City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, December 14, 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 LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov. Code § 54957.6) Negotiator: Chloé Woodmansee, Assistant to the City of Manager Employee Organizations: Association of Capitola Employees, Police Officers Association, MidManagement Employees, Confidential Employees, Police Captains, and Management 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, Brown, and Mayor Keiser.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Report on Closed Session – The City Council met and discussed one item on the Closed Session agenda. No reportable action was taken.
4. Additional Materials
A. Two emails were received related to Item 8A.
B. Two emails and a staff memorandum were received related to Item 8B.
C. A staff memorandum was received related to Item 8C.
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Kerry, Capitola/Soquel Chamber of Commerce, reminded the City Council of the Capitola/Soquel Chamber of Commerce Annual Recognition Event on March 15th. Gary Richard Arnold, resident, spoke about government matters. John Mulry, resident, spoke about the Capitola Avenue and Stockton Avenue intersection. James Whitman, resident, spoke about government matters. Janet Edwards, resident, requested that the City Council bring back Zoom commentary for meetings.
Adrienne West, resident, requested that the City Council drive through the intersection where Debra Towne was killed and shared concerns about the traffic conditions at Bay Avenue/Hill Street.
Resident shared concerns about Police Department efforts to ticket traffic infractions.
6. Staff / City Council Comments – None
7. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
DocuSign Envelope ID: AB8A8837-CE1B-41CF-A0A1-9AAE28699309 City Council Meeting Minutes – December 14, 2023
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Recommended Action: Approved minutes from the regular meeting on November 21, 2023.
B. City Check Registers
Recommended Action: Approved check registers dated November 17, 2023, November 22, 2023, and December 01, 2023.
C. Interest Rate for Tenant’s Security Deposits
Recommended Action: Adopted Resolution No. 4353 setting the interest rate for tenant’s security deposits for 2024 at zero percent (0%).
D. Annual and Five-Year Impact Fee Report
Recommended Action: Adopted Resolution No. 4354 adopting the Fiscal Year 2022-23 AB 1600 report.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Vice Mayor Brown Seconded: Council Member Clarke
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser
8. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Bay Avenue and Hill Street Traffic Safety Update
Recommended Action: Received an update on the Bay Avenue and Hill Street Short-Term Traffic Safety Improvement Project and directed staff to pursue a corridor study.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
James Whitman, resident, shared concerns about general traffic safety. Janet Edwards, resident, requested that the City engage a visually impaired person to navigate this intersection and provide feedback. John Mulry, resident (Strong Towns Santa Cruz), shared concerns about traffic speeds within Capitola.
City Council discussion included a request that staff immediately engage the Elderly and Disabled Transportation Advisory Committee for feedback on this project, direction to staff to purchase lighted/flashing stop signs and pole reflectors prior to implementation of the quick-build project, and re-stripe the Hill Street Corridor with reflective paint.
B. Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project
Recommended Action: Provided direction to staff regarding the redesigned wharf entry gate and additional fixtures, authorized approval of two artist contracts, and considered an allocation of additional funding for the Capitola Wharf Enhancement Project (CWEP).
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report. Gerry Jensen and Gayle Ortiz, CWEP, provided a brief presentation.
Public Comments:
Laurie Hill, Art and Cultural Commissioner, requested clarification on which entrance arch will be used in the design.
Christine McBroom, CWEP, encouraged the City Council to consider allocating additional funds to the project.
TJ Welch, resident, thanked the CWEP fundraisers for their work and encouraged the City Council to consider allocating additional funds to the project. John Mulry, resident, requested that the City Council fund the bike racks on the Wharf and commended the CWEP group for their fundraising efforts.
DocuSign Envelope ID: AB8A8837-CE1B-41CF-A0A1-9AAE28699309 City Council Meeting Minutes – December 14, 2023
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Janet Rowanolski, resident, encouraged the City Council to consider allocating additional funds to the project.
Dave Peyton, resident, advised that the Historical Museum was selling 2024 Wharf Calendars.
City Council discussion included thanks to the CWEP group for their fundraising efforts and for the collaboration with City staff, a request to include as much donor space as possible in the entry way design.
Motion to allocate $250,000 for the CWEP Enhancement Items and set aside $75,000 for a Lifeguard Storage Facility: Vice Mayor Brown
Seconded: Council Member Clarke
Motion amended to include authorization for the artist contracts, allocation of $250,000 for the CWEP Enhancement Items and setting aside $75,000 for a Lifeguard Storage Facility, and authorization to execute an amendment to the Public Works Agreement with Cushman: Vice Mayor Brown
Seconded: Council Member Clarke
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser C. Strategic Planning Contract
Recommended Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Berry Dunn in an amount not to exceed $50,000 to develop a five-year City of Capitola Strategic Plan.
Chloe Woodmansee, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report.
Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with BerryDunn: Council Member Pedersen
Seconded: Council Member Clarke
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser D. City Council Reorganization for 2024
Recommended Action: Appointed a new Mayor and Vice-Mayor.
City Council commentary included thanks to Mayor Keiser for her time, commitment, and efforts as Mayor. Mayor Keiser shared her thanks to her fellow Council Members and staff.
Motion to appoint Kristen Brown as Mayor: Council Member Brooks Seconded: Mayor Keiser
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brown, Mayor Keiser Motion to appoint Yvette Brooks as Vice Mayor: Council Member Keiser Seconded: Mayor Brown
Voting Yea: Council Members Brooks, Clarke, Keiser, Pedersen, Mayor Brown
9. Adjournment – Adjourned at 7:40 PM to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on January 11, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
DocuSign Envelope ID: AB8A8837-CE1B-41CF-A0A1-9AAE28699309 City Council Meeting Minutes – December 14, 2023
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____________________________
ATTEST: Kristen Brown, Mayor
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Julia Gautho, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: AB8A8837-CE1B-41CF-A0A1-9AAE28699309