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County planners report progress on Pajaro River levee repairs; $1.2M allocated for Pajaro Park work
Summary
Planning staff reported updates from the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency on levee demolition and design progress for Reaches 2–6 and said the county allocated $1.2 million for Pajaro Park repairs and signed an agreement with the Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District.
Monterey County planning staff reported March 12 that the Pajaro River levee repairs and long‑term community recovery efforts are advancing, and that the county has allocated funds to repair community park infrastructure.
Project planner Edgar Sanchez told the commission that demolition and preparation for levee and floodwall construction in Reach 6 are underway: two residential parcels had been demolished and cleared and a commercial property was scheduled for demolition in the coming weeks. Sanchez said the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency expects to obtain legal possession of remaining agricultural parcels along Reach 6 in the near term, and that design work for other reaches is proceeding, with Reach 5 at roughly 30% design and an additional consultant brought on board to advance designs to 60% by spring 2025.
On long‑term recovery, Sanchez and staff outlined that Phase 2 of the Pajaro disaster assistance program is processing applications and that the county has allocated $1,200,000 to repair and replace amenities at Pajaro Park, including artificial turf, playground refurbishments and infrastructure work. A formal agreement was signed with the Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District to carry out the park improvements, Sanchez said.
Commissioners urged coordination between the county’s long‑range planning and the Department of Emergency Services‑led recovery efforts so community planning, housing element work and recovery activities are better integrated. Director Greg Spencer of the county’s Housing and Community Development (speaking later during department reports) and staff said long‑range planning capacity is constrained this year but that Pajaro community planning is on the department’s work program and will be prioritized as staffing bandwidth allows.
The briefing was informational; no formal action was required. Commissioners asked staff to continue coordinating with the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency, the Department of Emergency Services and community revitalization efforts as planning and recovery work advance.
