City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 23, 2022
10:00 AM
Mayor Brunner opened the City Council Closed Session at 10:01 a.m. in a public meeting in Council Chambers, for the purpose of announcing the agenda, and receiving public testimony.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder (via Zoom), Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins (arrived at 10:09 a.m.); Mayor Brunner.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt, City Attorney T. Condotti, Human Resources Director L. Murphy, Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler (via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Public Comment
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period at 10:04 a.m. The following people spoke:
Ken Bare
Unidentified person
David Tannaci
Olivia Martinez
Eric Bumgarner
Richard Silva
Emilio Galvan
Jason Reiter
Eloise Johnson
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Roy
Juan Molina
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6193
Public Comment (continued)
Sean Sled
Cameron
Robert Acosta
[unintelligible]
Juan
Joy Schendledecker
Edward Perez
Katie Stewart
Zeke Bean
Adrian Pimentel
Joe
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period at 10:53 a.m.
Closed Session
1. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code §54957.6) SEIU Temporary Employees
SEIU Service Employees
Mid Managers, OE3
Supervisors, OE3
Fire Management
Fire, IAFF
Police Management
Police Officers Association
Executives
City Negotiator - Lisa Murphy
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation (one potential case)
At this time, the meeting was closed to the public. (See page 6195 for a report on Closed Session.)
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6194
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 23, 2022
11:30 AM
Call to Order – Mayor Brunner called the meeting to order at 12:24 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder (arrived at 3:34 p.m.), Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt (via Zoom), City Attorney T. Condotti, Director of Public Works M. Dettle (via Zoom), Chief of Police B. Escalante, Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler (via Zoom), Director of Information Technology K. Morgan (via Zoom), Finance Director E. Cabell (via Zoom), Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb (via Zoom), Water Director R.
Menard (via Zoom), Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot (via Zoom), Director of Libraries Y. Wilburn (via Zoom), Deputy City Manager L.
Murphy, Fire Division Chief R. Young (via Zoom), Public Works Operations Manager F. Warren, Homelessness Response Manager L.
Imwalle, Assistant Finance Director M. Gomez (via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6195
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code §54957.6) SEIU Temporary Employees
SEIU Service Employees
Mid Managers, OE3
Supervisors, OE3
Fire Management
Fire, IAFF
Police Management
Police Officers Association
Executives
City Negotiator - Lisa Murphy
Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and took no reportable action.
Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation (one potential case)
Council received a status report, and took no reportable action.
Council Meeting Calendar
3. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Council Memberships in City Groups and Outside Agencies
4. The Presiding Officer provided Councilmembers with the opportunity to update Council on any external committee meetings that occurred since the last Council meeting
Councilmember Brown: Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), and Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Advisory Council.
Councilmember Cummings: Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), and Criminal Justice Council.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6196
Council Memberships in City Groups and Outside Agencies (continued)
4. The Presiding Officer provided Councilmembers with the opportunity to update Council on any external committee meetings that occurred since the last Council meeting (continued)
Councilmember Meyers: Central Coast Community Energy Policy Board, Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency, and Cowell Working Group.
Vice Mayor Watkins: Health in All Policies Committee, and Children’s Fund Subcommittee.
Mayor Brunner: Visit Santa Cruz County, Homelessness 2x2 Committee.
Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson: Safe Parking Subcommittee.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson made a comment on item 12.
Public Works Operations Manager F. Warren responded to Councilmember Meyers’ questions regarding items 13 and 16.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 6.
Unidentified person spoke regarding items 6 and 7.
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
Councilmember Brown pulled items 12 and 16 for further discussion.
MOTION: Councilmember Cummings moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to approve the remaining Consent Agenda.
City Attorney T. Condotti responded to Councilmember Cummings’ questions on items 6 and 7.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Golder.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6197
Consent Agenda (continued)
5. Resolution Extending the Emergency Declaration in Connection with the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire by Sixty (60) Days (CA)
Resolution No. NS-30,026 was adopted extending by sixty days the Local Emergency Declaration in connection with the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire.
6. Resolution Extending the Emergency Declaration in Connection with the COVID19 Pandemic by Sixty (60) Days (CA) Resolution No. NS-30,027 was adopted extending by sixty days the Declaration of Emergency in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.
7. Resolution Authorizing the City to Continue Teleconferenced Public Meetings Pursuant to Assembly Bill 361 (CA)
Resolution No. NS-30,028 was adopted authorizing legislative bodies of the City of Santa Cruz to continue the use of teleconferenced meetings pursuant to Assembly Bill 361.
