Agenda packet — Santa Cruz City Council, January 28, 2025 (part 3 of 3)

Other activities that support the anti-racial discrimination resolution in 2024 included both the work to increase the diversity in representation at City committee and commissions and the City’s role in helping to form the Monterey Bay Area Climate Justice Collaborative.

HiAP Workplan Progress for Calendar Year 2024
The following bullets summarize the HiAP City Council Committee’s workplan progress from 2024. The bullets include both work presented to the Committee and related work completed by staff.
• Implementation of recommendations for diversity in committee/commission recruitment and representation. In progress. As part of the City’s SC Like Me initiative, the HiAP City Council Committee adopted two targets related to diversity in committees and commissions: Increase representation of LatinX community members by 60% and renters by 30% by 2025. In 2024 the HiAP City Council Committee also recommended targeted outreach to renters and exploration of ways to include youth in committees and commissions. Additionally, the City Council allocated $25,000 from the 2025 fiscal year for a City advisory body member compensation pilot program. • Review the Collective of Result and Evidence-based Investments Lessons Learned Evaluation Process Full report. Completed.
• Review next steps for tobacco product waste options and engagement plan. In progress.

CMO to provide the HiAP City Council Committee an update in early 2025. • Review revised history of City for website. As part of the website refresh project, work to include important historical figures (e.g., London Nelson) and places (e.g., Chinatown gate). This is in progress and included as part of the 2025 HiAP City Council Committee workplan.
• The HiAP City Council Committee provided input on the Gas Leaf Blower ordinance. • The HiAP City Council Committee received updates on youth programming and the City’s Youth Liaison Program from City staff.
• The HiAP City Council Committee provided input on the City’s Housing and Urban Development Plan.

Other citywide efforts completed in 2024 that were not part of the 2024 HiAP workplan but align with its pillars include:
• The Water Department’s work on water affordability.
• The Parks and Recreation Department’s work to obtain an Aging Friendly City designation.
• The Economic Development and Housing Department’s plans for the Black Lives Matter mural to be celebrated and repainted in May 2025 by SC Equity Collaborative. • The Planning Department’s initial work to develop anti-displacement policies specified in the Housing Element.
• The Police Department’s role in establishing a County Mental Illness Mobile Crisis Team, CARE alert in 2025, a diversionary program for first time juvenile offenders in

12.5 partnership with County Office of Education and a Teen Academy focused on underserved kids.
• The Homelessness Response Team’s ongoing care and work to serve the unhoused residents of the City.
• The HiAP City Council Committee presented on the City’s HiAP initiative and its associated programs and procedures to the Society of Practitioners of Health Impact Assessment.

In addition to individual departments and HiAP-focused staff carrying out the ongoing activities noted above, the proposed HiAP City Council Committee 2025 workplan will guide the remaining and ongoing activities from the multi-year workplan as well as other Council directed work. Topics and timeline for the committee’s calendar year 2025 workplan include:

February 2025
• Update on the development of a City ordinance that bans single use tobacco products (CMO)
• Review community outreach plan for the City’s gas-powered leaf blowers ordinance (CMO)
• Chair and Vice-chair elections
April 2025
• HiAP in Budget Update (FN)
• Review the Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments Annual Progress Report (CMO)
• Receive report from CORE funded vendor Ventures’ Semillitas program June 2025
• Review status of EV employee rebate program for lower income employees and other equity centered grant funded projects (PW+CMO)
• Review annual Economic Development Consolidated Plan and Five Year Plan (EDH) August 2025
• Culture as a Competitive Advantage update (HR)
• Review the Human Resources Biennial Report (HR)
• Status update on development of the 2026-2029 HiAP citywide workplan development (CMO)
• Review status of the City’s Advisory Body Compensation Pilot Program (FN) October 2025
• Receive status report on the City’s “Like Me” initiative (CMO + Clerk) • Receive status report on the Police Department’s Youth Programs (PD) • Update from the County of Santa Cruz on Youth Advisory Task Force • Update from the City Manager’s Office on the City’ Youth Liaison Program (CMO) December 2025
• Finalize 2025 progress report and 2026 calendar year HiAP workplan (CMO) • Finalize 2026-2029 HiAP Implementation workplan (CMO) • Schedule committee meetings for calendar year 2026 (CMO) The HiAP City Council Committee meetings are open to the public for participation (https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/city-manager/health-in-allpolicies).

12.6 CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: The Council's action on this item is exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15306, Information Collection, in that this report is part of a study that does not involve formal approval, adoption, or funding of specific actions that would result in changes to environmental resources.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): This entire agenda report is focused on Health in All Policies and details pertaining to the three pillars of sustainability, equity, and public health are contained throughout the report. Furthermore, this report exhibits the City's strategic efforts to integrate the HiAP framework into City decision-making processes, programs and policymaking.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: The City Manager’s Office routinely budgets $15,000 towards HiAP endeavors, funding consultant services to support and advise staff, modest engagement stipends and supplies, and membership in the Government Alliance for Racial Equity. No new appropriations are being recommended in this report.

Prepared By:

Tiffany Wise-West
Sustainability and Resiliency
Officer
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. COUNCIL POLICY 14.9.PDF

2. ORDINANCE NO. 2019-22.PDF

12.7 COUNCIL POLICY 14.9

POLICY TITLE HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP) IMPLEMENTATION

POLICY STATEMENT:

When developing City Council and departmental workplans and budgets (annually or otherwise), the City Manager and City Council shall ensure that the following actions to implement Health in All Policies (HiAP) are included: (1) an annual budget allocation to support grant writing, monitoring data, reporting to City Council and/or outreach, (2) annual evaluation of the City’s HiAP effort and report to City Council, (3) training for new staff, commissioners, and leadership in all three pillars of HiAP, and (4) participation by staff and leadership in stakeholder and partner convenings to ensure cross sector collaboration.

AUTHORIZATION: Council Policy Manual Update of November 26, 2019

12.8 12.9

12.10 12.11

12.12 12.13
Brittany Inclan
From: Aethia Danforth <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 3:10 PM
To: City Council
Subject: [CAUTION: Verify Sender Before Opening!] City Council Meeting January 27 2025 Attachments: letter to Santa Cruz City Council Meeting January 28 2025.docx

12.14 The following letter is for:

January 28, 2025 City Council 9
General Business

12. 2024 Health in All Policies Progress Update and Proposed 2025 Health in All Policies City Council Committee Work plan (CM) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Accept 2024 Health in All Policies (HiAP) progress update; and 2) Adopt the 2025 HiAP City Council Committee work plan.

13. Ordinance Amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 (“Noise”)
and Chapter 9.40 (“Sound Amplifying Equipment”) and Adding Objective Standards to Both Chapters (CN)
LOCATION: Citywide
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Thank you Sonja Brunner and Scott Newsome for addressing this issue and being concerned about the communities health and well being when it comes to noise standards in the City of Santa Cruz.

My concern is in regards to the problems that arise when a permit is issued to a business by the City of Santa Cruz and that business violates the noise ordinance during the night and is a nuisance health harming noise throughout the day.

My husband and I are 2 seniors caring for our special needs adult son, here on the Westside of Santa Cruz. Our house backs up to Ingalls Street, a commercial zone. We have been battling noise from the businesses that we backup to for a number of years.

12.15 Currently the cell towers/fans at the Hose Shop, 121 Ingalls Street that were upgraded in August of 2024, makes continuous nuisance noise 24/7.It will soon be 6 months of this unwanted abusive atrocious noise with no end in sight! We can no longer have our windows open and I can no longer sleep in our bedroom that is less than 45 feet away from the fans and towers due to the incessant and fluctuating noise.

The cell towers themselves are unsightly and obvious which degrades our property values. We are also concerned about the radio frequency radiation from the now stronger 5g towers. Are they safe? Would you live underneath them? The towers loom over our back yard and are obvious from our street. Would you want this behind your house? Would you feel safe?
How can we feel safe and healthy constantly living with these conditions that were approved by you the City Council and the Planning Department? Don’t we matter too? Would you be
concerned if you lived here and you and your family could no longer enjoy and utilize your property due to incessant 24/7 abusive noise and the health concerns from the radio frequency radiation? Are we ignored because we are a working class neighborhood? Do we not count?
I suggest that the cell towers be moved to a more appropriate location such as along the bike path or on McPherson Street between Fair and Swift. Many of the buildings on McPherson Street are taller than the Hose shop where the towers now reside. There are other locations that will not impact residential neighborhoods that will fill in the, “gap” in coverage for T-Mobile who is the provider.

Please don’t put the towers behind residential neighborhoods; there are lots of other areas in the industrial Westside that will not impact our children and us, the adults, health and well being.

Thank you for reading this letter. I know your time is valuable and I appreciate your service to our community.

Aethia and Rick Danforth

12.16 Health in All Policies
2024 Progress Update &
2025 Committee Workplan

12.17 Background of Health in All Policies
(HIAP)
1 2 2024 HiAP Progress Update
3 2025 HiAP Work Plan
Agenda
4 Recommendations

12.18 HiAP Background
2019 – HiAP Ordinance
• Prioritized the three pillars of equity,
public health, and sustainability in
government policy and decision
making
Statistical

12.19 HiAP Background
2021- Anti-Racial Discrimination
Resolution
• Recognized the current existence of racism
and white supremacy in the community
• Adopted a citywide 3-year HiAP workplan
• Revived the HiAP City Council Committee

12.20 2024 Progress Update - Highlights
• Ongoing Annual Activities
• Development of Gas-Leaf Blowers Ordinance
• Provided training to City staff and all advisory bodies members on HiAP and agenda report writing
• HiAP City Council Committee presented to the Society of Practitioners of Health Impact Assessment
• Efforts to Increase diversity in local government and advisory bodies • Developed a City compensation policy and pilot program for advisory body members.

12.21 2025 HiAP Workplan – Key Activities
• Ongoing Annual Activities
• Develop an EV employee rebate pilot
program for lower income City
employees
• Explore the development of a tobacco
product waste ordinance
• Receive CORE funded vendor Semillitas
report with City specific data
• Develop 2026-2028 HiAP 3 Year
Workplan

12.22 Recommendations

1.Accept 2024 HiAP progress update report

2.Adopt 2025 HiAP City Council Committee workplan

12.23 2025 HiAP City Council Committee Schedule
August 2025
• Culture as a Competitive Advantage update from HR.
• Review the Human Resources Biennial Report.
• Status update on development of the 2026-2029 HiAP citywide workplan.
• Review status of the City’s Advisory Body Compensation Pilot Program.

October 2025
• Receive status report on the City’s “Like Me” initiative. • Receive status report on the Police Department’s Mental Health Intervention and Youth Programs.
• Update from the County of Santa Cruz on Youth Advisory Task Force.
• Update from the City Manager’s Office on the City’ Youth Liaison Program.

December 2025
• Finalize 2025 progress report and 2026 calendar year HiAP workplan.
• Finalize 2026-2029 HiAP citywide workplan
• Schedule committee meetings for calendar year 2026.

February 2025
• Update on the development of a City ordinance that bans single use tobacco products.
• Review community outreach plan for the City’s gaspowered leaf Five-Year ordinance. • Chair and Vice-chair elections.
• Review annual Economic Development Consolidated Plan
and Five Year Plan.

April 2025
• Review the Collective of Results and Evidence-based
(CORE) Investments Annual Progress Report.
• Receive report from CORE funded vendor Ventures’
Semillitas program.
• Receive status update on the revised history for the City’s website.

June 2025
• Review status of EV employee rebate program for lower income employees and other equity centered grant
funded projects.

12.24 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/09/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Council
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 (“Noise”) and Chapter 9.40 (“Sound Amplifying Equipment”) and Adding Objective Standards to Both Chapters (CN)
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Motion to:
1) Introduce for publication an ordinance amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 (“Noise”) and Chapter 9.40 (“Sound Amplifying Equipment”) and adding objective standards to both chapters; and
2) Approve the CEQA determination contained in this agenda report and the proposed ordinance.

The Council’s action is not a “project” under CEQA. Even if this ordinance or objective standards were considered to be a “project” the following exemptions apply: “common sense” exemption (“no possibility that the Council’s direction may have a significant effect on the environment.”) (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15061(b)(3)); Class 7 Categorical Exemption (Council action is intended “to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15307); and Class 8 Categorical Exemption (Council action is intended “to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment.”) (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15308.)
BACKGROUND: Unreasonably loud noise in commercial areas is a major issue in the City impacting the public’s health, use, and enjoyment of both public and private spaces.

While the City’s current Municipal Code already regulates unreasonably loud noise, questions have arisen as to what, exactly, constitutes unreasonably loud noise, especially in commercial areas. Without objective standards, both community members and enforcement officers may not have a clear understanding as to the level of amplification that is allowed or prohibited under the City’s municipal code.

The sponsoring Councilmembers desire to establish more objective standards related to unreasonable loud noise, similar to the objective standard contained in California Vehicle Code § 27007, which provides, in relevant part that, “[n]o driver of a vehicle shall operate . . . any sound

13.1 amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet when the vehicle is being operated”.

