REVISED 4/2/2025 1:50 PM
City of Capitola
Town Hall/Special City Council Meeting
Agenda
Wednesday, April 02, 2025 – 5:30 PM
NBMS Performing Arts Center
250 Washburn Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Joe Clarke
Vice Mayor: Alexander Pedersen
Council Members: Gerry Jensen, Margaux Morgan, Melinda Orbach Town Hall/Special Meeting of the Capitola City Council – 5:30 PM Note: This is a Town Hall - No decisions or actions will be made by the Capitola City Council. All correspondence received prior to 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the Special Meeting will be distributed to Councilmembers to review prior to the meeting. Information submitted after 5 p.m. on that Tuesday may not have time to reach Councilmembers, nor be read by them prior to consideration of an item.
1. Roll Call
Council Members Gerry Jensen, Margaux Morgan, Melinda Orbach, Vice Mayor Alexander Pedersen, and Mayor Joe Clarke
2. Additional Materials
Additional information submitted to the City after distribution of the agenda packet.
A. Item 3A - Correspondence Received
3. General Government / Public Hearings
All items listed in “General Government / Public Hearings” are intended to provide an opportunity for public discussion of each item listed. The following procedure pertains to each General Government item: 1) Staff explanation; 2) Council questions; 3) Public comment; 4) Council deliberation; 5) Decision.
A. Rail Trail Project Town Hall
Recommended Action: None. No Council action will be taken at the Town Hall.
4. Adjournment - The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on April 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
_____________________________________________________
How to View the Meeting
This meeting is open to the public for in-person attendance at the New Brighton Middle School Performing Arts Center located at 250 Washburn Avenue, Capitola, California, 95010. A recording of the meeting will be available on the City's website and YouTube Channel within 48 hours of the meeting.
How to Provide Comments to the City Council
1 Town Hall/Special City Council Meeting Agenda – April 02, 2025 City of Capitola Page 2
Members of the public may provide public comments to the City Council in-person during the Town Hall, during the dedicated Public Comment Period. Please refer to the staff report for more information. If you are unable to attend in-person, please email your comments to [email protected] and they will be included as a part of the record for the meeting.
Notice regarding City Council: The City Council regularly meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers located at 420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola.
Agenda and Agenda Packet Materials: The City Council Agenda and the complete Agenda Packet are available for review on the City’s website and at Capitola City Hall prior to the meeting. Need more information? Contact the City Clerk’s office at 831-475-7300.
Agenda Materials Distributed after Distribution of the Agenda Packet: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5, materials related to an agenda item submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection at the Reception Office at City Hall, 420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, California, during normal business hours.
Americans with Disabilities Act: Disability-related aids or services are available to enable persons with a disability to participate in this meeting consistent with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Assisted listening devices are available for individuals with hearing impairments at the meeting in the City Council Chambers. Should you require special accommodations to participate in the meeting due to a disability, please contact the City Clerk’s office at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting at 831-475-7300. In an effort to accommodate individuals with environmental sensitivities, attendees are requested to refrain from wearing perfumes and other scented products.
Si desea asistir a esta reunión pública y necesita ayuda - como un intérprete de lenguaje de señas americano, español u otro equipo especial - favor de llamar al Departamento de la Secretaría de la Ciudad al 831-475-7300 al menos tres días antes para que podamos coordinar dicha asistencia especial o envié un correo electrónico a [email protected].
Televised Meetings: Regular City Council meetings are cablecast “Live” on Charter Communications Cable TV Channel 8 and are recorded to be rebroadcasted at 8:00 a.m. on the Wednesday following the meetings and at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday following the first rebroadcast on Community Television of Santa Cruz County (Charter Channel 71 and Comcast Channel 25).
Meetings are streamed “Live” on the City’s website by clicking on the Home Page link “Meeting Agendas/Videos.” Archived meetings can be viewed from the website at any time. 2 1
Gautho, Julia
From: Mark Ban <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, March 29, 2025 4:21 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Re: Rail trail
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
I am a long-term resident on McCormick Avenue off of Park Avenue. I am very familiar with Park Avenue and the railroad Tracks. Walking the railroad tracks, the future rail trail is a very pleasant experience on our beauƟful coast. Walking or bicycling Park Avenue is not the same experience. It is just sharing another busy roadway. Puƫng the rail trail on Park Avenue is a sell out.
Capitola residence will be losing forever the trail we all wanted and were promised. Please protect Capitola. Keep the trail on the rail corridor for safety, tranquility, beauty and something we can be proud of now and in the future. Capitola residence deserve beƩer than the second rate Park Avenue aŌer thought plan.
Mark Ban
Sent from my iPhone
> On Mar 1, 2025, at 7:41 PM, Mark Ban <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> When we voted on Greenway or the train we were assured there was plenty of room to build both a rail and trail in the Train corridor. If that was overstated then the interim trail would be the best. Keep the trail off the streets and in the railroad right of way where it belongs.
