City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 30, 2024
1:00 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 1:03 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 Newsome, Brown, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt, City Attorney T. Condotti, Director of Economic Development and Housing B.
Lipscomb, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Public Comment
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 1:05 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 1:05 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6808
Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95) 1) Claimant: Allstate Insurance Company
2) Claimant: Sean M. Bergman
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 14, and no reportable action was taken.
2. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: Approximately 8.15 acres located on Mount Hermon Road in Scotts Valley, CA
APNs: 022-721-07, 022-721-08, 022-721-09
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and City of Scotts Valley Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, took up under agenda item 28, and no reportable action was taken.
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 30, 2024
1:30 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Newsome, Brown, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson; Vice Mayor Golder (left at 2:25 p.m., returned at 2:49 p.m., left at 5:27 p.m.); Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt, City Attorney T. Condotti, Chief of Fire R. Oatey, Director of Economic Development and Housing B. Lipscomb, Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Chief of Police B. Escalante, Director of Finance E. Cabell (via Zoom), Deputy City Manager L. Murphy (via Zoom), Chief People Officer S. De Leon (via Zoom), Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot (via Zoom), City Engineer/Assistant Director of Public Works K. Crossley, Police Sergeant J. Trog, Associate Planner II R. Zhou, Principal Planner S.
Haschert, 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 1:33 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.
Ann Simonton spoke regarding the Santa Cruz Police Department not accurately logging rape rates, and issues with City staff as a Commissioner on the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6810
Oral Communications (continued)
Unidentified person spoke regarding sailing a model boat at Westlake Pond and requesting the Santa Cruz Municipal Code 13.08.070 be amended to permit the use of non-motorized boats under two pounds in City parks.
James Ewing Whitman spoke regarding the Council salaries, ignorance vs. evil in the room, and bigotry coming from Councilmembers.
At 1:41 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
At this time, Mayor Keeley re-arranged the agenda to hear Additions and Deletions.
Presentations
3. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring May 4, 2024 as Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
Vice Mayor Golder read from and presented a proclamation declaring May 4, 2024 as Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. Chief of Fire R. Oatey and members of the Firewise groups spoke.
4. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring May 2024 as Affordable Housing Month Councilmember Brown read from and presented a proclamation declaring May 2024 as Affordable Housing Month. Director of Economic Development and Housing B. Lipscomb spoke.
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring May 5—May 11, 2024, as Professional Municipal Clerks Week
Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson read from and presented a proclamation declaring May 5—May 11, 2024 as Professional Municipal Clerks Week.
Presiding Officer's Announcements – Mayor Keeley called on Councilmember Brunner, who spoke regarding the Oral Health Summit for Santa Cruz County she attended the previous week.
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson announced she is recusing herself from item 17 due to her work as a consultant for Ecology Action.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6811
Additions and Deletions
Mayor Keeley called on Councilmember Newsome who stated the applicant for item 29, Workbench, submitted a number of changes on this project after the packet was published, including changes to the base density, bonus density, and inclusion of additional storage units that will be converted to ADUs, and requested waivers and concessions.
MOTION: Councilmember Newsome moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Golder, to continue item 29 to the Council meeting of May 28, 2024, and refer this item back to the Planning Commission to be heard at their meeting on May 16, 2024 for a recommendation on the applicant’s proposed changes.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following person spoke:
Rachel Marconi
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Newsome, Brown, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 6808 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
6. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Consent Agenda
City Engineer/Assistant Director of Public Works K. Crossley and Director of Public Works N. Nguyen responded to Council questions regarding item 21.
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on item 16.
Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson made a comment on items 9, 10, and 21.
Councilmember Watkins made a comment on items 9 and 10.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6812
Consent Agenda (continued)
Councilmember Brown made a comment on item 21.
Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler responded to Councilmember Brown’s questions regarding item 15.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
James Ewing Whitman spoke regarding items 8, 11, 12, and 18.
Garrett Philipp spoke regarding items 9, 10, and 11.
Chris Osmand spoke regarding item 21.
Anthony Ruffo spoke regarding item 21.
Bradley Snyder spoke regarding item 21.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Brown moved, seconded by Councilmember Watkins, to approve the Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Newsome, Brown, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson (with the exception of item 17); Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Golder.
DISQUALIFIED: Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson (item 17).
