Dear Friends & Neighbors,
It has been a year since the flooding of the Pajaro community. The recovery has been slow but steady. Last year, the combined resources of the federal, state and county governments provided about $10 million in aid to the community. It was a first step, but not enough.
After the flooding, the state stepped in with an offer of $20 million for unmet needs and infrastructure work. This was an enormously positive step for rebuilding the community. In the many flooding disasters that Pajaro has experienced since the levee was first built in 1949, this amount and type of aid had never before been offered. The state offered a rare opportunity for a community that has suffered long-term neglect. While the challenges that Pajaro faces can’t be fully resolved with $20 million, it will make a difference in the daily life of the community.
From August to December, Monterey County held multiple meetings in Pajaro to inform the residents and receive their input on how this money was to be spent. This level of community involvement was unprecedented. The meetings regularly drew 150 or more people. The interest, as the meetings evolved, never declined. If anything, the interest increased.
On December 5, the Board of Supervisors approved the final project list for the $20 million. On February 27, the Board approved the agencies that are to be involved in distributing the funds. The current plan involves collecting applications at the end of March for those who have lost perishables in last year’s flooding. From there, resolving other unmet needs for residents and businesses will follow.
Altogether, out of the $20 million, $6 million is designated to compensate residents who suffered losses during last year’s flood. All this money is allocated for those who either did not get disaster relief or who only received partial aid. The maximum for a household is $15,000.
Another $4 million will go to the business community, which received no financial assistance last year besides loans and some minor services, such as hauling away damaged goods and products from their businesses. The maximum assistance for a storefront business is $85,000. For a home business, it is $5,000. A small portion of the $4 million is targeted for beautification of the business community, such as signage and landscaping.
The remaining $10 million is for infrastructure improvements. Approximately $1 million is for emergency preparedness and response. Another $1 million plus is for refurbishing Pajaro Park. $3.5 million is for refurbishing and repairing the historic Porter House, where the Pajaro Library is located, so that the building can reopen and function to its fullest. With three floors, the building has space to be a community center and location for county and community groups to have offices. Another $2 million is to improve signage and safe streets, such as crosswalks, sidewalks and lighting. Finally, the last $2 million is for community grants. The county will accept applications for community projects that have not yet been identified.
This won’t fix all the problems in Pajaro, but it will give a significant boost to both residents and businesses in this long-neglected community. Hopefully, this aid will help revitalize the community and forge a path to greater prosperity in the years to come.
As always, don't hesitate to reach out to my office for assistance. You can reach us at 831-755-5022 or district2@co.monterey.ca.us.
Sincerely,
Glenn Church
District 2 Supervisor
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