[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6600624,"mediaKeyId","3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6","parentId",3032417,"title","Soledad council reviews workforce-housing rental framework; recommends city-managed program and short-term use for incoming police chief","audioSeconds",463,"startMs",3776000,"endMs",4239000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6&start=3776&end=4239","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6/thumbnail_3776000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6600624/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Soledad-council-reviews-workforce-housing-rental-framework-recommends-city-managed-program-and-short-term-use-for-incoming-police-chief","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600624-60f4decbab4354f00d3791e91ea17948/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168275&Signature=W-FqReyOUpH72uOL8RpKf4EEGaOhUvf7Dl0-bsVywHKui6rtyFutSeXQLKRUoxQmdKR4U7CHxuR57aZxtXZ0PkiD5GoRRcef8S7U6nPy862bfqpgTfj8LuVxq2yBN1VwroEX7PJIqGd7RYzCg~-aUCUgudniErRhmj4FAbxD2bA157ou-LXidioB-Uz070tyjZ4i3b2BPYskIJf6kxxSjFX23W6UL9vhq2~8EQYObr6OxRPQtz85BQs3Oq9BLnj46s9FpbmIknBCrBcQIVsK-6i7qyCJYRoCbkvWCVq-oTTnspfJ1iztigh3RfOtqZFxdFOk1KdUyTdGQ~eTCG8zyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-17T04:54:43.123Z","article","The Soledad City Council reviewed a proposed workforce-housing rental policy framework on April 16 that is intended to help recruit and retain first responders, critical operations staff and other essential public employees. Staff presented priorities for assigning limited units, recertification rules, and financial oversight for a program built around one condominium the city recently acquired.

Beatrice, the staff presenter, said the framework establishes five priority tiers for occupancy: (1) new first-responder recruits (recruitment), (2) first-responder retention (current employees), (3) hard-to-recruit municipal positions (engineers, water-wastewater operators), (4) other essential public employees (teachers, healthcare workers), and (5) general workforce residents including Soledad residents at risk of homelessness. Staff proposed two-year certification periods with recertification every two years and the option for extensions based on availability and priority.

Because the council is currently completing a police chief recruitment, staff proposed using the recently purchased Las Viviendas condominium as a short-term landing spot for an incoming chief — limited to roughly three months with a possible one-month extension — to ease relocation while the candidate finds permanent housing. Council members supported the concept for this one-time, short-term use but asked that it not become a standing exception for city managers or department directors.

On financing, staff recommended creating a project appropriation account to segregate rental revenues and expenses so the city can monitor program sustainability; finance staff (Mike Howard) confirmed the condo remains a general fund asset but said project accounting can track revenues, HOA obligations and maintenance costs. Council members directed that rent eligibility align with workforce housing definitions (approximately 80–160% of Area Median Income) and that the city manage the unit internally unless the number of units warrants contracting an operator.

Council provided direction on the framework and requested staff return with a formal policy reflecting the exclusions, AMI limits, management approach and project accounting. No formal action was taken; staff will prepare the written policy based on council direction.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04-16-2025 Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Soledad City Council on April 16 reviewed a proposed workforce-housing rental policy intended to recruit and retain first responders and other essential employees and directed staff to prepare a formal policy outlining tiers, AMI limits, exclusions and accounting.","taxTitle","Soledad City, Monterey County, California","taxId",72163,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6600628,"Soledad council directs staff to pursue city-owned, phased approach for downtown container village",554,2295000,2849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6&start=2295&end=2849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6/thumbnail_2295000.jpg","/articles/6600628/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Soledad-council-directs-staff-to-pursue-city-owned-phased-approach-for-downtown-container-village","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600628-64a2252b8b6baad67786ddc1d9724c22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168275&Signature=S8CKSFcbDJ8cHSi8W1uG1-LqLt3U~ufC3D~FYfDBBArUQwDBYFWljWqiV8hsGY1xClBB5joELtXdmTvPbxy0dqSIpZZ8QtPhGHHzXNHFIB-~f6l-S1MnUzCuO-ye-cXJqRtIf0JdvmNAGNf3QTyrYKkh6SdxooQKvNWWZkEZuIBKjS6ynDhiwUVAhKEcJNvpoMD3nIR-xV-Vxbp8i2lroFbDN87UPa7B5~6-Bq9B9kLKVqlPvDnNviPWwA1gUxE10CD72G47y~JpBxrtKayl04WYfbdllHPy0ToQ58OjYBWJFQxXHEviOH9H43kPHSFXMhfWEl6U3OTzv15BQjJDYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff asked the Soledad City Council on April 16 for direction on next steps for the proposed Soledad container village, a downtown revitalization project estimated to cost roughly $7 million to $10.2 million. Council members signaled support for a city-owned, phased approach that staff said will improve eligibility for federal economic-development grants and preserve local control over tenant selection and rents.