DISCUSSION: The sponsoring councilmembers desire to set objective standards to create a community understanding about unreasonably loud noise and to foster an environment of mutual respect, while at the same time promoting self-expression.

The proposed amendments to Chapters 9.36 and 9.40 establish objective standards as to when certain noises should be presumed to be unreasonably loud, in violation of Santa Cruz Municipal Code sections 9.36.020 and 9.40.010.

More specifically, the proposed amendments provide that “If the noise producing source is on public property in a commercial zone . . . , amplified noise and/or repetitive banging or percussive noises that can be heard 75 or more feet from the noise-producing source are presumptively unreasonably loud or disturbing as prohibited by this section. This presumption, however, shall not apply to permitted amplification or percussion used in special events or performances permitted by the City under a different part of the Municipal Code (e.g., Public Gathering and Expression Events (Chapter 10.65) and Major Public Special Events (Chapter

10.64)).” (Proposed SCMC § 9.36.020(C).)
“[T]he term “commercial zone” means one of the following places: (i) the area within the boundaries of the Downtown Plan Area, as currently adopted or as amended; or (ii) the area along or within 75 feet of any point of Soquel Ave. within the City of Santa Cruz; or (iii) the area along or within 75 feet of any point on Mission St./Highway 1 within the City of Santa Cruz.” (Proposed SCMC § 9.36.020(C)(1).)
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION:

Approval of this ordinance is not a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). An activity undertaken, supported, or authorized by a public agency is a “project” subject to CEQA only if it “may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.” (Pub. Resources Code, § 21065.) Approval of this ordinance is not a “project” under CEQA because it does not have the potential to cause physical change in the environment directly or indirectly.

In the alternative, if this ordinance were considered a “project” under CEQA, the “common sense” exemption applies because it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.” (14 Cal Code Regs 15061(b)(3).)
Furthermore, the following exemptions are applicable:
• Class 7 Categorical Exemption because the Council action is intended “to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15307.)
• Class 8 Categorical Exemption because the Council action is intended “to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15308.)
The project does not include construction activities or relaxation of standards allowing environmental degradation as prohibited by these exceptions.

13.2 HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): The goal of Health in All Policies (HiAP) is to ensure that decision-makers are informed about the impacts on the three HiAP pillars of health, equity, and sustainability when reviewing projects and policy options. Establishing objective standards related to the City’s Municipal Code on unreasonably loud noise promotes community health, as excessively loud noise is harmful to individual and community health. Establishing objective standards related to the City’s Municipal Code on unreasonably loud noise also promotes equity, in that the standards will help to create more uniform and fair application of the City’s Municipal Code, given the objective understanding that will be established related to unreasonably loud noise.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No.

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No.

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No.

FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Submitted By:

Sonja Brunner
Councilmember
Submitted By:

Scott Newsome
Councilmember
ATTACHMENTS:

1. DRAFT NOISE ORDINANCE. - TRACK CHANGES.DOCX

13.3 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ AMENDING SANTA CRUZ MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 9.36 (“NOISE”) AND CHAPTER 9.40 (“SOUND AMPLIFYING EQUIPMENT”) AND ADDING OBJECTIVE STANDARDS TO

BOTH CHAPTERS
WHEREAS, the City Council for the City of Santa Cruz finds that unreasonably loud noise in commercial areas is a major issue in the City impacting the public’s health, use, and enjoyment of both public and private spaces; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to set more objective standards related to unreasonable loud noise, similar to the objective standard contained in California Vehicle Code § 27007, which provides, in relevant part that, “[n]o driver of a vehicle shall operate . . . any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet when the vehicle is being operated”; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to set objective standards to create a community understanding about unreasonably loud noise and to foster an environment of mutual respect, while at the same time promoting self-expression; and
WHEREAS, these amendments to Chapters 9.36 and 9.40 establish objective standards as to when certain noises should be presumed to be unreasonably loud, in violation of Santa Cruz Municipal Code sections 9.36.020 and 9.40.010.

BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Cruz as follows:

SECTION 1. City Council Intent.

The City Council for the City of Santa Cruz finds that unreasonably loud noise in commercial areas is a major issue in the City impacting the public’s health, use, and enjoyment of both public and private spaces.

The City Council desires to set more objective standards related to unreasonable loud noise, similar to the objective standard contained in California Vehicle Code § 27007, which provides, in relevant part that, “[n]o driver of a vehicle shall operate . . . any sound amplification system which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet when the vehicle is being operated”.

The City Council desires to set objective standards to create a community understanding about unreasonably loud noise and to foster an environment of mutual respect, while at the same time promoting self-expression.

13.4 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
These amendments to Chapters 9.36 and 9.40 establish objective standards as to when certain noises should be presumed to be unreasonably loud, in violation of Santa Cruz Municipal Code sections 9.36.020 and 9.40.010.

With these amendments, the Council intends for enforcement officers who observe violations of Section 9.36.020 and 9.40.010 to be able to cite for those violations without necessarily requiring a victim’s signature, similar to when enforcement officers witness other violations of law, such as running a stop sign or smoking on Pacific Avenue.

SECTION 2. Santa Cruz Municipal Code section 9.36.020, within Chapter 9.36 “Noise”, is hereby amended to read as follows:
“9.36.020 UNREASONABLY DISTURBING NOISES.

A. No person shall make, suffer or permit to be made any noises or sounds which are unreasonably loud, raucous, jarring or disturbing to people of ordinary sensitiveness.

B. The factors to be considered in determining whether to issue a citation for a violation and whether a violation of this section has occurred shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. The volume and intensity of the noise, music, or related sound;

2. The duration, continuousness or repetitive nature of the noise, music, or related sound;

3. Whether the origin of the noise, music, or related sound is natural or unnatural to the area in which it occurs;

4. The volume and intensity of the ambient or background noise or sound, if any;

5. The proximity of the noise, music, or related sound to residential sleeping facilities or to overnight accommodations, such as hotels and motels;

6. The proximity to offices, places of business or other areas where work is known to be carried on, of the noise, music, or related sound;

7. The nature and zoning of the area within which the noise, music, or related sound emanates;

8. The time of day or night the noise, music, or related sound occurs and the relationship of this time to the normal activities of the area in which it occurs and in relation to the other factors listed in this subsection; and

9. Whether the noise, music, or related sound is produced by a commercial or a noncommercial activity.

C. If the noise producing source is on public property in a commercial zone (as defined below), amplified noise and/or repetitive banging or percussive noises that can be heard 75 or more feet from the noise-producing source are presumptively unreasonably loud or disturbing as prohibited by this section. This presumption, however, shall not apply to permitted amplification or percussion used in special events or performances permitted by the City under a different part of the Municipal Code (e.g., Public Gathering and Expression Events (Chapter 10.65) and Major Public Special Events (Chapter 10.64)).

13.5 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX

1. Within this section and SCMC § 9.40.010(B)(3), the term “commercial zone” means one of the following places: (i) the area within the boundaries of the Downtown Plan Area, as currently adopted or as amended; or (ii) the area along or within 75 feet of any point of Soquel Ave. within the City of Santa Cruz; or (iii) the area along or within 75 feet of any point on Mission St./Highway 1 within the City of Santa Cruz.” • Class 8 Categorical Exemption because the Council action is intended “to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment.” (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15308.)
The project does not include construction activities or relaxation of standards allowing environmental degradation as prohibited by these exceptions.

SECTION 5. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after final adoption.

PASSED FOR PUBLICATION this 28th day of January, 2025, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

DISQUALIFIED:

APPROVED: ______________________________
Fred Keeley, Mayor
ATTEST: _________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator
PASSED FOR FINAL ADOPTION this X day of XX, 2025, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

DISQUALIFIED:

APPROVED: ______________________________
Fred Keeley, Mayor
ATTEST: _________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator
This is to certify that the above and
foregoing document is the original
of Ordinance No. 2024-xx and that
it has been published or posted in
accordance with the Charter of the
City of Santa Cruz.

13.6 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator

13.7 Brittany Inclan
From: Dana Bagshaw <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2025 7:21 PM
To: City Council
Subject: The joys of natural sound
Dear City Council Members,
In support of the proposed ordinance amendments to decrease unwanted sound, I'd like to sound off ! I personally hate amplified music, even in indoor performances. I prefer acoustical guitar, classical symphonies, ensembles from baroque to blue grass, and choral concerts that reach your ears without microphones and speakers, in what I call natural sound. But I can choose to go to those concerts and avoid the others.

When it comes to outdoor performances and noises that are forced upon us without choice, that's a different matter. Bans on noise pollution would help. When street performers face buildings, their sound bounces off the buildings in a pleasing way as you pass them (instead of blasting noise for blocks). I remember the marimba band that played on Pacific Avenue, with no amplification, so very appreciated and enjoyed by all who would pause for a while to listen.

Also, I've personally been involved in outdoor drama that works well when you think about natural acoustics. Like the performance of my play La Boheme Santa Cruz at Carmelita Cottages. I also have a play about London Nelson with natural music I'd like to have done in Santa Cruz. I'm hoping with the proposed improvements for the riverside park, that we will have an outdoor amphitheater available only to those who perform without mikes or amplifiers. Think of the Greeks who built a theatre where you can hear a pin drop in its center. Surely there are good architects that can design a performance space where we can enjoy the sound of people's natural voices and instruments. A place where groups can gather for sound-contained entertainment in a natural environment, like around a campfire at a state park. A place where groups can gather for drama or educational programs that won't disturb those who choose not to be there.

Thank you for your consideration,
Dana Bagshaw

13.8 Brittany Inclan
From: Kevin Norton <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 8:00 AM
To: City Council
Subject: Support for Restrictions on Excessive Sounds
Hello:

I support amending two City ordinances to cut back on unreasonably loud noises in the downtown area.

The proposed changes would make city streets more relaxing and inviting for people, while improving the health of people who spend time in the Downtown. Although I appreciate and support buskers, some people in the downtown are turning up their amps so loud that it's an assault on one's ear drums.

I've been on Pacific Avenue when the noise levels were so loud that I had a headache and couldn't carry on a conversation with the people standing next to me. I've asked one busker to turn the music down, to no avail. Not even the police could do anything about it; the status quo is broken.

Thank you for taking action to address this problem.

Best,
Kevin

13.9 Brittany Inclan
From: Trey Guzman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 12:33 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Support for Restrictions on Excessive Sounds
Hello Santa Cruz City Council,
As a constituent and downtown resident, I am writing to express my support in amending two City ordinances to help cut back on unreasonably loud noises in the downtown area. These changes would grant citizens the ability to stop excessive noises, fostering a more tranquil and healthy environment. Furthermore, this would enhance community interactions and overall quality of life that is hampered due to uncomfortable/incessant sounds.

Best,
Trey Guzman

13.10 Brittany Inclan
From: Judi Grunstra <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 12:44 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Agenda Item 13
Dear Mayor and Council:

Despite the fact that there already are noise ordinances in the city, Ms. Brunner and Mr. Newsome have seen the need to propose "objective standards". I have to wonder what or who instigated this. I have concerns about the specific language in the agenda packet.
"More specifically, the proposed amendments provide that “If the noise producing source is on public property in a commercial zone . . . , amplified noise and/or repetitive banging or percussive noises that can be heard 75 or more feet from the noise-producing source are presumptively unreasonably loud or disturbing as prohibited by this section. This presumption, however, shall not apply to permitted amplification or percussion used in special events or performances permitted by the City under a different part of the Municipal Code (e.g., Public Gathering and Expression Events (Chapter 10.65) and Major Public Special Events (Chapter 10.64)).” (Proposed SCMC § 9.36.020(C).)
“[T]he term “commercial zone” means one of the following places: (i) the area within the boundaries of the Downtown Plan Area, as currently adopted or as amended; or (ii) the area along or within 75 feet of any point of Soquel Ave. within the City of Santa Cruz; "
As someone who has performed in percussion groups in the past, and given the vibrant drumming community that has a long history in Santa Cruz, from Brazilian to African to salsa, and even mariachi and marimba bands and marching bands, I hate to see Santa Cruz put a major damper on live music downtown, during permitted hours, of course. There seems to be a line drawn between performances for which someone has gone through the city permitting process and paid the fees, and "street performers" or someone practicing "self expression."
Yes, there are people who set up along Pacific Ave. whose talent is questionable. But one person's "noise" is another person's "freeform" music. And then there is the whole genre of hip-hop - some love it, some hate it. And how will this ordinance impact Mr. Curtis Relliford and his often loud music from his truck, that nevertheless brings joy to many who encounter it and him? Certainly any noise enforcement should include loud motorcycles! Those are far more annoying than music. Will this noise ordinance apply to crowds exiting a future Warriors game? Will this ordinance apply to the Friday series outdoors during the summer on the east side (parking lot near fire station)? Amplified music is offered there but then they have permits.

Thanks.