7. Resolution Extending the Emergency Declarations in Connection with the 2022/2023 Winter Storms and 2023/2024 Winter Storms (CA/CM) Resolution No. NS-30,315 was adopted extending by sixty days the Local Emergency Declarations in connection with the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 winter storms.
8. Minutes of the April 9, 2024 City Council Meeting (CC) Motion carried to approve as submitted.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6813
Consent Agenda (continued)
9. OPC SB 1 Grant Program- Track 1: SLR Adaptation Planning- Authorization to Submit a Grant Application for the Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0: Shoreline Adaptation Blueprint Project (CM)
Motion carried to authorize the City Manager to apply for, accept, and appropriate funds from the Ocean Protection Council (OPC) Senate Bill (SB) 1 Grant Program to fund the Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0: Shoreline Adaptation Blueprint Project.
10. Award Contract for Living Shorelines, Nature Based Solutions and Sand Management Feasibility Study (CM)
Motion carried to award a contract to Environmental Science Associates (ESA) for the Living Shorelines, Nature Based Solutions (NBS) and Sand Management Feasibility Study in the amount of $297,000 and reject all other proposals and to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney with ESA for the Living Shorelines, Nature Based Solutions and Sand Management Feasibility Study.
11. United States Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program – Authorization to Submit a Grant Application to Establish a Pilot Program to Provide Financial Assistance to City Employees Switching from GasFueled Vehicles to Electric Vehicles (CM) Resolution No. NS-30,316 was adopted authorizing the City Manager to apply for funds from the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to fund a pilot program, “The City of Santa Cruz Employee Electric Vehicle Incentive Program,” to advance adoption of electric vehicles by providing City employees financial assistance to switch from gasolinepowered vehicles to electric vehicles.
12. Increase Open Purchase Order (PO) with Central Fire Protection District by $100,000 for Fleet and Apparatus Maintenance and Repairs (FD) Motion carried to reallocate funds from the FY 2024 Fire Department operating budget to increase the open PO with Central Fire District by $100,000 and to allow future POs with Central Fire District be established at $250,000.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6814
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Implementation of Local Transactions and Use Tax (FN) Motion carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,317 authorizing the Finance Director to execute agreements with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for implementation of a local transactions and use tax; and Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,318 authorizing examination of sales or transactions and use tax records.
14. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to 1) reject the liability claim of Allstate Insurance Company; and 2) deny the application by Sean M. Bergman for leave to present a late claim, based on staff recommendation.
15. Award Agreement for Code Enforcement Support for Sidewalk Vending Program. Environmental Determination: Exempt 15321 (PL) Motion carried to:
Award agreement for Willdan Engineering in the amount of $120,000; and Recognize the environmental determination and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any amendments within the approved operating budget and authorized amendments budget, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
16. Pitch-In Countywide Cleanup Day (PW)
Resolution No. NS-30,319 was adopted declaring the second Saturday of May each year as “Santa Cruz County Cleanup Day.”
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6815
Consent Agenda (continued)
17. Active Transportation Plan Outreach Consulting – Award Contract (PW) Motion carried to award a contract to Ecology Action (Santa Cruz, CA) in the amount of $118,000 for outreach consulting for the Active Transportation Plan Update, and authorize and direct the City Manager to execute it in a form acceptable to the City Attorney.
18. Award Single Source Contract for the Installation of EV Charging Infrastructure for Medium/Heavy Duty Vehicles at the Corporation Yard - Budget Adjustment (PW)
Motion carried to:
Approve the Plans and Specifications for the installation of EV charging infrastructure at the Corporation Yard and authorize the City Manager to award and execute the Single Source construction contract to Cupertino Electric Inc (San Jose, CA) in the amount of $389,541.10 in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. The Director of Public Works is authorized to execute change orders within the approved budget; and Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,320 to amend the FY 2024 budget and appropriate funds in the amount of $197,000 for the Solar PV (photovoltaic) Expansion at the Corp Yard (c101901).
19. Scenic St Sewer Rehabilitation (c401511) – Notice of Completion (PW) Motion carried to accept the work of Golden State Construction & Utility, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) as completed per plans and specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the Scenic St Sewer Rehabilitation Project (c401511).
