City of Capitola
City Council Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 26, 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 Members Clarke, Orbach, Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, and Mayor Morgan.
2. Additions and Deletions to the Agenda – None
3. Presentations
A. The Mayor presented a proclamation to the Arukah Project in recognition of their work.
The Mayor reminded the public and the City Council to adhere to the rules set in the agenda regarding comment duration and procedures for “General Government/Public Hearing” items.
4. Additional Materials
A. Item 8A – One email received after publication of the agenda packet.
B. Item 8B – Four emails received after publication of the agenda packet.
C. Item 8C – One email received after publication of the agenda packet.
5. Oral Communications by Members of the Public
• Goran Klepic
6. Staff / City Council Comments
• Public Works Director Kahn provided an update on traffic changes beginning on March 9th occurring on the Stockton Bridge during evaluation of the bridge’s structure. • Assistant to the City Manager, Chloe Woodmansee, provided an update on the tech issues in the Council Chambers.
• Community and Economic Development Director Herlihy advised the public that the next public meeting on the Capitola Mall Zoning Code Amendments will take place on March 16th at 5:30 PM.
• Police Chief Ryan advised the Council of a recent grant award to be used for digital street signage.
• Council Member Clarke complimented the newly installed benches at the Park at Rispin Mansion.
• Council Member Westman provided updates from a recently attended Senior Advisory Board Meeting.
• Mayor Morgan thanked Vice Mayor Jensen for his efforts on the SCCRTC and commended the RTC on their ribbon cutting event for the newly opened Capitola Avenue Bridge; she Docusign Envelope ID: CB5D7AFF-E480-4189-95CD-40B1B36EE941 City Council Meeting Minutes – February 26, 2026
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thanked Director Herlihy for her work on the Special Meeting on Monday, February 23rd; provided comments on a ribbon cutting event attended for El Toro Bravo in the Capitola Village; and provided comments on staff’s efforts to work with business operators in Capitola.
7. Consent Items
A. City Council Meeting Minutes
Recommended Action: Approve minutes from the regular meeting on February 12, 2026.
Motion to approve the consent calendar: Council Member Orbach Second: Council Member Clarke
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Orbach, Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, and Mayor Morgan
8. General Government / Public Hearings
A. Landscape Plans for the Park at Rispin Mansion
Recommended Action: 1) Approve the updated landscape plan for the Park at Rispin Mansion; 2) provide direction regarding a commemorative paver project at the Park; and 3) authorize staff to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with Capitola Cares to coordinate fundraising efforts for additional elements at the Park.
Council Member Westman recused herself from the item due to a conflict arising from her husband’s participation on the board of Capitola Cares.
Chloe Woodmansee, Assistant to the City Manager, and Michael Arnone, landscaping consultant, presented the staff report.
Public Comment:
• Gayle Ortiz, Capitola Cares
The Council thanked Capitola Cares for their interest in fundraising for this project; discussed the use of artificial turf and natural plantings in the landscape plans; and expressed support for the proposed commemorative pavers.
Motion to approve the landscaping plan; direct staff to develop a commemorative paver program; and authorize staff to negotiate a MOU with Capitola Cares: Council Member Orbach
Second: Council Member Clarke
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Orbach, Vice Mayor Jensen, and Mayor Morgan Abstain: Council Member Westman
B. No Right Turn on Red Restrictions: Clares Street/Capitola Road Recommended Action: Receive a report regarding the “No Right Turn on Red” restrictions for westbound Clares Street to northbound 41st Avenue and westbound Capitola Road to northbound 41st Avenue.
Public Works Director Kahn presented the staff report.
Public Comment:
• Clark Cochran
• Paula Bradley
• Speaker
The City Council discussed how pending road safety improvements on 41st Avenue may impact the discussed intersections. The Council requested that staff return 6 months Docusign Envelope ID: CB5D7AFF-E480-4189-95CD-40B1B36EE941 City Council Meeting Minutes – February 26, 2026
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after traffic safety improvements are completed on 41st Avenue and re-examine the bike box configuration on Capitola Road.
C. FY 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Report
Recommended Action: Receive the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Report and adopt a resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget.
Administrative Services Director Malberg presented the staff report.
Public Comment:
• Leslie Nielsen
Motion to adopt Resolution No. 4475: Council Member Westman Second: Vice Mayor Jensen
Vice Mayor Jensen requested that staff provide clarification on PRA requests and the associated costs. The City Clerk provided a brief summary of requests received this year.
Voting Yea: Council Members Clarke, Orbach, Westman, Vice Mayor Jensen, and Mayor Morgan
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:12 PM. The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting is on March 12, 2026, at 6:00 PM.
________________________
Margaux Morgan, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________
Julia Gautho, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: CB5D7AFF-E480-4189-95CD-40B1B36EE941