Saturday, March 6, 2010

Montara "Community Council Meeting"


Government in Montara, an unincorporated area
General and tourist information http://www.montara.com/

In the aftermath of 8 years "dead beat" city council management, some of us have begun to wonder what "community council" management would look like in event of city bankruptcy and disincorporation. Our neighbor Montara offers insight into an unincorporated area with oversight by the county, as well as a view of their community council meeting. http://www.montarafog.com/ . The March 3rd Montara community council meeting includes a discussion about 1) electing county supervisors on a regional vs."at large" basis, followed by 2) a conversation to move forward later in the year with potential city incorporation.

Pacifica may be more than 12.57 x larger than Montara, generally less affluent, and located closer to north San Mateo peninsula cities. Disincorporation may come at a price (initial property assessments as well as other community disadvantages). There was no citizen vote to drive this city into "our economy is our environment" disincorporation. Yet, in 8 years "nothing" and no economic development advantages has stopped this city council from their apparent mission to end the city of Pacifica. What will the excuses for ultimate city failure be this time, how about "its nice not to have a city?"

Montara statistics vs. Pacifica (2007/2008), source see http://www.city-data.com/
Population: 3,000 vs. 37,700
Median resident age: 40.9 years vs. 37.6 years; State of CA 33.3 years (Males: 48.2% vs. 49.3%; Females 51.8% vs. 50.7%)
Household income: $114,620 vs. $86,257; State of CA $61,021 (Per capita income: $54,689 vs. $37,211)
Median house or condo value: $861,247 vs. $668,319; State of CA $467,000

Posted by Kathy Meeh

1 comment:

Richard Saunders said...

"The Midcoast Community Council held their bimonthly meeting on March 3rd. "

It covers the entire unincorporated area from HMB to Montara Mountain. That would be El Granada, Princeton, Moss Beach, and Montara.

To Steve's post, if you want to see what it's like to have the board of supervisors as your "city council" (as they like to put it), take a closer look at the issues the MCC has tried to tackle, and how how well the supervisors listen.