City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 8, 2022
1:00 PM
Mayor Brunner opened the City Council Closed Session at 1:02 p.m. in a public meeting via Zoom, for the purpose of announcing the agenda, and receiving public testimony.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson (via Zoom), Golder (via Zoom), Cummings (via Zoom), Brown (via Zoom), Meyers (via Zoom); Vice Mayor Watkins (arrived at 1:04 p.m. via Zoom); Mayor Brunner (via Zoom).
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker (via Zoom), Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt (via Zoom), City Attorney T. Condotti (via Zoom), Interim Chief of Police B. Escalante (via Zoom), Human Resources Director L. Murphy (via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush (via Zoom).
Public Comment
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period at 1:04 p.m. The following person spoke via teleconference:
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 2.
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period at 1:07 p.m.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5958
Closed Session
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(2))
Significant exposure to litigation (1 potential case to be discussed)
2. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95) 1) Claimant: Brooke Elaine Murdoch
2) Claimant: Rhonda Elaine Reyna
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
At this time, the meeting was closed to the public. (See page 5960 for a report on Closed Session.)
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5959
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 8, 2022
2:00 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Brunner called the meeting to order at 2:09 p.m. via Zoom.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson (via Zoom), Golder (via Zoom), Cummings (via Zoom), Brown (via Zoom), Meyers (via Zoom); Vice Mayor Watkins (via Zoom); Mayor Brunner (via Zoom).
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker (via Zoom), Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt (via Zoom), City Attorney T. Condotti (via Zoom), Director of Public Works M. Dettle (via Zoom), Interim Chief of Police B. Escalante (via Zoom), Deputy City Manager and Director of Planning, Community Development and Homelessness Response L. Butler (via Zoom), Interim Director of Finance B. Magee (via Zoom), Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb (via Zoom), Director of Information Technology K. Morgan (via Zoom), Human Resources Director L. Murphy (via Zoom), Interim Fire Chief R. Oatey (via Zoom), Water Director R.
Menard (via Zoom), Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot (via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B.
Bush (via Zoom).
Presentation
3. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring February as Black History Month in Santa Cruz Mayor Brunner read from a proclamation declaring February as Black History Month in the City of Santa Cruz.
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5960
Oral Communications Announcement - The Mayor provided a brief announcement about Oral Communications.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(2))
Significant exposure to litigation (1 potential case to be discussed) Council received a status report from legal counsel, gave direction, and took no reportable action.
Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95) 1) Claimant: Brooke Elaine Murdoch
2) Claimant: Rhonda Elaine Reyna
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 13, and took no reportable action.
City Manager Report
4. The City Manager provided a report and updates on the City's business, COVID19 response, and events.
City Manager M. Huffaker provided Council with an update on the COVID-19 pandemic, community polls, the transition to district elections, homelessness response, and development projects in the City, and responded to Councilmember questions.
Council Meeting Calendar
5. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5961
Consent Agenda
Councilmembers Cummings and Brown pulled item 9 for discussion.
Councilmembers Meyers and Kalantari-Johnson commented on item 14.
Director of Public Works M. Dettle responded to Councilmembers Cummings’ and Brown’s questions regarding item 15.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke via teleconference:
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 6.
Leoni Reyna spoke regarding item 13.
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved, seconded by Councilmember Cummings, to approve the remaining Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
6. Resolution Authorizing the City to Continue Teleconferenced Public Meetings Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 (CA)
Resolution No. NS-29,923 was adopted authorizing legislative bodies of the City of Santa Cruz to continue the use of teleconferenced meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
7. Resolution Extending Emergency Declaration in Connection with COVID-19 Pandemic by Sixty (60) Days (CA)
Resolution No. NS-29,924 was adopted extending by sixty days the Declaration of Emergency in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5962
Consent Agenda (continued)
8. Resolution Extending the Emergency Declaration in Connection with the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire by Sixty (60) Days (CA)
Resolution No. NS-29,925 was adopted extending by sixty days the Local Emergency Declaration in Connection with the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire.
9. Resolutions Amending Council Policy 6.6: City Council Meetings – Oral Communications and Councilmember Handbook (CA)
Mayor Brunner responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
SPEAKING VIA TELECONFERENCE:
Brian
Unidentified person
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
City Attorney T. Condotti responded to Councilmember questions.
MOTION: Councilmember Cummings moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-29,926 amending Council Policy 6.6, City Council Meetings – Oral Communications, omitting the proposed change to #4 that shorten individual comment time from three minutes to two minutes. Adopt Resolution No. NS-29,927 amending the Councilmember Handbook provisions regarding the designated start time and length of oral communications, omitting any changes that shorten individual comment time from three minutes to two minutes.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5963
Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Minutes of the January 25, 2022 City Council Meeting (CC) Motion carried to approve as submitted.
11. Establishment of a Council Ad Hoc Budget and Revenue Committee (CN) Motion carried to:
Sunset the Council Ad Hoc Revenue Committee established on January 12, 2021;
Establish a Council Ad Hoc Budget and Revenue Committee (Committee) to explore long-term budgetary financial plans and capital project planning, and recommend new revenue-enhancement opportunities; and Appoint the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Councilmember Brown to the Committee as recommended by the Mayor.
12. Santa Cruz Cannabis Local Equity Program Manual (ED) Motion carried to approve the City of Santa Cruz Cannabis Local Equity Program Manual.
13. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to reject the liability claims of a) Brooke Elaine Murdoch, and b) Rhonda Elaine Reyna, based on staff recommendation.
14. Housing Matters Hygiene Bay Remodel Project (p102205) – Authorization to Advertise and Award (PW)
Motion carried to approve the plans and specifications for the Housing Matters Hygiene Bay Remodel Project (p102205), authorize staff to advertise for bids, and award the contract. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5964
Consent Agenda (continued)
15. Purchase of Two Refuse Trucks (PW)
Motion carried authorizing the purchase of two replacement Refuse Trucks from the Refuse Fund, in the amount of $725,000 from TEC of California (Oakland, CA).
16. First Amendment to Agreement for Design Engineering for Brackney Landslide Area Pipeline Risk Reduction Project (WT)
Motion carried authorizing the City Manager to execute the First Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for Design Engineering for Brackney Landslide Area Pipeline Risk Reduction Project in the amount of $328,469 with Mott MacDonald Group Inc. (San Jose, CA) in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, and authorizing the Water Director to execute future contract amendments within the approved budget.
17. Resolution Supporting an Application by the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency to the California Department of Water Resources for Grant Funding to be Used to Support Implementation of the Santa Cruz MidCounty Groundwater Sustainability Plan (WT) Resolution No. NS-29,928 was adopted supporting an application to the California Department of Water Resources for grant funding to be used to support implementation of the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
18. Water Supply Augmentation Planning (WT)
Motion carried authorizing the City Manager to execute the Third Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for Phase 2 Recycled Water Facility Planning Study in the amount of $350,000 with Kennedy Jenks Consultants (San Francisco, CA) in a form to be approved by the City Attorney.
End Consent Agenda
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5965
Public Hearing
19. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2022-01 Repealing Chapter
16.03 (Plumbing Fixture Retrofit Regulations) of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code (WT)
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. There were no speakers.
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Meyers moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-01 to repeal Chapter 16.03 (Plumbing Fixture Retrofit Regulations) of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
General Business
20. Opposition to the Potential Adverse Abandonment Actions for Heavy Freight Rail Service on the Felton Branch Line and Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (CN) Councilmembers Brown, Cummings, and Mayor Brunner spoke.
Guy Preston, Executive Director of the Regional Transit Commission, spoke and responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
SPEAKING VIA TELECONFERENCE:
Brian
Unidentified person
Mark Mesiti-Miller
Rafa Sonnenfeld
Lani Faulkner
Matt Farrell
Sally Arnold
Unidentified person
Joanne Hirasaki
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5966
General Business (continued)
20. Opposition to the Potential Adverse Abandonment Actions for Heavy Freight Rail Service on the Felton Branch Line and Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (CN) (continued)
MOTION: Councilmember Cummings moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to direct the Mayor to notify the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) that the Santa Cruz City Council opposes the potential adverse abandonment actions for heavy freight rail service on the Felton Branch Line and Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Meyers requested to include direction for the Mayor to also express the City’s urging of the RTC to prioritize the repair of the bridges as part of their work plans, related to available Federal and State funds. Councilmembers Cummings and Brown accepted.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Cummings requested to amend the motion to include the following:
Direct the Mayor to send a letter to the Watsonville City Council asking them to consider agendizing an item that would have them send a letter opposing the adverse abandonment of the Santa Cruz and Felton Branch Lines.
Bring forward at a future meeting a resolution committing to the protection of rail infrastructure and rail and trail transit planning in the City of Santa Cruz.
Councilmember Brown accepted.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Meyers requested that as part of prioritizing the bridge repairs, Council be provided and then include in the letters, an analysis of the bridge repairs to have a better understanding of the expense of the repairs. Councilmembers Cummings and Brown accepted.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5967
General Business (continued)
21. Mid-year Update (FN/HR)
21.1 FY 2022 Budget Adjustments and Information on City’s Financial Status (FN) Interim Finance Director B. Magee gave a presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
City Manager M. Huffaker spoke and responded to Councilmember questions.
Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. There were no speakers.
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Meyers, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-29,929 amending FY 2022 budget appropriations to all funds as listed in Exhibit A, in the amount of $5,911,511 including $1,453,813 to the General Fund, and a total appropriation of estimated revenues as listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $5,273,232 to all funds, including a net reduction of $5,758,501 to the General Fund. Authorize the City Manager to allocate budgetary changes within the applicable funds and departments.
Receive an update on the City of Santa Cruz’s financial status.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
February 8, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 5968
General Business (continued)
21. Mid-year Update (FN/HR) (continued)
21.2 Resolution Amending the City of Santa Cruz Personnel Complement and Classification and Compensation Plans for the Parks and Recreation, Finance, Fire, and Water Departments - Budget Adjustment (HR)
Human Resources Director L. Murphy gave a presentation.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. There were no speakers.
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Watkins moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-29,930 amending the Classification and Compensation Plans and the mid-year FY 2022 budget personnel complement by approving position changes in four City Departments. Adopt Resolution No. NS-29,931 amending the FY 2022 budget to appropriate funds for the addition of a Principal Management Analyst within the Water Department.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
Oral Communications
At 6:05 p.m. Mayor Brunner opened Oral Communications for members of the public who wished to speak regarding items not listed on the City Council agenda.
Unidentified person spoke regarding garbage service and green waste.
At 6:09 p.m. Mayor Brunner closed Oral Communications.
Adjournment - The City Council adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST:
ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Sonja Brunner, Mayor