City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 22, 2025 – 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Joe Clarke
Vice Mayor: Vacant
Council Members: Gerry Jensen, Margaux Morgan, Melinda Orbach 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 Gerry Jensen, Margaux Morgan, Melinda Orbach, and Mayor Joe Clarke
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Presentations
A. The Mayor presented a proclamation to Public Works Director Kahn in honor of National Public Works Week on May 18-24, 2025.
B. Police Chief Ryan presented the 2024 Officer of the Year Award to Officer Armando Ferro.
C. The Mayor presented a proclamation honoring May as Older Americans Month to a representative from the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.
4. Additional Materials
A. Item 8A – Four emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Paula Bradley
Speaker
Matt Arthur
Speaker
Cheryl Ban
Denny Roshervitch
6. Staff / City Council Comments
City Manager Goldstein reminded the public to take the Wharf Master Plan Survey until May 30th.
Council Member Morgan thanked the Public Works Department for their efforts and congratulated Officer Ferro. She provided updates on recent events and meetings attended.
Council Member Orbach thanked Public Works Department staff and congratulated Officer Ferro. She provided updates on recent events and meetings attended. Council Member Jensen provided updates on recent events and meetings attended. He requested that staff agendize a presentation from Visit Santa Cruz. He requested an additional agenda item on June 12th to discuss Castle Mobile Estates.
Docusign Envelope ID: 1442D288-6234-47A1-B967-F66C0D8848A9 City Council Meeting Minutes – May 22, 2025
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7. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve minutes from the regular meeting on May 8, 2025, and the special meeting on May 15, 2025.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Council Member Morgan Second: Council Member Orbach
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, and Mayor Clarke
8. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Process to Fill Vacant Council Seat
Recommended Action: Staff recommends the City Council discuss the options to fill the vacant City Council position left by Vice Mayor Alexander Pedersen, and either 1) direct staff to prepare documentation to call for a special election or 2) outline an appointment process to fill the vacancy.
City Clerk Gautho presented the staff report.
Public Comments: None
The City Council discussed the merits of the appointment process vs. a special election and how to verify residency for applicants.
Motion to use the same exact process that the City used for the January vacancy; that it is an open process and that the applicants that have previously applied be reached out to and any new applicants; having an application period of May 27th to June 3rd; highlighting that the Council used rank choice voting in the last vacancy and that will be the same process used by the Council for this vacancy; while the Council cannot make it a requirement that candidates not run in the November 2026 election, it was a pledge that was given during the January vacancy so that the November 2026 election is an open and fair election; add a requirement of some proof of residency of where the candidate lives at the time that they complete their paperwork which must be provided to the City Clerk, including utility bills or leases or car registration: Council Member Jensen Amendment proposed to allow staff to research legal limitations of the previously listed direction to staff, and notify the Council if changes to the direction must be made based on research: Council Member Morgan
Amendment accepted: Council Member Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, and Mayor Clarke B. Central Fire District and Police Department Unified Command Recommended Action: Receive a report about the enhanced collaboration between Central Fire District, Capitola Police Department, the American Red Cross, and the Santa Cruz County Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience during emergency responses.
Police Chief Ryan, Central Fire District Chief Nee, and an analyst from OR3 presented the report to the City Council.
Public Comments:
Speaker
The City Council thanked the Police Department and the regional partners for their presentation.
Docusign Envelope ID: 1442D288-6234-47A1-B967-F66C0D8848A9 City Council Meeting Minutes – May 22, 2025
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9. Adjournment – The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM. The City Council will hold a special meeting on May 29, 2025, at 6:00 PM.
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ATTEST: Joe Clarke, Mayor
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Julia Gautho, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: 1442D288-6234-47A1-B967-F66C0D8848A9