Seaside council approves library mural, backs Opportunity Zone nominations and a bid to lift regional water-connection moratorium

At its July 16 meeting the Seaside City Council approved several non-controversial but consequential items: a revised public-art mural for the Seaside Public Library staircase, local recommendations for Opportunity Zones 2.0, and a resolution supporting modification of State Water Resources Control Board orders that limit new water service connections.

Library mural: Recreation Superintendent Kean Higgins presented an updated mural design by muralist Pedro Gonzalo Garcia (artist name BEIS), increasing the project cost from $11,500 to $15,000 because of design changes and travel costs. The mural will cover the library staircase at 550 Harcourt Ave; staff proposed 12 book titles (six selected by staff/library, six to be chosen by council). Public commenters praised the artwork, flagged accessibility concerns for people with low vision and suggested the city’s seahorse mascot be incorporated; council approved the mural and directed staff to collect councilbook-title preferences within the next two weeks. Staff said the mural work is now planned for early December to accommodate the artist’s schedule and visa arrangements.

Opportunity Zones 2.0: Staff proposed and council authorized submission of local authority recommendation forms to the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GoBiz) for two eligible census tracts (06053014108 and 06053014000). Staff noted that designation can help attract private financing for large redevelopment projects — including the Campus Town area and a proposed Grand Hyatt hotel site — but does not itself grant city approvals, change zoning, or provide direct grants. Council approved the resolution and authorized staff to submit recommendations before the state’s July 20 deadline.

Water-board resolution: The council passed a resolution supporting the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District’s application to modify the State Water Resources Control Board cease‑and‑desist orders (the moratorium dating back to 2009 and subsequent modifications) that have limited new water meter connections. City Attorney Sherry Dammon and staff argued that changed conditions (reduced diversions by Cal Am, the Pure Water Project injecting water to the Seaside Basin, and no current violations) warrant modifying condition 2 of the WR orders to allow new connections while keeping reporting obligations and trigger mechanisms for re‑establishing limits if needed. Staff explained the state’s public hearing schedule and written‑testimony deadlines and asked residents to consult the Water Board’s website for updates. Council approved the resolution and directed staff to file it.

What this means: Each action advances separate city objectives — more public art, enhanced tools to attract private capital to priority redevelopment corridors, and advocacy to ease regional water constraints. None of the items imposes immediate project approvals; Opportunity Zone nominations and the water resolution are advocacy tools and do not guarantee future projects.

Key quotes

"This project is funded by the NIC allocation of TOT," Kean Higgins said of the mural project funding source.

"Designation could strengthen the city's ability to attract private capital investment for ... Campus Town Phase 1 and the Grand Hyatt Seaside hotel and resort," staff said regarding Opportunity Zone nominations.

"The Pure Water Project came online and the expansion increases injections in the Seaside Basin," City Attorney Sherry Dammon said explaining why the city supports modifying the water board order.

Votes and next steps

- Mural (item 9a): approved; staff to collect council choices for remaining book titles and confirm minor design adjustments (e.g., potential addition of a seahorse). Work scheduled for December 2026.
- Opportunity Zone recommendations (item 9b): authorized submission to GoBiz; staff to file recommendations by the July 20 state deadline.
- Water-board resolution: council authorized staff to submit support to the State Water Resources Control Board; written testimony deadlines and hearing dates were provided.

None of these items changes zoning or approves projects; they either authorize a funded art installation or position the city to seek future investment and regulatory relief.