Monterey NCIP Committee Preliminary Screening Meeting – October 15, 2026

The Neighborhood Community Improvement Program (NCIP) Committee met on October 15, 2026, beginning at 6:02 p.m., for preliminary screening of 44 project applications submitted by the September 30 deadline. City staff presented a neighborhood-by-neighborhood overview with eligibility notes, cost information, and recommendations. The committee asked questions, heard public testimony, and took no final votes. The next meeting is scheduled for October 21, 2026, and voting night is scheduled for November 18, 2026.

Public Comments & Testimony

• An in-person speaker urged the committee to create a clear definition of capital project, saying the El Estero Lake weed-removal proposal seemed similar to past NCIP-funded work at Washer Woman’s Pond. The speaker estimated approximately $2 million remained for distribution and suggested using three categories: critical needs, important but not critical needs, and nice-to-have items.
• Chelsea, an NCIP alternate, spoke in support of the Casanova Oak Knoll proposal to add reflective markings to curb bulges and center medians on Airport Road. She said speeding is a constant problem in the neighborhood, described a recent speeder hitting multiple parked cars and a garage, and said the proposal follows the adopted traffic-calming plan.
• Robert Yoha, the applicant for that Casanova Oak Knoll project, said he submitted quickly and wanted to clarify it. He provided the 2003 traffic-calming diagram, stating the two center medians were approved but the three curb bulges were not. He said the combination is dangerous, especially for older drivers and people unfamiliar with the road, has caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage, and needs reflective or painted treatment.

Discussion Items

• Project intake and distribution: Staff reported 44 applications were received by September 30. The distribution included 9 downtown, 9 in New Monterey, 6 multi-neighborhood, 5 in Casanova Oak Knoll, 2 in Old Town, and 1 each in Aguajito Oaks, Deer Flats, Del Monte Beach, Del Monte Grove/Laguna Grande, Fisherman’s Flats, Glenwood, Monterey Vista, Ryan Ranch, and Villa del Monte. No applications were received for Oak Grove or Skyline.
• Eligibility findings: Staff said several submissions would not qualify as NCIP capital projects as written. These included holiday decorations (COK01), North Fremont pothole filling and repaving (COK02), Del Monte Beach cigarette receptacles (DMB05), and El Estero Lake weed removal (DT07). Staff suggested revisions for some, such as installing electrical connections for holiday lights and adding lake aeration or piping. Staff also recommended against driveway repairs at Del Monte Beach 03 and drainage work at 1655 David Avenue (New Monterey 03) as private-benefit projects that could be perceived as gifts of public funds.
• Projects needing further study: The Deer Flats sidewalk/crosswalk proposal (DF01) would need traffic counts and curb ramps and would be coordinated with the approved bike path design. The Del Monte Beach traffic-mitigation proposal (DMB02) would require a traffic study. New Monterey crosswalk and rapid-flashing-beacon proposals (NM07, NM08) would have to meet the city’s adopted crosswalk policy; a committee member suggested treating them as studies rather than construction to avoid funding projects that might not meet criteria. Staff said major changes to traffic-calming features would require redoing the neighborhood traffic-calming plan to avoid shifting traffic to other streets.
• Park, facility, and capital projects: Staff reviewed the Hartnell Gulch creek rehabilitation, El Estero Park Center and El Estero Park Complex improvements, Hilltop Park Center tennis court repair and phase-three renovations, Jack’s Park outfield grass project (bids came in higher than previously approved), restroom renovations at Coast Guard Pier and Cannery Row Garage, and solar panel/control system replacement at 735 Pacific Street. A committee member asked whether grants from PG&E or other programs could fund the solar project before NCIP money is used. Staff noted an existing dune-restoration project at Del Monte Beach and recommended focusing on that proposal rather than a new restoration submission.
• Forest and fuel-reduction projects: Staff recommended consolidating the Fisherman’s Flats green belt maintenance, Glenwood fuel reduction, and community-wide forest management/fuel reduction proposals. For the urban forest and wildlife resilience management plan (MN03), staff said city council had directed ordinance changes first, but a committee member reported a different staff member had suggested considering the plan before spending up to $200,000 on CEQA work; staff said they would clarify by the next meeting.
• Sidewalk program and undergrounding: A multi-neighborhood proposal (MN06) would help pay for sidewalk, curb, and gutter repairs beyond the city program being developed, under which each property could receive $2,500 for a major sidewalk repair. Staff reported that the PG&E undergrounding project (MN07) is facing approximately a two-year delay because other cities’ construction needs have affected the program schedule.
• Other clarifications: Staff will confirm whether the Aguajito Oaks streetlight site (A001) is in city right-of-way or HOA-owned property. Two sign projects require ownership confirmation. The Old Town 02 curb cut and loading zone could be permitted even without a cross-block connection. The Ryan Ranch roller skating facility is numbered MN05 in the multi-neighborhood category.

Key Outcomes

• No motions were made to approve, deny, or rank projects at this preliminary screening meeting.
• Staff will prepare additional materials for the October 21, 2026 meeting, including an agenda packet expected Friday, a clarification on the MN03 forest management plan, and confirmation of the remaining NCIP funding amount. A public commenter estimated about $2 million; a committee member said it was closer to $3 million.
• Committee members encouraged applicants and neighborhood representatives to consolidate overlapping proposals, especially fuel-reduction and forest-maintenance projects.
• The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:50 p.m. The next meeting is October 21, 2026, and voting night is November 18, 2026.