A City of Monterey sister city since 1984, Tainan, Taiwan, reached out to the City of Monterey with concern over the significant spread of the coronavirus in the United States and graciously donated 2,900 medical masks and 300 medical goggles. The supplies arrived at Monterey City Hall on Tuesday, July 28, 2020. They will be added to inventory in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), shared with City first responders including Police and Fire, as well as other staff, and may also be shared with other community first responders as needed. NEWS RELEASE AND PHOTOS

The Covid-19 pandemic is impacting all City of Monterey operations, service levels and budgets. The City is acting rapidly to jumpstart the economy and safely reopen City services and facilities. To that end, effective July 2020, the Finance Director established a shorter reporting period from bi-monthly to monthly to ensure prompt collection of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), also known as Hotel Tax, Conference Center Facilities District Tax (CCFD), and Tourism Improvement District Tax ( TID) per City Code section 35-15(b).    

            Moving to a monthly remittance period will provide the City with more timely cash flow and budget data, and help staff make more informed and effective decisions about the ability to reopen facilities, and bring back staff along with the services and programs our residents are used to enjoying.  Also, starting in July, in an effort to streamline operations, the City’s TOT remittance form will be posted online and the City will discontinue mailing TOT forms to operators.  NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

Yesterday’s announcement of an emergency order to close Monterey beaches over the 4th of July weekend has been advanced to include Friday, July 3. The order closes all beaches to the public from 12:01 AM on July 3, 2020 to 11:50 PM on July 5, 2020. Exceptions include all recreational uses of the ocean as outlined in the Order. People found in violation of the beach order are subject to a $100 fine for the first violation, $150 for a second violation, and $200 for a third violation. The Order also closes or limits nearby parking. Parking violations are subject to a $125 fine. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

NEW MASK ORDER: The City of Monterey announced today a new emergency order adopting the California Department of Public Health’s guidance for the use of face coverings to be enforceable by administrative citation within the City of  Monterey. As of today, July 1, 2020, the City will enforce the mandatory wearing of face coverings in business districts both inside and outside, with a fine of $100 for the first violation. 

NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

In another effort to help local businesses severely impacted by the economic damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Monterey is proactively offering retail and restaurant businesses an opportunity to expand outdoors. Businesses can apply for a temporary encroachment permit that would allow them to move their products and services onto the sidewalk in front of their business location, without impacting streets or parking stalls. The application along with a "to scale" drawing of the table/chairs layout is required to ensure Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

From the beginning of this unprecedented fiscal and health crises, the City of Monterey recognized the crucial need to work together with area partners to help local small businesses ride out the Shelter in Place Order. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

The City of Monterey, Fisherman’s Wharf Association and Gathering for Women are teaming up to conduct a special program to distribute paper masks to visitors to Old Fisherman’s Wharf who are not wearing them when they arrive at the Wharf. Volunteers from Gathering for Women will be offering a free mask to visitors without masks on Saturdays and Sundays from Noon to 3 pm at the head of the Wharf. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

A message from Mayor Roberson:
"Beautiful Monterey is a special place to live, work, and visit, and one of the important reasons for this is the preservation and appreciation of our historical assets. As we go forward to celebrate the 250th birthday of our city which we all love and care for together, we know that history plays an important role in keeping our small town feeling and cultural diversity."

"This will surely be a historical remembrance and a year none of us will ever forget. Let this be not only a birthday celebration of our special city, but a healing time for all of us during this difficult time."
www.monterey250.org and youtube.com/cityofmonterey

Please note: We will reschedule some of the events planned for the birthday prior to the pandemic, at dates yet to be determined.

Presentation Slides