Sand City · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sand City public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
El Niño Local Emergency Declaration
The council was to consider proclaiming a threatened local emergency for the developing 2026-2027 El Niño event, positioning the city for storm preparedness and possible state assistance.
Code of Conduct for Council and Committees
A new code of conduct was on the agenda to set behavioral standards for council members and city committee members.
Multi-Use Trail Site Control Agreement with TAMC
The city is set to sign a 30-year agreement with TAMC for the rail right-of-way between La Playa and Contra Costa Avenues — the site control needed to release $1.96 million in federal grant funding and pursue additional state grants for the trail.
Stormwater Control Measures Maintenance
A proposed maintenance agreement with Don Chapin Company (Greenline) for stormwater control measures, costing up to $492,580, keeps the city's drainage and water-quality systems functioning.
Housing Policy Recognition
Sand City has been officially labeled pro-housing by California, a designation that could help unlock state housing programs and signal the city is serious about building more homes. For locals, it mostly means more tools and incentives may be available to move housing projects forward—though actual construction still depends on specific proposals.
General Plan Update Engagement
The city walked the Council through its General Plan Update and how it plans to engage the community — the blueprint that will guide Sand City's growth for years. No action was taken yet.
City Council Vacancy and November Election
Sand City has an empty council seat, and the Council decided to leave it that way until November so voters can choose the new member. That means four members are making decisions until then.
Opportunity Zones 2.0 Census Tract Nomination
Sand City is nominating its one qualifying census tract for the new federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program, which offers tax incentives meant to draw investment into commercial infill and housing near existing city projects.
Emergency Operations Plan Update
The city replaced its 2005-era Emergency Operations Plan with Revision 2.0, spelling out who does what in a disaster and how Sand City coordinates with county and regional emergency centers.
Monterey Bay Shores Resort Development Agreement
The city locked in a long-term deal with New Dawn Equity Partners for a resort on 39 acres between Highway 1 and the bay — 184 hotel rooms, 92 condo-hotel units, and 92 residential condos. The agreement freezes land-use rules for the project's seven-year initial term while bringing the city fees and a new Community Facilities District.
FY 2026-2027 City Budget
The council adopted next year's budget, funding city services and the capital improvement program for the coming fiscal year.
Police Records System Coverage Partnership
With the Sheriff no longer offering free after-hours coverage, Sand City police will pay Monterey PD per batch of records transactions to keep 24/7 access to the statewide CLETS system.
Monterey Bay Shores Resort Development Agreement
The biggest project on the shoreline in decades — a hotel, spa, condo-hotel, and 92 homes on 39 dune acres — moved through its first reading. The agreement extends the project's approvals past their August 2026 expiration in exchange for new city revenues.
Zero-Emission Beach Patrol UTV
A $13,500 clean-air grant helps replace the rusted-out gasoline beach patrol vehicle with an all-electric Polaris Ranger, part of the city's goal to electrify its fleet by 2035.
November 3, 2026 Municipal Election
The council formally called the November general municipal election and asked Monterey County to run it.