20. WWTF Southside Fence Replacement Project (m409659) – Notice of Completion (PW)
Motion carried to accept the work of Silicon Valley Paving (San Jose, CA) as completed per plans and specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the WWTF Southside Fence Replacement Project (m409659).
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6816
Consent Agenda (continued)
21. West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert (c402407) – Approval of Revised Plans and Specifications, Authorization to Award Contract, and Approval of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption (PW) Motion carried to:
Approve the Plans and Specifications for the West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert Project (c402407) and authorize staff to 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 the West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert Project and find the project exempt under CEQA.
22. Right-of-Way Agreement for Newell Creek Pipeline Replacement Project – Felton to Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant: Evangelical Free Church of Felton APN 065-152-17 (WT)
Resolution No. NS-30,321 was adopted authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute a Right-of-Way Agreement, in a form approved the City Attorney, between the City of Santa Cruz and Evangelical Free Church of Felton for use of their parking lot located in Felton, CA near Graham Hill Road and Zayante Road, APN 065-152-17, for the Newell Creek Pipeline Replacement Project – Felton to Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant.
End Consent Agenda
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6817
Consent Public Hearings
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Watkins moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to approve the Consent Public Hearing Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Newsome, Brown, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Golder.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
23. 2024-2025 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Action Plan and Amendment to the Citizen Participation Plan (EDH) This item was continued to May 14, 2024 and was not discussed.
24. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024-08 CalPERS Contract Amendment (HR)
Ordinance No. 2024-08 was adopted approving an amendment to the contract between the Board of Administration and California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide a new local ocean beach lifeguard member category 2.7% at 57 full formula and Fourth Level of 1959 Survivor Benefits with 0% prior service.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6818
General Business
25. Receipt of AB 481 Annual Military Equipment Report and Renewal of SCMC Chapter 9.90 Pertaining to AB 481 Military Equipment (PD) Chief of Police B. Escalante introduced the item and responded to Council questions.
Police Sergeant J. Trog gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
James Ewing Whitman
Peter Gelblum
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson, to:
Receive the Santa Cruz Police Department’s (SCPD) Annual Military Equipment Report; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,322 renewing Chapter 9.90 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) pertaining to AB 481 Military Equipment.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Newsome, Watkins, Brunner, KalantariJohnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: Councilmember Brown.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
Council took a break at 3:12 p.m. and returned at 3:22 p.m.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6819
Public Hearing
26. Public Hearing to Review the Updated 2023 Annual Compliance Report for the Delaware Addition Planned Development and Determination of Good Faith Compliance with the Material Terms of the Development Agreement and Conditions of Approval for the Proposed Lease of 100 and 400 Ingalls Alley to the University of California Santa Cruz (Environmental Determination: Not a Project/Exempt per 15061(b)(3)/Reuse of prior Environmental Impact Report) (PL)
Associate Planner II R. Zhou and Principal Planner S. Haschert gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. There were no speakers.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
At this time, Mayor Keeley paused this item to hear item 28.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to adopt Resolution No. NS-30,324 acknowledging the environmental determination and finding that the applicant’s submittal is in good faith compliance with the material terms of the development agreement, with the following exception: Direct staff to process an Operating Memorandum to clarify conditions of approval and allow for affordable housing units consolidation so the owner can move forward with the amendments to the CC&Rs, lease of the units to the University, consolidation of the affordable housing units on Lot 21 of the Project (400 Ingalls Alley) in lieu of dispersing them over Lots 20 and 21 (100 and 400 Ingalls Alley), and recordation of an amended Affordable Housing Development Agreement, with the clarification that the operating memorandum memorialize the current proposal for UCSC to initially use the 62-unit building as workforce housing and acknowledging the offer of the additional 12 units of moderate rate affordable housing.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Newsome, Brunner, Kalantari-Johnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: Councilmembers Brown, Watkins.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6820
General Business
27. Collective of Results Evidence-Based (CORE) Investments Update (CM) Assistant City Manager L. Schmidt introduced the item and responded to Council questions.
