City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 22, 2023
2:45 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 2:46 p.m. in a public meeting via Zoom and in Council Chambers, for the purpose of announcing the agenda, and receiving public testimony.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Brown, Watkins, Brunner, Kalantari-Johnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: Councilmember Newsome.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Public Comment
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 2:47 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 2:47 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95) 1) Claimant: Cari McCormick
2) Claimant: Nancy Ogle
3) Claimant: Afni
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 10, and no reportable action was taken.
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6548
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 22, 2023
3:00 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Brown, Watkins, Brunner, Kalantari-Johnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: Councilmember Newsome.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt, Assistant City Attorney C. Bronson, Director of Economic Development and Housing B. Lipscomb, Finance Director E. Cabell, Chief of Fire R. Oatey, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Director of Parks and Recreation T.
Elliot, Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler, Director of Information Technology K. Morgan (via Zoom), Chief of Police B. Escalante (via Zoom), Water Director R. Menard (via Zoom), Chief People Officer S. De Leon (via Zoom), Deputy City Manager L. Murphy, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer K. Crossley, Principal Planner M. VanHua, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Presentations
2. Proclamation Declaring August 22, 2023 as Downtown Ambassadors Day Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson presented a proclamation to Downtown Ambassadors Declaring August 22, 2023 as Downtown Ambassadors Day.
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 6547 for the report.
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6549
Council Meeting Calendar
3. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson and Vice Mayor Golder made a comment on item 14, and Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer K. Crossley provided an update.
Vice Mayor Golder made a comment on items 8 and 9.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 12.
Rachael Sotos spoke regarding item 6.
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 8.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
Mayor Keeley stated he would be abstaining from voting on item 6, as he was absent for that meeting.
MOTION: Councilmember Watkins moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Golder, to approve the Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Watkins, Brunner, Kalantari-Johnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley (with the exception of item 6).
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Newsome.
DISQUALIFIED: Mayor Keeley (item 6).
4. Resolution Extending the Emergency Declaration in Connection with the December 2022 and January 2023 Winter Storms (CA/CM)
Resolution No. NS-30,187 was adopted extending by sixty days the Local Emergency Declaration in connection with the December 2022 and January 2023 winter storms.
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6550
Consent Agenda (continued)
5. Minutes of the August 8, 2023 City Council Meeting (CC) Motion carried to approve as submitted.
6. Minutes of the August 15, 2023 City Council Study Session (CC) Motion carried to approve as submitted.
7. Update of Council Policy 6.5 (City Council Agenda - Order of Business), 6.6 (City Council Meetings - Oral Communications), and 6.7 (Lengthy Reports Distributed to Council), and the Councilmembers' Handbook (CC) Resolution No. NS-30,188 was adopted updating Council Policies 6.5 and 6.6, and the Councilmembers' Handbook, to revise the timing for Oral Communications, as well as Council Policy 6.7 to further explain and define the policy.
8. Purchase Price Increase of a 2027 Road Rescue Type I Ultramedic Ambulance(s) on a Freightliner M2-106, 4 x 2, Diesel Powered Two Door Standard Cab Chassis - Budget Adjustment (FD)
Motion carried to:
Approve the purchase price increase of a 2027 Road Rescue Type I Ultramedic Ambulance(s) on a Freightliner M2-106, 4 x 2, Diesel Powered Two Door Standard Cab Chassis in the amount of the original cost of $375,000 (from approved Capital Investment Program - CIP - project c212203) to the current cost of $455,150, which is an increase of $80,150 above the previously approved budget amount; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,189 amending the FY 2024 budget to transfer $45,000 from the City of Santa Cruz Fire Department project c212304 and $35,150 from Fire's current operating budget to FY 2024 CIP project number c212203 to cover the aforementioned total increase cost of $80,150.
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6551
Consent Agenda (continued)
9. Purchase Price Increase of One (1) Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. 107’ Enforcer Tractor Drawn Aerial Ladder Truck - Budget Adjustment (FD) Motion carried to:
Approve the purchase price increase of a One (1) Pierce Manufacturing, Inc. 107’ Enforcer Tractor Drawn Aerial Ladder Truck from the original cost of $1,500,000 (from approved Capital Investment Program - CIP - project c212305) to the current cost of $1,782,080, which is an increase of $282,080 above the previously approved budget amount; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,190 amending the FY 2024 budget to transfer $282,080 from the City of Santa Cruz General Fund to FY 2024 CIP project number c212305 to cover the aforementioned cost increase.
10. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to reject the liability claims of 1) Cari McCormick, 2) Nancy Ogle; and to return as late claim of 3) Afni, based on staff recommendation.
11. Award Agreement for Municipal Financial Advisory Services (FN) Motion carried to:
Award agreement for Municipal Financial Advisory Services to NHA Advisors LLC (San Rafael, CA) for a five-year initial contract period with five optional one-year renewals; and
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement and any amendments within the approved operating budget, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6552
Consent Agenda (continued)
12. Downtown Recovery – Phase I-IV – Authorization to Advertise for Bids and Award Contracts (PR)
Motion carried to authorize staff to advertise for bids and award contracts to provide new waste and recycling receptacles, provide new benches, and paint existing site furnishings to carry out the Downtown Recovery – Phase I-IV project (c302312). The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute the contracts in forms approved by the City Attorney and as authorized by Resolution No. NS-27,563. The Parks and Recreation Director, Economic Development and Housing Director, and Public Works Director are authorized to execute change orders within approved budgets.
13. San Lorenzo River Levee FEMA Accreditation Burrowing Rodent Mitigation Project – Phase 2 (c402112) – Notice of Completion (PW) Motion carried to accept the work of Pacifico Construction (Dos Palos, CA) as completed per the specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for San Lorenzo River Levee FEMA Accreditation Burrowing Rodent Mitigation Project – Phase 2 (c402112).
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6553
Consent Agenda (continued)
14. West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert (c402407) – Approval of Plans and Specifications, Authorization to Advertise for Bids and Award Contract, and Authorize Professional Service Agreement for Design and Construction Support Services, and Budget Adjustment (PW)
Motion carried to:
Approve the plans and specifications for the West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert Project (c402407), authorize staff to advertise for bids, and award the contract. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Director of Public Works is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Service Agreement with Mesiti-Miller Engineering (Santa Cruz, CA) for designing the West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Project (c402407), in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Director of Public Works is authorized to execute contract amendments within the approved project budget; and Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,191 amending the FY 2024 budget and appropriate $300,000 from the General Fund and amending the Public Works Capital Investment Program budget in c402407.
15. Purchase of Two Refuse Trucks (PW)
Motion carried authorizing the purchase of side loader and roll-off vehicles from TEC of California (Oakland, CA) in the amount of $690,000.00.
16. Transfer within the Water Department’s Capital Investment Program for Fiscal Year 2023 Water Program Administration Expenses – Budget Adjustment (WT) Resolution No. NS-30,192 was adopted amending the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) budget by transferring $1,591,209 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 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6554
General Business
17. Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 Regional Funding Grant Application for Promoting Inclusive Residential Infill Development through Objective Standards for Properties with R-1 Single Family Residence Zoning (PL) Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler introduced the item and responded to Council questions.
Principal Planner M. VanHua gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Jane Heyse
James Ewing Whitman
Garrett Philipp
Fran Guerrero
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to adopt Resolution No. NS-30,193 authorizing staff to apply for State of California REAP 2.0 competitive funding in the amount of $750,000 to plan for more inclusive residential infill housing options in neighborhoods.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Brown requested to add direction to staff to include attention to exclusive production of deed-restricted affordable housing opportunities. Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson and Brunner accepted.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Newsome.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6555
General Business (continued)
18. State of Child & Youth Well-Being Report 2022/2023 (CM) Councilmembers Kalantari-Johnson and Watkins, and Vice Mayor Golder spoke.
Nicole Young, with Optimal Solutions Consulting, gave a presentation.
Jonah Chizinsky, Youth Liaison, spoke.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Unidentified person
Sarah Emmert
Owen Lawson
Unidentified person
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Watkins, to accept the State of Child & Youth Well-Being report for 2023.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Brown, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Newsome.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
August 22, 2023 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6556
Oral Communications Announcement - The Mayor provided a brief announcement about Oral Communications.
Oral Communications
At 5:13 p.m. Mayor Keeley opened Oral Communications for members of the public who wished to speak regarding items not listed on the City Council agenda.
Terrance Concannon spoke as the new CEO of Visit Santa Cruz County, introducing himself to Council.
Jennifer Zeitr spoke regarding permanent outdoor dining at Brady’s.
James Ewing Whitman spoke regarding COVID-19.
Garrett spoke regarding equity being an economic poison.
Unidentified person spoke regarding homelessness and the availability of alternative shelter.
At 5:26 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Adjournment – Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Golder, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 5:28 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.