Docusign Envelope ID: AE584342-9131-4832-B372-703EED6C2515 City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 08, 2025 – 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Joe Clarke
Vice Mayor: Alexander Pedersen
Council Members: Gerry Jensen, Margaux Morgan, Melinda Orbach Closed Session – 5:30 PM
i. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Govt. Code § 54956.8) Property: A portion of the easterly terminus of Escalona Drive, spanning approximately 60 feet wide, bounded by 620 El Salto Drive (APN 036-143-31) to the west and bounded by 722 Escalona Drive (APN 036-141-28) to the east.
City Negotiator: Jamie Goldstein, City Manager
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
Before adjourning to Closed Session, Vice Mayor Pedersen provided comments and announced his resignation from the City Council. The City Council provided comments to Vice Mayor Pedersen. Following Council comments, Vice Mayor Pedersen excused himself from the dais.
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 Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, and Mayor Clarke.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Presentations
A. Mayor Clarke presented a proclamation in recognition of National Beach Safety Week to Community Services and Recreation Department Director Bryant.
B. Rhiannon Crain provided a presentation from the Children's Museum of Discovery on use of Capitola Community Grant Funding.
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. Item 6 – Four emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
7. Staff / City Council Comments (Mayor Clarke reordered items 6 and 7) City Manager Goldstein advised the Council that this week is Professional Municipal Clerks week.
Community Development Director Herlihy reminded the Council that the Capitola Wharf Master Plan survey is currently open and that she will be hosting a community meeting on May 20 at 6 PM to discuss the options proposed.
Docusign Envelope ID: AE584342-9131-4832-B372-703EED6C2515 City of Capitola Page 2
City Council Meeting Minutes – May 08, 2025
6. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Gary Richard Arnold
Clark Cochran
Heidy Kellison
Speaker
Speaker
Meghan Morrissey
James Ewing Whitman
Leslie Nielsen
7. City Council Comments
Council Member Jensen requested additional time for comments after Oral Communications. He shared that this month is Older Americans Month and the 2025 theme is “Flip the Script on Aging” and requested a proclamation be presented at an upcoming meeting. He also provided updates about ribbon cutting ceremonies he has attended recently. He requested that staff acknowledge new businesses opening in the City’s newsletter. He thanked Community Development Director Herlihy and Fuse Architects on their efforts on the Wharf Master Plan survey. He requested an agenda item to discuss the City’s Code of Conduct Policy.
Council Member Orbach shared updates about the leasing activity within the Capitola Mall and echoed Council Member Jensen’s request to highlight new businesses in the newsletter.
Council Member Morgan reminded the public that the Village will host a new special event this weekend, the Vdublicious Car Show.
Mayor Clarke requested an agenda item to update the City’s Code of Conduct Policy.
8. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve minutes from the regular meeting on April 10, 2025, the special meeting on April 17, 2025. the special meeting on April 22, 2025, and the regular meeting on April 24, 2025.
B. City Check Registers
Recommended Action: Approve check registers dated March 14, 2025, March 21, 2025, March 28, 2025, April 4, 2025, April 11, 2025, and April 18, 2025.
C. Clean California Community Designation
Recommended Action: Authorize staff to sign the Clean California Community Designation pledge on behalf of the City of Capitola.
D. Contract for Arbitration Services
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with California Hearing Officers, LLP to provide arbitration services for mobile home rent increase petitions pursuant to Capitola Municipal Code Chapter
2.18 and amending the FY 24-25 budget in an amount not to exceed $120,000. (Resolution No. 4427)
E. GreenWaste Annual Rate Adjustment
Recommended Action: Adopt a resolution approving the contractual rate increase for collection and disposal of residential and commercial garbage, recycling, organics, food waste, yard waste, and construction and demolition debris, effective July 1, 2025, according to the Service Rate Schedule formula of the Franchise Agreement with GreenWaste Recovery, Inc. (Resolution No. 4428)
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Council Member Orbach Docusign Envelope ID: AE584342-9131-4832-B372-703EED6C2515 City of Capitola Page 3
City Council Meeting Minutes – May 08, 2025
Second: Council Member Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, and Mayor Clarke
9. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Award of Contract for 2025 Capitola Summer Shuttle Service Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year contract, with an option to extend for one additional season, with Community Bridges for operation of the 2025 Summer Shuttle in an amount not to exceed $89,100.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Speaker
The City Council requested that staff notify the Art and Wine Festival organizers of cost increases related to the shuttle service provider change.
Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with Community Bridges:
Council Member Morgan
Second: Council Member Orbach
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, and Mayor Clarke B. Park at Rispin Mansion Construction Update and Proposal for Additional Site Work Recommended Action: Authorize staff to approve Change Order No. 2 to the construction contract with Betz Works for the Park at Rispin Mansion Project in the amount of $50,000 for additional site work utilizing available Measure Q funds.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comments:
Speaker
The Council expressed appreciation for the Measure Q funding to assist in infrastructure improvements.
Motion to authorize staff to approve Change Order No. 2: Council Member Morgan Second: Council Member Orbach
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, and Mayor Clarke
10. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 7:02. The City Council will hold a special meeting on May 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
ATTEST: Joe Clarke, Mayor
Julia Gautho, City Clerk