The City of Monterey maintains and offers a variety of community amenities and services, including the Monterey Bay Coastal Recreational trail, over two miles of beaches, a harbor and marina, two wharves, the Monterey Sports Center with two indoor pools, the world-class Monterey Conference Center, California’s first public library, four community centers, 37 dedicated parks and open spaces, three fire stations, one police station, multiple parking facilities and garages, over 100 miles of public streets, the Veterans Park Campground, and El Encinal Cemetery. 

First incorporated in 1850 and with its present charter adopted in 1925, Monterey is a charter city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The Mayor and City Council are responsible for establishing policy and providing direction to the City Manager. The Mayor and City Council appoint the City Manager, who serves as the city government’s Chief Executive Officer, as well as the City Attorney, who serves as the City’s legal counsel. The Mayor and City Council are elected at-large and serve staggered four-year terms. The Mayor presides at City Council meetings.

The Monterey City Council meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Council Chamber in the Few Memorial Hall of Records on the historic City Hall campus at Colton Hall. Council meetings are televised on Cable Channel 25, streamed live on monterey.org and at youtube.com/cityofmonterey.

The Monterey City government also takes pride in its level of community engagement and participation. The City boasts several boards and commissions including the Architectural Review Committee, Historic Preservation Commission, Board of Library Trustees, Measures P & S Oversight Committee, Museums and Cultural Arts Commission, Neighborhood and Capital Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee, Parks and Recreation Commission, Planning Commission, and Appeals Boards. In addition to committee participation, the City of Monterey hosts a variety of Town Hall meetings and its representatives regularly participate in neighborhood and business association meetings.

Agendas for City of Monterey public meetings are found on I-SEARCH Monterey, as well as final resolutions, ordinances, and minutes.