Judi Grunstra

13.11 Brittany Inclan
From: Aethia Danforth <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 3:10 PM
To: City Council
Subject: [CAUTION: Verify Sender Before Opening!] City Council Meeting January 27 2025 Attachments: letter to Santa Cruz City Council Meeting January 28 2025.docx

13.12 The following letter is for:

January 28, 2025 City Council 9
General Business

13.13 Currently the cell towers/fans at the Hose Shop, 121 Ingalls Street that were upgraded in August of 2024, makes continuous nuisance noise 24/7.It will soon be 6 months of this unwanted abusive atrocious noise with no end in sight! We can no longer have our windows open and I can no longer sleep in our bedroom that is less than 45 feet away from the fans and towers due to the incessant and fluctuating noise.

Please don’t put the towers behind residential neighborhoods; there are lots of other areas in the industrial Westside that will not impact our children and us, the adults, health and well being.

Thank you for reading this letter. I know your time is valuable and I appreciate your service to our community.

Aethia and Rick Danforth

13.14 Brittany Inclan
From: Susan Cavalieri <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 3:29 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Excessive noise in Santa Cruz
Dear Mayor Keeley and Councilmembers,
As a resident of downtown Santa Cruz, living in a ground level apartment facing the street, I have been negatively impacted by loud traffic noise from speeding cars and motorcycles without mufflers over the past nine years, especially in the summer. This noise frequently makes me tense, interrupts any feeling of peace in my home, and has affected my hearing. Having a conversation on the sidewalk in front of our building, or on many city streets, is sometimes impossible.

I appreciate the efforts of Councilmembers Brunner and Newsome to regulate excessive noise to improve my life, the lives of those living in the new apartment buildings downtown, and to provide a positive experience for visitors to Santa Cruz.

Thank you,
Susan Cavalieri

13.15 Brittany Inclan
From: Melisa Schwarm <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 4:54 PM
To: City Council
Subject: in support of the new objective noise standard Hi City Council,
I am in support of the new objective noise standard.

Thank you!
Melisa
Membership Champion
[email protected]

13.16 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/09/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Attorney
SUBJECT: Ordinance Amending Chapter 21.07 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code to Create a Process Guaranteeing a Fair Rate of Return to Landlords (CA) LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Motion to introduce for publication an ordinance amending Chapter

21.07 “Tenant Protections Above AB 1482 Requirements” of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code to create a petition process guaranteeing property owners/landlords a fair rate of return.

BACKGROUND: In 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (“AB 1482”) into law, which became effective on January 1, 2020. AB 1482 introduced California Civil Code Sections 1947.12 and 1947.13, which generally limit annual rent increases for existing tenants to 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living or 10 percent, whichever is lower. However, these rent increase restrictions do not apply to certain types of properties, including those with expiring affordability deed restrictions.

On September 24, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-16 to address this gap in state law. The ordinance established maximum annual rent increases for properties with expiring affordability covenants, mirroring the provisions of AB 1482. Without these protections, the transition to market-rate rents for such properties would likely displace many low-income households. Ordinance No. 2024-16 was enacted to mitigate this risk by allowing for gradual rent increases. However, the ordinance did not include a mechanism for landlords to request rent increases beyond the allowable limits in circumstances where they would otherwise be deprived of a fair rate of return on their investment.

In November 2024, the City was sued in federal court by GVC St. George, LLC (“GVC”), a property owner affected by Ordinance No. 2024-16. Among other claims, GVC alleged that the ordinance violated its right to a fair return on investment. The litigation is ongoing, and the lawsuit remains pending in federal court.

DISCUSSION: As an extension of the rent increase protections contained in Ordinance No. 2024-16, this Ordinance incorporates a mechanism for landlords to petition for upward rent adjustments while maintaining compliance with state law and local tenant protection policies.

The fair rate of return mechanism provides a structured process for landlords to petition for rent adjustments to maintain financial viability, and establishes clear criteria for evaluating petitions,

14.1 such as unavoidable cost increases, necessary capital improvements, and property tax adjustments.

The Ordinance provides detailed steps for processing petitions for rent adjustment, ensuring transparency and fairness for both landlords and tenants:

Submission of Petition:
• Landlords file a petition using a City-provided form. The petition must include all supporting documentation, such as financial records, evidence of maintenance costs, or proof of habitability concerns.

Notice to Parties:
• The City’s Program Administrator notifies all affected parties (e.g., tenants for landlord petitions) of the petition filing. Copies of the petition and supporting documents are provided to ensure full transparency.

Review of Petition:
• The Program Administrator assesses the petition for completeness. For landlord petitions seeking a fair rate of return, the landlord must pay the estimated costs of processing and expert analysis, if applicable.

Hearing Procedures:
• A Hearing Officer, appointed by the Program Administrator, conducts an evidentiary hearing. Both parties may present evidence, call witnesses, and provide testimony. A record of the proceedings is maintained.
• The Hearing Officer may order inspections or request additional evidence if necessary to resolve the petition.

Decision and Findings:
• The Hearing Officer issues a written decision with detailed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The decision includes the effective date of any approved rent adjustment and is subject to appeal to the Planning Commission.

Appeals Process:
• Parties may appeal the Hearing Officer’s decision to the Planning Commission. The appeal is limited to the record established during the initial hearing and does not include new evidence or testimony.

The fair rate of return mechanism ensures compliance with applicable legal standards while preventing arbitrary rent increases.

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: The proposed Ordinance is not a “project” under CEQA because no direct or indirect physical change to the environment is anticipated, nor does the Ordinance represent the type of activity described in Public Resources Code section 21065.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): HiAP is a collaborative framework aimed at improving population health by integrating health considerations into decision-making processes across sectors and policy areas. HiAP is founded on three core pillars: equity, public health, and sustainability. Its primary objective is to ensure that decision-makers are fully informed about the health, equity, and sustainability implications of various policy options during the development process. The proposed ordinance aligns with HiAP principles by promoting public health and equity. It safeguards the health and welfare of lower-income individuals by preventing steep rent increases while ensuring landlords can maintain economic viability. Furthermore, the ordinance establishes a fair and equitable process for both landlords and tenants to present evidence and

14.2 voice concerns. This process addresses potential rent increases due to necessary capital improvements or other extenuating circumstances, ensuring balanced and transparent decisionmaking.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No.

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No.

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No.

FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: Implementation of the fair rate of return mechanism contained in the Ordinance may require additional administrative resources to process petitions and conduct hearings. The Ordinance provides for cost recovery by requiring landlords to cover the costs of petition reviews.

Prepared By:

Alex Geise
Deputy City Attorney
Cassie Bronson
Assistant City Attorney
Submitted By:

Tony Condotti
City Attorney
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. ORDINANCE - TRACK CHANGES.DOCX

2. ORDINANCE - CLEAN.DOCX

14.3 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ AMENDING CHAPTER 21.07 OF THE SANTA CRUZ MUNICIPAL CODE “TENANT PROTECTIONS ABOVE AB 1482 REQUIREMENTS” AND CREATING A PROCESS GUARANTEEING A FAIR RATE OF

RETURN TO LANDLORDS
WHEREAS, on September 24, 2024, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2024-16, providing rental increase protections for tenants residing in certain deed restricted affordable housing properties exempt from the protections of AB 1482 under California Civil Code section 1947.13; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 2024-16 was adopted to close a loophole in state law that allowed rent spikes for low-income and very-low-income tenants of assisted housing developments subject to expiring deed restrictions requiring affordable rental rates; and WHEREAS, in November 2024, the City was sued in federal court by GVC St. George, LLC (“GVC”), a property owner affected by Ordinance No. 2024-16. Among other claims, GVC alleged that the ordinance violated its right to a fair return on investment. The intent of this ordinance is for GVC, and similarly situated property owners, to be able to take advantage of the fair return on investment petition process contained herein; and WHEREAS, the City desires to implement rules and regulations allowing property owners subject to Ordinance No. 2024-16 to present a petition for an increase of allowable rents, if necessary for the property owners to obtain a fair rate of return.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Cruz as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 21.07 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code is amended as follows:

Chapter 21.07
TENANT PROTECTIONS ABOVE AB 1482 REQUIREMENTS

21.07.010 EXTENDING AB 1482 PROTECTIONS TO SECTION 8 TENANTS.

Notwithstanding the language of California Civil Code Section 1946.2(e)(9), the no-fault just cause eviction protections of Section 1946.2 shall be applicable to tenants receiving subsidy through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program or the Section 8 Project Based Voucher Program. A full month’s rent shall be provided for relocation assistance, including both the tenant’s portion of the payment and the voucher amount. Any rent control protections that Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders are afforded by AB 1482 shall also be applied to such Section 8 Housing Choice tenants.

21.07.020 EXTENDING AB 1482 RENT INCREASE PROTECTIONS UPON EXPIRATION OF RENTAL RESTRICTIONS.

14.4 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
2 A. Notwithstanding the language of California Civil Code Section 1947.13(a)(1) and (a)(2), for housing restricted by deed, regulatory restriction contained in an agreement with a government agency, or other recorded document as affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code, or for housing subject to an agreement that provides housing subsidies for affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code or comparable federal statutes, the limitations on gross rental rate increases set forth in California Civil Code Section 1947.12 shall apply to: (1) any tenancy in existence prior to when the one-year notice of expiration of rental restrictions is provided to affected tenants in accordance with California Government Code Section 65863.10(b), or (2) if multiple one-year notices are required to be provided under the Government Code due to multiple affordability agreements impacting the property, then any tenancy in existence prior to when the final required one-year notice of expiration of rental restrictions is provided to affected tenants in accordance with California Government Code Section 65863.10(b).

B. In accordance with California Civil Code Section 1947.12, for any tenancy described in subsection (A), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any twelve-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than five percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or ten percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the twelve months prior to the effective date of the increase. In determining the lowest gross rental amount pursuant to this section, any rent discounts, incentives, concessions, or credits offered by the owner of such unit of residential real property and accepted by the tenant shall be excluded. The gross per-month rental rate and any owner-offered discounts, incentives, concessions, or credits shall be separately listed and identified in the lease or rental agreement or any amendments to an existing lease or rental agreement.

C. For the purposes of this section, the annual “percentage change in the cost of living” shall be defined in accordance with California Civil Code Section 1947.12(g)(3).

D. This section shall not apply to a dwelling or unit which is exempt from rent control requirements under California Civil Code Section 1954.52.

E. Upon the expiration of rental restrictions, and before establishing a gross rental rate consistent with subsection (B), the owner of an assisted housing development, as defined by Government Code Section 65863.10, must demonstrate compliance with all applicable provisions of Sections 65863.10, 65863.11, and 65863.13 of the Government Code and any other applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation, including, but not limited to, Chapter 21.05.

21.07.030 CIVIL REMEDIES.

14.5 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
3 an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. Additionally, upon a showing that the landlord has acted willfully or with oppression, fraud, or malice, the tenant shall be awarded treble damages. No administrative remedy need be exhausted prior to filing suit pursuant to this section.

21.07.040 – FAIR RATE OF RETURN PETITIONS
A. To effectuate the purposes of this chapter and the requirements of law, a landlord may file a petition with the City’s Program Administrator (defined as a person designated by the City Manager to administer the provisions of this Chapter) for an upward adjustment of rent for an Impacted Tenancy (defined as a tenancy described by Section 21.07.020(A) and whose rental amount is governed by Section 21.07.020(B)-(E)) to ensure a fair and reasonable rate of return. A fair return must be high enough to encourage good management, reward efficiency, discourage the flight of capital, and enable operators to maintain their credit. It should not be so high as to defeat the purposes of this chapter or allow landlords to demand more than the fair value of the property and services provided. It is the intent of this chapter that individual upward adjustments in rent be granted only when the landlord demonstrates that such adjustments are necessary to provide the landlord with a fair rate of return. The Program Administrator may promulgate regulations to further govern petitions filed pursuant to this subsection in accordance with law and the purposes of this chapter. A petition shall be on a form provided by the Program Administrator.

B. Prerequisites. No upward adjustment of rent shall be authorized under this section if the landlord has failed to comply with state and local housing laws concerning the rental property, and more specifically has failed to maintain the rental unit in compliance with Civil Code Sections 1941.1 et seq. and Health and Safety Code Sections 17920.3 and 17920.10.

C. Fair Rate of Return - Factors. The primary consideration for determining a fair rate of return is that the rent must be sufficient to cover the costs of operation and to ensure a reasonable profit for the landlord. In making any upward adjustment to the rent based upon a landlord's petition to ensure a fair rate of return, the Hearing Officer or Planning Commission (on appeal) shall consider relevant factors, including but not limited to, the following:

1. Real property taxes and assessments, including increases or decreases in property taxes;

2. Reasonable costs of operation and maintenance, including unavoidable increases or any decreases in maintenance and operating expenses;

3. Reasonable insurance costs, to the extent they are not paid by the tenants;

4. The cost of planned or completed capital improvements to the rental unit, but only where such capital improvements are necessary to bring the property into compliance or maintain compliance with applicable local codes affecting health and safety, and where such capital improvement costs are properly amortized over the life of the improvements;

14.6 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
4 5. Increases or decreases in the number of tenants occupying the rental unit, living space, furniture, furnishings, equipment, or other housing services provided, or occupancy rules;

6. The amount and quality of services provided by the landlord to the affected tenant(s);

7. Utility costs to the extent they are not paid by the tenants;

8. Substantial deterioration of the rental unit;

9. Any significant financial hardship on an impacted tenant; however, the landlord’s right to a fair return is guaranteed, consistent with Section 21.07.050(M);

10. The income received by the landlord, including income received from tenants as rent and income received from governmental entities, private entities, and/or non-profit entities to provide housing or housing services at the subject property; and

11. Any failure on the part of the landlord to provide adequate housing services, or to comply substantially with applicable state rental housing laws, local housing codes, health and safety codes, or the applicable lease.

