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
March 20, 2019 - 3:30pm
Minutes and agenda can be found here (link is external) as published.
Historic Resources Board Meeting
April 1, 2019 - 12:00pm
Minutes and agenda can be found here (link is external) as published.
News: Our Government
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 Salinas Action Team for 2020 Census Count
February 20, 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 residents are counted in the 2020 Census. The Census is crucial to ensure the City receives proper funding from the Federal and State Governments for services like healthcare, the SNAP program, transportation infrastructure, and education - in fact, the Census Bureau says that for every 5 residents uncounted, $100,000 of money is lost toward the aforementioned services. The City of Salinas has 38 percent of the County's Hard-to-count (HTC) population, so it is crucial that strategic actions are taken to ensure the highest count possible. Any resident of Salinas at the
Current Planning Assumes Cannabis Permitting Responsibility
February 8, 2019
In December of 2018 responsibility for commercial cannabis business permitting was transferred from the City Manager’s Office to the Community Development Department, Current Planning Division. The decision was made because Current Planning and the Permit Center are already extensively involved in the commercial cannabis business permitting in processing applicable building permits, processing zoning information letters, providing data for GIS mapping, fee intake, and communication with the commercial cannabis business operators.
Current Planning has contracted with Rincon Consultants, Inc. to provide assistance on all cannabis-related permitting tasks. Rincon provides services in permit processing throughout the state and has extensive experience with cannabis regulations. Since December 2018, Kelly Miller of Rincon, has spent Wednesdays every week
West Area Specific Plan Closer to Public Review
January 8, 2019
Staff is making the refining changes to the West Area Specific Plan and overseeing the same for the associated Draft Environmental Impact Report to prepare these documents for a 45-day public review period. The West Area Specific Plan project is located within the North of Boronda Future Growth Area between Boronda, San Juan Grade and Russell Roads (as shown on the figure titled “North of Boronda Future Growth Area, West Area Specific Plan” below).
The project will feature new urbanism principles applied to 4,340 dwelling units of high, medium and low densities provided in a variety of housing products, and approximately 500,000 square feet of mixed-use commercial/residential development over 797 acres. This project is
Permit Center Welcomes Staff to New Roles
November 14, 2018
The past 18 months have been an exciting time for staff in the Permit Services Division of the Community Development Department. The division has been able to promote a part-time employee to the position of Revenue Officer, hire a full-time Senior Plan Check Engineer and fill two vacant, newly created Building Permit Specialists.
As the new Revenue Officer, Teresa Kistler, oversees spending and budgeting for the Permit Center. With the enterprise fund budget, having someone as detailed oriented as Teresa will make sure the revenues and expenditures match and fees are properly accounted for. Teresa started with the city in 2009 as a part-time revenue technician in the Code Enforcement Division and was promoted
Code Enforcement Appreciation Week
October 30, 2018
This October, the Council proclaimed the second week of October as Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week in the City of Salinas in acknowledgement of the important and often overlooked work that Code Enforcement does in the community. Code Enforcement Officers play a vital role in addressing blight as well as major health and safety issues throughout our neighborhoods. By addressing properties with accumulated rubbish, stored inoperable and prohibited vehicles, and vehicles parked on front yards, Code Enforcement Officers play a key role in maintaining property values and the image of the community. By addressing property maintenance issues, building code violations, and health and safety code violations, Code Officers work each day to improve safety in
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
Seeking Grievance Board Volunteers
April 7, 2017
Interested in serving on a City commission, board or committee? Here is an opportunity for you! The City is looking for volunteers who are
