City Search

CITY SEARCH… Squid has had to navigate the gamut of government websites in Monterey County for years, and even now gets frustrated while trying to find the right meeting agenda or set of building plans, as no two city sites are quite alike. Concurrently, Squid is skeptical of generative AI – not only because of the environmental toll but also out of principle and to ensure no human questions Squid’s use of em dashes.

That said, Squid was impressed watching a presentation from Seaside City Manager Greg McDanel about an AI-powered search engine now available on the city’s website, which can answer essentially any question typed into the search bar – in numerous languages, from German to Russian to Spanish.

The City of Salinas also launched its own AI search option named “Sali,” a chatbot that speaks 75 languages. Squid tried asking Sali some questions, but didn’t get very far. Salinas Public Information Officer Sophia Rome says maybe Squid was doing it wrong: “If that information doesn’t exist already on the website, it will direct you to the person you should talk to.”

Both tools are intended to benefit the public with easier-to-find information, as well as city staff, who may field fewer questions. Still, with the amount of energy AI needs to function, Squid wonders if the environmental cost of convenience is worth it.

BAIT AND SWITCH… Squid often oozes over to get shrimp-flavored snacks at Trader Joe’s or to cheer on Monterey Bay FC at Brass Tap (proudly disturbing the few sensitive neighbors who chose to live in a busy commercial area).

With home prices reaching over $2 million, it seems it’s mostly wealthy Silicon Valley types who can live there – and they soon might also be the only ones who can afford to visit.

Marina City Council heard a presentation from Dadwal Management Group on July 1 for its proposed “upper upscale” hotel. A long-agreed-upon plan had the developer building two modest hotels. But they commissioned a report showing there is more money to be had in a hotel for the wealthiest – the affluent can always afford to travel, regardless of how terrible the economy is.

The developer is also seeking an estimated $25 million transient occupancy tax-sharing agreement with Marina. The council agreed 4-1 to bring such an agreement back for consideration, with Councilmember Brian McCarthy dissenting.

“How do I get in on that deal?” McCarthy said, tongue-in-cheek. “Let me bid for something, say I’m going to provide it, then say I’m not, but if you give me $25 million, I’ll do something else for you.”

Squid hopes to get in on that deal as well, but won’t plan to spend a night in the hotel – looking at the back of Target and REI doesn’t sound too appealing.