D. Fair Rate of Return - Factors Excluded. In making any upward adjustment to the rent based upon a landlord's petition to ensure a fair rate of return, the Hearing Officer shall not consider the following factors as justifying an upward adjustment:

1. Any penalties, fees, or interest assessed or awarded for violation of this or any other law with respect to the rental unit;

2. Political contributions;

3. Depreciation;

4. Avoidable or unnecessary expenses, along with expenses which are attributable to unreasonable delays in performing necessary maintenance or repair work or the failure to complete necessary replacements (e.g., a roof replacement may be a reasonable expense, but if water damage occurred as a result of unreasonable delays in repairing or replacing the roof, it would not be reasonable to pass through the cost of repairing the water damage);

5. Legal fees, except for attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with successful good-faith attempts to recover rent owing, successful good-faith unlawful detainer actions not in derogation of applicable law, and legal expenses necessarily incurred in dealings with respect to the normal operation of the property to the extent such expenses are not recovered from adverse or other parties. Attorneys’ fees incurred in relation to

14.7 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
5 any administrative or judicial proceedings to challenge state or local law or to file a fair return on investment petition of are not allowable as operating expenses; and

6. The costs of capital improvements that are not necessary to bring the property into compliance or maintain compliance with applicable local codes affecting health and safety.

E. Effective Date of Individual Rent Adjustment. Rent increases authorized pursuant to this section shall become effective only after the landlord provides the tenant written notice of such rent increase, consistent with the notice periods required by California Civil Code section 827.

21.07.050 – PETITIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL RENT ADJUSTMENTS –

PROCEDURES
A. The Program Administrator may promulgate regulations regarding procedures for petitions filed under this chapter. Petitions shall be governed by such regulations and by the provisions of this section.

B. Hearing Officer. A Hearing Officer appointed by the Program Administrator shall conduct a hearing to act upon the petition and shall have the power to administer oaths and affirmations and to render a final decision on the merits of the petition, subject to the provisions of this chapter.

C. Notice. The Program Administrator shall notify the landlord, if the petition was filed by the tenant, or the tenant, if the petition was filed by the landlord, of the receipt of such a petition and provide a copy thereof.

D. Time of Hearing. Each party to a Petition shall receive sufficient advance notice of the bases, theories, and relevant documents to be presented by the other party(ies), and of the time, date, and place of any hearing regarding the Petition.

E. Developing the Record. The Hearing Officer may require either party to a petition to provide any books, records, and papers deemed pertinent. If the Hearing Officer finds good cause to believe that a building or other inspection would assist in resolving the issues raised by the petition, the Hearing Officer may conduct an inspection and/or request the City to conduct an inspection. The tenant may request the Hearing Officer to order such an inspection prior to the date of the hearing. All documents required under this section shall be made available to the parties involved prior to the hearing.

F. City’s Costs of a Fair Return Petition. The landlord shall be responsible for all initial costs associated with the City’s review of the fair return petition. Upon receipt of a fair return petition, the Hearing Officer shall determine the anticipated costs of review and if the employment of expert(s) will be necessary or appropriate for a proper analysis of the owner’s request. If the Hearing Officer so determines, the Hearing Officer or Program Administrator shall also determine the anticipated costs of employing such expert(s). The

14.8 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
6 resulting figure shall be communicated to the landlord, and the fair return petition shall not be processed until the owner has paid to the city the estimated cost of the complete analysis.

The city will provide owner with an invoice of all costs incurred after the review of the fair return petition. Any unused portion of the advance payment for analysis shall be refunded to the owner. If additional funds are required, payment will be required before the landlord receives the determination on the fair return petition from the city. If, as a result of the fair return hearing process, the landlord is successful in obtaining a rent increase that is at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the amount of the initial petition, fifty percent (50%) of the funds paid by the landlord shall be refunded.

G. Right of Assistance. All parties to a hearing conducted pursuant to this section may have assistance in presenting evidence and developing their position from attorneys, legal workers, tenant organization representatives, or any other persons designated by said parties.

H. Hearing Record. The City shall make available for inspection and copying any official record that shall constitute the exclusive record for decision on the issues at the hearing. The record of the hearing, or any part of one, shall be obtainable for the reasonable cost of copying. All hearings shall be audio or video recorded, as ordered by the Hearing Officer, and any party to the petition may receive a copy of the recording upon payment of a reasonable cost.

I. Quantum of Proof and Notice of Decision. No petition for individual rent adjustment shall be granted unless supported by the preponderance of the evidence submitted prior to and at the hearing. All parties to a hearing shall be sent a notice of the decision and a copy of the findings of fact and law upon which said decision is based. At the same time, parties to the proceeding shall also be notified of their right to appeal to the Planning Commission and/or to judicial review.

J. Consolidation. All petitions pertaining to rental units at the same property may be consolidated for hearing upon a showing of good cause.

K. Appeals. The landlord/petitioner or tenant/respondent may appeal to the Planning Commission for review. On appeal, the Planning Commission shall affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the Hearing Officer. The decision on appeal shall be based on the hearing record, and the Planning Commission shall neither hear nor find facts in addition to those presented to the Hearing Officer. The decision of the Hearing Officer shall be the final, unless an aggrieved party has timely sought an appeal to the Planning Commission.

Appeals to the Planning Commission pursuant to this section shall be subject to the same filing deadlines, procedures, and limitations as are set forth in Chapter 1.16 for appeals to the City Council. Any decision of the Planning Commission (on appeal) shall be final unless an aggrieved party has timely sought judicial review pursuant to law. No action or decision by a Hearing Officer or the Planning Commission shall go into effect until any statutory time period for such review has expired.

L. Time for Decision. A final decision on any Petition shall be made within a reasonable time.

14.9 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
7 M. Right to Fair Return Guaranteed. No provision of this chapter shall be applied so as to prohibit a Hearing Officer or the Planning Commission from granting an individual rent adjustment that is demonstrated by the landlord to be necessary to provide the landlord with a fair rate of return.

The Program Administrator shall notify the landlord and tenant(s) in writing of the date, time, and place of the mediation hearing at least ten (10) days prior to the mediation. This notice shall be served either in person or through ordinary mail or electronic correspondence. It is the intent and purpose of mediation to provide a process in which mediators may assist disputants in reaching a voluntary agreement. Accordingly, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, there shall be no penalty or disability, either civil or criminal, for failure to participate in the mediation process, and there shall be no penalty, either civil or criminal, for failure to reach agreement with a disputant in the mediation process. Mediation is a voluntary collaborative process wherein the Landlord and Tenant(s) who have a disagreement can develop options, consider alternatives, and develop a consensual agreement. The role of the mediator is to facilitate open communication to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial and confidential manner. If the landlord and tenant agree to a resolution, the Mediator may assist the parties in preparing a written settlement agreement for the signature of the landlord and the tenant, provided that in doing so the mediator confines the assistance to stating the settlement as determined by the parties. Such agreement shall constitute a legally enforceable contract. Should the parties fail to agree to a resolution, or the Mediator determines that the parties have reached an impasse, the Mediator may refer the Petition back to the Program Administrator to continue the Petition review process detailed in this chapter. All documents and results related to mediations and facilitations held pursuant to this Article shall be kept confidential and shall be inadmissible as evidence in any subsequent administrative or judicial proceeding.

SECTION 2. Environmental Review. The proposed Council action is not a “project” under CEQA because no direct or indirect physical change to the environment is anticipated, nor does the ordinance represent the type of activity described in Public Resources Code section 21065.

SECTION 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after final adoption.

PASSED FOR PUBLICATION this 28th day of January, 2025, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

14.10 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
8 ABSENT:

DISQUALIFIED:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

DISQUALIFIED:

APPROVED: ______________________________
Fred Keeley, Mayor
ATTEST: _________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator
This is to certify that the above and
foregoing document is the original
of Ordinance No. 2025-xx and that
it has been published or posted in
accordance with the Charter of the
City of Santa Cruz.
________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator

14.11 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ AMENDING CHAPTER 21.07 OF THE SANTA CRUZ MUNICIPAL CODE “TENANT PROTECTIONS ABOVE AB 1482 REQUIREMENTS” AND CREATING A PROCESS GUARANTEEING A FAIR RATE OF

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Santa Cruz as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 21.07 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code is amended as follows:

Chapter 21.07
TENANT PROTECTIONS ABOVE AB 1482 REQUIREMENTS

21.07.010 EXTENDING AB 1482 PROTECTIONS TO SECTION 8 TENANTS.

21.07.020 EXTENDING AB 1482 RENT INCREASE PROTECTIONS UPON EXPIRATION OF RENTAL RESTRICTIONS.

14.12 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
A. Notwithstanding the language of California Civil Code Section 1947.13(a)(1) and (a)(2), for housing restricted by deed, regulatory restriction contained in an agreement with a government agency, or other recorded document as affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code, or for housing subject to an agreement that provides housing subsidies for affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income, as defined in Section 50093 of the Health and Safety Code or comparable federal statutes, the limitations on gross rental rate increases set forth in California Civil Code Section 1947.12 shall apply to: (1) any tenancy in existence prior to when the one-year notice of expiration of rental restrictions is provided to affected tenants in accordance with California Government Code Section 65863.10(b), or (2) if multiple one-year notices are required to be provided under the Government Code due to multiple affordability agreements impacting the property, then any tenancy in existence prior to when the final required one-year notice of expiration of rental restrictions is provided to affected tenants in accordance with California Government Code Section 65863.10(b).

B. In accordance with California Civil Code Section 1947.12, for any tenancy described in subsection (A), an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any twelvemonth period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than five percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or ten percent, whichever is lower, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the twelve months prior to the effective date of the increase. In determining the lowest gross rental amount pursuant to this section, any rent discounts, incentives, concessions, or credits offered by the owner of such unit of residential real property and accepted by the tenant shall be excluded. The gross per-month rental rate and any owner-offered discounts, incentives, concessions, or credits shall be separately listed and identified in the lease or rental agreement or any amendments to an existing lease or rental agreement.

C. For the purposes of this section, the annual “percentage change in the cost of living” shall be defined in accordance with California Civil Code Section 1947.12(g)(3).

D. This section shall not apply to a dwelling or unit which is exempt from rent control requirements under California Civil Code Section 1954.52.

21.07.030 CIVIL REMEDIES.

Failure by a landlord to comply with the terms of this chapter shall be an affirmative defense to any unlawful detainer action pending or filed on or after its effective date. In addition, tenant may bring a civil suit in the courts of the state for injunctive relief and damages, alleging that a landlord has violated any of the provisions of this chapter. In a civil suit, a landlord found to violate this chapter shall, in addition to injunctive relief, be liable to the tenant for all actual damages, as well as an award of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. Additionally, upon a showing that the landlord has acted willfully or with oppression, fraud, or malice, the tenant shall be awarded treble damages. No administrative remedy need be exhausted prior to filing suit pursuant to this section.

14.13 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX

It is the intent of this chapter that individual upward adjustments in rent be granted only when the landlord demonstrates that such adjustments are necessary to provide the landlord with a fair rate of return. The Program Administrator may promulgate regulations to further govern petitions filed pursuant to this subsection in accordance with law and the purposes of this chapter. A petition shall be on a form provided by the Program Administrator.

1. Real property taxes and assessments, including increases or decreases in property taxes;

2. Reasonable costs of operation and maintenance, including unavoidable increases or any decreases in maintenance and operating expenses;

3. Reasonable insurance costs, to the extent they are not paid by the tenants;

5. Increases or decreases in the number of tenants occupying the rental unit, living space, furniture, furnishings, equipment, or other housing services provided, or occupancy rules;

14.14 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX

6. The amount and quality of services provided by the landlord to the affected tenant(s);

7. Utility costs to the extent they are not paid by the tenants;

8. Substantial deterioration of the rental unit;

9. Any significant financial hardship on an impacted tenant; however, the landlord’s right to a fair return is guaranteed, consistent with Section 21.07.050(M);

1. Any penalties, fees, or interest assessed or awarded for violation of this or any other law with respect to the rental unit;

2. Political contributions;

3. Depreciation;

14.15 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX

6. The costs of capital improvements that are not necessary to bring the property into compliance or maintain compliance with applicable local codes affecting health and safety.