> Mark Ban
>
> Sent from my iPhone
3 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Morgan Jackson <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2025 6:20 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Capitola Trail
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Dear Mayor Clarke and City Council members,
Please approve Option A or Option B for Park Avenue.
Both are better options for Monarch Butterflies.
I’m a Cabrillo College student and I can’t afford a car. When I am riding my bike it would be much safer if the trail is built along Park Avenue.
Thank you,
Achilles Jackson-Essiem
104 Lloyd Court
Aptos, CA 95003
Sent from my iPhone
4 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Amanda Drake <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2025 8:46 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Keep it on the rail corridor!
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
City Council,
Please uphold the will of the voters and Measure L by keeping the trail on the exisƟng rail corridor. Doing anything other than that will degrade safety, increase congesƟon, and take away from the charm and character of our city.
Do the right thing: uphold Measure L!
Thank you,
Amanda Drake
Sent from my iPhone
5 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Bryson Drake <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 30, 2025 9:05 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Rail corridor
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
City Council,
Please uphold the will of the voters and Measure L by keeping the trail on the existing rail corridor. Doing anything other than that will degrade safety, increase congestion, and take away from the charm and character of our city. If the RTC is willing to spend million of dollars on the rail, it only makes sense to make a trail that everyone can safely use and enjoy. Putting bikes on the road completely defeats the whole idea behind the trail system Capitola residents voted for.
Do the right thing: uphold Measure L!
Bryson Drake
211 Junipero Ct Capitola
6 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Cami Corvin <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2025 12:47 PM
To: City Council; Gerry Jensen; Clarke, Joe; Pedersen, Alexander; Margaux Morgan; Melinda Orbach; Regional Transportation Commission
Subject: Questions for town hall meeting on the 4/2/25
Dear Council,
I want to submit the following questions and remarks for the April 2, 2025, town hall meeting.
1. Would preserving the trail in the rail corridor better comply with the intent of Measure L?
2. Would using the trestle and staying in the rail corridor keep the trail out of the Village? Remarks:
1. In your submission of the MH Encroachment document, you stated that only five mobile homes would be affected if there were variances, which would have to be granted by HUD. Currently, no variances have been granted, and they are NOT guaranteed to be granted, making the homes affected to be more like 15 or so versus 5. This is very misleading to the public and the residents.
2. Regarding "moving" mobile homes to another park, when I did the research, I found that no other parks allowed older mobile homes to be moved into their parks. Please submit or advise as to what parks you are referring to so that the residents will be able to confirm this. Again, this is very misleading to the public and the residents.
If you are going to submit options, these need to be viable and honest. At this point, I feel the backdoor antics and misleading information to the public and residents are not in the best interest of RTC, City of Capitola.
The current council has been sworn in and took an oath (many of which I have myself) to uphold the law and the best interest of CAPITOLA, not just your constituents. I would like to know that you will adhere to that and do what is right for the CIty. Please remember this when voting and try to understand what is happening right under our noses. Both sides need to be looked at.
Thank you for your time.
Cami Corvin
To help protect your priv acy, Microsoft Office prevented automatic download of this picture from the Internet.
Camilla "Cami" Corvin
7 Item 2 A.
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8 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Cheryl Ban <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2025 12:52 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Trail in rail corridor
Dear Capitola City Council Member,
Keep the Trail in the rail corridor.
The April 17, 2025, special Capitola City Council meeting is premature, this early council vote on a permanent decision about Capitola’s Trail/ Rail segment of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network is lacking in fundamental disclosures, complete information and promised extensive studies.
There are important questions to be addressed before a binding vote is taken by our City Council.
Has a cohesive plan on costs, especially total costs of this rail/ trail project been reviewed by council? Has the fiscal responsibility been sufficiency considered? Are the future costs of the rail aspect of the project available? Will future taxes be levied through added sales tax, special assessments on property taxes be required?
Are there spreed sheets and balance reports available for the public to review the costs, expenditures of proposed project?
Are budgets available to review?
How much has been spent over the years on consultants, engineers, alternative analysis, studies and reevaluated studies?
Regardless of grants and other source of funding, what has been the expenditures? State and Federal grants and funding do come with high cost to individual taxpayers, they are not ‘Free’.
What are legal ramifications to the City of Capitola in regards to the voter mandate of Measure L that was passed in Capitola?
What cost to overturn the citizen's choice, consider the time and division to override measure L, possible court/ legal involvements?
Is there a completed environmental report available?
Do right of ways need to be secured?
Will eminent domain be enacted anywhere along the 32 miles of the corridor for a train? What plans are available to decide in favor of trains about the scope of Rail Stations? How many rail stations? Where?
Impact on track corridor for the possibly of massive infrastructure of Rail Stations? Consider many more high-rise apartment complex's being built on the Track corridor, not needing city of county approval or oversight
implemented through proposed California Bill SB 79.
Are there Capitola rail stations? How many? Are the requirements below accurate? Is Park Ave near Monterey Ave. a proposed rail station? Would the rail stations be subject to these requirements:
350 foot long platforms*
16 foot wide minimum for side platforms
30 foot wide minimum for center platforms
24-48 inch high platform (from top of rail, depends on vehicle type) ADA accessibility
9 Item 2 A.
2 Safety and security features
Are there completed conceptual reports?
