[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6521063,"mediaKeyId","5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50","parentId",5114331,"title","Council vacates right-of-way, renames Railroad Avenue to Station Place and accepts rail project improvements","audioSeconds",408,"startMs",7337000,"endMs",7745000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50&start=7337&end=7745","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50/thumbnail_7337000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521063/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Council-vacates-right-of-way-renames-Railroad-Avenue-to-Station-Place-and-accepts-rail-project-improvements","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521063-715c72145fc1d006df1869d95c300415/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159224&Signature=J6w43eDJFbzKE1-IJJ5Ufgqp0C4Dl26FW-1nigjzMQjlNXio6h1-DPV7L2z3t7QQhdUDfHQtnM~hH5yiaG89KzkIs5xlPlEedQd2O4AOLQaNljADQeRCO~mexXXksxpXda63LINvFXdd9k0jUvhPQBMdq5THQ~WzM5p8ShfKB2vIN0p9BnOn504N1LOEgig0Q8qwoXJvoKppiOKGqRJBnq5l5PqVrWVFsE7JM6hM5ShGHSvogxxxImQVFPddPMF4sFOEp14sGr5bV9w-TBw1Uht-pxojYdbse0kuw-SzX9RbC-7ie8vzu8D2lCICq8Qs-VjiqljkBQK49RbZD7kbAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salinas","date","2025-07-02T02:48:02.063Z","article","The Salinas City Council voted July 1 to vacate the former Railroad Avenue alignment at the Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC), dedicate new right‑of‑way for the renamed Station Place and accept completed improvements from the Monterey County Rail Extension (Salinas Rail Kickstart) project.

City Engineer Adriana Robles presented the proposal and said the action realigns property and easements to match the transportation improvements completed by the Transportation Agency for Monterey County and recorded through earlier agreements. The council approved a package of actions including vacating the former Railroad Avenue alignment, renaming Railroad Avenue to Station Place, dedicating right‑of‑way for a Station Place alignment and for a Lincoln Avenue extension, dedicating waterline easements and accepting the completed improvements for maintenance responsibility.

Robles summarized the history: the city acquired train‑station properties in 1998; the Transportation Agency for Monterey County led a rail extension design and construction effort under a 2017 memorandum of understanding; improvements were completed in 2021 and the land transferred to the city in 2022. \"At the time when the exchange happened, the city took on the maintenance of that facility, but we never formally went through the acceptance,\" Robles said.

Council members asked whether the street‑naming process included a community appointment and whether nearby businesses would be affected. Robles said the street‑naming ad hoc committee recommended Station Place and that addressing had already been partially in use; she told the council that no current businesses held Railroad Avenue addresses and property owners had been engaged over time. A council member also asked whether changing the plan would require repayment of state grant funding; Robles confirmed the Caltrans/state grant terms would require repayment if the city materially altered the work beyond agreed terms.

Public comment included appeals to preserve railroad history and requests for continued effort to bring rail service to Salinas. Resident Mary Ann Wharton urged the council to preserve historical names: \"Don't go changing names and stuff. That's part of our history.\" Eric Peterson, who noted project delays, said he expected the rail to arrive in 2029 and praised the work already completed.

The council approved the package in a single motion (motion read into the record) and adopted the resolution accepting the improvements, renaming, vacating and dedicating easements. The motion passed on a unanimous vote: Barajas Yes; Barrera Yes; Dirigo Yes; Dela Rosa Yes; Salazar Yes; Sandoval Yes; Mayor Dennis Donahue Yes. The city clerk will record the vacation and dedication documents and update addressing records as approved.

The action brings the ITC property and rights‑of‑way into a configuration that staff said matches the completed improvements and positions the city to maintain the Intermodal Transportation Center going forward. Staff noted any major deviation from the approved scope could trigger grant repayment obligations to state funders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LIVE COVERAGE Salinas City Council Meeting of July 01, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Salinas City Council voted July 1 to vacate part of the right‑of‑way at the Intermodal Transportation Center, rename Railroad Avenue to Station Place and accept completed improvements from the Monterey County rail extension project.","taxTitle","Salinas, Monterey County, California","taxId",4681,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521060,"Salinas to mail Proposition 218 notices after council approves sewer rate notice; proposal would raise monthly base from $5.45 to $16.35",2017,7652000,9669000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50&start=7652&end=9669","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50/thumbnail_7652000.jpg","/articles/6521060/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Salinas-to-mail-Proposition-218-notices-after-council-approves-sewer-rate-notice-proposal-would-raise-monthly-base-from-545-to-1635","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521060-6ec7d98a3f19d9a06458c8210ba5d3fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159224&Signature=AGdkFQrJcDrJCm4eBxZCpiSO4~6JQVQYmotqMs32uACG08UmGKAp391reyZdJvL8xKvBMf5w-aMNsOurkK9BIdxkaPXL6hHC-djCiSB7K7fjSiSuJPvsUfqlc1UoYKlrlgCCOI2jRzdmcqFS4pLy2zGl4UOg7u2ri~9yWoE9TYhKeBTTNQfDD4drapL~TgrRiVzae61KROlqbc6YAiFm0Q89LATFV7oirOtK6LK3~1Xkcc-itgkb5e8QfnToiVwmdfyN6Tjf2FEajdg3k3HdeZ8rG7ZUKWp3ElR0s-YJVw8~GpSd-BDg6b34LROokayg-IQVC3lfK0pOPcd~NlL4tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas City Council on July 1 authorized staff to distribute Proposition 218 public‑hearing notices for a proposed sanitary sewer rate increase, setting in motion a public outreach and protest period that ends Aug. 25 and a public hearing set for Sept. 23.

