, 2016 City of Monterey Honors Military Caregivers by becoming a "Hidden Heroes City" | Visit hiddenheroes.org for more information
Language Capital of the World   Article in Association of Defense Communities blog, dated Sep. 14, 2016
Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award July 21, 2016 Government, Public Utilities & Transportation
2016 Sister Cities International Innovation Award for Economic Development July 16, 2016 The City of Monterey is honored for the cooperative project of bringing a half marathon to Dubrovnik, Croatia. This award recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding community and individual Sister City programs, promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation.
Great American Defense Community June 21, 2016 In the Inaugural Year of the Award, The City of Monterey is honored as a Great American Defense Community by the Association of Defense Communities. Monterey is recognized for the support the provided to the military community in Community Building and Integration, Support and Collaboration, Educational and Employment Opportunities and Family Support.
Monterey County Weekly’s Best of Monterey County Awards March 24, 2016 The Monterey Public Library was awarded “Best Library” because the “librarians and staff go to superhuman lengths to help ordinary citizens.”

The Monterey Sports Center’s “cheerful” staff, daycare services and group exercise offerings contributed to The Sports Center’s award for “Best Fitness Center”, "Best Swimming Instruction" and "Best Youth Recreation" in all of Monterey County.

The City Manager’s Office was the Editor’s Pick for “Best Government Use of Social Media”.
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting April 19, 2016 The Government Finance Officers Association awarded Monterey the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015
Commendation for Building Maintenance Staff April 7, 2016 On March 23, a guest visiting the Presidio of Monterey lost consciousness, fell and went into cardiac arrest. Ed Leon and Fred Pagan, City of Monterey Building Maintenance staff, observed her falling and went into action performing necessary steps, including CPR, to resuscitate her. Ed and Fred received a commendation for their courageous and heroic act of kindness and their effective handling of the situation.
Tree City USA   Monterey has been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for over thirty consecutive years in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management
Plans and Public Works Belt Buckle Awards   The City of Monterey's Plans and Public Works Department gives out the annual Belt Buckle Awards. The recognition is given to exceptional employees, for their hard work and dedication to the organization and community.
Grants to the City   It is the policy of the City of Monterey to increase the financial assets of the City by seeking out and pursuing funding opportunities for programs and projects that will benefit the City and its residents.
Noted Designations   Language Capital of the World
Tree City USA since 1981
Purple Heart City
Hidden Heroes City
TsunamiReady Community