City of Capitola Regular City Council
Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 10, 2022 – 7:00 PM
City of Capitola
City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Sam Storey
Vice Mayor: Margaux Keiser
Council Members: Jacques Bertrand, Yvette Brooks, Kristen Petersen Regular Meeting of the Capitola City Council – 7 PM
1. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance
Council Members Kristen Petersen, Jacques Bertrand, Margaux Keiser, Mayor Sam Storey, and Yvette Brooks
2. Presentations
A. Introduction of new Capitola City Public Works Department Staff Member George Duncan
This item was removed from the agenda.
B. Update on Newly Adopted State and County Redistricting Maps City Clerk Woodmansee presented the changes in State Assembly and Congressional maps and their impact on Capitola’s representation.
3. Additional Materials
A. 1 public comment email regarding item 8.B
4. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Serg announced an upcoming meeting of the County mental health advisory board and invited Council, staff, and members of the public to attend.
6. Staff / City Council Comments
Recreation Division Manager Bryant-LeBlond announced that, due to a change in systems, online registration will be down for a period which should not interrupt the public’s ability to register when programs go live.
Clerk Woodmansee said that the City is using a new agenda management system and accessing City agendas is slightly different; if there are questions, please contact the Clerk.
Council Member Petersen reminded the public of the Local Government Academy with the deadline to apply February 25.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2022 City of Capitola Page 2
Vice Mayor Keiser thanked Central Fire and all first responders for their work protecting our community and extinguishing the fire near the trestle recently.
7. Consent Items
Motion: Approve, adopt, and determine as recommended
Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Vice Mayor Keiser
Seconder: Council Member Petersen
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Petersen
A. Consider the January 27, 2022, Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
B. Approval of City Check Registers Dated January 7, January 14, January 22 and January
28. Recommended Action: Approve check registers.
C. Finance Advisory Committee Membership
Recommended Action: Adopt proposed resolution regarding membership of the Capitola Finance Advisory Committee.
D. Receive Update on Pandemic Response and Consider Adopting Proposed Resolution Allowing for the Continuation of Teleconferencing
Recommended Action: 1) Make the determination that all hazards related to the worldwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) as detailed in Resolution No. 4168 adopted by the City Council on March 12, 2020, still exist and there is a need to continue action; and 2) Adopt the proposed resolution authorizing the City Council (along with the Planning Commission and all advisory bodies) to continue to conduct teleconferencing meetings.
8. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Presentation on Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project between Bay Avenue/Porter Street and State Park Drive
Recommended Action: Receive a presentation from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) and provide input on the aesthetic treatments for the Highway 1 Auxiliary Lane and Bus-on-Shoulder Project between Bay Ave./Porter St. and State Park Dr.
Sarah Christensen, Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission, presented the Highway 1 project.
Kira Caseli, Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission, presented the different aesthetic options for the project, highlighting five specific features.
Mayor Storey asked about font options for the proposed bridge.
Council Member Bertrand suggested the use of the begonia, as it is the symbol of Capitola. He also asked if public art could be incorporated, preferably reviewed, or proposed by the Capitola Art & Cultural Commission.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2022 City of Capitola Page 3
There was no public comment.
Council Member Petersen indicated that she liked the wave painting and focusing on sea-life/ocean theme. She also suggested the Santa Cruz limestone.
Vice Mayor Keiser also suggested the SC limestone and a sea life theme, and encouraged the installation of local public art.
Mayor Storey thanked the RTC representatives for their presentation.
Result: Received presentation, gave feedback regarding project aesthetics B. Lifeguard Services Updates
Recommended Action: 1) Approve Resolution Amending the Hourly and Seasonal Salary Schedule and modifying the City of Capitola Beach Lifeguard/Junior Guard Instructor job description; 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute a side letter to the Lifeguard Services Agreement with the City of Santa Cruz, increasing the amount of the Agreement to $110,119; and 3) Receive report regarding seasonal staffing plans for summer 2022.
Recreation Division Manager Bryant-LeBlond presented a staff report.
Council Member Bertrand confirmed that the proposed program would be up to the same ocean surveillance standards as what is offered by the City of Santa Cruz.
Mayor Storey asked about the staffing turn-over rate. Manager Bryant-LeBlond responded that there is a smaller staffing pool due to the past two years of the pandemic.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Approve resolution; Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment increasing the amount to $110,119; Receive report Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Bertrand
Seconder: Vice Mayor Keiser
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Petersen
C. Realignment of the Proposed Pedestrian Pathway from the Upper Breach and Village Parking Lot to Monterey Avenue
Recommended Action: Approve a new proposed route for the pedestrian pathway from the Upper Beach and Village Parking Lot to Monterey Avenue.
Public Works Director Jesberg presented a staff report.
Council Member Brooks asked if the available funding expires; Director Jesberg said no and clarified that the funding was awarded for this specific project. He also confirmed that the official project plans would be presented to Council later, after the full design process.
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – February 10, 2022 City of Capitola Page 4
Council Member Bertrand asked about a project timeline. Director Jesberg explained that pedestrian safety is at the forefront. When asked about parking, Director Jesberg replied that a further study is needed.
There was no public comment.
Council Member Brooks made a motion.
Council Member Bertrand said that preserving the oaks is imperative, while balancing pedestrian safety.
Council Member Petersen said that Council had previously approved a different path route, which would have impacted more trees than this newly proposed route.
Vice Mayor Keiser agreed that the trees are significant and said that safety needs to be the prioritize.
Council Member Brooks highlighted that the trees in question also serve as a sound wall for nearby residents, which should be considered prior to any tree removal.
Motion: Request staff to return with a preliminary path design, using the proposed route, showing the least amount of impact on the area trees Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Brooks
Seconder: Council Member Bertrand
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Petersen
D. Consider Letter in Support for California Senate Bill 843 Regarding Renter’s Tax Credit Recommended Action: Direct the Mayor to sign a letter in support of California Senate Bill 843, which would increase California renter’s tax credit.
Clerk Woodmansee presented a staff report.
There was no public comment.
Motion: Direct Mayor to sign letter of support and mail to Budget and Fiscal Review committee, Senator Laird, and Senator Glazer
Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Bertrand
Seconder: Council Member Petersen
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Petersen
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:47PM to the next regular City Council meeting on February 24, 2022.
APPROVED FEBRUARY 24, 2022