City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 08, 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 – none
3. Presentations
A. Introduction of Recreation Division Staff; Brennan Howard, Recreation Coordinator: Beach Lifeguard Services, Junior Guards & Sports
Recreation Division Manager Bryant-LeBlond introduced Brennan Howard, the City's new Recreation Coordinator: Beach Lifeguard Service.
B. Junior Guard Participant Recognition
Recreation Coordinator Howard explained the meaning behind the awards and then introduced recipients.
4. Additional Materials – none
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Laurie Hill thanked Council for their support of the Capitola Begonia Festival and announced that the Capitola Historical Museum received more than $1,000 in donations during the event.
6. Staff / City Council Comments
City Manager Goldstein announced that there is a current Flex Alert making rolling blackouts a possibility. He said that if power is lost, the meeting would be rescheduled.
Council Member Brooks thanked the Public Works Department for their work to move a fire hydrant that blocked a resident’s sidewalk access.
City Attorney Zutler said that Council met in a closed session at 3:30pm this afternoon and that no reportable action was taken
7. Consent Items
Council Member Bertrand thanked the school district for the donation. Mayor Storey requested an edit to the draft minutes.
Motion: Approve Items 7.A, 7.B, 7.C, 7.D, 7.E as recommended DocuSign Envelope ID: 383ED406-6B8D-4C0C-AB78-10A47182976B City Council Meeting Minutes – September 08, 2022
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Result: Passed, 5:0 (Unanimous)
Mover: Council Member Brown
Seconder: Vice Mayor Keiser
Yea: Mayor Storey, Vice Mayor Keiser, Council Member Bertrand, Council Member Brooks, Council Member Brown, Mayor Storey
A. Consider the minutes from the August 25, 2022, regular City Council meeting Recommended Action: Approve minutes.
B. Approval of City Check Registers Dated July 15, July 22, July 29, August 5, and August 19.
Recommended Action: Approve check registers.
C. Afterschool Scholarship Donation
Recommended Action: Accept donation of $20,000 from the Soquel Union Elementary School District for Afterschool Rec Club participant scholarships.
D. Hybrid Meeting Administrative Policy
Recommended Action: Approve draft policy.
E. 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. Resolution Supporting Local Measure K on the November 8, 2022 Ballot Recommended Action: Adopt resolution supporting Local Measure K (Santa Cruz High School District Bond) on the November 8, 2022 Ballot.
Superintendent Munros introduced Sam Rollins, Chief of Communications and Community Engagement for the Santa Cruz City School District, who presented on Local Measure K.
Council Member Brown asked about the dedicated workforce housing and confirmed it would be for teachers and other district employees.
Council Member Bertrand asked about the bond’s financial plan over its 33-year lifespan.
There was no public comment.
Mayor Storey commented that school safety and sustainability is important.
Council Member Brown commented that to her, Measure K is reminiscent of the 2016 library measurer, which had a positive impact on the entire community.
Motion: Adopt resolution
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, Mayor Storey
B. Village Palm Tree Lights Proposal
Recommended Action: Consider a request from the Capitola Village and Wharf Business Improvement Area to replace existing “bright-white” rope lights on the palm trees throughout the Village with “warm-white” rope lights.
Public Works Director Jesberg presented a staff report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 383ED406-6B8D-4C0C-AB78-10A47182976B City Council Meeting Minutes – September 08, 2022
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Council Member Brooks asked for clarification. Director Jesberg explained that the BIA wants to test out newly discovered coaxial lights prior to installing them.
Carin Hanna gave more details on coaxial lights and emphasized that the BIA hopes to have lights professionally installed by The Christmas Tree Light Pros before Thanksgiving.
There was no public comment.
Vice Mayor Keiser asked if approval for either coaxial or rope lights was necessary. Ms.
Hanna said the BIA wants to be able to move forward quickly, and while they hope the coaxial lights are as good as anticipated, they appreciate the flexibility of having the warm-white rope lights as a backup plan.
Motion: Approve the BIA’s plan to test Coaxial Lights and either install warm-white Coaxial or LED warm-white rope lights for the Village Holiday Lights display 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, Mayor Storey
C. Park Avenue Traffic Calming Report
Recommended Action: 1) Provide feedback on traffic calming options for Park Avenue and 2) Direct Public Works staff to conduct public outreach on the proposed alternatives.
Public Works Project Manager Mozumder presented a staff report with the results of the Park Avenue traffic calming analysis.
Council Member Brown confirmed that residents will receive mailed notice regarding upcoming outreach meetings.
Council Member Bertrand suggested staff communicate with the Bicycle Coalition.
Mayor Storey sought clarification on lane diets. He also asked if an additional stop sign had been considered. In response to a question about curb-outs, Project Manager Mozumder explained that bike lanes prohibit them.
Council Member Brooks asked about the crossing at Park and Kennedy and McGregor.
Project Manager Mozumder responded that the Kennedy Sidewalk Project is funded with an RTC grant and will address this issue.
Vice Mayor Keiser asked about fully green bike lanes.
In public comment:
Alexander Pedersen commented on road delineators such as bumps that create physical feedback for drivers but do not trap debris.
Janet Edwards (via Zoom) commented on the heavy traffic along Park Avenue and suggested outreach to the school so that parents can give input.
Council Member Bertrand said that this project will address a long-standing issue and that he appreciates the different options to address it.
Outcome: feedback given to staff
D. Consider an Ordinance Amending Capitola Municipal Code Section 2.04.275 as Recommended by the Finance Advisory Committee
Recommended Action: Consider the Finance Advisory Committee recommendation to adjust Council Member compensation and approve the first reading of an Ordinance amending Capitola Municipal Code Section 2.04.275 pertaining to City Council Member salary to provide an adjusted salary of $660 per month for members of the City Council, to be effective upon the DocuSign Envelope ID: 383ED406-6B8D-4C0C-AB78-10A47182976B City Council Meeting Minutes – September 08, 2022
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start of new terms of office following the November 2022 General Municipal Election.
Finance Director Malberg presented a staff report on the Finance Advisory Committee recommendation to increase Council Compensation beginning at the start of the next Council term.
In public comment:
Carin Hanna said that she disagreed with an automatic increase every two-years.
Mayor Storey clarified that an automatic increase every two-years is not being suggested.
City Attorney Zutler said that an automatic increase is not possible, and the increase amount is also governed by State code. She said that a periodic review of Council salary is common and best practice.
Motion: Approve 1) the FAC recommendation to increase Council Compensation to $660/month effective upon the start of new Council terms after the November 2022 election and 2) the FAC review of Council compensation every two years 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 Brown, Mayor Storey
9. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8:58pm to the next regular City Council meeting on September 22, 2022.
____________________________
ATTEST: Sam Storey, Mayor
____________________________
Chloé Woodmansee, City Clerk
APPROVED SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
DocuSign Envelope ID: 383ED406-6B8D-4C0C-AB78-10A47182976B