21.07.050 – PETITIONS FOR INDIVIDUAL RENT ADJUSTMENTS – PROCEDURES A. The Program Administrator may promulgate regulations regarding procedures for petitions filed under this chapter. Petitions shall be governed by such regulations and by the provisions of this section.

The city will provide owner with an invoice of all costs incurred after the review of the fair return petition. Any unused portion of the advance payment for analysis shall be refunded

14.16 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
to the owner. If additional funds are required, payment will be required before the landlord receives the determination on the fair return petition from the city. If, as a result of the fair return hearing process, the landlord is successful in obtaining a rent increase that is at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the amount of the initial petition, fifty percent (50%) of the funds paid by the landlord shall be refunded.

H. Hearing Record. The City shall make available for inspection and copying any official record that shall constitute the exclusive record for decision on the issues at the hearing.

The record of the hearing, or any part of one, shall be obtainable for the reasonable cost of copying. All hearings shall be audio or video recorded, as ordered by the Hearing Officer, and any party to the petition may receive a copy of the recording upon payment of a reasonable cost.

J. Consolidation. All petitions pertaining to rental units at the same property may be consolidated for hearing upon a showing of good cause.

L. Time for Decision. A final decision on any Petition shall be made within a reasonable time.

M. Right to Fair Return Guaranteed. No provision of this chapter shall be applied so as to prohibit a Hearing Officer or the Planning Commission from granting an individual rent

14.17 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
adjustment that is demonstrated by the landlord to be necessary to provide the landlord with a fair rate of return.

N. Voluntary Mediation. Voluntary mediation services may be provided by the City. With both landlord’s and tenant’s agreement, if the Program Administrator believes that a mediation is likely to be fruitful, the Program Administrator may appoint a mediator and set a date for a mediation no later than sixty (60) days after the acceptance of the subject petition, unless the Program Administrator determines that additional time is required under the circumstances. The Program Administrator shall notify the landlord and tenant(s) in writing of the date, time, and place of the mediation hearing at least ten (10) days prior to the mediation. This notice shall be served either in person or through ordinary mail or electronic correspondence. It is the intent and purpose of mediation to provide a process in which mediators may assist disputants in reaching a voluntary agreement. Accordingly, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, there shall be no penalty or disability, either civil or criminal, for failure to participate in the mediation process, and there shall be no penalty, either civil or criminal, for failure to reach agreement with a disputant in the mediation process. Mediation is a voluntary collaborative process wherein the Landlord and Tenant(s) who have a disagreement can develop options, consider alternatives, and develop a consensual agreement. The role of the mediator is to facilitate open communication to resolve a dispute in a non-adversarial and confidential manner. If the landlord and tenant agree to a resolution, the Mediator may assist the parties in preparing a written settlement agreement for the signature of the landlord and the tenant, provided that in doing so the mediator confines the assistance to stating the settlement as determined by the parties. Such agreement shall constitute a legally enforceable contract. Should the parties fail to agree to a resolution, or the Mediator determines that the parties have reached an impasse, the Mediator may refer the Petition back to the Program Administrator to continue the Petition review process detailed in this chapter. All documents and results related to mediations and facilitations held pursuant to this Article shall be kept confidential and shall be inadmissible as evidence in any subsequent administrative or judicial proceeding.

SECTION 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after final adoption.

PASSED FOR PUBLICATION this 28th day of January, 2025, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

DISQUALIFIED:

14.18 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-XX
APPROVED: ______________________________
Fred Keeley, Mayor
ATTEST: _________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator
PASSED FOR FINAL ADOPTION this 11th day of February, 2025, by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

DISQUALIFIED:

APPROVED: ______________________________
Fred Keeley, Mayor
ATTEST: _________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator
This is to certify that the above and
foregoing document is the original
of Ordinance No. 2025-xx and that
it has been published or posted in
accordance with the Charter of the
City of Santa Cruz.
________________________________
Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator

14.19 Brittany Inclan
From: Helayne Ballaban <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2025 9:35 AM
To: City Council
Subject: rent increases
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing to implore you not to approve an increase in rent above the state limits. As a long time teacher and renter in this city, I know how hard it is to live and work here. Rents are exorbitant and the approximately 10% that is allowable is a "fair rate of return." Do not approve an additional rent increase and further send working class people out of our city.

Thank You,
Helayne Ballaban

14.20 Brittany Inclan
From: Bonnie Bush
Sent: Sunday, January 26, 2025 4:16 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Fwd: Letter of Support for Petition for Fair Return Ordinance Bonnie Bush, CMC
City Clerk
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center St., Room 8, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: 831-420-5035
Email:[email protected] Web: www.cityofsantacruz.com Begin forwarded message:

From: Kevin Cummings <[email protected]>
Date: January 26, 2025 at 2:35:09 PM PST
To: Scott Newsome <[email protected]>
Cc: Fred Keeley <[email protected]>, Bonnie Bush <[email protected]>, Tony Condotti <[email protected]>, Sonja Brunner <[email protected]> Subject: Letter of Support for Petition for Fair Return Ordinance

****CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.**** Dear Councilman Scott Newsome,
I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I’ve decided to take down my website, www.fight4stgeorgesantacruz.com. While it served its purpose in highlighting tenant concerns, I felt that moving away from a platform with a potentially polarizing tone was the right thing to do as we focus on constructive collaboration. My commitment to supporting the residents of St.

George Apartments remains as strong as ever, and I truly appreciate the work you’ve put into City Ordinance 2024-16 and the new ordinance on fair return petitions which has yet to be voted on.

Thank you for all the effort you and your colleagues have put into making this ordinance thoughtful and fair. It’s clear how much care has gone into balancing the interests of tenants and landlords, and it really does make a difference to those of us navigating these challenges. I wanted to share a few provisions that stand out as particularly impactful for residents like me:

14.21 1. The Financial Test and Revenue Transparency: Including all revenue streams, especially from commercial tenants, is absolutely essential. GVC’s recent significant investments make this level of transparency even more important to ensure fairness. The consistent 100% occupancy of GVC's ground-floor commercial spaces further highlights the necessity of factoring in this income, as omitting it could create the appearance of bias or conflict of interest.

2. Enhanced Protections for Section 8 Tenants: Extending the eviction and rent cap protections from AB 1482 to Section 8 tenants is a crucial step in safeguarding those who need it most.

3. Fair Return Guidelines: I appreciate how the ordinance carefully balances landlords’ rights to a fair return with protections for tenants against passing on unnecessary or avoidable costs. That’s the kind of thoughtful policy that ensures fairness for all parties.

4. Clear Civil Remedies: The inclusion of remedies for tenants to hold landlords accountable when they don’t comply is a much-needed safeguard. It gives residents peace of mind knowing there’s a system in place to address violations.

We’re also incredibly thankful for the work that Mayor Fred Keeley, the Council, and City Attorney Tony Condotti have done to help make life less stressful for tenants. Their dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed, and it’s truly appreciated.

As someone who has lived at St. George Apartments for 32 years, I’m fully supportive of this ordinance. It embodies the fairness we all hope to see, ensuring that if the facts and law align on the side of landlords, adjustments will happen accordingly. At the same time, if the facts and law favor tenants, we can trust the process will reflect that too. That’s what fairness is all about.

Thank you again for your leadership and commitment to making Santa Cruz a better and fairer place for all its residents. If there’s ever anything I can do to assist or provide further insights, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Best regards,
Kevin Cummings
Resident, St. George Apartments
c.c. The Honorable Mayor Fred Keeley
District 2 Council Member Sonja Brunner
City Attorney Tony Condotti

14.22 City Clerk Bonnie Bush

14.23 Brittany Inclan
From: Bonnie Bush
Sent: Monday, January 27, 2025 8:03 AM
To: City Council
Subject: Fwd: Rent Hike Rules to be Considered
Bonnie Bush, CMC
City Clerk
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center St., Room 8, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: 831-420-5035
Email:[email protected] Web: www.cityofsantacruz.com Begin forwarded message:

From: Carol Maynard <[email protected]>
Date: January 26, 2025 at 4:28:29 PM PST
To: Bonnie Bush <[email protected]>
Subject: Rent Hike Rules to be Considered

****CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.**** To the Santa Cruz City Council, meeting 1/28/25:

Please do not grant landlords in subsidized apartments downtown (similar to St. George apartments) to additionally raise rents.

I have an elderly family member living in one of these apartment buildings (not the St.

George) and her rent was recently raised by $100.00 per month as of February 2025.

She lives on Social Security alone and will not be able to afford this increase or any other increase beyond this amount. This is one of the few low income rentals in her building.

If rents are increased for these subsidized units, it will undoubtedly result in our senior citizens becoming homeless, people in their ’70’s, ’80’s and older. At this time, all low income senior living facilities have closed waiting lists with no indication of when there may be openings.

I am asking the City Council at this time to please limit the allowable increase in rent to an affordable amount, if any. A $100 increase at any one time is beyond what a low income senior can afford. We desperately need more subsidized low income senior housing in our community.

14.24 Thank you,
Carol Maynard
508 Poplar Ave.

Santa Cruz, CA 95062
[email protected]
831-345-3432

14.25 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: Finance
SUBJECT: Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the Fiscal Year that Ended June 30, 2024 (FN)
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and related reports, for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024.

BACKGROUND: Each year, the Finance Department prepares and publishes the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) following the completion of an independent audit. The auditing firm, The Pun Group, LLP conducted the audit for the year that ended on June 30, 2024, and has issued an unmodified opinion, the highest opinion given for financial statements. This opinion indicates that the financial statements represent fairly, in all material aspects, the financial position of the City in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) sponsors an award program for excellence in financial reporting. The City has received this Award for excellence for 16 consecutive years. City staff believes the June 30, 2024, ACFR continues the high standards set by the GFOA and has submitted this year's ACFR for evaluation under this esteemed program.

For the second time, the City is publishing a Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) that provides an overview of City finances as well as information on projects, activities, and strategic goals and priorities. This report is designed to be readily accessible and easily understandable to the general public and other interested parties without a background in public finance.

DISCUSSION: State law requires that every general-purpose local government publish an annual report on its financial position and activity and that the report be audited by an independent firm of certified public accountants. Taken together, the ACFR and the budget provide the best overview of the City’s fiscal health and opportunities for future financial stability. Because the ACFR is audited by an independent expert, the report provides additional

15.1 assurance to the community that the City is being a responsible steward of the community’s tax dollars.

The City's financial statements, internal documents, and controls have been audited by The Pun Group, LLP. The goal of the independent audit was to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements of the City for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023, are free of material misstatements. The independent audit involved examining on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements; assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management; and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. The independent auditor’s report is presented as the first component of the financial section of the ACFR.

ACFR Organization
The City’s ACFR is organized into three major sections: Introductory, Financial, and Statistical.

The following is a brief summary of the contents of each of these sections:

1. Introductory Section: The letter of transmittal and other information of general interest are presented in this section including the organizational chart, directory of officials as well as the Government Finance Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The letter of transmittal is an opportunity for management to provide an overview of the City’s activities, prospective information as well as subjective information useful in assessing the City’s economic condition.

2. Financial Section: The financial section includes the report of the independent auditor, management’s discussion and analysis, basic financial statements (including notes), required supplementary information and related notes, combining statements (i.e., non-major funds), and individual fund financial statements and schedules.

3. Statistical Section: The statistical section offers operational, economic, and historical data that provides a context for assessing the City’s economic condition. Such data includes information on financial trends, revenue capacity, debt capacity, demographic and economic information, and operating information.

ACFR Financial Highlights
The audited financial statements presented will be government-wide, full accrual financial statements, as well as modified accrual fund financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, including compliance with pronouncements issued by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). The report is designed to highlight changes in the City’s financial condition and practices over time and allow consistency between all state, municipals, and other governmental agencies.

The Council and the community at large can view the Transmittal Letter from Elizabeth Cabell, City of Santa Cruz’s Finance Director, and the Management’s Discussion and Analysis that contains the City’s financial highlights within the ACFR posted on the City’s website here:
https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/finance/financial-reports.

15.2 PAFR highlights
The PAFR includes a message from the City Manager, condensed financial reporting including changes in fund balance for governmental funds, and net position statements for proprietary funds. In addition, each department has provided information on their activities during 2024 and goals for 2025. The PAFR can be found on the City’s website here:
https://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-departments/finance/financial-reports.

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: These financial reports are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act per Section 15061 (b)(3) of Chapter 3, Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations (CEQA Guidelines). This section states the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects that have the potential for causing significant effects on the environment. These reports do not have this potential.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): The cumulative effect of these budget adjustments supports the Health in All Policies (HiAPs) Workplan by supporting the Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) community impacts of increased economic vitality; higher levels of self-sufficiency; increased social, economic, and occupational mobility; connection to others; climate change resiliency; a safe, affordable, and accessible transportation system, and neighborhoods and communities are safe.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: None.

