[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6483861,"mediaKeyId","5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7","parentId",5564598,"title","Chinatown Navigation Center faces closure absent new funding; city seeks options and asks council to weigh tradeoffs","audioSeconds",962,"startMs",3274000,"endMs",4236000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7&start=3274&end=4236","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7/thumbnail_3274000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6483861/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Chinatown-Navigation-Center-faces-closure-absent-new-funding-city-seeks-options-and-asks-council-to-weigh-tradeoffs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483861-22504bd0f91b2004a59155c6f4a33e2f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155706&Signature=ECDP3eBem~zRP0~gnPgGJmf6paxcNe~lXeV1qI~W6hLc4Ecao8z9SlCqwy-u3p8aOkRmvwH9grnC9-CC7wlbeVdXykuVgn5nmw7pJct-IRCfuxjS7b3QLyG-fyQ32vHt4yvLvBGEHqYs6e901QOJzwDKKEDGPoTOeYaNXoyLKaIoZrK2hudeJ96ZjhhJvSs8Khr2mbrlCXys0f87kXls-e2BoKWJY17ONGiyjz~h-RaNdleuXmcIc6KRiSc0at9GgTG7UOhJVFRJFByyVlLzU2PdCy-lAzCllVG93YiCxG2xSHs2pmMue7NcVmn3WEwpoe~Bx0gpYUqN-8xZqQGSGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Salinas","date","2025-08-12T18:34:49Z","article","Keisha Lopez, the city’s Homeless Services Manager, told the Finance Committee on Aug. 12 that the Chinatown Navigation Center faces a funding shortfall and could close unless additional resources are identified.

“The operational cost is around $2,500,000 to keep the facility operational,” Lopez said, and the city previously informed the council in May that it faced a $1,500,000 shortfall.

Lopez said the city has primarily funded operations through grants and the general fund since March 2020 and has been exploring options with Community Homeless Solutions, the Continuum of Care (CoC) for Monterey and San Benito counties, and Monterey County. She said Community Homeless Solutions revised its budget downward, and that the CoC leadership council is expected to consider a possible $200,000 contribution at its upcoming meeting. If the CoC contributes $200,000, staff proposed requesting $387,000 from the city’s fund balance to keep the center open through inclement weather months; if the CoC does not provide the $200,000, staff proposed requesting the full $587,000 to extend operations to cover inclement weather.

Committee members asked about relocation options for the center’s clients and bed availability. Lopez said participants would receive priority for permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing projects administered through the Continuum of Care, that the county’s Share Center could accept clients when beds become available, and that housing navigators are actively working on placements.

Committee members and city staff emphasized timing constraints. Lopez said current funding will get operations through Nov. 30, 2025, and staff asked the committee whether to take a recommendation to City Council. Committee members said they wanted the full council to weigh the decision and requested the matter be placed on the next available council agenda; staff and committee agreed to present the item to the City Council and to factor CoC decisions expected on Aug. 27 into the council discussion.

No final council decision was made at the committee. Staff said they are working on placements in the event of closure and will return to the council with funding recommendations and additional information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","LIVE COVERAGE Finance Committee Meeting of August 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff told the finance committee the Chinatown Navigation Center is facing a significant operating shortfall and could close unless the city and partner agencies identify additional funding.","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},6483863,"S&P affirms Salinas issuer rating but assigns negative outlook, cites sewer fund controls",477,2431000,2908000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7&start=2431&end=2908","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7/thumbnail_2431000.jpg","/articles/6483863/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/SP-affirms-Salinas-issuer-rating-but-assigns-negative-outlook-cites-sewer-fund-controls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483863-a2efb60c3f22ed256583b669b219eeab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155706&Signature=TFavQ7b2kRI4aeDw8Qc7~-gEx2hym6R4UOfYypEGXm5XFAEC~DNWVDkwCbK0~YRmB2FxrjK2DHHrA5A1wetad6MjCQRFb6nOVQn6kk5L9i~gUMYlhn1Xo-~ZFucahr2vvvaYnLRM-bAOJKAFp8wlP7hy6dN-wZ4nxLazNm2BQF~OmkoLx2gGXJTgDKAEBXM8wkQvIhNrvTOdltz8CVFRJZ86KzqKlJ6EEghcxXTSeuOihFEhoMiyK2jMzXjDY1L73OZdjz9T1wfVatldAQKDaCzOnluOAAmc0ZM1-Yg-psSInDr2O5mTUD9lFUQjFdEZC4R4oGY15XUFP1NOBUwQug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Finance Director Selena Andrews told the Finance Committee on Aug. 12 that S&P Global Ratings completed a periodic review and affirmed the city’s issuer credit rating (ICR) at double‑A minus (AA‑) and affirmed outstanding lease revenue bonds at A+, but revised the outlook to negative.

