City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, January 11, 2024 – 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Kristen Brown
Vice Mayor: Yvette Brooks
Council Members: Joe Clarke, Margaux Keiser, 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 Clarke, Keiser, Pedersen, Brooks, and Mayor Brown.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Presentations
A. The Mayor presented a Proclamation to Soquel High School's Football Team in honor of their State Championship.
B. Deborah Osterman, Historical Museum Curator, provided a presentation on the history of Capitola's Incorporation.
C. The Mayor presented a Proclamation in honor of Capitola's 75th Anniversary of Incorporation.
4. Additional Materials
A. One email was received related to Item 8C.
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Gorin Klepich, resident, shared concerns about Jade Street Park maintenance. James Whitman, resident, shared comments.
6. Staff / City Council Comments
Public Works Director Kahn shared traffic safety updates with the City Council. Council Member Keiser thanked Public Works and Police staff for their work during the December wave event.
Mayor Brown reminded the public of a parade in Capitola Village on Saturday in honor of the Soquel High School’s Football State Championship.
7. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approved minutes from the regular meeting on December 14, 2023.
B. City Check Registers
Recommended Action: Approved check registers dated December 8, 2023, and December 15, 2023.
C. FY 2022-23 Audit Report
Recommended Action: Received Fiscal Year 2022-23 Audit Report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6362E139-519A-4EAC-9641-D6FD05EAA447 City Council Meeting Minutes – January 11, 2024
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Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Council Member Keiser Seconded: Council Member Pedersen
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Keiser, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brooks, and Mayor Brown
8. General Government / Public Hearings
A. December 2023 Winter Storm Event
Recommended Action: Received an update regarding the December 2023 Winter Storm Event.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
James Whitman, resident, shared concerns about the Wharf width.
City Council commentary included requests that staff prepare a storm response plan and share it with the City Council and that staff provide advance communication during storm events.
B. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Drone Program
Recommended Action: Received a presentation regarding the new Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Drone Program.
Captain Kilroy and Sergeant Newton presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
James Whitman, resident, shared concerns about the City’s drone usage.
C. Remote Public Participation
Recommended Action: Provided direction to staff about remote participation options for members of the public at City Council and Planning Commission meetings.
City Clerk Gautho presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
James Whitman, resident, shared concerns about free speech.
Direction provided to staff to collect further data from California cities about recent occurrences of Zoom bombing and bring it back to the City Council during the first March meeting.
D. City Council Appointments to Advisory Bodies
Recommended Action: Reviewed, affirmed, and appointed City Council representatives to County and Regional Boards and Capitola advisory bodies.
City Clerk Gautho presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
James Whitman, resident, shared concerns about free speech.
Motion to appoint the following to City and Regional Advisory Groups: Council Member Pedersen
Seconded: Vice Mayor Brooks
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Keiser, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brooks, and Mayor Brown
o FAC: Mayor Brown, Vice Mayor Brooks
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6362E139-519A-4EAC-9641-D6FD05EAA447 City Council Meeting Minutes – January 11, 2024
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o COE: Council Member Keiser
o Art & Cultural: Council Member Clarke
o MBARD: Recommend that the City Selection Committee appoint Council Member Pedersen
o Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council: Vice Mayor Brooks o Arts Council: Affirm the appointment of Roy Johnson
o Zone 5, Flood Control and Water Conservation District: Mayor Brown (Alternate – Council Member Clarke)
o Library Financing Authority: Mayor Brown (Alternate – Council Member Clarke)
9. Adjournment – The meeting was adjourned in honor of Jerry Bowles. Adjourned at 7:36 PM to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on January 25, 2024, at 6:00 PM. ____________________________
ATTEST: Kristen Brown, Mayor
____________________________
Julia Gautho, City Clerk
DocuSign Envelope ID: 6362E139-519A-4EAC-9641-D6FD05EAA447