City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 24, 2022 – 7:00 PM
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. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda
3. Presentations
A. Mayor For a Day: Youth Essay Contest
Recreation Division Manager Bryant-LeBlond presented the essay contest idea and prompt; “If you were Mayor for a Day what would you do for your City?”. She announced that the contest deadline would correspond with the start of school and that winners would be announced in October. Mayor Storey asked that the prompt specify “Capitola”, rather than “your City”.
4. Additional Materials
A. Item 8.A – four public comment emails
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
6. Staff / City Council Comments
Public Works Director Jesberg announced that Noble Gulch Park is cordoned off due to a sinkhole and that Public Works is working to fix the issue.
Council Member Petersen said the National League of Cities is hosting its new member orientation on April 6 at 9am; she will attend and other Council Members are welcome.
Council Member Brooks said that the Children’s Network met recently and is updating bylaws; she also said she is attending the League of Cities leadership conference in May.
7. Consent Items
Motion: Adopt, extend, authorize, and determine as recommended Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Vice Mayor Keiser
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Seconder: Council Member Petersen
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Petersen
A. Consider the minutes from the March 1, 2022, Special City Council meeting and the March 10, 2022, regular City Council meeting
Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
B. Consider Extending an Agreement with the City of Scotts Valley for Sharing of Chief Building Official Services
Recommended Action: Extend agreement with the City of Scotts Valley to share Chief Building Official Services for an additional three years.
C. Computer Network Infrastructure Upgrade Agreement
Recommended Action: Authorize City Manager to enter a managed services agreement with Exceedio for upgrade of City IT network infrastructure.
D. Notice of Completion City of Capitola 2021 Road Repair Project Recommended Action: 1) Approve Change Order #2 for extra work in the amount of $41,402; 2) Approve a notice of completion for the City of Capitola 2021 Road Repair Project constructed by the McKim Corporation at the final cost of $153,34; and 3) Authorize the release of the contract retention of $7,667 as prescribed in the contract.
E. Update on Greenwaste Recovery, Inc. Providing an Optional 35-gallon Organics Bin for Residential Customers
Recommended Action: Approve the addition of a $0.74 per month charge to residential customers who opt to receive a 35-gallon organics bin in the GreenWaste Franchise Agreement.
F. 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. Consider Request to Fly “Thin-Blue Line” Flag during National Police Week in Accordance with Policy V-18: Outdoor Display of Governmental and Non-Governmental Flags on City Property
Recommended Action: Deny request.
Clerk Woodmansee presented the staff report.
Council Member Petersen asked for the Police Department’s perspective. Police Chief Dally thanked the applicant for wanting to support the Police and said that there are those in the community that find the flag divisive. He said that the proposal could counter City Council Meeting Minutes – March 24, 2022
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his goal for all community members to feel represented and protected by the Police Department and that he supported the staff report and agreed with the recommendation.
In public comment, TJ Welch spoke in support of his request. Thairie Ritchie spoke against the request.
Vice Mayor Keiser said that she understands this is a controversial issue, and personally trusts and values the Police and thus supports the Police Chief’s opinion. She said she would like to find another way to show support of the Police Department, rather than the City flying the requested flag.
Council Member Bertrand said he’d gone back-and-forth on the issue and ultimately made his decision based on what Capitola Police felt about the matter and appreciated the analysis from the Police Chief.
Council Member Petersen spoke about her personal connection to and support of the Capitola Police Department and her pride in the City’s officers.
Council Member Brooks said that she is proud of the work the City’s leaders have done to support all members of the community and to support the Police.
Mayor Storey agreed with Council and thanked both Mr. Welch and Mr. Ritchie for speaking in public comment.
Motion: Deny request
Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Petersen
Seconder: Council Member Brooks
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Petersen
B. Eviction Moratorium and Housing Is Key Funding
Recommended Action: Receive report and direct staff to repurpose remaining $105,000 in CDBG-CV funds toward rental assistance.
Community Development Director Herlihy presented the staff report.
Council Member Bertrand asked about the difficulty of grant management, and if Capitola must rely on the State process in dispersing funds. After a question, Director Herlihy clarified that the funds must benefit Capitola residents and be tied to pandemic relief.
Mayor Storey asked about the County’s strategies to minimize evictions; Director Herlihy responded that the County is working with local nonprofits and legal aids to assist with mediation for renters.
In Public Comment, Carlos (COPA leader) said he works to help community members apply for Housing is Key, and thanked Council for their attention to rental assistance.
Council Member Bertrand confirmed that the City has an emergency rental assistance program and a security deposit program.
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Motion: Direct staff to 1) track Housing is Key funding and collaborate with the County, 2) return with discussion on how to repurpose $105,000 in CDBG-CV funds towards rental assistance, 3) authorize the Mayor to send a letter of support to the State regarding extending the eviction moratorium to residents with active Housing is Key applications
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. Discuss Possibilities for Returning to In-Person City Council Meetings Recommended Action: Provide direction to staff regarding City Council (along with the Planning Commission and all advisory bodies) conducting virtual, in-person, or “hybrid” meetings.
Clerk Woodmansee presented a staff report.
Council Member Brooks asked about technology requirements of hybrid meetings.
There was no public comment
Council Member Brooks proposed hybrid meetings beginning in summer, when staff has had time to provide technology and setup upgrades for a professionally run hybrid meeting.
Council Members Petersen and Bertrand and Vice Mayor Keiser agreed with taking small steps towards allowing in-person attendance and attempting hybrid meetings in summer.
Mayor Storey agreed and suggested Council not set a definite date to begin hybrid meetings, instead asking staff and Council to check in when more information on the cost and installation of a fully integrated hybrid setup is available.
Council asked that staff present on the necessary technology and upgrades during the budget hearing in May.
Council Member Brooks asked that new chairs be included in the Council Chambers upgrade.
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:54pm to the next regular City Council meeting on April 14, 2022.
APPROVED APRIL 14, 2022