Planning and economic-development staff summarized project milestones dating back to 2021, including conceptual design workshops, community outreach and a $50,000 USDA rural development grant awarded in August 2024 to fund a viability study. Staff and consultants told council delegates that site work funded previously with ARPA dollars brought utilities to the site and that environmental review has supported exemptions from CEQA for site preparation.

Staff described two primary ownership options: (1) package the concept for private development, which could proceed faster but would transfer ownership and rent control away from the city and trigger the Surplus Land Act (SLA) process; or (2) keep the site publicly owned, which staff said would expand grant eligibility but require the city to pursue phased funding and incremental construction. Representatives from the Monterey County Business Council and federal agency staff advised that splitting the project into multiple phases would increase the likelihood of securing EDA and other grants because smaller grant requests need smaller local matches.

As an initial, lower-cost demonstration, staff proposed establishing a food-truck pod and basic site improvements to test demand while the city pursues larger grants for container-based structures. Council members noted the value of keeping the city’s option to prioritize local businesses and incubate entrepreneurs, and several members voiced support for retaining city ownership and moving forward with the feasibility study focused on a phased implementation.

No formal vote was required; council gave staff direction to pursue a base approach that retains city ownership and to refine a phased implementation plan in the USDA-funded study, then return with grant strategy and more detailed timelines.","After reviewing a feasibility effort and federal agency feedback, the council favored keeping the container-village site under city ownership and pursuing a phased development approach — starting with a low-cost demonstration such as a food-truck pod — to improve grant eligibility and preserve local control.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6600631,"Soledad council renews free business-consulting MOU with Baja Community Development Corporation",485,1848000,2333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6&start=1848&end=2333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6/thumbnail_1848000.jpg","/articles/6600631/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Soledad-council-renews-free-business-consulting-MOU-with-Baja-Community-Development-Corporation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600631-a5db2a0c0aa9cc95c98ea0305722036b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168275&Signature=nq4nh-VubzfCn5IUdrs-Qpe4ODVJcjuQVlRzE6lOg~CNRG-pR5lQev6Hwv06EwHFe1g47nCyQICX53U1GeMPBZv2igGkTdPf0j4eiipUGFT1usbOixHt0teSk7K6I0Y40dRfZdGIa7o6yZIorIpmIYqb8tfJoahwNEcfO394bkVVz~ogISOL6-i~2KsZjgJP3lTJR9ux1YqK0ZkYWDEe-nEndAwD6wl~alhNZwRyT6uR7cYoomCAxg3qe505AHCrzBorKsnCEyJ3-jxs97rsQcvoONBY90DUiJCVfO~paqQfwWjS1Sz-lk19e2Z7NsrdAtHs4m0rSqCNdmmsJWrxfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Soledad City Council on April 16 approved Resolution 62-23 renewing a memorandum of understanding with Baja Community Development Corporation to resume weekly business consulting at the city's Gateway Center beginning May 1, 2025.

City staff said the MOU will restore in-person, bilingual (English/Spanish) one-on-one business assistance that Baja CDC first provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. The services listed in the staff report include loan packaging assistance, marketing strategy support, micro-lending referrals, general business consulting, financial literacy training and specialized support for food-based and childcare entrepreneurs.