How many more studies are anticipated?
What is the cost of these ongoing studies?
What is the noise impact of trains and the cost to noise mitigation? What is the liability to the City of Capitola for instance for noise mitigation, like signs, gates for crossings?
The most concerning are the financial aspects.
What is the cost? Do you know?
What is the current cost per mile of track?
How has the cost per-mile changed over the years?
The recent bridge report about the billion dollar cost for 28 bridges that need to be replaced and five that need rebuilding.
This cost does not address, new single tacks, double tracks (for rail cars to pass each other) the trains, maintenance, fencing, retaining walls, noise mitigation.
Did the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission change from light rail to intercity rail? If correct, the trains themselves would not be slower moving light rail, other options, faster trains would be considered, like diesel?
Is it necessary to literally change the landscape through track realignment, from curved tracks to straight tracks to accommodate faster trains?
Decisions made only on a piecemeal segment basis, lack the integrity of the reality of the entire project.
Each segment, segments 5, 7,8,9,10,11,12, and 18 connect the whole county.
The council voting April 17, 2025, just days after the public meeting, on segment 10-11, Park Avenue limited options rerouting of Trail off of the expected track corridor is a pressured approach.
Is there an option to follow Measure L and keep the trail on the track corridor? If detailed information about costs and impacts had been provided at the very onset of rail - trail conversations years ago, measure D might have been understood more accurately and the vote may have been more of a true representation of the people’s choice.
Is there a option to build the Trail Now and rail bank the train? Is Capitola Council having any council meetings about building the trail and rail banking? The train orthodoxy is creating a looming untenable debt to the future.
Some state, ‘the train is for our future, our families, children’, hearing the refrain, build at any unknown cost, yet, we must consider the future, the financial untenable debt incurred.
Living in this County, affordability and housing has been at the forefront of government decisions.
The ‘Cost of Living’ and housing in Santa Cruz County rises with every new tax, reducing affordability for our children, elders, community, escalating the very problem of affordability and sustainability, the leaders proclaim to correct.
Stop taxing, realign the hard earned money already raised by this county, realign to the needs of the community, for instance, funding to repair deteriorating roads.
If these questions have been addressed, I apologize for the redundancy.
I have been unable to find clear direction, that is why I am taking the time to write to each of you.
If I a citizen of Capitola were to ask each of my council members about specific details to this proposed project would I receive information to understand the overall picture of the proposed Trail/ Rail project?
10 Item 2 A.
3 I ask as a Resident of Santa Cruz County and City of Capitola, will each council member in good faith seek out and request appropriate data, information to lead our community with vital information needed to make visionary wise decisions?
I want to trust you and that you have performed due diligence to guide your choices.
We have been patiently waiting for years and still waiting for the postponed studies to give us specific important information so we all can make informed choices about the Trail/Rail.
It is time to assess the costs that have been revealed, find the hidden cost and to evaluate what will radically change the landscape of communities, including removing hundreds of trees, forever changing the lands.
The train might have been an idea worth investigating at one time, now it has become a liability to the vitality of our community.
The train simply costs too much, burdening with indebtedness the future.
The train would take years, maybe decades to build.
Build a Trail and the community would be able to use the tracks in the foreseeable future.
The time is now to build a trail and rail bank the train.
Thank-you for reading this email.
A Concerned Capitola Resident,
Cheryl Ban
11 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Stephanie Tetter <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2025 1:06 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Question about trail planning
Measure L was voted in to insure the rail/bike trail would ONLY BE BUILT IN THE RAIL CORRIDOR. Puƫng it on Park Avenue would violate Capitola Municipal Code. Why are you considering going against both the law and the will of the people?
This is outrageous, and offensive.
Also, there is an error message that comes up when users try to post quesƟons by using the QR code on the postcard.
Not a good look!
Sent from my iPhone
Please excuse any typos!
12 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Christine Miguel <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2025 3:19 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Questions for Town Hall Meeting 4/2/25
Can you please show me the document you have received for the variance for our homes. I have not seen anything to support that statement. So if you haven’t received anything that changes the homes from 5 to around 15 homes.
I’m not willing to be moved to another park that’s isn’t in walking distance to the ocean or town, as far as I know there are no open spaces in Santa Cruz. The park in West Side Santa Cruz might have space but the rent starts at 4k a month. Unless you’re paying my rent until I die I can’t afford that. So once again I don’t think your giving us correct or honest information Christine spc 77 Castle Estate
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
13 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2025 8:19 PM
To: [email protected]; City Council; Clarke, Joe; Pedersen, Alexander; Gerry Jensen; Melinda Orbach; Margaux Morgan
Cc: Welch, Troy (TJ) ([email protected]); Concerned Citizens Of Capitola Subject: Capitola City Council/RTC Town Hall
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Questions specifically for our City Council members.
