Our Government
For most of us, it’s at the local level that government has the greatest impact on our lives. And it's at the local level that each of us can have the greatest impact on government.
Our City government is formed by a charter, which plays a role similar to that of the United States Constitution — it describes what the government does, and gives it legitimacy.
Like the federal government, the City government has branches. They include the elected City Council, led by the Mayor, which represents the will of the voters; the staff, led by the City Manager, which executes policies set by the City Council; and commissions, boards, and committees, which advise on specific areas such as planning, transportation, or libraries.
And most important of all: residents who get informed and involved, as we hope you will.
Upcoming Events: Our Government
Planning Commission Meeting
July 17, 2019 - 3:30pm
Minutes and agenda can be found here (link is external) as published.
2020 Census Salinas Action Team Meeting #6
July 30, 2019 - 2:30pm
Contact Info: Adam Garrett, adamg [at] ci.salinas.ca.us
Finance Committee Meeting
August 5, 2019 - 3:00pm
West Wing Conference Room
Minutes and agenda can be found here as published.
News: Our Government
New Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at School Crossing
May 17, 2019
Traffic & Transportation Engineering
Students at Natividad Elementary School on Modoc Street have a new traffic safety device that helps them get across the 4-lanes of Alvin Drive. The new flashing beacons are part of a series of improvements the City is planning on Alvin Drive that support safe routes to school.
The flashing beacons come with the restriping of a new high visibility crosswalk with supporting yield markings set back 50 feet from each direction to the crosswalk. The flashing beacons themselves include two LED rectangular shaped light sources that flash with high frequency when a pedestrian activates the beacon before crossing a street. These devices have been shown to help drivers comply with State law that
Visión Salinas / General Plan Guiding Principles Released
May 10, 2019
The Visión Salinas Guiding Principles for Salinas' upcoming General Update have been released as a public document in both English and Spanish! The Guiding Principles were adopted by the City Council in January, 2019 as a part of the Alisal Street Corridor Plan. The Guiding Principles and Overarching Core Value were developed through an extensive and completely bilingual (English/Spanish) public outreach process engaging over 500 people. Outreach included 9 Popups in North, South, and East Salinas; three stakeholder meetings; a community survey; and input from prior Popups and planning processes in the preceding five years. The Principles represent a vision for Salinas in the future, and will guide each policy developed in the City's upcoming
Salinas City Council Supports 2020 Census Efforts
May 1, 2019
On April 16th, the Salinas City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting, and thus kicking off Salinas' 2020 Census Efforts. The resolution supports the City's recently formed 2020 Census Salinas Action Team, and the City's participation in the Monterey County Complete Count Committee. Recent news from the Action Team, which had its third meeting on April 23rd, includes the formation of an outreach hub at the City of Salinas that will provide local volunteers with materials to do Census Outreach. The Action Team will also be participating in the Take it Outside/Vamos Afuera Salinas event on May 5th. The State of California will also be contracting with several organizations to provide outreach funding, such as
AVP Celebration Draws a Crowd
May 1, 2019
On Tuesday, April 23, over 170 members of the Alisal community came to MLK Jr. Academy to celebrate the next phase of the Alisal Vibrancy Plan. Attendees helped prioritize key plan recommendations while enjoying performances from local youth Aztec and folklórico dancers, and guitar players. Emerging priorities from the event include measures to advance housing affordability, support youth programming, and expand help for small businesses. A full summary of event results is attached to this story. This feedback will be incorporated into the Alisal Vibrancy Plan, with a full public draft coming in mid-May. To see early draft content, engagement summaries, or other information about the plan, please visit our website at alisalvibrancyplan.org
Fee Holiday for Accessory Dwelling Units!
March 20, 2019
On Tuesday, March 19, the Salinas City Council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance to exempt Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) from development impact fees for a five-year period. An ADU, also known as an in-law unit, is a secondary dwelling unit located on the same property as a single-family home. There are multiple ways to add an ADU to an existing home, including as a separate structure in a backyard, a conversion of a garage, or even as part of the original home that has its own entrance and cooking and bathroom facilities. Promotion of ADU development is one of the ways the city and the state are attempting to address the rising cost of
Draft West Area Specific Plan and Draft EIR Released for Review
March 6, 2019
Staff released the Draft West Area Specific Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Report for the West Area Specific Plan project for the required 45-day public review period pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15087 and Government Code Section 65453. The 45-day review period is February 27, 2019 – April 15, 2019. The documents can be found on the City Website at the following link:
The West Area Specific Plan project is identified as a portion of the North of Boronda Future Growth Area by the Salinas General Plan (as shown on the figure titled “North of Boronda Future Growth Area, West Area Specific Plan” below).
The West Area is
City Initiates 2020 Census Salinas Action Team
February 25, 2019
As a part of the countywide Monterey County Complete Count Committee, the City of Salinas has initiated an Action Team to ensure all Salinas
Staff Attends 2020 United States Census Training
October 18, 2018
Community Development staff attended a training in September on the upcoming 2020 United States Census. The training prepared staff for the City's
