City staff briefs commissioners on FY25/26 recommendations; council reallocated some commission funds
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Summary
Assistant city manager Dan Meebus updated commissioners on recommended FY25/26 projects (benches, electrical-box wraps, murals, bike racks, medians, gazebo and trail work). He said council reallocated roughly $133,000 of commission-requested funds, contributing to a $250,000 total council allocation; synthetic turf at Laguna Grande remains an add-alternate tied to a Recreational Trails Program grant.
Assistant City Manager Dan Meebus told the Neighborhood Improvement Commission that many projects the commission recommended remain on the city’s list, but the City Council reallocated some commission funds during the budget process.
Meebus listed items the commission should expect: a reduced bench program (cut from 12 to 6 benches with wheelchair-accessible placements), additional electrical-box wraps and murals, three more bike racks, benches and gazebos at Laguna Grande, and medians on Canyon Del Rey. He said staff are soliciting proposals for additional electrical-box wraps and that some bench orders are already in process.
Meebus said a roughly $133,000 portion of the commission’s original requests was not approved by the council and was combined with council allocations, producing a cited $250,000 “total” under council control. Commissioners expressed frustration that neighborhood-focused projects they prioritized were not selected and asked for clearer council guidance; Meebus suggested commissioners raise those concerns at the commission retreat or invite council liaisons to attend.
On the Laguna Grande trail and synthetic turf, Meebus said the city applied for a Recreational Trails Program grant through California State Parks for a trail on the Seaside side of Laguna Grande. The synthetic turf element would be an add-alternate in the trail project bid; staff are assessing feasibility and whether $250,000 would cover the turf element. Meebus said Caltrans permits and the state contract are in process.
Commissioners also noted jurisdictional complications: the soccer field area discussed during public comment lies within Seaside city limits but is maintained and operated by the City of Monterey, which affects who can fund and maintain improvements. Meebus recommended the commission focus on neighborhood brick-and-mortar projects in future submissions and offered to return with more precise guidance on what the council is willing to fund.