1-Explain how you can vote for any option of realigning or diverting the RTC (bike) trail onto Capitola City streets, including those proposed for Park Ave, without violating City Law (municipal code 8.72)? 2-Recently, Council Member Orbach stated that Measure L, I assume she meant CMC 8.72, was settled. Aside from ballot measure L that was approved and codified into law, when or where was it settled and by who?
3-Do each of you understand that by voting for any option to approve diverting the RTC trail onto City streets will result in you also being recalled like Council Member Pedersen? Respectfully,
TJ Welch
Capitola resident
By the way-The website states that questions can be submitted 14 Item 2 A.
2 15
Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: landis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, March 31, 2025 9:53 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Please keep the bike trail in the rail corridor Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Dear Council Members Joe Clarke, Alexander Pedersen, Gerry Jensen, Margaux Morgan and Melina Orbach:
I am a 35 year resident of the city of Capitola and do not understand how the proposed bike trail can be routed through Capitola Village without causing multiple problems, confusion, congestion, and safety issues.
Furthermore, it violates measure L of the Capitola Municipal code. I am NOT against railroad trains on the rails, in fact I welcome them but I don't think there will be funds for them for the next 30-50 years if ever.
Meanwhile, a bike trail that would be shuttled through the already maxxed out city streets will cause problems and accidents immediately. Please keep the bike trail where it was intended to be and if the train ever becomes a reality a workaround can be addressed at that time.
PLEASE UPHOLD MEASURE L and do not change the laws that have been voted into place.
Sincerely,
Jill Landis 402 McCormick Ave., Capitola
16 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Vicki Miller <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 6:48 AM
To: City Council
Subject: Rail Trail Sections 10 & 11
Good Morning,
I attended the community meeting on March 4th regarding the Rail Trail sections 10 and 11. While there I spoke with some Capitola residents, reviewed the maps and discussed the two options with the RTC staff. I have reviewed the language of Measure L. The measure specifically states that the City will not provide funds and that they do not wish to have the trail diverted through the city streets for fear of adding congestion in the shopping area. The Master Plan adopted in 2013 specifically indicates the trail will run through city streets and Measure L does not attempt to rescind this language but to work within the framework. It is my opinion that the Master Plan is the framework that should be heavily considered and I do believe that either of the two suggested routes, via Jade Street or via Park meet this criteria. Any bicycle or pedestrian traffic will be away from the town intersection where they have congestion, especially in summer. Creating a trail via one of the two streets may even lessen traffic as locals and tourists may find it beneficial to bike or walk to the shops and these modes of active transportation were supported by Measure L.
Please proceed with building out sections 10 and 11 so we may have a continuous trail for the entire county.
Thank you for your hard work to make this 32 mile trail become a reality.
Sincerely,
Vicki Miller
Santa Cruz County Resident
17 Item 2 A.
1 Gautho, Julia
From: Pamela Farren <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2025 9:11 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Rail/Trail
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Very excited to have a trail, NO RAIL. Park Ave is not wide enough to support cars, walkers, bikers, E-bikes, strollers and the like.
When I heard of all that possibility on the Park Avenue proposal, all I could think about was the Ɵme the kid jumped the median by Target. Or the accident in the Village with a skateboarder or the accidents with people mingling with bikes and now we have kids riding E-bikes that don’t follow rules of the road. Park Avenue is a major thoroughfare to the freeway on and off. Unless you’re going to put up some kind of protected fencing/railing to protect all the foot traffic, bikes etc., I feel Capitola is seƫng it self up for lawsuits. Cars that close to a people trail is an accident waiƟng to happen. Yes, there are streets all over with sidewalks but they are not a publicly invited trail for all likes of walking/riding at the same Ɵme.
Sincerely,
Rick and Pam Farren
Capitola
Sent from my iPhone
18 Item 2 A.
Capitola City Council
Agenda Report
Meeting: April 2, 2025
From: City Manager Department
Subject: Rail Trail Project Town Hall
Recommended Action: None. No Council action will be taken at the Town Hall.
Background/Discussion: On February 13, 2025, the City Council heard an item regarding Park Avenue Traffic Calming Improvements with Coastal Rail Trail Options. The staff report for that item can be reviewed by clicking the link listed as Attachment 1. At the conclusion of that hearing, the City Council directed staff to host a town hall meeting in collaboration with the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) to review long-term impacts of the Rail Trail, provide updates on the use of the Capitola Trestle, review impacts of potential litigation from Measure L, and provide a general overview of the Rail Trail project’s impacts in Capitola.
The RTC independently hosted a public meeting at New Brighton Middle School on March 4 to provide context regarding the Rail Trail.
In response to the Council’s direction on February 13 and March 13, staff has coordinated a Town Hall meeting in collaboration with Santa Cruz County and the RTC.
