City of Capitola
Special City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, May 29, 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 Special 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. Additional Materials
A. Item 6A – Three emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
4. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Barbara Meck
Goran Klepic
Frank McCarthy
Speaker
5. Staff / City Council Comments
Community Development Director Herlihy reminded the Council and the public to take the Wharf Master Plan survey.
Council Member Orbach recognized that Pride Month is beginning soon. She requested an update from County and RTC staff on Segments 10 and 11 of the Rail Trail and that these updates be provided on a quarterly basis.
Council Member Jensen provided comments on the passing of Capitola resident Stanley Ketner.
Mayor Clarke congratulated the event organizers of recent special events held in the City.
6. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget
Recommended Action: Receive a report on the proposed budget and provide direction to staff to either: 1) prepare the documents for final budget adoption at a regular meeting in June and cancel future planned budget meetings, or 2) continue budget deliberations to a special City Council meeting on June 5, 2025.
City Manager Goldstein, Finance Director Malberg, and Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report. Community Development Director Herlihy, Community Service and Recreation Director Bryant, and City Attorney Zutler followed up on City Council questions from the May 15th budget hearing.
Docusign Envelope ID: 1442D288-6234-47A1-B967-F66C0D8848A9 Special City Council Meeting Minutes – May 29, 2025
City of Capitola Page 2
Public Comments:
Speaker
Speaker
Speaker
The City Council thanked staff for their presentation and deliberated projects and priorities.
Motion to allocate $10,000 for RRFB crosswalks, $10,000 to the Noble Gulch Dog Park Project, $50,000 to updating Esplanade Park, $60,000 to Park Avenue, and $20,000 for economic development consulting in the FY 2025-26 Budget: Council Member Morgan Amendment proposed to reallocate funding from the Noble Gulch Dog Park to the design of a playground at Monterey Park: Council Member Orbach Amendment Accepted: Council Member Morgan
Second: Council Member Orbach
Voting Yea: Council Members Jensen, Morgan, Orbach, and Mayor Clarke The City Council directed staff to cancel the remaining two special meetings scheduled to discuss the budget.
7. Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 8:04 PM. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on June 12, 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