City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, October 26, 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 Closed Session – 5 PM
i. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS (Gov’t Code § 54956.8) Property: Monterey Park, APN: 036-15-102
City Negotiator: Jamie Goldstein, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: Soquel Union Elementary School District Under Negotiation: Transfer of Real Property
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 – None
4. Report on Closed Session – The City Council met and discussed one item on the Closed Session agenda. No reportable action was taken.
5. Additional Materials
A. Four emails were received relating to Item 9A.
6. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Carin Hanna, resident, thanked Public Works staff for their work. Justin Fia, resident, voiced opposition to Consent Item 8B. TJ Welch, resident, requested that Consent Item 8B be pulled for discussion. James Whitman, resident, voiced opposition to Consent Item 8B and provided pamphlet materials on local government to the City Council.
Gorin Klepich, resident, discussed graffiti at Jade Street Park. Ben Vernazza, resident, spoke about the Coastal Rail Trail Segment 9. John Mulry, resident, voiced opposition to Consent Item 8B. Speaker provided comments.
Speaker provided comments.
7. Staff / City Council Comments
Council Member Brooks reminded the community of the Adaptive Family Fall Festival on October 28th.
Council Member Pedersen reminded the community of the Capitola Village Halloween Parade on October 29th.
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Mayor Keiser thanked Assemblymember Dawn Addis for the contribution of $1M for the Community Center Renovations, recognized the Police Department for their work with neighboring jurisdictions on recent arrests, and thanked Public Works staff for their work.
8. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approved minutes from the regular meeting on October 12, 2023.
B. Resolution Against Banning Materials
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution against banning books and materials in the Santa Cruz Public Library system. (Pulled for discussion by Council Member Clarke, continued to November 9, 2023.)
C. CalRecycle Grant Programs
Recommended Action: Adopted Resolution No. 4342 authorizing the application for grant funds from the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle).
Council Member Clarke pulled Item 8B for discussion.
Motion to approve Items 8A and 8C: Council Member Brooks Seconded: Vice Mayor Brown
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser
9. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Coastal Rail Trail Segments 10 and 11
Recommended Action: Provided direction to staff on a comment letter on the Environmental Impact Report and Consolidated Coastal Permit Request for the Coastal Rail Trail Segments 10 and 11.
Community Development Director Herlihy presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Leslie Nielsen, resident, spoke in support of Design Option A. Carin Hanna, resident, spoke in opposition to the Consolidated Coastal Development Process.
Barry Scott, resident, spoke in support of replacing the trestle. Matt Ferrel, Friends of Rail Trail, spoke in support of the Rail Trail. A representative from Trail Now spoke in support of preserving the trestle. Tina Andriana, resident, spoke in support of the Ultimate Trail design. Dennis Norton, resident, spoke in support of increased bicycle transportation through the Village.
Molly Ording, resident, spoke in support of the Ultimate Trail design. Rosemary Sarka, Roaring Camp Railroads, voiced doubt about the feasibility of the Interim Trail Design.
John Mulry, Strong Towns Santa Cruz, spoke in support of making Monterey Avenue a one-way street.
Paula Bradley, resident, spoke against the Interim Trail. Johanna Lighthill, County resident, voiced safety concerns about the Ultimate Trail design.
Jean Brocklebank, resident, voiced concern about residents residing in mobile home parks if the Ultimate Trail is approved.
Speaker provided comments.
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Speaker provided comments.
Council Member comments included a discussion of what the Planning Commission’s role will be during the approval process for this project, impacts to the wildlife through Segment 11, an overview of the timeline for the Consolidated Coastal Development Permit, and clarification on communication to mobile home residents.
Motion to direct staff to prepare a comment letter on the EIR and authorization for the Community Development Director to consolidate the CDP with the County: Council Member Brooks
Seconded: Vice Mayor Brown
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser Voting Nay: Council Member Clarke
B. Chief’s Advisory Committee
Recommended Action: Received a report about the formation of the Police Chief’s Advisory Committee, reviewed the application and selection process, and provided direction to staff.
Police Chief Dally presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Linda Smith, resident, spoke in support of the Capitola Police Department and the re-recruitment efforts proposed by staff.
John Mulry, resident, spoke in support of the Police Chief’s Advisory Committee. Speaker provided comments.
The City Council thanked initial applicants for their interest, encouraged staff to support and inform Spanish speaking applicants during the re-recruitment process, requested that staff remove the “technical skill” requirements for new applicants, encouraged staff to engage young adults or a representative from the youth community, and directed staff to accept applications from Aptos and Soquel and Live Oak, with priority for applicants with strong ties to Capitola.
C. FY 2023-24 City Fee Schedule
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution amending the fee schedule for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-
24. (Continued to November 9, 2023.)
D. Amendments to Title 2: Administration and Personnel
Recommended Action: Introduce, by title only, waiving further reading of the text, an ordinance of the City of Capitola amending Chapters 2.04 and 2.08 of the Capitola Municipal Code. (Continued to November 9, 2023.)
10. Adjournment – Adjourned at 8:58 PM to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on November 9, 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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