“S and P conducted a periodic review of the city's outstanding leases, lease revenue bonds and affirmed our ICR at double A minus and outstanding lease revenue bonds at A plus, and revised the outlook to negative due to weaker internal controls and volatility exposure,” Andrews said.

Andrews told the committee the negative outlook reflects S&P’s concern about internal controls and the sanitary sewer enterprise fund. She said the city has not adjusted sewer rates in more than 10 years and past emergency repairs—specifically unplanned pump station repairs—had depleted the sewer fund. S&P flagged those conditions alongside a multi‑year forecast that projects operating drawdowns and the possible effect of a major tax measure sunset on sales tax revenues.

Andrews said S&P could lower ratings if the city cannot adjust rates or address budget pressures in enterprise funds, or if Measure G sales tax revenue were to be lost or reduced. Conversely, Andrews said S&P could raise the ratings if the city sustained structural balance and reduced general‑fund exposure.

Committee members asked for clarification about the specific internal controls S&P found weak; Andrews identified oversight of the sewer fund and said finance staff are reviewing controls across all funds and will return with corrective steps. City staff also noted that routine financial audits focus on whether the city follows its own rules and that additional internal policy and reserve‑setting work is underway to make such issues more visible to council in the future.","Finance Director Selena Andrews reported that S&P affirmed the city’s issuer credit rating at AA‑ and lease revenue bonds at A+, but assigned a negative outlook citing weaker internal controls and volatility in the sanitary sewer enterprise fund and multi‑year forecast risks.",{"_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},6483864,"Finance committee agrees to recommend 10‑vehicle leasing pilot with Enterprise to city council",818,1578000,2396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7&start=1578&end=2396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7/thumbnail_1578000.jpg","/articles/6483864/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Finance-committee-agrees-to-recommend-10vehicle-leasing-pilot-with-Enterprise-to-city-council","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483864-5416afee47950d83f607c1b55f59a518/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155706&Signature=NwMJb68Z1kQGfDj0IM1WBGjpHXDbB6gub7be8JkXPnrRvzV3IauI0UEinv70UEOqpDqtCc~m8K9XRQspeS1uQcBYCswkii9XItQyARdUuqlnqhU6DVfKFyaNtpj1SODX26WUzyn5sMchZeB6YL6cklNRy4DvIugMavLF719TDK6ltqBUwPVFQ855Q-e5l3gH-iYb9nR75u4Dyzi7aGAPsZtxMaOn49TXj5b~na-luhjJ2Y4IjGb66VXALV9dht7CzQPm2pEvol5YnbIqZYfn5cvobj6eCu37Kqsnd1dY435oxdi5bffvqdRmsH4ncqMStXGqD8eo9WqpPlLfNCJtsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas Finance Committee voted Aug. 12 to recommend that the City Council consider a 10‑vehicle leasing pilot with Enterprise to refresh aging city fleet vehicles.

David Jacobs, fleet staff for the City of Salinas, told the committee the city’s total fleet exceeds 400 vehicles and some units range up to 20 years old. Jacobs recommended testing a leasing model to modernize a portion of the fleet and accelerate electrification.

