City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, September 28, 2023 – 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Margaux Keiser
Vice Mayor: Kristen Brown
Council Members: Yvette Brooks, Joe Clarke, Alexander Pedersen Regular Meeting of the Capitola City Council – 6 PM
1. Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance – The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. In attendance: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, and Mayor Keiser.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Presentations
A. The Mayor presented a Proclamation honoring the life of George Wightman.
B. Recreation Division Manager Bryant LeBlond presented Junior Guard Participant Recognition Awards.
C. Terence Concannon, CEO of Visit Santa Cruz County, provided a presentation.
D. Danu Schoek, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Santa Cruz County, presented a grant report.
4. Report on Closed Session – None
5. Additional Materials – None
6. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Gorin Klepich, resident, spoke about garbage at the CVS Pharmacy on 41st Avenue and graffiti at Jade Street Park.
Cheryl Whitman, resident, thanked the City Council for the Mayor’s Proclamation and requested that the City Council revisit the issue of memorial benches on the Wharf. Leslie Nielson, resident, thanked the City Council for the grant to NAMI Santa Cruz.
7. Staff / City Council Comments
City Manager Goldstein reminded the public that the Wharf Project will begin Monday and there may be noise impacts.
Vice Mayor Brown shared sentiments about the passing of George Wightman; notified the City Council that Santa Cruz METRO purchased 57 hydrogen cell bus vehicles for the County; requested an agenda item declaring tobacco waste as a public and environmental health hazard; and requested an update on the Memorial Plaque Program on the Wharf. Council Member Clarke commended the CWEP Group for the fundraising event at the Britannia Arms.
Mayor Keiser commended the CWEP Group for the fundraising event at the Britannia Arms.
8. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
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Recommended Action: Approve minutes from the regular meeting on September 14, 2023.
B. Purchasing and Procurement Policy and Ordinance
Recommended Action: Adopt an ordinance amending Chapter 3.16 of the Capitola Municipal Code pertaining to Purchasing and Purchasing Contracts; and adopt revised Administrative Policy III-4: Purchasing and Procurement Policy.
C. Completion of the Kennedy Drive Sidewalk Project
Recommended Action: 1) Accept as complete the Kennedy Drive Sidewalk Project as constructed by Diamond D Concrete; 2) authorize the City Clerk to file and record a Notice of Completion; and 3) authorize the release of the contract retention of $8,560 as prescribed in the contract.
D. Noble Gulch Culvert Condition Assessment
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with V&A Consulting Engineers, Inc. for the Noble Gulch Culvert Condition Assessment in the amount of $29,950.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Vice Mayor Brown Seconded: Council Member Brooks
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser
9. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Universally Accessible Playground at Jade Street Park Naming Recommended Action: Select a playground name for the Universally Accessible Playground at Jade Street Park.
Chloe Woodmansee, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report.
Motion to name the Universally Accessible Playground the Treasure Cove Playground at Jade Street Park: Council Member Brooks
Seconded: Vice Mayor Brown
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser B. Bay Avenue and Hill Street Traffic Safety
Recommended Action: Provide direction to staff regarding short-term and long-term options for improving traffic safety at the intersection of Bay Avenue and Hill Street.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
A representative of the owners of the Nob Hill Shopping Center encouraged staff to involve the public.
Janet Edwards, resident, voiced concerns about vehicle speed in the intersection and ADA accessibility with temporary improvements and requested that this project be brought before the County’s Elderly Regional Transportation Committee.
Council Member discussion included concern about vehicle speeds within the roundabout, meeting the needs of the vehicular traffic passing through Bay Avenue, and pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
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The City Council requested more information about comparable safety statistics for similar intersections, City Council involvement with design of the intersection, and support for a temporary improvement while determining a permanent solution. The City Council requested temporary design options for a road diet that prioritizes pedestrian and bicycle safety.
Motion to form an ad-hoc subcommittee, comprised of Council Members Clarke and Pedersen, to work with staff and invite businesses and partners to provide input regarding short-term and long-term options for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety at the Bay Avenue/Hill Street intersection, and return to the City Council with a report:
Council Member Brooks
Seconded: Vice Mayor Brown
Motion amended to remove long-term options, and direction to staff to look into longterm plans for Bay Avenue to include two roundabouts: Council Member Brooks Amendment accepted: Vice Mayor Brown
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, and Mayor Keiser
C. City Council Appointments to City Advisory Bodies
Recommended Action: Appoint members of the public to the City of Capitola Commission on the Environment.
City Clerk Moss presented the staff report.
Motion to appoint Tucker Graessle to the Commission on the Environment for a one-year ex-officio term: Council Member Clarke
Seconded: Vice Mayor Brown
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser
10. Adjournment – Adjourned at 7:47 PM to the next regularly scheduled meeting on October 12, 2023, at 6:00 PM.
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ATTEST: Margaux Keiser, Mayor
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Julia Gautho, City Clerk
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