She said other than new streetlights, she has yet to see changes from the money invested in infrastructure.

“I’d like to see the county fix up the community of Pajaro more,” said Ramírez. “We are a rich county. Sometimes I compare us to cities like Carmel and I say that we are forgotten by the government of Monterey. We are lacking a lot of infrastructure.”

In an interview Thursday, Supervisor Glenn Church said, “While it can never make people whole again, [relief funds] help build the community back, hopefully stronger than it was before.” Church represents Pajaro and other parts of north Monterey County.

“Almost all the money has been spent at this point, so I would have to say we are on track with what was proposed and what was demanded from the state,” he said.

Renovation recently began on the Pajaro Library, closed since the March 2023 flood, and is expected to finish in about a year and a half. (Fidel M. Soto — Noticias Watsonville)

Money for infrastructure and programs

The portion for infrastructure and community programs was dedicated to library renovation, park repairs, safe streets, local organizations and community disaster preparedness. 

• $3.5 million for the Pajaro Library including an elevator and stairs, tenant improvements, and an outdoor community area. 
• $2 million for street safety improvements including 24 new streetlights, sidewalk and curb ramp enhancements at 27 locations, and improved traffic signals and signage.
• $2 million in community grants for 22 organizations spanning community health and dental care, business resiliency, digital equity, arts, farmworker advocacy, tenants’ rights, legal services, financial workshops, food insecurity and disaster preparedness.
• $1.2 million for Pajaro Park including turf replacement, playground upgrades, maintenance and new benches and tables.
• $900,000 for emergency preparation and response including a rescue boat and safety gear; a digital message board at Pajaro Middle School; and training, action plans and 200 emergency supply packs for residents.
• $400,000 was put aside as contingency. Supervisor Church said it could go to direct aid for businesses.

The projects are at various stages. Much of the safe street work has been completed. 

Work on the Pajaro Library, closed since the flood, has begun and is estimated to be completed in a year and a half. Renovations to Pajaro Park are scheduled to begin in the fall.

Money for residents and businesses

Of the $20 million from the state, Monterey County supervisors planned to allocate $14 million for infrastructure and $6 million for direct payments. But after pressure from Pajaro residents, the county increased the portion for direct aid to $10 million.

Of 134 businesses that applied for aid, the county approved 90. Some were missing documentation and have been denied, other applications are pending. As of June, businesses had received more than $2.7 million. 

Direct payments to residents have gone through two phases and will continue with a third. The first phase gave residents up to $600 for spoiled food. The county approved 710 of 780 households that applied, and distributed $943,200.

The second phase reimbursed residents for damaged property and has distributed more than $3.8 million as of June, with more than 240 households receiving aid.

Damaged property from Pajaro residents and businesses is piled in front of a shop on Salinas Road March 27, 2023. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local file)

A third phase is expected to be announced soon and will be open to residents who qualified for Phase 1 money, a county spokesperson said this week. 

According to the county, some applications were denied because applicants did not live in Pajaro at the time of the disaster, could not prove residency, or did not provide documentation of losses.

Some residents expressed frustration with the application process, citing trouble providing receipts for items bought long ago or paid for in cash, and said the aid didn’t cover their losses.

Pajaro resident María Guadalupe Cueva said she applied for aid but never heard back.

“It wasn’t fair,” said Cueva, who also experienced the Pajaro flood of 1995. “Some took a lot and others got nothing.” 

The county encouraged residents with Phase 2 applications to work with the caseworker assigned to their application to help maximize the aid they can get.

Noticias Watsonville reporter Fidel M. Soto contributed reporting.

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