Committees

Sidewalk Operations, Beautification, and Order (SOBO)

The Sidewalk Operations, Beautification, and Order Committee (SOBO) is charged with making the Salinas City Center District (District) a safe and inviting place by overseeing private security, coordinating security needs with the City of Salinas Police Department, maintaining the sidewalks and landscaping, and beautifying the District for the enjoyment of the public, merchants, property owners, and employees.

Committee Background

The SOBO Committee was established as an ad-hoc committee in 2016.  The Committee is run by a volunteer group that addresses security and sidewalk maintenance. 

In previous years, SOBO’s services were performed through contracts with independent contractors and one employee.

SOBO staff and day-to-day operations are led by Greg Hamer, SCCIA District Coordinator, with oversight from the Committee.

Accomplishments FY Dec 23/24 

  • Continued to contract with Allied Security for security services throughout our District.  To improve security, Allied provides foot patrol six days a week; interacts with the local homeless population; responds to calls from local merchants, businesses and property owners; and coordinates with the police department.
  • Continued to contract with Smith & Enright for landscaping and sidewalk maintenance services to the entire District. Smith & Enright’s services cover the entire District and include trimming, weeding, sweeping, blowing, and picking up debris twice a week.
  • Added regular pressure washing service to the new Main Street Project Sidewalks to address the staining that was occurring on the new concrete. Currently, the sidewalks are pressure washed on a monthly basis during summer months.
  • Supervised the work efforts of Kevin Hayes in his Streetscape Maintenance position.  Kevin provides valuable maintenance throughout the District as needed, with positive feedback from the business community. His electric utility vehicle helps him efficiently manage our District.
  • Added a second full-time streetscape maintenance position to better serve our District. sources of water to allow for landscape irrigation.
  • Replaced several trees in the District and provided tree maintenance activities.
  • Secured pricing quotes for refurbishment of tree wells and planter boxes that need attention.
  • Issued an RFP for security services for FY Dec 24/25. Security represents a significant cost to the District, and an RFP assists in providing the maximum service to the District in a manner that is in line with our budget.
  • Replaced all tree well electrical outlets on the 200 and 300 block with outlets mounted 15ft high in the trees to deter stealing of electricity.

Goals FY Dec 24/25

  • Continue to provide maintenance, beautification and security to our District in a manner that is in line with our budget.
  • Continue to evaluate the effectiveness of the current pressure washing program. If effective, study budget or grant opportunities to modify the pressure washing program as funds become available.
  • Work with SCCIA’s District Coordinator, including supervising maintenance staff, overseeing payroll, communicating with SCCIA constituents, and purchasing supplies, as needed.
  • Seek grant funding for additional tree work, including tree planting in vacant tree wells throughout Zone 2.
  • Pursue grant and funding opportunities to supplement SOBO revenue to not only assist with cost increases but to enable additional services throughout the District.

Current Landscaping and Maintenance – Zones 1 & 2

Smith & Enright currently provides maintenance to the entire District.   We anticipate continuing with Smith and Enright for FY Dec 24/25, with possible cutbacks to be considered during the fiscal year in light of our increasing staffing. 

Additional services are projected for aphid control, plant/tree replacement and tree pruning during FY Dec 24/25.  These items will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  Some of these costs are included in the proposed budget, while some are intended to be funded from grant funds.

Sidewalk Pressure Washing

SOBO anticipates continuing to provide periodic spot treatments in FY Dec 24/25 of the Main Street sidewalks. Continued participation with the Farmer’s Market (300 Block) and Taylor Farms (west side 100 Block) will continue to be explored.

Conclusion

SOBO operations have matured and are continuous with little variation.  However, we have been able to expand our staffing to better serve the needs of the District.  As SCCIA is a volunteer organization, the added staffing was only made possible by the addition of the SCCIA District Coordinator position. With two maintenance employees starting off in FY Dec 23/24, we look forward to being able to improve our overall level of service.

District Identity and Streetscape Improvements (DISI)

Accomplishments FY Dec 23/24 

  • Solicited multiple grant funds to be used in 2024/2025 
  • Enhanced communication and visibility with Downtown merchants by way of new District Coordinator to work on development of a Downtown merchant group  
  • Monthly newsletterContinued: Social media postings. 
  • Holiday décor and festivities including tree lighting and moved Holiday tree lighting to occur with Shop Small Saturday for a larger impact. 
  • Alley activation installations were enhanced including re-mounting new stainless steel wire after the Salinas Habitats Mural was completed.
  • Mural program for Downtown Salinas; approved two murals to be installed downtown 
  • Created Hopscotch installation on sidewalk for more youth engagement and healthy movement in partnership with Blue Zones.
  • Partnerships with major Downtown stakeholders: CSUMB @SCC, Downtown Rotary, Alvarado on Main, Taylor Farms, Artist Ink, Arts Council etc.

Goals FY Dec 24/25

  • Produce video media promoting downtown.
  • Install additional murals and sculptures downtown.
  • Create more conversation areas with furniture.
  • Repaint all planters in Melody Ln and Harmony Ln.
  • Create a Food & Drink Bingo card for downtown establishments.
  • Continue to explore adding more organizations to the banner program including local schools.

Land Use Committee

Accomplishments FY Dec 23/24

Housing

To the extent possible, monitored the status of proposed new transit-oriented density housing on city parking lots in Downtown Salinas and the exclusive negotiating agreement toward approval of those parcels.

Highlighted how the City of Salinas has advanced towards its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) goals through adaptive reuse development in the Downtown.

Downtown Parking Facility

Continued interaction with County of Monterey and City of Salinas officials in the planning stages for a potential Downtown Parking Facility adjacent to the County Government Center, as indicated in the Downtown Vibrancy Plan. 

