City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, June 09, 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 Brown Regular Meeting of the Capitola City Council – 7 PM
1. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance
Council Members Jacques Bertrand, Yvette Brooks, Kristen Brown, Margaux Keiser, and Mayor Sam Storey.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda
3. Presentations
A. Introduction of newly appointed Central Fire District Chief Jason Nee Fire Chief Nee thanked Council and highlighted the merger between Aptos and Central to create the much larger seven-station Central Fire District. Council welcomed Chief Nee and thanked him and his team for their service and dedication to public safety. Chief Nee invited Council and the public to a virtual strategic plan workshop on June 29.
B. Proclaim June 2022 Elder Abuse Awareness Month
Mayor Storey thanked Gabriel Barraza, who accepted the proclamation on behalf of his department of SC County.
C. Report on Tobacco Grant & Outreach at New Brighton Middle School Sergeant Sandretti presented on recent outreach at New Brighton Middle School regarding the negative effects of tobacco use. Council Member Brooks thanked Sergeant Sandretti for going above and beyond in this important work.
4. Additional Materials
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public – none
6. Staff / City Council Comments
Clerk Woodmansee announced a virtual Candidate Information Night on Monday, June 20 at 6pm.
Council Member Brooks discussed recent work between the Youth Action Network and Capitola Foundation to create a punch-card reward system to engage youth in the community.
Council Member Brown invited the public to the Capitola Rod and Custom Car Show on June 11 and 12 in the Village.
Council Member Bertrand thanked staff for the summer lineup of events.
Mayor Storey announced the first Twilight Concert on Wednesday, June 15 at 6pm.
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7. Consent Items
Motion: Approve, Adopt, Confirm, Appoint, Authorize, and Determine as recommended Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Bertrand
Seconder: Council Member Brooks
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Brown
A. Consider the minutes from the May 26, 2022, regular City Council meeting Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
B. Approval of City Check Registers Dated May 6 and May 20 Recommended Action: Approve check registers.
C. GreenWaste Annual Rate Adjustment
Recommended Action: Adopt the proposed Resolution approving the Rate Schedule for Residential and Commercial Garbage Collection and Recycling in Capitola effective July 1, 2022.
D. Three-year Extension of Library Financing Authority Joint Powers Agreement Recommended Action: Approve the fourth Amendment to the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement establishing the Santa Cruz County Library Financing Authority, and authorize the City Manager to sign the amendment.
E. Consider the City Investment Policy
Recommended Action: Confirm the City's Administrative Policy Number III-1: Investment Policy as recommended by the Finance Advisory Committee.
F. Appoint Representatives to the Historical Museum Board Recommended Action: 1) Reappoint incumbent members Niels Kisling, Emmy Mitchell-Lynn, and David Peyton to serve additional terms and 2) Extend the recruitment period for applicants to June 24 with the intention to appoint two representatives to the remaining vacant Board seats on July 28.
G. Consider the Adoption of a Resolution Setting the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Appropriation Limit Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution setting the Fiscal Year 22/2023 appropriation limit.
H. Consider a resolution of intention to levy business improvement assessments for fiscal year 2022-2023
Recommended Action: Adopt the proposed resolution of intention that provides notification of the City’s intent to levy business improvement assessments for Fiscal Year 2022/2023; receives the annual report and proposed budget of the CVWBIA; sets the date for a public hearing to be held on Thursday, June 23, 2022; and outlines noticing requirements.
I. Approval to Send Letter of Support for the County of Santa Cruz’s Grant Application for Coastal Rail Trail Segments 10 and 11
Recommended Action: Authorize the Mayor to sign letter of support for the County of Santa Cruz’s Grant Application for an Active Transportation Program Grant for Coastal Rail Trail Segments 10 and 11.
J. 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 DocuSign Envelope ID: 383ED406-6B8D-4C0C-AB78-10A47182976B City Council Meeting Minutes – June 09, 2022
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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. Pavement Management Plan Update and 5-Year Road Repair Plan Recommended Action: Approve the proposed 5-year street improvement schedule list, and direct staff to prepare a resolution for adoption at the June 23 City Council meeting approving the list of streets receiving 2022/23 Road Repair and Rehabilitation (SB 1) funds.
Public Works Director Jesberg introduced Joe Ririe, who presented on the state of the streets in Capitola and made recommendations for how to repair and rehabilitate them.
Council Member Bertrand asked about pavement additives; Mr. Ririe replied that initial testing shows that some additives can make pavement stronger, however the materials must be observed for long periods of time to make educated findings on their cost effectiveness, etc.