Prepared By:

Nicholas Gong
Finance Manager
Submitted By:

Elizabeth Cabell
Director of Finance
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT (GANN) SCHEDULE AND LETTER.PDF

2. AUDIT COMMUNICATION LETTER.PDF

15.3 15.4

15.5 15.6

15.7 15.8

15.9 15.10

15.11 2024 Financial Statements
Elizabeth Cabell, Finance Director

15.12 1 Process
2 Audit Opinion
3 Financial Status
Agenda
4 Awards

15.13 Audit Process
Interim Audit
May 20 - 24, 2024
Year End
June 30, 2024
Final Audit
October 14 - 18, 2024
Issue Statements
December 27, 2024

15.14 The Pun Group, LLP
Year 2 of 5 year contract
Unmodified Opinion
GFOA Award
16th year
Auditor’s
Opinion

15.15 Operating General Fund
Financial Status
All General Funds

15.16 Reserves and Fund Balance
Total Fund Balance = $50.5M
Advances from Public Trust Fund
Receivables Solar One, State
Non-spendable
Pension Trust (Restricted)
Emergency (Unassigned)
Operating (Committed)
Reserves
Purchase orders, carry forwards
Committed
Assigned
ED Trust Fund

15.17 Fund Type Cash as of 6/30/2024
General Fund $35,133,459
Special Revenue Funds $21,122,646
Capital Investment Funds $12,705,715
Internal Service Funds $16,049,834
Fiduciary Funds $28,134,229
Cash and Investments
Fund Type Cash as of 6/30/2024
Enterprise Funds
Water $46,884,321
Wastewater $23,010,893
Refuse $22,532,644
Storm Water $476,933
Total Cash = $206,050,674

15.18 Led by Tracy Cole
and Emily Burton Led by Nick Gong Led by Emily Burton
GFOA Triple Crown

15.19 Thank you
Questions? Comments?

15.20 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/13/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Manager
SUBJECT: 2025 Legislative Program (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Motion to:
1) Identify the top two or three Legislative Priorities; and 2) Determine the Legislative Platform issues for 2025.

BACKGROUND: The Legislative Program (Program) establishes the principles that will guide the City’s policy and legislative advocacy efforts at the regional, state, and federal level. The program focuses on the key areas that will enable the City of Santa Cruz to deliver projects and programs that meet the needs of our community. Adopted annually, the City’s Program serves as a reference to guide the development of positions on legislative proposals and provides guidance for the City Council and staff throughout the year. Attached for Council's reference is the 2024 Legislative Program.

In 2024 the Council adopted three legislative priorities: 1) Homelessness Response, 2) Affordable Housing and 3) Infrastructure. The Priorities are in addition to a more broad-based Legislative Platform. Based on these priorities, the City was successfully able to secure $2 million from the State for funding the City Overlook Emergency Shelter Operations located at the Armory. The City also received a $1.25 million Community Grant Award for wharf repairs from the winter of 2023 storms. In addition, the City supported several pieces of legislation which were signed into law including SB1053 & AB 2236 which strengthen existing plastic bag regulations and promote the use of sustainable alternatives.

DISCUSSION: Each year, the Program is updated to highlight legislative and funding priorities for consideration and adoption by the City Council. Recognizing the importance of promoting priorities, the legislative program should be consistent with the 2023-2028 City Wide Strategic Plan.

16.1 The Legislative Program contains three sections:

1. Legislative Priorities: The 2025 Legislative Priorities highlight funding and legislative focus areas for the current legislative year. Priorities are developed in conjunction with City Council, City departments, legislative advocates and the City Council’s 2023-2028 Citywide Strategic Plan. The priorities may shift from year to year based on the social, political, and economic environment. The City Council is asked to identify it’s top two or three specific legislative priorities.

2. Legislative Platform: The Platform is the City Council’s declared policies on various issues impacting the City. The Platform sets forth the City’s legislative objectives for the 2025 legislative sessions, and provides direction for the City’s legislative representatives and advocates as they work to secure strategic initiatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. It is intended to articulate the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the state or federal governments. The Platform streamlines the City’s advocacy efforts by enabling City staff to take immediate action on pressing legislative items efficiently and without delay under City Council direction.

In 2024 the City Council approved six key Platform issue areas, each with detailed policy positions as shown below.

Council is requested to review the existing six legislative platform areas and determine what the 2025 legislative focus areas will be.

3. Legislative Action Guide: The accompanying Legislative Action Guide outlines in greater detail the advocacy strategies, and process by which the City will engage with the state and federal legislative sessions, including the roles of City staff, elected officials, and contracted lobbying firms. No action is needed to revise the Guide. 2024 Legislative
Platform
Homelessness
Response
Housing
Public Safety &
Community Well
Being
Economic
Vitality
Sustainability &
Resiliency
Infrastructure &
Transportation

16.2 Staff is requesting the City Council identify their top two or three Legislative Priorities as well as their Legislative Platform issue areas. Staff will then bring a final draft back to the City Council for adoption at the next council meeting.

CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: The proposed Council action is not a “project” under CEQA because it does not have the potential to cause a physical change in the environment directly or indirectly.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Adopting a Legislative Program ensures the pillars of HIAP are integrated into all aspects of governance, supporting a comprehensive and coordinated approach to improving health outcomes across different sectors. The Legislative Program can support the long-term goals of HiAP by shaping policies that address environmental sustainability, public safety, economic stability and other factors that influence health.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No fiscal impact.

Prepared By:

Lisa Murphy
Deputy City Manager
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. 2024 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM_FINAL.PDF

16.3 2024 ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE

PROGRAM
Fred Keeley, Mayor
Renee Golder, Vice Mayor
Martine Watkins, Councilmember
Sandy Brown, Councilmember
Sonja Brunner, Councilmember
Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Councilmember
Scott Newsome, Councilmember

16.4 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 2 | Page
Contents
Purpose 3
City Strategic Plan Focus Areas 4
SECTION 1:

Legislative Priorities 5
SECTION 2:

Legislative Platform 6
SECTION 3:

Legislative Action Program Manual 13
Engagement Strategies 13
Internal Coordination of the Legislative Program 14
The Role of the City Council 14
The Role of the City Manager’s Office 15
The Role of the Departments 15
Guidelines for Evaluating Legislation 16
Legislative Advocacy 16
Guidelines for Letter Writing 18
Procedure for City Council Meetings with Other Elected Representatives 19 California State Legislative Timeline 2024 20

16.5 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 3 | Page
The Legislative Program establishes the principles that will guide the City’s policy and legislative advocacy efforts at the regional, state, and federal level. The program focuses on the key areas that will enable the City of Santa Cruz to deliver projects and programs that meet the needs of our community. The purpose of the program is to create a plan that positions the City to capitalize on funding opportunities and provide input into legislation in both Washington, D.C. and Sacramento.

Each year, the Legislative Program is updated in consultation with the Mayor, City Council, and City departments to highlight legislative and funding priorities for consideration and adoption by the City Council. Recognizing the importance of promoting priorities, the City develops a legislative program consistent with the City Council Strategic Plan. The City’s Legislative Program serves as a reference to guide the development of positions on legislative proposals and provides guidance for the City Council and staff throughout the year.

The Legislative Program is presented in three sections. The first section is the 2024 Legislative Priority Section. Each of these areas will be the focus of the City’s legislative advocacy efforts. The second section contains the City’s Legislative Platform. The Platform is the City Council’s declared policies on various issues impacting the City. The Platform sets forth the City’s legislative objectives for the 2024 legislative sessions, and provides direction for the City’s legislative representatives and advocates as they work to secure strategic initiatives in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. It is intended to articulate the City’s positions on issues that are currently, or anticipated to be, the focus of future legislation by the state or federal governments. The Platform streamlines the City’s advocacy efforts by enabling City staff to take immediate action on pressing legislative items efficiently and without delay under City Council direction. The last section is a Legislative Action Guide for Council and staff on how to appropriately advocate for legislation and budget provisions favorable to the City.

2024 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

16.6 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 4 | Page
CITY OF SANTA CRUZ STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-2028

16.7 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 5 | Page
While the Legislative Platform contains City Council-adopted objectives and directives regarding a wide array of issue areas impacting the City, the 2024 Legislative Priorities highlight funding and legislative priorities for the current legislative year. Priorities are developed in conjunction with various City departments and the strategic plan and may shift from year to year based on the social, political, and economic environment.

The City has identified three legislative priorities for 2024. Each of these areas will be the focus of the City’s legislative advocacy efforts.

Homelessness
Response
• Actively pursue state
funding for the
CityEmergency
Shelter Operations at
the Overlook
Emergency Shelter at
the Armory, 1220
Riverstreet
Community Camp.
• Funding for the Coral
Street Navigation
Project
Affordable
Housing
• Fund the creation &
preservation of
affordable &
supportive housing
in the City,
emphasizing low &
very low-income
households &
workforce housing
Infrastructure
• Provide funding for
projects that build
resiliency, restore or
replace the city's
ageing infrastructure,
especially transit,
transportation &
climate resiliency
2024 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

16.8 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 6 | Page
The Legislative Platform was developed to support the successful implementation of the City’s adopted 2023-2028 Citywide Strategic Plan. The Legislative Platform provides additional information to the City Council, City staff, and the City’s state and federal legislative advocates on policy issues.

The Legislative Platform reflects the City’s priorities coupled with current public policy issues affecting local governments. As this document is updated annually, its priorities will change to most accurately reflect the relevant policy issues facing the City. The platform will enable City staff to accurately and efficiently impact legislation. Six areas were identified as important to the City to serve the community. The issues in red represent the Priority Areas for 2024. 2024 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
2024 Legislative
Platform
Homelessness
Response
Housing
Public Safety &
Community
Well Being
Economic
Vitality
Sustainability &
Resiliency
Infrastructure
&
Transportation

16.9 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 7 | Page
PRIORITY: Provide sustainable funding for the City’s Emergency shelter programs located at the Overlook at the Armory and 1220 River Street.

PRIORITY: Provide funding for the Coral Street Navigation project.

Advocate for, sponsor, or support legislation or budget provisions that would:
• Support unrestricted, on-going State funding to cities that support homeless prevention programs, outreach teams, shelter programs and encampment clean-up programs.
• Provide homelessness prevention and services funding directly to cities proportionate to the rate of homelessness and the accompanying local impacts in that City.
• Expand the availability of mental health and substance use disorder treatment services and facilities.
• Sustainable funding for transitional housing units and permanent supportive housing units to house homeless individuals and families.
• Expand and maintain support for basic food, hygiene, and safety needs, especially for highly vulnerable populations, including persons living with a mental health diagnosis, persons with a substance use disorder, veterans, older adults, and persons with disabilities.
• Take a balanced approach that addresses the need for services for people experiencing homelessness while upholding the health, safety, and welfare of all people in Santa Cruz.
• Advance regional initiatives involving county, state, and federal governments to reduce chronic homelessness.

HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE -
Priority

16.10 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 8 | Page
PRIORITY: Fund the creation & preservation of affordable & supportive housing in the City, emphasizing low & very low-income households & workforce housing Advocate for, sponsor, or support legislation or budget provisions that would:
• Support housing production with an emphasis on production and protection of affordable, permanent supportive, and workforce housing. • Fund the creation and preservation of affordable and supportive housing in the City, emphasizing low- and very-low-income households and workforce housing.
• Support the construction of affordable housing and permanent supportive housing programs.
• Increase the range of CEQA exemptions. Discourage, limit, and streamline legal challenges to housing projects, including but not limited to CEQA lawsuits.
• Increase Section 8 or other rental subsidies to accommodate areas with the highest market-rate rents or lowest ratio of incomes to housing costs in the state.
• Amend both Federal and State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Programs to support and deem competitive a mix of units in an affordable housing project.
• Limit or eliminate ballot initiative options that serve as barriers to housing.

HOUSING - Priority

16.11 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 9 | Page
PRIORITY: Provide funding for projects that build resiliency, restore or replace the city's ageing infrastructure, especially transit, transportation & climate resiliency • Allocate funding for the upgrading, replacement, and construction of needed infrastructure at the local level.
• Create transportation policies that fund long-term maintenance and development of infrastructure projects.
• Fund park development, infrastructure, and maintenance. • Fund cost-effective water ecosystem projects and ensure direct beneficiaries and cost causers fund their fair share of projects that provide long-term benefits to the state and its inhabitants.
• Fund projects and programs to increase water system resiliency to drought by supporting increased storage of available surface water through aquifer storage and recovery and further development of alternative supplies, such as advanced purified recycled water.
• Maintain and strengthen local control of water use and encourage water recycling and the many benefits of sustainability to Santa Cruz’s water supply. • Seek Funding for San Lorenzo River Pump Station Upgrades. The upgrade and addition are necessary as existing infrastructure is undersized and reaching end of life. The pump stations are critical as is protects the downtown and river basin area.
• Seek funding for the Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) electrical upgrades.

The WWTF is a regional facility serving over 100,000 residents and is in of an electrical overhaul.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE -
Priority

16.12 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 10 | Page Rapidly enact equitable climate solutions that support and enhance sustainability and resiliency and ensure effective performance of essential services, such as water and wastewater utilities, in the face of climate change effects already in motion.