Parking Management District

Collected records from dozens of other California cities related to their Downtown Parking management programs and discussed the possible approach and timing for a parking study with City planning staff.

Intermodal Transportation Center

Continued to track the status of the Salinas Kick-Start Project Phases 2 and 3, as well as the initiation of planning for the Parajo station, toward the ultimate goal of commuter trains between Salinas and the South Bay (and beyond).

Permits and Agreements for Signs, Awnings, Facades, and the Salinas Arch

Worked in collaboration with business owners and the City of Salinas to resolve regulatory obstacles to installation of signs, awnings, and other facade improvements in Downtown Salinas.

Since 2019, SCCIA has been promoting to city staff the idea of a Vintage Sign Ordinance that would encourage local businesses to install high-quality signs that evoke the art deco/art moderne era of Downtown Salinas in the 1930s and 1940s. At this time SCCIA is seeking inclusion of the ordinance in the revised General Plan and has asked the Historic Resources Board to support a vintage sign ordinance. A model of the El Rey Theater original sign has been restored and can serve as an inspiration to other property owners and merchants.

A maintenance agreement was finalized with SCCIA, Salinas Rotary, and City of Salinas.

Permit Reform

Worked in a coalition with other business organizations to monitor the city’s permit process and provide input for improvements through a Business Development Committee.

Accurate Assessment of Vacancies

Directed the SCCIA district coordinator to create and maintain an accurate record of who owns properties and operates businesses within the Salinas Community Benefit District, in order to identify vacancies and consider a plan to get those vacancies filled.

Traffic Issues

Maintained communication with the Public Works Department on evaluation of the diagonal “scramble” crosswalks and how they affect traffic flow and pedestrian behavior.

Outdoor Dining

Monitored the city’s development and promotion of a permit program and financial assistance for outdoor dining.

Historic Preservation and Promotion

Supported a renewed Mills Act program with better promotion and accountability and an effort to expand what is considered to be “historic.”

Continued support of a revitalized Historic Resources Board.

Continued support of the concept of a city Heritage Park that would encompass the narrow parcels within the Intermodal Transportation Center where historic structures are located. As part of that support, ensured that supporters of the proposed Heritage Park did not intend to block or inhibit potential transit-oriented density residential development at the Intermodal Transportation Center.

Food Trucks and Mobile Vendors

Tracked continued implementation of the city’s food vendor program and did not identify any problems. Continue to address illegal/unpermitted food vendors, trash, and staining of sidewalks in the evenings and weekends.

Salinas Arch Maintenance

Advanced toward a maintenance agreement with SCCIA and Salinas Rotary to maintain the Salinas Rotary Arch and implement a plan for quick removal of graffiti using appropriate methods.

Goals FY Dec 24/25

  1. Support and Advocate for Continued Implementation of the Downtown Vibrancy Plan – maintain a list of what in the Downtown Vibrancy Plan has been completed, what is in the process of being done, and what still remains to be done. Ask the City to prepare a progress report at least annually. Continue to highlight the relationship of the Downtown Vibrancy Plan to other plans, such as the Economic Development Element of the General Plan, the Alisal Vibrancy Plan, the Chinatown Revitalization Plan, and others.
  2. Achieve a Revenue-Neutral, Vibrancy-Oriented, Publicly-Accountable Parking Management Program – develop and implement a comprehensive plan for a public-private Downtown Parking Management District, for the purpose of reducing parking frustrations for customers, merchants, employees, and other businesses while generating revenue that pays expenditures for adequate, quality operations and maintenance in the District. This includes seeking City/County financing, environmental review, approval and construction of a parking structure at Gabilan and Church with design standards that contribute to the aesthetic character of Downtown.
  3. Pursue Public and Private Policies that Promote and Highlight Historical, Cultural, and Aesthetic Aspects of Downtown Salinas – emphasize the distinctive buildings, facades, and cultural and historical elements of Downtown through initiatives including a Vintage Sign Ordinance and a facade illumination program, so residents of the region, visitors from outside the region, and business owners choose Downtown as a destination. Work with the California Welcome Center, the First Mayor’s House, the Heritage Park organization, the UC Valleys of Anza project, the Historic Resources Board, and other groups dedicated to historic preservation and promotion.
  4. Improve the Permit Process to Encourage Commercial and Residential Development – continue active participation in a coalition of business groups currently known as the Business Development Committee to review and recommend improvement to the permit process, including proper assessment of traffic impact fees and reasonable review of planning, building and sign applications within SCCIA Boundaries.
  5. Prevent Property Neglect and Blight – monitor and report dilapidated vacant buildings for potential City enforcement action, track short-term commercial vacancies, and encourage building owners to activate long-term commercial vacancies.
  6. Monitor:
    1. Operations of Downtown Events and recommend policies and changes as necessary to relevant parties.
    2. Diagonal scramble crosswalks at the intersection of Main Street and Alisal Street and work with the City of Salinas for solutions to traffic backups that occur there at certain times.
    3. Others as needed may develop.
  7. Seek Grants to Provide Expertise or Resources  to the Land Use Committee in Advancing the Downtown Vibrancy Plan:
    1. Expand the vision of Downtown by obtaining advice, studies and models from outside  experts and by seeking analysis of projects and programs that increase vibrancy in other downtown districts in California and elsewhere.
    2. Study Downtown streets to reduce speeds, improve circulation and pedestrian safety, and broaden parking options.
    3. Others as needed may develop.
  8. Finalize and Ratify Rotary and SCCIA Arch Maintenance Agreement.