Consultants and city staff told the council the sewer system has an operating shortfall, deferred capital needs and system failures that have been addressed as emergencies because rates have not changed since 2012. Andrea Reese, the rate study consultant, said the updated study recommends increasing the monthly sewer charge for a single equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) from $5.45 to $16.35 for FY 2025–26, with an annual 2% escalator for five years and a reexamination by council after that period.

\"The study recommends a rate increase...to $16.35 per month for a 1 EDU,\" Reese told the council. The rate model assumes roughly 61,700 EDUs and includes operating expenses and capital improvements. Staff presented a 10‑year capital program with a total estimated cost near $115 million and said the sewer fund is currently projected to be short roughly $335,000 for the current fiscal year.

City staff also explained that Monterey One Water and other data sources identified a category of \"special users\" whose sewer charges must be flow‑based rather than flat rates; the updated rate schedule adds a special‑user, flow‑based tier for those accounts. Staff said notices will include a revised rate schedule and a plain‑language informational flyer in English and Spanish on the city website; outreach will include community events and a July 31 informational meeting at the Breadbox. Staff also said they will return with options for a rate assistance program; the FY 2025 budget includes $150,000 for assistance.

City Attorney staff and the finance director described the protest and objection processes. If a majority of affected parcel owners or ratepayers submit valid protests according to Proposition 218, state law prohibits the city from adopting the proposed rate at that time. The council was also briefed on AB 2257 procedures for written objections that require a written staff response when objections claim the proposed rate is inconsistent with Proposition 218.

Public commenters at the meeting voiced a mix of views: some urged the council to place the question on the ballot rather than act administratively, others said the increase felt abrupt for residents already facing rising costs and asked for expanded translation and outreach. The council voted unanimously to direct staff to distribute notices: Barajas Yes; Barrera Yes; Dirigo Yes; Dela Rosa Yes; Salazar Yes; Sandoval Yes; Mayor Dennis Donahue Yes.

If the council adopts the new rates after the public hearing, staff said the new charges would take effect Oct. 1. The council asked staff to return with a formal assistance program proposal and to carry out targeted multilingual outreach during the protest period.","The Salinas City Council on July 1 authorized mailing Proposition 218 notices for a proposed sanitary sewer rate increase, launching a protest period that runs through Aug. 25 and scheduling a public hearing for Sept. 23.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521057,"Council renews contract for downtown street outreach service; some members press for citywide expansion",238,10554000,10792000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50&start=10554&end=10792","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50/thumbnail_10554000.jpg","/articles/6521057/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Council-renews-contract-for-downtown-street-outreach-service-some-members-press-for-citywide-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521057-986c37d31af88ab5617d7cd1e4b60395/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159224&Signature=Tp-j723IuvT9U0Mwzz8ba0Rbm5DptdVzx7hdXZ7RvCxEjo1pUTHxAKuuquBdSotsydJOs8WDiF-utUro6hjyLHzl43Apl60oIywBXGd7570LchclgQnScSJPacTkQbGVFMDVWN3o~GTW84oEG3aF11nZa6G7XsX9TJjXDpsCY~MOBej5w8QASs8iVAbCCp5jHr3ZejaDBnH1T0bS~gBpqL7yAytYbgK6ydl6f9DUw6EYQUSP8bcItyDNZBC-zVbjxRdcMjftXlA9Ikp6VdDorlSu1iJZpDzLUYrkbDVHA2rJRhAzmcGgG9S8fr82DaoqCp6kYFjtzp5lg2uOpnLKcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas City Council approved a subrecipient agreement to continue funding a downtown street outreach provider that performs litter abatement, homeless outreach and neighborhood cleanup work, but council members debated expanding the program to additional districts.

Council members discussed whether to add District 5 to the contract’s service area during the consent‑calendar debate. City staff said the contract as presented implements a budgeted program for specific neighborhoods; expansion citywide or to other districts would require additional direction on funding and scope. Council member Barajas offered and the council adopted a substitute motion to approve the contract as presented, while encouraging staff to prepare options for expanding similar services elsewhere.

Council member Barajas said the current agreement followed budget discussions and targeted areas with documented needs. The city manager noted that the contract implements the budgeted scope and that staff can return with analyses and funding options to expand coverage to other neighborhoods. \"If the council wants us to expand this to other parts of the city, direct me to bring that back,\" the city manager said.

The substitute motion carried on a 6–1 vote: Barajas Yes; Barrera Yes; Dirigo Yes; Dela Rosa Yes; Salazar Yes; Sandoval No; Mayor Dennis Donahue Yes. Council members and public commenters also urged the city to track and communicate program outcomes and to consider equity across districts when planning expansions.