Grow the green economy through workforce development.

Sustainability
Advocate for, sponsor, or support state and federal legislation or budget provisions that would:
• Increase the adoption of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure. • Reduce emissions from transportation by increasing walking, biking, and access to public transportation, including future rail transit.
• Support telework policy and infrastructure.
• Eliminate natural gas use.
• Equitably electrify buildings and bolster building stock resiliency through energy efficiency, local solar installations, and microgrids.
• Provide stable and fair electricity rates, fees, and solar generation credit. • Increase the efficiency of water and wastewater transportation and treatment. • Reduce the amount of organic and inorganic waste entering the City’s landfill through producer responsibility initiatives, recyclable pre-processed material incentives, and the reduction of single-use products.
• Advance local government’s ability to set local policies relating to environmental “sustainability,” including but not limited to building standards and land use planning. • Encourage innovation in carbon sequestration and carbon capture technology. • Provide capacity and resources to scale up municipal efforts and regional coordination to rapidly draw down carbon.

Resiliency
Advocate for, sponsor, or support state and federal legislation or budget provisions that would:
• Fund and implement projects and programs for upgrading existing water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities and services to ensure effective functioning in the face of changing climate conditions, including increasing incidents of extreme weather. • Promote prevention and mitigation of wildfires by mandating responsible power management, funding fuel reduction activities, and community engagement. • Fund coastal resilience and citywide climate adaptation studies, planning, monitoring and implementation.
• Promote training and development initiatives that support the collaboration between community partners and fund training and development for youth, veterans, and underemployed individuals in green jobs supporting the City’s sustainability and resiliency priorities.
• Fund capacity and resources for equitable engagement of frontline communities on resilience issues.

Sustainability & Resiliency

16.13 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 11 | Page Advocate for, sponsor, or support legislation or budget provisions that would • Support measures that encourage community safety and wellbeing. • Support funding and programs for non-law enforcement response to those experiencing a mental health crisis.
• Support funding for local law enforcement equipment, services, or personnel. • Support funding for local emergency operations including equipment, services, and personnel.
• Support bills that restrict access to firearms and ammunition. • Support increased funding for law enforcement training costs related to homelessness and mental health.
• Funding and programs addressing police officer wellness and mental health. • Oppose legislation that makes recruitment into law enforcement more difficult. • Support bills increasing the penalties for those supplying Fentanyl. • Support funding toward technological advancements.
• Support funding for a new County jail facility in South County • Support legislation that develops and expands programs to encourage and support the City’s emergency preparedness initiatives.
• Support legislation that provides funding to enhance wildfire mitigation and emergency response efforts.
• Legislation supporting funding for public safety infrastructure. • Legislation that supports fire department medical transport efforts.

Public Safety & Community Well-Being

16.14 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 12 | Page Diversify revenue generation through actively pursuing new and varied sources.

Support local economic recovery and regeneration of tourism dollars by seeking supports for local businesses and workers.

Advocate for, sponsor, or support state and federal legislation or budget provisions that would:
• Fund recovery specifically for cities and businesses in majority tourismbased economies, such as Santa Cruz. • Preserve and enhance federal assistance to local governments and oppose federal preemption of local authority.
• Prevent the state from borrowing, raiding, or otherwise redirecting local government funds (e.g., local taxes, sales tax, property taxes, etc.). • Ensure increased flexibility for the use of municipally generated revenues, such as the Public Education and Government fee, Utility Users Tax, and Development Impact Fees.
• Retain and promote the success of local businesses.
• Replace redevelopment funding mechanisms within the City and state. • Preserve funding mechanisms to promote continued economic development, including initiatives to provide financing for infrastructure and affordable housing.
• Fund opportunities for small business assistance, loan programs for business improvements, and tax credits for businesses.
• Provide tangible and productive tools and incentives to support job creation and retention.
• Creation of a funding mechanism to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
• Fund programs and projects that maintain the affordability of essential services provided by the City’s water and wastewater systems and other critical infrastructure, which serve as the foundation for economic vitality.
• Maintain cities’ abilities to require only commercial and industrial uses on potential development sites.

Economic Vitality

16.15 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 13 | Page Engagement Strategies
Staff and the City’s government relations consultants will employ a variety of public engagement strategies to support the 2024 Legislative Program, including:

Direct Engagement
Engage policymakers directly and guide sponsored legislation, submit correspondence, and provide public testimony that communicates and advances the City’s legislative and budget priorities and positions.

Building Coalitions
Engage local, regional, and statewide stakeholders to advocate on specific issues and participate in local, regional, statewide, and national coalitions organized to advance positions that are consistent with the 2024 Legislative Program. Lead a statewide coalition of coastal cities to advocate for policy and funding reform around the issue of homelessness.

Agency Connections
Foster and build state and federal agency relationships to advance state and federal funding competitiveness for the priorities identified in the 2024 Legislative program.

Legislative Action Manual

16.16 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 14 | Page Internal Coordination of the Legislative Program

1. Track
Legislation is tracked by the City Manager’s Office or brought to the City’s attention by residents, agencies, departments, organizations, public servants, and others. In addition, departments are urged to take the initiative to identify legislation of importance to the City.

2. Review
The City Manager’s Office reviews the proposed legislation and, if warranted, requests assistance from one or more departments. The City Manager or the appropriate departments evaluate the bill for its impact on the City of Santa Cruz, recommend a position and potential action, and, as appropriate, draft a statement or letter for use by the City Manager’s Office.

3. Determine Course of Action
One of two actions can be taken:
a. If the City Council has adopted a policy directly relevant to the legislation of concern, the City Manager’s Office may proceed to prepare a letter for the Mayor’s signature;
b. If City Council policy does not exist, if the issue is politically controversial, or if there is significant local interest in the issue(s) posed by the legislation, the proposed legislation is referred to the City Council.

4. Referral to Council
The City Council will consider the information provided in a staff report, determine its position on the legislation and provide appropriate direction to staff.

5. Advocacy
The City Council, staff delegate, or government relations consultant will connect with appropriate legislative bodies throughout the legislative year.

The Role of the City Council
The City Council has ultimate responsibility for determining the position the City will take on legislative issues. City Council positions applicable to legislation accumulate over the years and require periodic reevaluation to assure they are still relevant to the City’s needs and interests. The Council generally takes positions only on those issues that are of relevance to the City of Santa Cruz.

Some of the City Council’s responsibilities include:
• Conducting an annual review and updating legislative priorities at both the State and Federal levels, taking the Council’s own strategic priorities into account.

16.17 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 15 | Page • Considering legislative issues brought to the Council’s attention by staff, residents, organizations, and others and determine what, if any, position the City should take.
• Determining Council positions on resolutions proposed for adoption by Cal Cities (formerly the League of California Cities) and the National League of Cities.
• Suggesting areas for staff action concerning legislation. • Assuming an active advocacy role with legislators on behalf of the City. This may include travel, which will be consistent with current City policies/procedures on travel.

The Role of the City Manager’s Office
The City Manager’s Office is the central coordinator of the City’s legislative program.

Some of the City Manager’s Office responsibilities include:
• Ensuring the consistency of legislative policy throughout the City. • Serving as a clearinghouse and record keeper for all legislative activity occurring within the City.
• Coordinating contacts and communications with legislators and staff. • Coordinating the evaluation of proposed legislation that may affect the City. • Disseminating information on legislation of interest to departments and divisions within the City.
• Encouraging suggestions from other departments concerning subjects for legislative action.
• Providing feedback to departments on the progress of legislation of interest. • Keeping the Council informed of the status of the City’s legislative program. • Recommending priorities for legislative action to ensure the effectiveness of the City’s lobbying activities.
• Planning, coordinating, and facilitating lobbying activities by Councilmembers and staff.
• Maintaining legislative files (bill texts, correspondence, records of lobbying activity, background information, Council policies).
• Serving as liaison to Cal Cities, the National League of Cities, and other organizations and jurisdictions concerning legislative activities. • Coordinating the annual review of legislative positions and preparing the City’s legislative platform.

The Role of Departments
The participation of the City’s various departments is essential to the success of the Legislative Program. The program requires departments to take responsibility for identifying, evaluating, and monitoring legislation related to their functional areas. • Inform the City Manager’s Office of legislative issues of importance to the City. • Designate a key contact within the department or division who will be responsible for coordinating the evaluation of legislation and monitoring those legislative issues of direct significance to the department. Continue to monitor bills as they progress through the Legislature or Congress. • Establish a system within the department for assuring that requests for the

16.18 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 16 | Page evaluation of legislation are addressed promptly.
• Draft letters and provide analysis of legislation as requested by City Manager’s Office.
• Maintain a legislative file with the department to ensure consistency of policy recommendations.
• Establish mechanisms within the department for accessing direct information on legislation.
• Network with other cities, agencies, professional organizations, etc., to gain background information and a broader perspective on legislative issues. • Suggest organizations, individuals, publications, and legislators who may be allies in lobbying the City’s position on legislation.
• Understand and adhere to the City’s Legislative Advocacy Policy. Consult the City Manager’s Office if there are questions.
• Annually, provide to the City Manager’s Office the department’s recommendations for the ensuing year’s legislative platform including a review of existing positions, statements of underlying policies and principles, and priorities related to specific legislative issues.

Guidelines for Evaluating Legislation
Bills are frequently amended during their introduction and approval processes. Due to this, analyses and letters expressing the City’s position should be based on the most up-to-date version of the bill.

1.Citywide Perspective
a. Bills often impact multiple departments in different ways. Therefore, it is essential that these different impacts are taken into consideration to form a balanced citywide position. It is the responsibility of the City Manager’s office to work with departments to reconcile differences.

2.Stating the City’s Position
a. If the department recommendation is to support, oppose, or amend a bill, it is important to draft the body of a letter that the City Manager’s Office can use in writing to the legislators. The City Manager’s Office will put the letter in final form and send it to the appropriate committees, legislators, etc. A copy of the finalized letter will be routed to the evaluating department for its records.

Legislative Advocacy
The City Council holds the final authority for determining the position that will be taken by the City on legislation. The process outlined below would likely be followed only for key and controversial topics. In many instances, due to timing or the nature of the issue, the Mayor may sign a letter supporting or opposing legislation on behalf of the City. This position would need to be consistent with the City’s overall guiding legislative principles or the annually adopted priorities.

Process

16.19 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 17 | Page Signatures
• Letters and other communications expressing the City’s position on legislation will customarily bear the signature of the Mayor, particularly when the legislation relates to areas of General Plan policies and programs, other Council adopted policies, issues of Council interest, and fiscal matters. • Letters and other communications expressing the City’s position on legislation not related to areas of General Plan policies and programs, other Council adopted policies, issues of Council interest, and fiscal matters require Council direction for the Mayor’s signature.
• If the legislation’s principal impact is on the City’s operating procedures, the City Manager may sign the communication.
• Copies of the letters will be distributed in the Council agenda packet to keep the Council and others informed of all City communications on legislation.

Independent Lobbying by City Personnel
City employees are not to lobby in the name of the City of Santa Cruz unless the department head has approved the activity and the City Manager has been informed in advance of the activity.

City Advisory Commissions and Committees
City employees who are staff or liaisons to Council-appointed advisory commissions and committees should encourage the bodies to alert he Council to legislation on which they recommend taking a position. Should legislative analysis and advocacy be a required function of the advisory commission or committee, those bodies shall ensure that function is carried out according to its bylaws.

Lobbying Methods
Listed here are a number of ways to inform and persuade legislators and others of the City’s position on proposed legislation. Departmental participation in the planning and implementation of these activities is critical to the City’s success.

Departments should let the City Manager’s Office know of its interest and suggestions for lobbying bills they have evaluated.

Letters to
• The authors of proposed legislation
• The City’s elected representatives in the State Legislature and Congress • The Chair and members of legislative committees
• The Governor or President
To submit a position letter to a committee you must first register on the California Legislature Position Letter Portal. After you complete your registration, you can submit your position letter to communicate your views to the bill author’s staff as well as the committee that will be hearing the bill. Most committees require letters a week in advance of a hearing. All records of mail, and e-mail, will be maintained

16.20 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 18 | Page by the City Manager’s Office.

Telephone calls
• Phone calls are useful for discussing with legislative staff the content and implications of a bill and for suggesting amendments or language clarification. However, many committees’ rules prevent them from counting phone calls as a legitimate expression of a City’s position on a bill. Pro and con positions are recorded if they are received in writing.

Meeting with elected representatives either in the district or in Sacramento and Washington
• It is Council’s practice to invite legislators representing Santa Cruz to an annual meeting to discuss all issues of importance to the City during that legislative session.
• Councilmembers are encouraged to attend legislative days set by the National League of Cities or Cal Cities.

Resolutions
• The Council is sometimes asked to adopt a resolution expressing its position on a bill. Resolutions are frequently sought by organizations as an indication of widespread support for a position, but they are less effective than letters when communicating directly with a legislator.

