City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, March 14, 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 Morgan, Alexander Pedersen Closed Session – 5:30 PM
i. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Gov. Code § 54957.6) Negotiator: Mark Wilson, Labor and Employment Practice, Burke, Williams, & Sorensen, LLP 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 Clarke, Keiser, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brooks, and Mayor Brown.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Presentations
A. Mayor Brown presented a proclamation honoring Capitola Boat and Bait.
B. Mayor Brown presented a proclamation honoring the Wharf House Restaurant.
C. Police Chief Dally presented Officer Noah Sherrin with the 2023 Capitola Police Officer of the Year Award and Detective Zack Currier with the Police Chief's Commendation Award.
D. Mayor Brown presented a proclamation honoring Red Cross Month, March 2024.
4. Report on Closed Session – The City Council met and discussed one item in Closed Session. No reportable action was taken.
5. Additional Materials – None
6. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Gary Richard Arnold
Gorin Klepic
Charlotte Link
Marilyn Garrett
James Whitman
7. Staff / City Council Comments
Council Member Clarke requested an agenda item to oppose the removal of the Santa Cruz County Mile Buoy.
Vice Mayor Brooks requested that staff work with Cabrillo Mobile Home Estates residents regarding the enforcement of the City’s Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
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Mayor Brown supported Council Member Clarke’s request and requested a letter of opposition to the expanded marine protection area and a resolution declaring May 11th as a Coastal Clean Up Day. She also advised residents of traffic changes due to road improvements at the Capitola Avenue overcrossing.
8. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approved minutes from the regular meeting on February 22, 2024, special meeting on February 27, 2024, and the special meeting on March 6, 2024.
B. City Check Registers
Recommended Action: Approved check registers dated February 16, 2024, February 23, 2024, and March 1, 2024.
C. Liability Claims Against the City of Capitola
Recommended Action: Denied liability claims submitted by Ron Weiner and Debbie Sek.
D. Santa Cruz Integrated Regional Water Management Program Recommended Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute the 2024 Memorandum of Agreement with the Santa Cruz Integrated Regional Water Management Program at no cost to the City.
E. Addition of a Temporary/Hourly Position
Recommended Action: Approved job descriptions and hourly pay rates for Recreation Specialist I and II positions.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Council Member Morgan Seconded: Vice Mayor Brooks
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Morgan, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brooks, Mayor Brown
9. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Voter Polling Results
Recommended Action: Received survey results from EMC Research.
Chloe Woodmansee, Assistant to the City Manager, presented the staff report.
Public Comments: None
The City Council requested staff bring back different options for ballot measures, to include quarter cent and half cent options, and bring back additional information about general obligation bonds.
B. Housing Element Update and 2023 Annual Report
Recommended Action: Received an update on Housing Element certification, implementation, and the 2023 Annual Report.
Community Development Director Herlihy presented the staff report.
Public Comments: None
C. Special Events and Park Regulations
Recommended Action: Introduced, by title only, waiving further reading of the text, an ordinance of the City of Capitola repealing and replacing Capitola Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 “Special Events” and Chapter 12.40 “Park Regulations” to create a comprehensive permitting system for DocuSign Envelope ID: DBC591CC-541F-4B64-BF61-E206C95240EF City Council Meeting Minutes – March 14, 2024
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public assemblies, events, and use of City property. (Continued from February 22, 2024 City Council Meeting)
Recreation Division Manager Bryant presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
James Whitman
City Council discussion included concerns about accessibility to Capitola parks, a request to review rentable areas within parks before adoption of park regulations, and inclusion of all City parks into the ordinance.
The City Council directed staff and the City Attorney to modify Section 12.40.040.A and add Section 12.40.040.F of the ordinance to include all City parks, and specific rentable areas for exclusive use will be identified in a City Administrative Policy, to be brought back to the City Council for approval.
Motion to introduce the ordinance as amended by the City Attorney: Vice Mayor Brooks Seconded: Council Member Clarke
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Morgan, Pedersen, Vice Mayor Brooks, Mayor Brown
D. 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
The City Attorney summarized the requirements of First Amendment rights as they apply to public comments.
Motion to return to the City Council with an update in 6 months: Council Member Clarke Seconded: Council Member Morgan
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Morgan, Vice Mayor Brooks, Mayor Brown Voting Nay: Council Member Pedersen
10. Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on March 28, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
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ATTEST: Kristen Brown, Mayor
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Julia Gautho, City Clerk
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