Daniel Manning of Enterprise’s fleet management division said, “25% of the fleet is currently over 10 years old,” and described Enterprise’s proposal to shorten average vehicle cycle from roughly 12.5 years to a five‑year rotation, reduce maintenance exposure, and provide enhanced reporting through a client portal. Manning said Enterprise’s forecast shows roughly $2,359,000 in savings over 10 years driven by resale equity and reduced maintenance, and that the Sourcewell contract would be available for the city to use.

Staff presented a recommended Year‑1 package that identified 10 units for replacement at an estimated annual leasing cost of about $105,600. Staff noted seven of the ten proposed Year‑1 replacements would be electric vehicles, which could help the city meet state electrification requirements.

Committee members discussed tradeoffs. Staff warned the primary downside is committing to recurring lease payments and a fixed replacement cycle: “We buy a vehicle and we run it till the wheels fall off. Here, we actually have to buy vehicles every 5 years,” Jacobs said. Committee members asked about the ability to scale the pilot, long‑term budget impacts and exit options; Enterprise representatives said the city could buy out leases if it chose to leave the program and that lease pricing would be re‑set at each cycle.

Mayor Donahue moved that the finance committee recommend forwarding the pilot to the City Council for approval; the motion was seconded by Councilmember Margaret. On a roll call the committee recorded votes of Yes from Councilmember Margaret, Councilmember D'Arrigo and Mayor Donahue; the motion passed. Committee members said staff should return to the council with a final contract and any additional financial analysis requested by the Finance Department.","The committee voted to recommend the city council consider a 10‑vehicle leasing pilot with Enterprise to replace aging fleet units; staff described potential maintenance savings, electrification benefits and long‑term costs and tradeoffs.",{"_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},6483865,"Salinas presents two‑year economic development work plan to guide new division",791,289000,1080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7&start=289&end=1080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7/thumbnail_289000.jpg","/articles/6483865/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Salinas-presents-twoyear-economic-development-work-plan-to-guide-new-division","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483865-7be7efcf736abbf8ddca9e3bbd44162a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155707&Signature=Z0-PoF58rH0s6pbvuqWHXWeRewwHbAJBRi0EzWXkz80G~40Hro9yYpXl6VhM6i61VNPAR1pAFTxxlSanY90oLK7r7S~vBtPwMlxWQ~yuby13qJEg5qKS5hA5UT4klRmGOqCzhWW4ngaDhvevM1~G-fgmsY5yuQzmLbrW3XXDyPXbaRyGc3A~PfU3Xug3cy7P~PaHxMEL7Ezg5rY2ymi0byifHL5~WDR0SEkAF6RWst1ziTZF~xrA0N6-eWzGTfQjurZOGrXPSGB8OVh6zp54VtGYFWi5opAQMi6vU3UQTiDQuwL8DQSy08jXl9elIcy81Goy~CaEue2qRJzjPUw94A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assistant City Manager Lisa Murphy presented a proposed two‑year economic development work plan to the Salinas Finance Committee on Aug. 12, saying the plan is intended as a working document for a newly created Economic Development Division.

“This is a working document for the division, the newly created division,” Murphy said, adding the plan “sets out a road map” for the division’s organization, priorities and performance measures.

The work plan, which Murphy said is distinct from a future strategic plan, lists five principal goals: support existing businesses through a business retention and expansion program; attract new businesses through targeted outreach and real estate tracking; promote Salinas as a destination; optimize land use and modernize infrastructure; and enhance city services and streamline permitting and regulatory processes. Murphy said hiring for a deputy director of economic development is underway and the division will work closely with the existing business navigator position in Community Development.

Immediate actions include conducting a business survey and inventory, adopting a customer relationship management system, launching a pop‑up storefront pilot called Streetfront to Storefront, developing a targeted marketing and branding effort that leverages local cultural assets such as the Steinbeck Center and Sherwood Hall, and preparing a set of six economic indicators to track progress: new business licenses issued, business discontinuations, transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue, unemployment rate, sales tax revenue and building permits.

