City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 12, 2026 – 6:00 PM
City Council Chambers
420 Capitola Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
Mayor: Margaux Morgan
Vice Mayor: Gerry Jensen
Council Members: Joe Clarke, Melinda Orbach, Susan Westman 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 Member Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, and Mayor Morgan. Absent: Council Members Clarke and Orbach.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Presentations
A. The City Council formally accepted donated funds for the Treasure Cove Playground at Jade Street Park and received comments from the Friends of Santa Cruz County Parks.
4. Additional Materials – None
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
Cosette
Goran Klepic
James Ewan Whitman
Leslie Nielsen
Brian Shields, representing the Carpenter’s Union
Speaker
6. Staff / City Council Comments
City Manager Goldstein shared an update on the first Discover Capitola session. Community and Economic Development Director Herlihy advised the public that there will be a special City Council meeting on February 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM to discuss the zoning changes proposed for the Capitola Mall site; and provided staffing updates. Council Member Westman requested an update on the Stockton Avenue Bridge at the next Council meeting.
Vice Mayor Jensen provided updates on a recently attended Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission meeting; thanked the Planning Commission for their efforts to review the proposed Zoning Code amendments for the Capitola Mall; reminded the public of upcoming special events happening in Capitola; and requested that staff follow up with a public commenter.
Mayor Morgan thanked the Vice Mayor for his efforts participating in the RTC; advised the public of the installation of safety improvements within Capitola; and shared an update on awarded funding through Congressman Panetta’s office for the Bay Avenue Corridor Project.
7. Consent Items
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A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve minutes from the regular meeting on January 22, 2026.
B. Fifth Amendment to Library Joint Powers Agreement
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute the fifth amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement for Library Services between the City of Santa Cruz and the County of Santa Cruz and the Cities of Capitola and Scotts Valley, extending the term effective January 1, 2026, through June 30, 2032.
C. Capitola Administrative Policies
Recommended Action: Receive report and revoke the following policies: V-2: Government Access Channel 8 and V-3: Use of Display Cases on the Municipal Wharf Entrance Gate.
D. Name Change for City-Owned Parking Lots Located Near City Hall Recommended Action: Approve renaming the parking facilities currently known as “Beach and Village Parking Lots 1 & 2” to “City Upper Lot” and “City Lower Lot.” Council Member Westman provided comments on Item 7C.
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar: Council Member Westman Second: Vice Mayor Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Member Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, Mayor Morgan
Absent: Council Members Clarke and Orbach
8. General Government / Public Hearings
A. 41st Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation and Multimodal Improvements Recommended Action: Approve the plans, specifications, and construction budget of $1,700,000 for the 41st Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation and Multimodal Improvements Project; and authorize the Department of Public Works to advertise for construction bids.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comment:
James Ewan Whitman
Council Member Westman and Vice Mayor Jensen requested a community meeting to explain the reasoning behind “no right on red” intersections.
Motion to approve the plans, specifications, and budget for the 41st Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation and Multimodal Improvements Project and authorize staff to advertise for bids: Council Member Westman
Second: Vice Mayor Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Member Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, Mayor Morgan
Absent: Council Members Clarke and Orbach
B. Update on Measure Y Sales Tax
Recommended Action: Receive a report on Measure Y Sales Tax and provide staff with direction.
Administrative Services Director Malberg presented the staff report.
Public Comment:
Leslie Nielsen
Marilyn Garrett
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C. Measure Q Grant Application
Recommended Action: Authorize staff to submit a Tier 2 Measure Q Community Impact Grant application in an amount not to exceed $325,000 for invasive species removal, native habitat restoration, and interpretive signage improvements adjacent to the Park at Rispin Mansion along Soquel Creek.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comment:
Carla Richardson
Speaker
Motion to authorize staff to submit a grant application for Measure Q funding: Council Member Westman
Second: Vice Mayor Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Member Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, Mayor Morgan
Absent: Council Members Clarke and Orbach
D. Housing for Health Partnership Board Appointment
Recommended Action: Appoint the City of Capitola’s representative on the Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Partnership Policy Board for a two-year term expiring December 2027.
City Clerk Gautho presented the staff report.
Public Comment: None
Motion to appoint Police Captain Moreno as Capitola’s representative on the Santa Cruz County H4HP Board for a two-year term expiring December 2027: Council Member Westman
Second: Vice Mayor Jensen
Voting Yea: Council Member Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, Mayor Morgan
Absent: Council Members Clarke and Orbach
E. Finance Advisory Committee Composition
Recommended Action: Review City Council appointments to the Finance Advisory Committee.
City Clerk Gautho presented the staff report.
Public Comment: None
The City Council affirmed the current composition of the FAC and took no action.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:08 PM. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on February 26, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
________________________
Margaux Morgan, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________
Julia Gautho, City Clerk
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