Council Member Brown asked if the City is already using rubberized pavement; Director Jesberg said that staff has considered it, however the type of pavement is not made locally.
Mayor Storey confirmed that Capitola’s average street index number (“grade”) is in line with other local cities.
Director Jesberg presented a proposed schedule of street repairs for the next five years.
Council Member Brooks confirmed that the roads identified last year are currently in the process of being repaired.
Mayor Storey asked why the low rated streets are not recommended for repair first. Mr. Ririe explained that the recommendation is prioritizing streets be fixed prior to them falling into the next level of disrepair, which ultimately saves money by making less costly repairs first, before more expensive repairs are required. The Mayor asked that the City prepare a list of all streets that are rated less than 25.
Vice Mayor Keiser confirmed that the rehabilitation of Stockton Bridge will not impact pavement; Director Jesberg agreed and said that the rehab money is set aside for flood protection.
In public comment, Heidy Kellison and Kate Watts advocated for Upper Cherry and Terrace Way be repaired sooner rather than later.
Motion: Approve proposed lists of streets, swapping Terrace Way and Reposa Avenue in the repair timeline, and direct staff to prepare resolution for adoption at the June 23 Council meeting
Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Brooks
Seconder: Council Member Brown
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Brown
B. Potential Second Home Tax Follow Up
Recommended Action: Receive report regarding potential second home tax, and either: 1) Provide policy input regarding structure for a second home tax for the November ballot and direct staff to prepare documentation necessary to place on item on the ballot; OR 2) Determine not to propose a second home tax to voters at this time.
City Manager Goldstein presented on a potential tax measure for the November ballot.
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In response to a question from Council Member Brooks, City Manager Goldstein said that signatures have been collected and a citizen initiative regarding a second home tax is expected to qualify for the City of Santa Cruz election. Council Member Brooks confirmed that a potential Ad-Hoc committee could explore holding off on a second-home tax measure until the Presidential election in 2024.
Vice Mayor Keiser asked about the timeline of drafting a second-home tax ordinance and about conducting community outreach. She noted that the tax could be linked to affordable housing to garner more support.
Council Member Brown discussed drafting an ordinance now, and the merits of using that draft in two years for the November 2024 election.
There was no public comment.
Council Member Brooks thanked staff for the research on this type of tax; she said she valued the opportunity that a second-home tax could represent, but said she was concerned about the timing of placing the tax on the November 2022 ballot. She expressed support for beginning groundwork regarding a second-home tax for its eventually placement on the November 2024 ballot.
Council Member Bertrand agreed and highlighted that the use of the tax revenue is the most important piece to determine.
After further discussion on the timing of placing the tax on the ballot, the necessity of a campaign, and community outreach/education, Vice Mayor Keiser made a motion:
Motion: 1) Direct City Attorney to begin drafting a vacant home tax ordinance to be placed on the November 2022 ballot incorporating: the $4,000/$2,000 margin, a 90 day threshold, and the staff suggested exemptions; 2) Form an Ad Hoc Committee of two Council Members to determine the feasibility of placing such a tax measure on the November 2022 ballot by assessing community support, potentially creating an outreach plan, and analyzing recommended uses of such a tax
Result: Failed (no second)
Mover: Vice Mayor Keiser
Motion: 1) Direct City Attorney to begin drafting a vacant home tax ordinance incorporating:
the $4,000/$2,000 margin, a 90 day threshold, and the staff suggested exemptions; 2) Council to determine, as allowed by the Brown Act, the feasibility of placing such a tax measure on the November 2022 ballot by assessing community support, potentially creating an outreach plan, and analyzing recommended uses of such a tax 3) Commit to directing staff to work to place such a measure on the ballot, or not, at the June 23 City Council meeting.
Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Brown
Seconder: Council Member Brooks
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Brown
C. Establish Timeline for Returning to In-Person City Council Meetings Recommended Action: Establish date for City Council (along with the Planning Commission and all advisory bodies) to hold in person meetings with remote attendance options for members of the public.
Clerk Woodmansee presented a staff report. There was no public comment.
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Motion: Direct staff and Council to return for in-person (hybrid) Council meetings starting on August 25, 2022.
Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Brown
Seconder: Council Member Bertrand
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Brown
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:17pm to the next regular Council Meeting on June 23, 2022. ____________________________
ATTEST: Sam Storey, Mayor
____________________________
Chloé Woodmansee, City Clerk
APPROVED JUNE 23, 2022
DocuSign Envelope ID: 383ED406-6B8D-4C0C-AB78-10A47182976B