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Location: New Brighton Middle School Performing Arts Center This meeting is being noticed as a City Council meeting so that Council Members may attend as audience members. There will be no Council decision. The Town Hall will follow the agenda below:
1) Mayors Welcome & Facilitator Introduction – 5 minutes 2) Presentation – 35 minutes
a. Project Context
b. Current Project Overview
i. Rail Trail Segments 10 & 11
ii. Funding
iii. Timeline
c. Plan for Trail through Capitola Village & ATP Grant
d. Park Avenue Realignment
i. Background
ii. Original plan
iii. New proposed plan
e. Measure L
f. Use of Capitola Trestle
i. Option 1
ii. Option 2
g. Mobile Home Encroachments
h. Ongoing Maintenance Costs
19 Item 3 A.
i. Future Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) 3) Answers to Pre-Submitted Questions – 30 minutes
4) Public Comment – 45 minutes
5) Staff Responses
6) Mayor Thank You and Conclusion
Fiscal Impact: Outreach efforts, facilitation, and broadcasting costs are approximately $5,000.
Attachments:
1. Link to February 13th Staff Report:
https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/capitolaca-meet22dcaa307be5437dbb1328e7ace00934/ITEM-Attachment-007- c0473858d01a4529a85b7dc9ae72d794.pdf
2. Link to Correspondence Received 2/13 through 3/28 - DropBox Folder:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4hn7q7g5ph4lh8dfpt9xf/ADOhg2XzWE9dex2XpDFN5_c?rlkey= ynxkqpqf123jgd6iqyf7xcd8v&st=ko7ddavl&dl=0
3. Link to March 13th Staff Report:
https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/capitolaca-meet80c1d3262373472a9a50c684fa9cdae4/ITEM-Attachment-006- 93431e5d944745df9d52587e69ac71f9.pdf
4. Link to Town Hall Overview Website, including Informational Materials:
https://www.cityofcapitola.org/community/page/town-hall Reviewed By: Julia Gautho, City Clerk
Prepared and Approved By: Jamie Goldstein, City Manager 20 Item 3 A.
Capitola Town Hall
Meeting
Wednesday, April 2
5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M.
Special Meeting of the Capitola City Council:
Meeting Agenda
1. Roll Call
2. Additional Materials
• Item 3A: Correspondence Received (12 emails)
3. General Government/Public Hearings
• 3A: Rail Trail Project Town Hall
Mayor’s Welcome
Town Hall
Agenda
5 COASTAL RAIL TRAIL
SEGMENTS 10 AND 11 PROJECT
CAPITOLA TOWN HALL
April 2, 2025
Team
6 Phase Description Estimated Cost
PAED Project Approval and Environmental
Documentation
$4.5 million
PSE Plans, Specifications, and Estimate $2.9 million
ROW Right-of-Way $8.2 million
CON Construction $96.2 million
NI Non-Infrastructure $0.995 million
TOTAL $111.7 million
SEGMENT 10/11 ESTIMATED COSTS (2023)
*Cost estimates are from Summer 2023 and do not incorporate design changes and savings from the RTC value engineering analysis or the removal of track relocation costs from the project.
SEGMENT 10/11 PROJECT FUNDING 2023
Funding Source Amount
Measure D (Active Transportation) $17.4 million
State Active Transportation Program (ATP)
Grant
$67.6 million
Federal RAISE Program Grant $8.4 million
Total Funding $93.4 million
Funding Need* $18.3 million
*Funding need is based on 2023 cost estimates and does not incorporate design changes and savings from the RTC value engineering analysis or the removal of track relocation costs from the project.
Right of Way
(18 mos)
65% Design
(3 mos)
Permits
(12 mos)
Fed.
Auth
(2 mo)
CON
(36 mos)
Final Design
(10 mos)
2025 2026 2027
PSE
Contract
Approval
(3 mos)
Final
Schematic
Design
(3 mos)
ATP
Grant
Deadline
(April 2027)
Utility Relocation
(12 mos)
2028
ID
ROW
Needs
ROW
Consu
ltant
Park Ave
CEQA
Review
(3 mos)
City
Accepts
Final EIR
Final EIR
Certified
3.26.2024
DRAFT PROJECT SCHEDULE
SEGMENT 10 ALIGNMENT
SEGMENT 11 ALIGNMENT
PUBLIC OUTREACH TO DATE
▪ October 12, 2021 – Rio Del Mar Improvement Association ▪ November 17, 2021 – NOP Scoping Meeting
▪ January 13, 2022 – Mid County Democrats
▪ February 17, 2022 – RTC Transportation Policy Workshop ▪ April 6, 2022 – Virtual Schematic Design Open House
▪ April 11, 2022 – RTC Bicycle Advisory Committee
▪ April 12, 2022 – RTC Elderly and Disabled Technical Advisory Committee
▪ April 13, 2022 – In-person Schematic Design Open House ▪ April 19, 2022 – Online survey posted for 60 days to allow the public to comment on the design
▪ May 17, 2022 – Walk for Wellness Live Oak event
▪ May 19, 2022 – Bike & Walk to School Day at Live Oak Elementary ▪ May 19, 2022 – Boys & Girls Club Live Oak End of Year event ▪ May 23, 2022 – Live Oak Resource Center Food Distribution event ▪ May 24, 2022 – Family Drop-In Day at Chanticleer Park ▪ May 27, 2022 – Walk for Wellness Capitola event
