The Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting on May 20, 2025, focused on updates regarding community health initiatives and environmental monitoring efforts. The meeting began with a discussion led by Kelsey, who highlighted ongoing community engagement strategies, including interviews, surveys, and town halls, as part of a developing plan to enhance public involvement in environmental matters.

Kelsey also mentioned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working on a website to provide residents with information about community involvement opportunities and the status of battery and debris removal operations. Acknowledging community feedback, Kelsey expressed gratitude to residents who submitted a letter titled "Community, Please," and emphasized the board's commitment to addressing ongoing questions.

Rick Encarnacion, Director of the Environmental Health Bureau, then provided an update on the community sampling plan. He reported that 16 out of 27 planned sample locations have been completed, with soil sampling initiated on May 8 and continued on May 13. The Environmental Health Bureau, alongside the Department of Toxic Substance Control, is overseeing the sampling process, with results expected in the coming weeks. Phase 2 of the sampling plan is set to continue on May 22.

Nikki Fowler, Health Program Coordinator, followed Encarnacion's update by discussing enhancements to the GIS dashboard available on the ready Monterey County website. She announced the launch of the Moss Landing VISTA battery fire dashboard, which now includes health-related regulatory criteria for each analyte, allowing users to assess sampling results against established health standards.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the board's commitment to transparency and community engagement in environmental health matters, with further updates anticipated as the sampling and monitoring efforts progress.