Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pacific Grove public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues in taxes budget with high priority
City Manager Appointment
The council met in special closed session to discuss the City Manager position, the city's top appointed administrator. Details of what was discussed are confidential under state law, and any action will be reported at the next regular meeting.
Interim City Manager Appointment
The council is working on appointing a new City Manager, the person who runs the city's daily operations and answers to the council. The appointment process happened behind closed doors, which is allowed under state law for personnel matters.
Minimum Wage Ordinance
The council was scheduled to hold a public hearing on an ordinance amending the city's salary schedule to reflect minimum wage requirements. This affects city employee pay and the city budget.
Visitor Impact Mitigation and Revenue Options
The council directed staff to study how tourism affects the city — restrooms, trash, trolley use, day-trippers and overnight visitors — and bring back revenue options. This could lead to new visitor-related fees in the future, but nothing was adopted yet.
Selecting equity metrics for the task force's framework
One proposed metric would examine whether Pacific Grove police contact falls differently across racial and ethnic groups. Members acknowledged the data may be hard to get but agreed public safety disparities are a priority given concerns raised by underrepresented communities.
City manager transition and sales tax ballot measure
Chip Reerig started as interim city manager August 24, and the permanent search is underway. The council liaison also flagged work on the George Washington Park Master Plan, Crespi Pond, the Chinese pavilion, and a housing/ADU work group.
Labor negotiations with Police Management Association
The POA salary ordinance advanced on first reading, but the MEA contract and the non-represented employee pay plan were pulled from the agenda and remain unresolved. Those pay decisions are still coming.
2025 CDBG application and Housing Division update
The city is applying for $1,444,500 in federal Community Development Block Grant money: $750,000 to keep the successful home rehabilitation loan program going, $300,000 for affordable housing studies, and $300,000 for an ADA-accessible downtown restroom. Two homes were already rehabbed before Christmas under the prior grant.
FY 2026-27 Budget Adoption
Council adopted the fiscal year 2026-27 budget update, locking in city spending and capital projects for the coming year. This shapes what services, road work, and programs get funded.
November 3, 2026 Municipal Election Called
The Council formally set this fall's election for Mayor and Council seats, with Monterey County handling the voting. This is when residents choose the city's leadership for the next term.
FY 2026-27 Budget Update
Big year for streets: a slurry seal of downtown Lighthouse Avenue, repaving 17 Mile Drive, Central and 16th Streets with new sidewalks near George Washington Park, plus a $750,000 match to fix the storm-damaged pier and a $6.7 million sewer line replacement through Pebble Beach.
Solid Waste Franchise RFP for 2030
The city is joining the region in putting its trash and recycling contract out to competitive bid before the Green Waste deal expires in 2030. Residents pushed hard on affordability, and council members want small-bin options, better e-waste service and the cardboard problem addressed in the next contract.
City's long-term fiscal sustainability and $21 million infrastructure gap
The city's five-year forecast shows expenses growing faster than revenues, with reserves projected to drop from 41% to 21%. Staff presented possible fixes including a three-eighths-cent sales tax, higher parking meter rates, and fee increases. The Library Board was part of a citywide tour seeking community feedback.
Vacant council seat appointment process
Applications open May 7 and close May 22, with the selection hearing June 3 and the new member seated June 17. Redacted applications will be posted online within 24–48 hours — a transparency fix after complaints last time that applicants were kept secret until deliberation night.
FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Modifications
Better-than-expected hotel and property tax revenue trimmed the projected operating deficit to about $1.5 million, and the city is still meeting its 25% reserve goal — but Council members warned big capital costs (Lovers Point breakwater, Chautauqua Hall) are coming.