▪ June 6, 2022 – Parks and Recreation Commission
▪ March 14, 2023 – Seacliff Improvement Association
▪ March 23, 2023 – Capitola City Council
▪ October 26, 2023 – Capitola City Council
▪ November 16, 2023 – Draft EIR Public Meeting
▪ March 26, 2024 – Final EIR Certification at BOS
▪ April 18, 2024 – Final EIR Acceptance at RTC
▪ April 30, 2024 – Project Approval at BOS
▪ February 7, 2025 – RTC Bicycle Advisory Committee
▪ February 13, 2025 – Capitola City Council
▪ March 4, 2025 – RTC-hosted Town Hall in Capitola
PROJECT
OVERVIEW
Team
1 3
Proposed Trail Configuration
Ultimate Trail (Trail next to Rail Line)
• Generally 12’ wide, 4.2 miles long
• Consistent with MBSST Master Plan
• Alignment included in the ATP Grant
• Approved by the Board of Supervisors April 2024
Team
PROJECT
OVERVIE
W
1 4
41ST AVENUE AREA
Existing Proposed
1 5
JADE STREET PARK AREA
Existing Proposed
1 6
CLIFF DRIVE AREA
Existing Proposed
CLIFF DRIVE AREA
Cliff Drive
Improvements
shown on next
slide
CLIFF DRIVE AREA – PEDESTRIAN PATH
Class II
Bike Lane
Narrowed
Travel
Lane
Narrowed
Travel
Lane
Class II
Bike Lane
Delineated
Pedestrian
Path
Existing
Proposed
No Delineated
Pedestrian Path.
Walk in Bike Lane
CAPITOLA VILLAGE
• Trail users directed to on-street bike
lanes and sidewalks
• Continuous pedestrian facility
through Village (dashed purple line)
• Green pavement paint and restriping
for bicyclist safety (green lines)
• Wayfinding directional signage
Proposed: Segment 10/11 Project
Class II
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Continuous
pedestrian facility
(dashed purple
line)
Class II
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Class III
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Class III Bike
Lane
Enhanced w/
Green Paint
Class II
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Team
FUTURE CAPITOLA VILLAGE BIKE &
PED IMPROVEMENTS
Background
• Multiple studies have reviewed circulation
• Past improvements included safety
upgrades
Current Status
• Interim proposal supports both Rail Trail
and Village circulation needs
Next Steps
• Applied for Sustainable Transportation
Planning Grant for Village and City arterials
• Award decision expected summer 2025
• Funding will develop a long-term Active
Transportation Plan for permanent
improvements
PARK AVENUE ALIGNMENT
Team
Team
PARK AVE TRAFFIC CALMING
PROJECT
• Existing Conditions – Park Avenue
• Sidewalk sections are failing
• Bike lane width and surface
conditions are inconsistent
• Road edge is undefined
• 2020 Speed Study
• Identified community concerns
about vehicle speeds
Team
PARK AVE TRAFFIC CALMING
PROJECT
• Traffic Safety: Need for physical
separation for bikes, radar signs, and
speed bumps
• Road Diet Support: Widen bike lanes
and narrow vehicle lanes for safer travel
• Traffic Patterns: Unsafe cut-through
traffic
• Community Input: Calls for ongoing
transparency and engagement
• Visual Impact: Concerns about
preserving neighborhood character
• Parking: Worries about reduced
availability
Community Outreach (2022–2024): Key Concerns
Team
PARK AVE TRAFFIC CALMING
PROJECT
Preliminary Plan (Limited Budget)
• Narrow lanes (10.5 ft)
• Buffered bike lanes + green markings
• Intersection upgrades (e.g., Park & Monterey)
• Pedestrian safety improvements
• Speed feedback signs
Rail Trail Coordination:
• Project offers opportunity to align and expand improvements along Park Avenue
2 5
ADVANTAGES OF PARK AVE ALIGNMENT
Team
• Reduced cost
• Improved neighborhood connectivity
• Improves ocean views, in sections
• Better public visibility
• Aligns w/ goals of Capitola Park Ave Traffic Calming Project • Eliminates conflict w/ conceptual ZEPRT alignment, and reduces long-term impacts to monarch habitat
• No conflict w/ encroaching properties along Escalona Dr • Trail is further from eroding coastal bluff
2 6
PREVIOUS DESIGN – COASTAL ALIGNMENT
MONTEREY AVE TO GROVE LANE
Escalona Gulch
Monarch Site
Critical Windbreak
Trees
Washburn Ave
Park Avenue
Coastal Alignment
(yellow dashed
line)
Existing Railroad
Track Centerline
(red dashed line)
2 7
PREVIOUS DESIGN – COASTAL ALIGNMENT
GROVE LANE TO CORONADO ST
Escalona Gulch
Monarch Site
Coastal Alignment
(yellow dashed
line)
Existing Railroad
Track Centerline
(red dashed line)
Rail Trail continues to
State Park Drive
2 8
PROPOSED PARK AVE ALIGNMENT
MONTEREY AVE TO GROVE LANE Washburn Ave
Escalona Gulch
Monarch Site
Critical Windbreak
Park Avenue Trees
Proposed Park Ave
Alignment
(yellow dashed line)
Existing Railroad
Track Centerline