Randy Morris, County of Santa Cruz Human Services Director, gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Kimberly Petersen, County of Santa Cruz Deputy Director of Human Services, responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Helen Ewan-Storey
Crystal Gonzalez
Reverand Beth Love
Clay Kempf
Mary Magana-Ayala
Rigoberto Estrada
Cheryl Fraenzl
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Watkins, to:
1) Accept and file staff report on the proposed Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments Program Request for Proposals (RFP) development and prioritization for the next funding cycle; 2) Accept staff recommendation option 1 for set aside for Affordable Housing and Shelter and direct staff to engage other cities to request a similar match to help solve the City’s shelter problem:
Utilize $1.5M of CORE funding for shelter and homeless prevention services, to be managed by the Housing for Health Partnership (H4H) and allocated as follows.
o $750K for three Low Barrier Navigation Centers geographically distributed throughout the County.
o South County - $250K of County funds
o Mid County - $250K of County funds
o North County - $250K equally combined County and City funds April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6821
General Business (continued)
27. Collective of Results Evidence-Based (CORE) Investments Update (CM) (continued)
MOTION (continued):
o $250K for City Armory operations from equal contributions of County and City funds. The Armory provides short-term shelter support while progress is made on long-term options.
o $500K for South County prevention services from County funds. 3) Direct staff to explore upstream/prevention dollar allocations for City of Santa Cruz residents either as part of the carve out or from some other sources as part of the CORE process;
4) Direct staff to coordinate with the Human Services Department (HSD) to release the finalized version of the CORE RFP by June 3, 2024, including any additional direction from today’s hearing, including advocacy with state entities to adjust funding distribution formulas to look at per capita rates rather than only population size and PIT count numbers; and 5) Direct staff to report back no later than October 29, 2024, with a summary of the proposals received from the CORE RFP.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Newsome, Brown, Watkins, Brunner,
Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Golder.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6822
General Business (continued)
28. Consideration of a Purchase Sale Agreement Between the City of Santa Cruz (City) and the City of Scotts Valley for the City-owned Property Located at the Northwest Corner of Mount Hermon Road and Kings Village Road in the City of Scotts Valley, aka Skypark, APNs 022-721-07, 022-721-08, and 022-721-09 (EDH)
Director of Economic Development and Housing B. Lipscomb spoke and responded to Council questions.
MOTION: Councilmember Newsome moved, seconded by Councilmember Kalantari-Johnson, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,323 authorizing and directing the City Manager upon confirmation by State Department of Housing and Community Development that transaction is consistent with the Surplus Lands Act, to, along with modifications of a non-substantive or conforming nature, between the City of Santa Cruz and the City of Scotts Valley for the Cityowned property located at the Northwest Corner of Mount Hermon Road and Kings Village Road in the City of Scotts Valley, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, and authorizing the City Manager or his designee to take any further actions and execute any other related documents necessary to conclude the sale; and
Direct staff to deposit all proceeds received from the sale of the City-owned property including all payments of principal and interest from the related promissory note to the Downtown Library Affordable Housing Project.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Garrett Philipp
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Newsome, Brown, Watkins, Brunner,
Kalantari-Johnson; Vice Mayor Golder; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
At this time, Mayor Keeley returned to item 26.
April 30, 2024 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 6823
Public Hearing
29. 1130/1132 Mission Street: CP23-0103 (APN 006-203-24, -25) Appeal of the Planning Commission Approval of the Development Proposal at 1130/1132 Mission Street Involving Nonresidential Demolition Authorization Permit to Demolish Two Commercial Buildings, Boundary Adjustment to Combine Two Parcels, and a Design Permit, Special Use Permit, Watercourse Development Permit, and Heritage Tree Removal Permit to Construct a Five-Story Mixed-Use Building Consisting of 2,627 Square Feet of Ground Floor Commercial Space and 48 Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Residential Units Above. The Project also Includes a Request for Density Bonus Including Waivers to Exceed Building Height, Setbacks, and Floor Area Ratio (FAR), as Well as Proposes to Utilize AB2097 to Reduce On-Site Parking. The Parcels Are Both Located in the CC (Community Commercial)/MU-M (Mixed-Use Medium Density) Zone District and the Mission Street Overlay Zone. Environmental Determination: Categorical Exemption 15332, In-Fill Development Projects. Owner: Douglas Wallace. (PL) This item was referred to the Planning Commission’s meeting on May 16, 2024 to provide a recommendation on the applicant’s proposed changes, and continued to the Council meeting of May 28, 2024.
Adjournment – Councilmember Watkins moved, seconded by Councilmember Brown, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 6:02 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.