8. Minutes of the August 9, 2022 City Council Meeting (CC) Motion carried to approve as submitted.
9. Minutes of the August 16, 2022 City Council Special Meeting (CC) Motion carried to approve as submitted.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6198
Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Collective of Results and Evidence-Based (CORE) Investments Bridge Funding (CM)
Motion carried to:
Approve recipients for Collective of Results and Evidence-Based (CORE) bridge funding contracts; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,029 amending the FY 2023 budget to appropriate $90,000 from the City’s Capital Investment Program (CIP) for the City’s contribution.
11. Resolution Amending the City of Santa Cruz Personnel Complement and Classification and Compensation Plans for the Santa Cruz Public Libraries (HR) Resolution No. NS-30,030 was adopted amending the Classification and Compensation Plans to the FY 2023 Budget Personnel Complement by implementing the Library Board-approved Budget/Position and Classification changes in the Library.
12. Award Contract for Playground Equipment at Garfield Park Playground (PR) Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Unidentified person
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Meyers moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Watkins, to adopt Resolution No. NS-30,031 to award a contract to Landscape Structures, Inc. (Delano, MN) for the purchase of playground equipment that will be installed at Garfield Park in the amount of $219,777.02.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Golder.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6199
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Citywide Vegetation Management – Award Contract (PW) Motion carried to accept the bid of Lewis Tree Service (Santa Cruz, CA) for Citywide Vegetation Management in the amount of $117,000, and to authorize the City Manager 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.
14. Traffic Striping Installation and Maintenance – Award Contract (PW) Motion carried to accept the bid of Chrisp Company (Fremont, CA) for Traffic Striping Installation and Maintenance in the amount of $130,000, and to authorize the City Manager 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.
15. Cost of Construction – Fee Revision (PW)
Resolution No. NS-30,032 was adopted revising the Traffic Impact Fee Estimate Form to include a revised PM peak hour rate of $4,928 and rescinding Resolution No. NS-29,865.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6200
Consent Agenda (continued)
16. Annual San Lorenzo River Flood Control Maintenance (m409505) – Award Contract (PW)
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Unidentified person
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
Director of Public Works M. Dettle responded to Councilmember questions.
MOTION: Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Watkins, to award a contract for the annual San Lorenzo River Flood Control Maintenance to Kenny Robinson Construction (Santa Cruz, CA) in the amount of $275,000, and to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Golder.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
17. Transfer within the Water Department’s Capital Investment Program for FY 2022 Water Program Administration Expenses – Budget Adjustment (WT) Resolution No. NS-30,033 was adopted amending the FY 2022 budget by transferring $1,956,115 from the Water Department’s Capital Investment Program (CIP) Project c701901, Water Program Administration, to various other Water Department CIP Projects for the purpose of allocating actual program administration expenses to active Water Program CIP Projects.
End Consent Agenda
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6201
General Business
18. Independent Police Auditor Report (CM)
Michael Gennaco, Independent Police Auditor with OIR Group, gave a presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
Chief of Police B. Escalante responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Lee Brokaw
Reggie Meisler
Serg Kagno
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Ayo Banjo
Unidentified person
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Cummings moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to accept the report and direct staff to bring back a response to the recommendations provided by the police auditor by no later than the first meeting in February 2023.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Golder.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
Council took a break at 2:13 p.m. and returned at 2:25 p.m.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6202
General Business
19. HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE UPDATE
Homelessness Response Manager L. Imwalle and Deputy City Manager L. Murphy gave a presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
City Manager M. Huffaker and Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Leslie Wooding
Reggie Meisler, Santa Cruz Cares
Serg Kagno, Stepping Up Santa Cruz
Unidentified person
Grant Dentremont
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
19.1 Homelessness Response Quarterly Update (CM)
Council received updates regarding Council-directed homelessness response programs and services, including Homelessness Response Action Plan implementation details, objectives, and outcomes.
19.2 Benchlands Closure and Restoration – Budget Adjustment and Refuse Disposal, Abatement, and Landscape Remediation Contract Approval (CM) MOTION: Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Watkins, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,034 amending the FY 2023 budget to transfer $1,000,000 from the Safe Sleeping Hygiene Bay Project c102205 to the Benchlands Restoration Project c102304; and
Authorize the City Manager to execute an emergency procurement agreement, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, between the City of Santa Cruz and Clean Team Associates in the amount of $280,000 to remove encampment debris in the San Lorenzo Park Benchlands.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6203
General Business (continued)
19. HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE UPDATE (continued)
19.2 Benchlands Closure and Restoration – Budget Adjustment and Refuse Disposal, Abatement, and Landscape Remediation Contract Approval (CM) FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Cummings requested to add:
Direct staff to bring back at the next quarterly update, consideration of the reallocation of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and CA State funds, initially allocated for the hygiene bay, for services that include but are not limited to a vehicle for Downtown Outreach workers, an ADA-accessible transport van, a Winter Warming Center, ongoing cleanup of parks, and a cost study for the implementation of a 24/7, nonlaw enforcement alternative, emergency crisis pilot program.
Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson and Vice Mayor Watkins accepted.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
NOES: Councilmember Brown.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6204
General Business (continued)
20. Revised Fiscal Impact Report for the Empty Home Tax Initiative Petition (FN) Assistant Finance Director M. Gomez gave a presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
City Attorney T. Condotti and Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler responded to Councilmember questions.
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Cyndi Dawson
Unidentified person
Carol Polhamus
Jack Ryan Rodriguez
Eric Grodberg
Unidentified person
Lynn Renshaw
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6205
City Council
6:00 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Brunner called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson, Golder, Cummings, Brown, Meyers; Vice Mayor Watkins; Mayor Brunner.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, City Attorney T. Condotti, Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt (via Zoom), Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler, Finance Director E. Cabell (via Zoom), Director of Information Technology K. Morgan (via Zoom), Fire Chief R. Oatey (via Zoom), Water Director R. Menard (via Zoom), Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot (via Zoom), Senior Planner S. Neuse (via Zoom), Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer N. Nguyen (via Zoom), Superintendent of Parks T. Beck (via Zoom), Senior Planner K. Donovan (via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications Announcement - The Mayor provided a brief announcement about Oral Communications.
Oral Communications
At 6:02 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 Transient Occupancy Tax.
Pat Colby spoke regarding homelessness, and Martin vs. Boise.
Eric Grodberg spoke regarding the Hilltop Apartments.
Keith McHenry spoke regarding the shelter at the Armory, and the Benchlands.
Jack Ryan spoke regarding a relationship he was previously in, resulting in a warrant for his arrest.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6206
Oral Communications (continued)
Elise Casby spoke regarding the slavery trade, the holocaust, the shutdown of democracy, and demonizing poor people.
Unidentified person spoke regarding what is needed in the Benchlands.
Darius Mohsenin spoke regarding the tenant application fees, and creating a program to make applying for rentals more affordable.
Lee Meyers spoke regarding the inaccessibility of shelters and Martin vs. Boise.
Unidentified person spoke regarding tenant application fees, and a local radio station.
Angela Flynn spoke regarding her experience with homelessness.
Amberly spoke regarding the importance of having a stable place to stay.
Mike Whiteside spoke regarding affordable housing.
At 6:34 p.m. Mayor Brunner closed Oral Communications.
Council took a break at 6:39 p.m. and returned at 7:03 p.m.
Public Hearing
21. Amendments to Municipal Code Titles 6, 12, 13, 15, 16 and 24 Related to Objective Development Standards for Multi-Family Housing, New Mixed Use Zoning Districts, Development Review Process Changes, Street Trees, Right-ofWay Improvements, and the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance; Associated Updates to the Zoning Map; and Establish In-Lieu Fees for Street Tree Removals (File No. FP20-0002) and Additional Modifications to Municipal Code Title 24 to Clarify and Update Various Code Sections, Remove Obsolete Sections and References, Streamline Application Processes, and Bring the Zoning Ordinance into Conformity with State Law (File Nos. A22-0002 and A22-0003) (PL) Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler introduced the item and responded to Councilmember questions.
Senior Planner S. Neuse, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer N.
Nguyen, Superintendent of Parks T. Beck, and Senior Planner K. Donovan gave a presentation and responded to Councilmember questions.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6207
Public Hearing (continued)
21. Objective Standards Amendments (PL) (continued)
Mayor Brunner opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Henry Hooker
Colleen Douglas
Gary Patton
Jim B
Michael Funari
Unidentified person
Greg Benson
Doug
Rafa Sonnenfeld
Andy Schiffrin
Sean Maxwell
Deborah Marks
Ryan Meckel
Scott Graham
Unidentified person
Gillian Greensite
Unidentified person
Diana Alfaro
Unidentified person
Nyanko
Candace Brown
Jessie Bristow
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Beverly DesChaux
Zennon Ulyate-Crow
Unidentified person
Mayor Brunner closed the public comment period.
August 23, 2022 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6208
Public Hearing (continued)
21. Objective Standards Amendments (PL) (continued)
MOTION: Councilmember Meyers moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to continue this item to the September 13, 2022 meeting.
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.
Adjournment - The City Council adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Sonja Brunner, Mayor.