(red dashed line)
Proposed
Crosswalks w/
Beacons for Trail
Access
(red arrows)
2 9
PROPOSED PARK AVE ALIGNMENT
GROVE LANE TO CORONADO ST
Escalona Gulch
Monarch Site
Proposed Park Ave
Alignment
(yellow dashed line)
Existing Railroad
Track Centerline
(red dashed line)
Proposed
Crosswalks w/
Beacons for Trail
Access
(red arrows)
Rail Trail continues to
State Park Drive in
Aptos
Rail Trail continues to
State Park Drive in Aptos
Access to New
Brighton State Beach
3 0
PROPOSED PARK AVE ALIGNMENT
EXAMPLE IMAGES
Proposed cross-section
of
Park Ave Alignment
Las Positas Multi-use Path
Santa Barbara
(example of buffer treatment)
Local Similar Example:
West Cliff Multi-use Path
(example of vehicle lane next to
path, but does not have horizontal
buffer proposed for Park Ave)
3 1
PARK AVE ALIGNMENT PERSPECTIVES
MONTEREY AVE TO GROVE LANE
• Option A – preserves inland bike lane
• Option B – lower cost; may result in
less tree removal and less impacts to
monarch habitat
6” vertical curb and
horizontal buffer between
roadway and trail
6” vertical curb and
horizontal buffer
between roadway and
trail
3 2
PARK AVE ALIGNMENT PERSPECTIVES
GROVE LANE TO CORONADO ST
• Option A – preserves inland bike lane
• Option B – allows for wider horizontal
buffer between roadway and trail
from Grove Lane to Coronado St
6” vertical curb and
horizontal buffer
between roadway and
trail
6” vertical curb and
horizontal buffer
between roadway and
trail
3 3
NEXT STEPS
Team
Two potential project directions pending April 17 City Council decision:
1. City Council Supports Park Ave
a. Board of Supervisors April 29
a. Contract amendment for final design
b. Contract amendment for Park Ave environmental review b. RTC May 1 – Funding for environmental review
c. Summer - Conduct environmental review of Park Ave
d. Fall - City Council considers project & issue permits for entire project, including Park Ave alignment
2. City Council Does not Support Park Ave
a. Board of Supervisors April 29 – Contract amendment for final design b. RTC May 1 – Seek support for proceeding w/ Coastal alignment c. Fall – City Council considers project & issue permits for entire project, including Coastal alignment
Measure L
• Adopted by voters November, 2018
• Codified in Chapter 8.72 (Greenway Capitola Corridor) of Capitola Municipal Code • Stated purpose: enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic safety within the City by encouraging the development of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Trail) within the Santa Cruz Branch Line Rail Corridor (Corridor) (CMC §§ 8.72.010) • Implementation Section:
A. The city of Capitola, through its constituent departments, shall take all steps necessary to preserve and utilize the Corridor and Trestle for active transportation and recreation.
B. No city of Capitola department, agency or employee shall expend any funds or resources related to the construction, reconstruction, operation, maintenance, financing, marketing, or signage for a detour of the Trail onto Capitola streets or sidewalks. • None of terms used in Section B are included in Definitions section. • “Active transportation” and “Greenway” are defined
• Interpretation of City legislation, including Measure L, is a policy decision made by City Council.
Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation
Commission (SCCRTC)
• Regional Transportation Planning Agency, Santa Cruz County • Develops and delivers transportation solutions for a vibrant, sustainable, and equitable community
• Owns the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from Pajaro to Davenport (32 miles) • Maintain and develop the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line for transportation purposes
Capitola Trestle
Capitola Trestle/Soquel Creek Crossing
• Bicycle and pedestrian bridge cannot be
attached to existing Capitola Trestle
• Insufficient right-of-way to construct separate
trail bridge
• Consider replacing existing trestle with a rail
and bike/ped bridge over Soquel Creek &
Capitola Village as part of future passenger
rail project
What is required to construct trail on existing
Capitola Trestle?
• From constructability and engineering
standpoint, Capitola Trestle could be
repurposed into bicycle and pedestrian bridge
if required structural repairs are completed ($7
million in 2021 dollars)
• From regulatory standpoint, rail line would
need to go through regulatory process
administered by federal Surface Transportation
Board (STB) to be abandoned and railbanked
How can the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line
be railbanked?