The contract amount and specific service metrics were included in the staff packet; the council approved the contract on the consent calendar with the requested substitution and asked staff to return with options and cost estimates if council members want to expand services beyond the currently funded areas.","The council approved a subrecipient agreement with a downtown street outreach provider to continue targeted cleanup and engagement services in designated neighborhoods. Council members debated whether to expand the service into District 5 and asked staff to return with options for broader coverage and funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521065,"Salinas council approves annual assessments for six landscape and lighting districts",1420,5099000,6519000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50&start=5099&end=6519","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5114331-5817e24685004355ed6b5e5561844c50/thumbnail_5099000.jpg","/articles/6521065/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Salinas-council-approves-annual-assessments-for-six-landscape-and-lighting-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521065-99f51d38e643cc8ce627a28214caa6d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159224&Signature=M8DBHNNSVad2QciHVhJkAwzZf8FReQuwc8gROsRkl-Epx8bzu0nx7-dPiHwBE95df~SM5iLq~LI-bAhNpkcVGW-tndUU7TwEU4WbDjMv~Fi8sc6GkFOjW-t7sMwFDtJc7vYXmPslkjMKBxg7dzdmacS4TPg~hsYsgfFxfbJWhkJ~6WRu3tZyjDHbDBa3L-NN~GRlbaX6TFvLUqAJHyB-31J8V-etYPzUoYKkZBazQ-M98V7N06Q~ZYjkTRJSpu5oo1TzC347AnycO-~uaNSkIETvkxT4Fy0LiL5O87Hn639vDYZXuW8prmuufllWTA~lgwS5Phz2mbkTTtAM4zN1Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas City Council on July 1 approved resolutions to levy annual assessments for six landscape and lighting maintenance districts for fiscal year 2025–26, funding ongoing maintenance of landscaping, parks and open spaces within those districts.

City staff and the assessment engineer told the council the levies fund routine landscape maintenance, street lighting and other specialized services inside each district’s boundaries. The council voted unanimously to adopt the engineers’ reports and assessment diagrams required by state law.

Donna Segarra of Harris & Associates, the city’s assessment engineer, told the council some districts have flat rates that have not changed since formation: Airport Business Center has been fixed at $217.49 since 1987, Vista Nueva at $600 since 2011 and Hardin Ranch at $66.72 since 1991. Segarra said the only districts proposed for modest increases are Miramonte (about 0.87% to $615.39) and the Northeast area (small increases in density classes), while Montebello’s assessment remains at $645.30 and below its maximum allowed level.

\"Approval of the engineers reports, including the assessment diagrams and levy amounts, is required to comply with state law,\" Segarra said during her presentation.

The discussion included repeated public comments from residents who said they pay assessments yet see uneven service. Council members asked staff how residents can confirm services they pay for. Public Works staff pointed to district-specific webpages that publish quarterly and annual expenditures and said residents can file Salinas Connect service requests or call Public Works to report problems.

Council members pressed staff on perception and expectations for service levels in underfunded districts. Council member Gloria (spoke during the meeting) and council member Margaret asked why some areas receive less maintenance despite paying assessments. Public Works staff and the assessment engineer explained that where districts were formed with capped flat rates, the city cannot unilaterally raise the assessment without a property-owner vote to change the maximum assessment.

Clarifying figures presented to the council included: Airport Business Center $217.49 (flat since 1987); Vista Nueva $600 (flat since 2011); Hardin Ranch $66.72 (flat since 1991); Miramonte $615.39 (proposed +0.87%); Montebello $645.30 (no change; below a $1,433 cap); Northeast area proposed low-density $217.00, medium-density $134.19, high-density $92.78 (percent changes noted in staff materials).

The council also directed staff to improve outreach and to provide clearer expectations to residents about what each assessment covers and response timelines. \"We set up webpages last year,\" a Public Works representative said. \"We did a lot of outreach. But people may not know it's there.\"

The council approved the required resolutions by voice vote (motion by Council member Barrera, second by Council member Salazar). Vote: Barajas Yes; Barrera Yes; Dirigo Yes; Dela Rosa Yes; Salazar Yes; Sandoval Yes; Mayor Dennis Donahue Yes.

Council members and members of the public said they expect more proactive communication about district-specific services and clearer, accessible reporting on what residents receive for their assessments.

Notes: the city’s engineering reports and the assessments are governed by the Landscape and Lighting Act of 1972 and by the City of Salinas municipal code provisions cited in the staff presentation.","The Salinas City Council approved engineering reports and levies for six landscape and lighting maintenance districts for fiscal year 2025–26, keeping several flat-rate assessments unchanged and adopting small inflation adjustments for others after public questions about service levels and funding shortfalls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council vacates right-of-way, renames Railroad Avenue to Station Place and accepts rail project improvements

Salinas to mail Proposition 218 notices after council approves sewer rate notice; proposal would raise monthly base from $5.45 to $16.35

Council renews contract for downtown street outreach service; some members press for citywide expansion

Salinas council approves annual assessments for six landscape and lighting districts