Monterey City Council approves general fund increase in response to coronavirus

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) The Monterey City Council voted to approve a $35,000 increase for the 2019/2020 General Fund to prepare and respond to the spread of coronavirus.

The funds will be used to amplify CDC public outreach and messaging, public facility cleaning and contingencies for public safety and services.

Concerns about a cruise ship, Amadea, visiting the Monterey Bay were also addressed during the meeting. Residents shared concerns that the ship could bring the virus to the area. City Manager Hans Ulsar said the city is taking concerns seriously and said city staff spoke to the ship's officer. Staff confirmed that no passengers were reported sick before leaving the ship Tuesday morning.

The ship was scheduled to be at the Monterey Harbor from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. before leaving for Santa Barbara. It came to Monterey from San Francisco after traveling to Central and South America.

There are currently no restrictions on forms of transportation in the U.S., and the city is not allowed to keep cruise ships from entering the Monterey Bay and using the Monterey Harbor. The county is able to decide if there is a public health risk.

Christine Davi, the Monterey City Attorney, recommended that concerned residents read the staff report on cruise ship regulations, which she said clarifies that the city operates the Harbor on behalf of the State, and deed restrictions require that the city allows travelers to disembark.