• Freight operator would need to file for direct
abandonment with Surface Transportation
Board (STB) or an interested party could file for
adverse abandonment
• RTC would need to both file a petition with STB
to enter into railbanking negotiations, and
subsequently enter into a railbank agreement
with freight operator
• RTC would need to assume financial liability
for preserving the rail line
Coastal Rail Trail Phased Improvements
Near Capitola Village
Capitola Trestle
Frequently Asked
Questions
https://sccrtc.org/wpcontent/uploads/2023/10/FAQ_CapitolaTrestle.pdf Santa Cruz
Branch Rail
Line Property
Boundary
Survey
• Property boundary survey of the Santa Cruz
Branch Rail Line
• Encroachments into the Santa Cruz Branch Rail
Line are unauthorized uses of the property
• RTC must address encroachments to ensure:
• No gift of public funds
• Remove conflicts with planned transportation uses
• RTC Encroachment Policies (2020)
48 Analysis
• Fence only encroachments
• Shed encroachments
• Mobile Home encroachments
• 3’ setback requirements from property line or
variance assumptions
• 20’ access lane
• Options for addressing mobile home
encroachments:
• requesting a variance for reduced setback
• shifting mobile homes within same space
• replacing mobile homes with smaller mobile
homes
• relocating to another mobile home
community
• modification to mobile home
50 Next Steps
51 • Capitola staff facilitated meeting with Castle
Mobile Home Estates on April 4, 2025
• Consider additional analysis of mobile home
plots and access ways
• Update Draft Report with any new findings
Link to Draft Report
https://www.sccrtc.org/mobile-homeencroachment-options-report/ 52 Trail Maintenance Agreements & Funding
• Trail Maintenance:
• Responsibility of RTC → Implemented via Maintenance Agreements with Local Jurisdiction
• Sweep, litter removal, graffiti removal, trail amenity repair, addressing encampments
• Estimated Cost: $32 - $44k per mile/per year.
• Park Ave Alignment Included in Coastal Rail Trail Maintenance • Existing Agreements (Trail Constructed or in Construction) • Segment 5 RTC-County of Santa Cruz Trail Maintenance Agreement (80% RTC/ 20% County)
• Segment 7 RTC- City of Santa Cruz Maintenance Agreement (50% RTC/ 50% City)
• Segment 18 RTC- City of Watsonville Maintenance Agreement (50% RTC/ 50% Watsonville)
53 ZERO EMISSION
PASSENGER RAIL AND
TRAIL PROJECT
Background
55 • 2012: RTC acquired Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line
(SCBRL)
• 2021: Preferred scenario identified high-capacity
zero emission passenger rail with multi-use
bicycle and pedestrian trail along SCBRL
• 2022: RTC solicited proposals to develop project
concept and environmental documentation
• 2023: Contract awarded to HDR team and work
began on Project Concept Report
Project Overview
• Concept new highcapacity passenger rail
service and stations on
approximately 22 miles of
Santa Cruz Branch Rail
Line (SCBRL)
• 12 miles of Coastal Rail
Trail: Segments 13-20
and Capitola Trestle reach
(Segment 11, Phase 2)
Project Concept Report Milestones
57 Segment 10: West Capitola
The ATP grant-funded project will
build project in corridor
As passenger rail requires larger
setback than freight, future
options in constrained locations
include:
• Acquire right of way
• Narrow the trail width
• Reroute trail outside of branch
line right of way
59 Spring: • Ongoing Stakeholder Meetings • Focused Community Meetings (i.e. Santa Cruz Beach Street /
Boardwalk alignment)
• Informational Community Sessions
Summer: • Draft Concept Report • In-Person & Virtual Public Engagement
Fall: Final Concept Report
Next Steps in 2025
Pre-Submitted Questions
• Questions accepted for two weeks
• 174 people submitted questions
• 418 questions submitted
• Staff sorted questions into common themes
• Prepared summary questions to address the most common concerns raised Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q1: Why not keep the trail
in the rail corridor
(Capitola Trestle and Park
Ave)?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q2: Why is the Segment
10/11 project routing
cyclists and pedestrians
through the Village?
Q2: Answer
Class II
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Continuous
pedestrian facility
(dashed purple
line)
Class II
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Class III
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Class III Bike
Lane
Enhanced w/
Green Paint
Class II
Bike Lane
Enhanced
w/ Green
Paint
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q3: Wouldn’t it be safer to
stick with an alignment
within the rail corridor on
Park Avenue?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q4: How is the City
ensuring compliance with
Measure L?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q5: How much money
would Capitola save if the
Council approves the Park
Ave alignment? What
about the County/the
whole project?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q6: What happens to the
County’s funding if City
Council votes “no” on the
Park Avenue alignment?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q7: What happens to the
larger County project (and
$67.6M ATP grant) if
Capitola doesn’t approve
the project?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q8: What happens if the
City Council says “no” to
any/all proposed
improvements through the
Village?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q9: What steps are
required to implement a
train, and when could it
realistically happen?
Pre
-Submitted
Questions
Q10: Why don’t we
railbank?
Pre-Submitted
Questions
Q11: Why are we being
asked to make this
decision now, and can this
decision be delayed until
more information is
available or further studies
are completed?
Q11: Answer
Thank you for attending our Town Hall!
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April 17 Special City
Council meeting