Councilmembers and staff discussed how to turn the plan’s goals into measurable internal accountability. Mayor Donahue and Councilmember Margaret asked for clear internal metrics on permitting turnaround, the number of development contacts that did not proceed and reasons why, and how the division will report progress back to the council. Murphy and other staff said those operational metrics are already being developed and that the new deputy director would focus on internal process improvements and reporting.

Murphy also described the division’s role coordinating projects such as the Chinatown revitalization and airport opportunities, and noted that future staffing could include an economic development analyst if data needs and funding support the hire.

Committee members offered general support and emphasized managing public perception through early, visible actions. Murphy said the plan is intended to be flexible and evolve as projects and partnerships develop.","Assistant City Manager Lisa Murphy outlined a two‑year work plan for the newly formed Economic Development Division, listing five goals including business retention, attraction, destination branding, land‑use optimization and service modernization, and identified staffing and performance metrics for implementation.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6483856,"CalPERS 2026 rate changes: Salinas staff report projected health‑benefit cost increases and plan shifts",227,2948000,3175000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7&start=2948&end=3175","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5564598-e5412035ab0af698e1fd325e2d722ef7/thumbnail_2948000.jpg","/articles/6483856/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/CalPERS-2026-rate-changes-Salinas-staff-report-projected-healthbenefit-cost-increases-and-plan-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6483856-ee21a23544ca31d788eb252aff3366e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155707&Signature=AvOVPT4Ay6oTLqt~hR28Djla~RObSJtwdpBNgezh~dKzPjAmQAARmpmq8x2ybQsh0pu0pR96PEFVLZnEMB28dDDt4OwMfZZthMYVlrfOa2dyUvQP89nHA4plLPqSYKaWjrbZtQ8Ms~LOR8AA6MOirka6c7xPZrF5uQ2QiXsD-VPkg-gV2JA4PMeBvI08ilGb6K8xkLdX-vlb54yeDyaljvnes-SNBfxQpZm03aekSfvuBuKMOez4ClLf7lHG573CoP3Q4~OLTo1o-TIsJzClJ4hyhP4aHfmZXH6U~zIzG96ZJDi3GJeYn-wFDdhI9k6itCSzAPFd4HfHHH7q9Qy67g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Patricia (surname not stated), an HR manager, briefed the Finance Committee on CalPERS health plan premium changes and other benefit logistics for 2026.

Patricia reported CalPERS forecasted premium increases with the largest shown for the Platinum PPO plan at 13.15% and Blue Shield Access at 11.26%, and said CalPERS attributed the increases to rising health‑care costs. She said CalPERS is eliminating the Blue Shield Trio HMO plan in Monterey County and replacing it with Blue Shield Access Plus; about 76 employees are expected to be affected and will be able to choose alternate plans during open enrollment.

Patricia also said CalPERS is transitioning pharmacy benefits from OptumRx to CVS Caremark under a five‑year contract; CalPERS said CVS put $250 million at risk under that contract to control drug costs. Employee enrollment figures presented showed about 68% of employees in Gold/Platinum tiers and the city is continuing to phase in employee contributions; HR staff estimated the city’s anticipated health‑care cost for fiscal year 2025‑26 at about $14,900,000 with employee contributions of about $789,000.

No action was required; staff said they would communicate plan changes to affected employees and the item was informational to the committee.","HR staff told the committee CalPERS notified the city of 2026 premium increases (largest: Platinum PPO 13.15%, Blue Shield access 11.26%), a transition from OptumRx to CVS Caremark for pharmacy benefits, and an anticipated city health cost of about $14.9 million for fiscal year 2025‑26.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chinatown Navigation Center faces closure absent new funding; city seeks options and asks council to weigh tradeoffs

S&P affirms Salinas issuer rating but assigns negative outlook, cites sewer fund controls

Finance committee agrees to recommend 10‑vehicle leasing pilot with Enterprise to city council

Salinas presents two‑year economic development work plan to guide new division

CalPERS 2026 rate changes: Salinas staff report projected health‑benefit cost increases and plan shifts