Cynthia Vargas, who presented the item for the city, told the council the partnership carries no direct budgetary impact because each agency will cover its own costs. Council members praised Baja CDC's past work with local entrepreneurs and their role connecting small businesses with regional resources such as the Women’s Business Center and the Monterey County Business Council.

Council members asked that the MOU include a reporting element so the city and the public can track outcomes. Richard Perez, speaking for a local service organization during discussion of a related consent item, said many volunteer groups already provide annual activity reports and that a similar written or verbal update from Baja CDC would be feasible.

The council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 62-23. Staff said the renewed MOU will allow Baja CDC to resume weekly Gateway Center hours and continue coordinating with other small-business resource providers.

Looking ahead, staff said they will return to council if substantive changes to the MOU are requested or if council directs additional reporting requirements.","The City of Soledad approved a memorandum of understanding with Baja Community Development Corporation to provide bilingual business coaching and services at the Gateway Center beginning May 1, 2025, at no direct cost to the city.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6600618,"Soledad approves $610,640 fee deferral to support Eden Housing’s 40‑unit Parcel E affordable project",492,6206000,6698000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6&start=6206&end=6698","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3032417-b31efdd097fc9a1bc7f00b782c4e93c6/thumbnail_6206000.jpg","/articles/6600618/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Soledad-approves-610640-fee-deferral-to-support-Eden-Housings-40unit-Parcel-E-affordable-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6600618-2fe9f161e41989ec98db9af01c15e43f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168275&Signature=FWCATWSGGf4AVyvi9gHcdXG7W6FKSdcVkxSp6S3CffBksqbN-SBEiOXOVpe7S6jMZhLf7LyXbzEglG5IGPJTPpf4yasULURl3o~pyTNtRkzgWacJrIfokFcqPBZNnuFvx5CVfCQHO4urMfUN6CaWKADatHaoZOplL-RyRVl6rJD8akfDR41Uu~uO-JSZoy~nnn3zZ3LIwElYESSpJAQ09t4sE4Wp7aSXcL84GkF2YEPWQGPzJX2QqdLiM3gJRof-63RL62uQ5C1wk0t8bLxDB7VSO-C-iPHzlQF4s2Sc-3iZWlrm28cQTw9djhcxhDvnvUh-Ja4BsG8SuJ-4QIqQSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Soledad City Council on April 16 approved Resolution 62-24 authorizing the city manager to defer $610,640 in development impact fees to Eden Housing for an affordable-housing component of the Parcel E development. The deferral will be secured by a deed of trust and promissory note and repayable at the end of a 55-year affordability period.

Staff said Eden Housing will produce a 40-unit building, with one manager unit and 39 units restricted to low- and very-low-income households. As part of the city’s affordable-housing terms, staff will credit $10,000 per affordable unit; for 39 restricted units that equals a $390,000 credit. The total impact-fee obligation exceeded $1 million before the per-unit credit; the developer requested a deferral for the remaining $610,640 to improve the project’s competitiveness for funding sources such as Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

City staff told the council the deferral is a standard tool to help affordable-housing developers secure capital and local matching funds for state and federal programs. The deed of trust and promissory note included in the staff packet were reviewed by the city attorney and finance staff, and the item was recommended by the city’s affordable-housing ad hoc committee.

Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution 62-24. Staff said the deferral does not eliminate the obligation; it secures the city’s claim on the property and will be collected when the property is sold, refinanced, or at the end of the 55-year affordability term, consistent with the recorded security instruments.","The council authorized a deferred payment of $610,640 in development impact fees secured by deed of trust and promissory note to support Eden Housing’s 40-unit affordable housing component at Parcel E; the balance is due at the end of a 55-year affordability period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Soledad council reviews workforce-housing rental framework; recommends city-managed program and short-term use for incoming police chief

Soledad council directs staff to pursue city-owned, phased approach for downtown container village

Soledad council renews free business-consulting MOU with Baja Community Development Corporation

Soledad approves $610,640 fee deferral to support Eden Housing’s 40‑unit Parcel E affordable project