Monterey Park · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Monterey Park public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
November 3 election and city food drive
The City Clerk's Office walked through voting deadlines, drop boxes, and vote centers for the November 3 election, and announced a food drive for Alhambra Unified families with drop-off boxes at City Hall, Langley Center, and the library.
New public GIS Hub for city information
The city launched an online mapping hub where residents can look up street sweeping schedules, their assigned schools, and every active capital project on an interactive map. Council wants translation tools and social media promotion so more people actually use it.
City AI use policy
Council Member Wong asked for a report on the city's policy for using AI tools. The city manager confirmed one exists for internal staff use and promised a fuller presentation at a future meeting.
Budget and Revenue Engagement Workshops
The city is hosting June workshops on the budget, economic sustainability, and revenue measures — plus 'Vacant to Vibrant' sessions on redeveloping empty commercial properties.
Public Comment Time Limits Reduced
A new state law forces cities to let people participate remotely by Zoom or phone starting July 1. Monterey Park is spending up to $50,000 on tech and translation to comply, and the council set tiered speaking times that shrink as speaker counts grow — a change one resident urged against.
November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election
Seats up: council Districts 1 and 5, city clerk, and city treasurer. Candidate filings run July 13 to August 7; results certified in December.
November 2026 ballot measure voter education
Staff will run impartial, factual public education on the two city measures on the November ballot — no advocacy, as state law requires.
CDBG and HOME Grant Funding for 2026-27
The city will get about $873,000 in federal grants for housing, public improvements, small business grants, and fair housing services — the council approved the plan sending it to HUD.
Transient Occupancy Tax increase on November ballot
Voters will decide in November whether to raise the hotel tax from 13% to 14% and the short-term rental tax from 13% to 16%, bringing in roughly $600,000 a year for general city services. It's paid by visitors, not residents.
FY 2026-2027 City Budget Adoption
The council adopted a roughly $188 million spending plan for the coming year. Residents questioned the library bookmobile purchase and the police Bearcat armored vehicle during public comment.
Citywide Maintenance District No. 93-1 Renewal
The annual assessment for street lighting and landscaping was renewed for another year — at the same flat rate set in 1996. It raises about $1 million against $2.4 million in annual costs, so the general fund subsidizes roughly $1.4 million.
Street lighting and landscaping assessment unchanged since 1996
The renewal keeps the assessment flat, but it raises only about $1.02 million against $2.4 million in costs — the general fund subsidizes $1.4 million a year. Council members flagged the 30-year gap as a sustainability issue.
Mid-year city finances and reserve levels
Sales tax is down 7% as residents pull back on spending, but property tax is up 5% and the city remains in better shape than neighbors. The council wants emergency reserves pushed toward 20% of the budget instead of the 15% minimum.
Sale of Lee Avenue Property to Recover $2.5M Nuisance Abatement Debt
The council unanimously authorized selling the city-owned South El Monte property to collect $2.5 million owed by Center Intl Investments from the 1688 West Garvey Avenue abatement case — money that will go back toward reserves and capital projects like the fire station and pool.