Testimony
• Testifying in person at a legislative committee hearing provides an opportunity to present the City’s position and respond to questions. The City Manager, the Mayor, a Councilmember, or the staff person with particular expertise in the subject assumes the responsibility.

Editorial support from newspapers serving the Santa Cruz community • Staff members must seek approval from the City Manager’s Office before submitting editorials in newspapers.

Press Conferences
• Press conferences are called by the Mayor and Councilmembers and are staged in a location relevant to the issues being lobbied. Any press conference should be coordinated with the City Manager’s Office.

Coalitions with other jurisdictions
• These alliances are not limited to governmental bodies, but extend to all segments of the broader community that can similarly be affected by the legislation, e.g. business, nonprofit organization, environmental group, etc.

Guidelines for Letter Writing • Concentrate on the letter content, rather than format. The City Manager’s Office will produce the final letter, addressing it to the proper legislators or

16.21 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 19 | Page committees and securing the appropriate signature. At the very start of the letter, indicate the bill number or title that is the subject of the letter. • A short concise letter is generally more effective than a lengthy treatise. • Provide specific examples of the impact of the legislation on the City of Santa Cruz.
• When it is appropriate, discuss the effects of the proposed legislation on the legislator’s constituents.

Procedure for City Council Meetings with Other Elected
Representatives
Typically, the City Council meets annually with its County, State, and Federal representatives. These meetings are an important component of building legislative relationships and to share issues of importance to the City of Santa Cruz. These meetings should be scheduled at the appropriate times during the respective legislative calendars.

• At direction of City Council, the other Elected Representative, or the City Manager, staff will schedule a meeting with the representative. • The City Manager will seek agenda items from the Mayor and Council. • Staff from the City Manager’s Office will obtain agenda items from Departments and staff in the representative’s office.

Useful Links
Know your legislator
Overview of the legislative process
How to look up a bill

16.22 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 20 | Page 2024 California State Legislative Timeline
Jan. 1 Statutes take effect.

Jan. 3 Legislature reconvenes.

Jan. 10 Budget must be submitted by Governor.

Jan. 12 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees fiscal bills introduced in their house in the oddnumber year.

Jan. 12 Last day to submit bill requests to the Office of Legislative Counsel.

Jan. 19 Last day for any committee to hear and report to the Floor bills introduced in that house in the odd-number year.

Last day to submit bill request to the Office of Legislative Counsel.

Jan. 31 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house in the odd-numbered year
Feb. 16 Last day for bills to be introduced.

Mar. 21 Spring Recess begins upon adjournment.

April 1 Legislature reconvenes from Spring Recess.

April 26 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to fiscal committees’ fiscal bills introduced in their house.

May 3 Last day for policy committees to hear and report to the floor non-fiscal bills introduced in their house.

May 10 Last day for policy committees to meet prior to May 28.

May 17 Last day for fiscal committees to hear and report to the floor bills introduced in their house.

Last day for fiscal committees to meet prior to May 28.

May 20-24 Floor session only. No committee may meet for any purpose.

May 24 Last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house May 28 Committee meetings may resume.

June 15 Budget Bill must be passed by midnight.

June 27 Last day for a legislative measure to qualify for the Nov. 5 General Election ballot.

July 3 Last day for policy committees to meet and report bills.

July 3 Summer Recess begins on adjournment, provided Budget Bill has been passed.

Aug. 5 Legislature reconvenes from Summer Recess.

Aug. 16 Last day for fiscal committees to meet and report bills to the Floor.

Aug. 19-31 Floor session only. No committee may meet for any purpose.

Aug. 23 Last day to amend on the Floor.

16.23 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 21 | Page Aug. 31 Last day for each house to pass bills. Final Recess begins upon adjournment.

Sept. 30 Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the Legislature on or before Sept. 1 and in the Governor’s possession after Sept. 1.

Oct. 2 Bills enacted on or before this date take effect January 1, 2025 Nov. 5 General Election

16.24 City of Santa Cruz Legislative Platform 22 | Page

16.25 Brittany Inclan
From: Judi Grunstra <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2025 4:38 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Agenda Item 16
Dear Mayor and Council:

I would like to suggest that one of your legislative priorities for 2025 should be the looming crisis of access to medical providers in Santa Cruz, as outlined in an article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel of October 29, 2024 titled Rep. Jimmy Panetta hosts roundtable to highlight Medicare crisis, physician shortages This would seem to fit with Council's priority of Public Safety and Community Well-being. Though this is a problem for residents in Santa Cruz County, not just the City, the city could decide to focus some attention on any upcoming legislation that would improve the situation for many Santa Cruz residents. Our community's well-being is threatened by not enough primary care physicians, due to several factors, including low reimbursement rates by Medicare and the high cost of housing here. As more housing is built and thousands of new residents reside here, the demand for doctors and medical facilities will grow. If not addressed now, we will face a grim situation, even of life and death for some.

Thank you for considering this change of priorities from recent years.

Judi Grunstra
(Sorry, the Sentinel web site is pretty lousy as far as retrieving an article on a specific date so that I could have sent a direct link. You can access the article through the library's website "America's Newsbank". Search by date in the Sentinel.)

16.26 Brittany Inclan
From: Judi Grunstra <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2025 4:43 PM
To: City Council
Subject: Agenda Item 16
Attachments: HEALTH_Rep._Jimmy_Panetta_hosts_roundtable_to__Santa_Cruz_Sentinel_CA___October_ 29_2024__p3.pdf
Attached is the Sentinel article about the pending health care crisis in our county, which I referred to in my previous email.

Judi Grunstra

16.27 HEALTH - Rep. Jimmy Panetta hosts roundtable to - Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA) - October 29, 2024 - page 3 October 29, 2024 | Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA) | By PK Hattis pkhattis @santacruzsentinel.com | Page 3 SANTA CRUZ >> The cost of providing basic health care to seniors is rising and industry professionals in Santa Cruz County are sounding the alarm that the system is dangerously close to breaking.

Rep. Jimmy Panetta, who represents the 19th District in Congress, convened a local group of health providers and administrators in Santa Cruz Monday to highlight a growing epidemic of physician shortages, rising living costs in the area and a looming Medicare crisis that threatens care for many in need. “What I hear consistently throughout the 19th Congressional District is that this reimbursement rate is just really hurting us tremendously,” Panetta said to kick off the meeting, held at Sutter Health’s Maternity and Surgery Center. “We can’t have any more cuts; we have to increase reimbursement and we have to do everything we can to strengthen this.”
According to Panetta’s office, Medicare payments currently lag 40% behind the cost of providing care. Citing statistics from the California Medical Association, Panetta’s office shared in a release that 76% of statewide physicians attest that the reimbursement rate is not enough to cover the costs of care and is the root of significant revenue losses for some. On top of that, 41% of physicians are considering dropping the federal insurance plan altogether and 81% of providers claiming the rates are impacting their ability to attract new medical professionals.

The roundtable discussion featured more than a dozen experts, all of whom were involved on the provider side of the issue in different capacities. Many said that the lack of reimbursement investment at the federal level makes already tight spending margins even tighter. And for a state and county on the frontlines of a housing and cost of living crisis, this discrepancy creates a dangerous feedback loop that makes it all but impossible to adequately recruit doctors, nurses and others involved directly in care.

Some in the group emphasized reform to the grading system that dictates rewards for level of care. Robert Quinn, CEO of Dignity Health Medical Foundation, said for some independent practices, health outcome scores for Medicare patients are looped in with all elderly patients from different insurance plans. This often disincentivizes providing care to those who are most in need because health outcomes are often worse compared to those who are wealthier and have a private insurer. “Those who open their doors to tougher patients are going to score worse and they’ll be punished for looking after the neediest patients,” said Quinn. “That’s got to change.” The county’s status as the most expensive market for renters in the nation isn’t making things easier. Quinn said recruitment has become so difficult that Dignity Health Dominican Hospital’s radiology group has stopped advertising open positions in medical journals due to a lack of response. Instead, it has begun purchasing space in Surfer Magazine and the The Surfer’s Journal “because the only people crazy enough to move here were the people who choose to move here for family and lifestyle.” “There is no economic catalyst for people to move here,” he said.

Earlier this month, Panetta spearheaded a group of 232 members of the U.S. House of Representatives that urged leadership from both parties to address a scheduled 2.8% cut in reimbursement rates for physicians who participate in the Medicare program in 2025. Instead, the group urged leadership to “enact targeted reforms to statutory budget neutrality requirements, and provide physicians with a payment update reflective of inflationary pressures.”
Kurt VandeVort, the CEO of Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group, said most of the health care industry profits go to pharmaceutical and insurance companies and he advocated for reforms that rebalance the scales.

Otherwise, he said, recruitmenand retention issues will continue to get worse until the system buckles.

16.28 “I think it’s going to break here (California) the first,” said VandeVort. “We’re going to be the canary in the coal mine.”
To help solve this worker shortage, some local health care institutions have developed residency programs in hopes that participants will launch their careers in the place they were trained.

Dr. Walt Mills is the program director for a family medicine residency program recently launched at Dominican Hospital in partnership with the Morehouse School of Medicine. Mill said that whatever the federal government can do to incentivize development of a larger primary care workforce will help address challenges that come with a county and state that is rapidly aging. For instance, he suggested, forgiving the debt of those who decide to go into primary care could be a useful tact, as the average medical school graduate these days leaves about $400,000 in debt.
“The majority of primary care for older adults is going to be family medicine,” said Mills. “You need to have that base to do the right things.”
Copyright (c) 2024 Santa Cruz Sentinel. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media News Group, Inc. by NewsBank, inc.

16.29 LEGISLATIVE
Program
Guiding policy and legislative
advocacy at the regional, state,
and federal level

16.30 Importance of a Legislative Platform
Clarity of Purpose
Clear & Concise
Statement of our priorities
Strategic Decision-Making
Allows us to evaluate
proposed policies & initiatives
against our priorities
Enhances Advocacy
Effectiveness
Provides a solid foundation
for engaging with policy
makers
Consistency in
Advocacy Efforts
Ensures our messages are
clear & builds credibility
Efficient Resource
Allocation
Focusing on key issues to
maximize impact of our
advocacy work
Collaboration &
Engagement
Provides a framework for
collaboration

16.31 2025 Legislative Program Process

SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN
Staff meets with
Directors for review
& input on platform
Meet with legislative
advocates
XXX
Meet with Mayor
& Vice Mayor
XXX
City Council discussion to
determine top priorities and
approve program

16.32 Overview
2 Legislative
Platform
1 Legislative
Priorities
3 Legislative
Action Guide

16.33 2024 Legislative Priorities
• Provide funding for projects that build resiliency, restore or replace ageing infrastructure, especially transit, transportation & climate resiliency
Homelessness Response
• Emergency Operations @ Armory & 1220 River Street
• Funding for Coral St Navigation Project
Affordable Housing
• Fund the creation & preservation of affordable & supportive housing – emphasizing low & very low-income households & workforce housing Infrastructure

16.34 Homelessness
Response
XXX
Infrastructure &
Transportation
XXX
Sustainability &
Resiliency
XXX
Housing
XXX
Public Safety &
Community
Well-Being
XXX
Economic
Vitality
XXX
2024
Legislative
Platform
2024 Legislative Platform

16.35 2024 Highlights
• $1.2M in pending Federal earmarks for the Wharf
(Panetta)
• City delegation to Sacramento in March 2024
• $2.0M for City Homeless Shelter Programs
• Continued and regular engagement with Federal &
State delegation on priority issues
• Supported several state legislative bills
• Hosted the Governors Senior Advisor on
Homelessness
• Site visits by Senator Laird, Assembly Members Addis, Pellerin and Congressman Panetta
• Met with Local Legislators on Homelessness
• Collaborate with the League of Cal Cities

16.36 Legislative Advocates Updates
DEC
Federal
Chris Giglio
Capital Edge
State
Amy Jenkins
Precision Advocacy

16.37 Council Actions | January 28, 2025
Identify top legislative priorities
for 2025.

Direct staff to bring back the
2025 Legislative Program to City
Council for final adoption.
1 2

16.38 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Arts Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Councilmembers Trigueiro and Brunner, and Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson's nominations of Arts Commission members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. Members of the Arts Commission are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Arts Commission. Names with an asterisk (*) are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

Jessi Bond
Martel Braymer
Linda Cover*
Tyler Davin-Moore
Judi Grunstra
Rebecca Guzman*
Jacqui Leatheam
Mercedes Lewis
Hector Marin
Christopher Mosley
Weston Mossman
Shanti Nagwani
Joy Schendledecker
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

17.1 HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Arts Commission is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. ARTS COMMISSION APPLICATIONS.PDF

17.2 17.3

17.4 17.5

17.6 17.7

17.8 1. tŚǇ ĂƌĞ ǇŽƵ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚŝƐ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ͍ tŚĂƚ ƉĂƌƟĐƵůĂƌ ƐŬŝůůƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ǇŽƵ ďƌŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶͬŽŵŵŝƩĞĞͬ ŽĂƌĚ͍
/ ůŝǀĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ƌƚƐ ĞŶƚĞƌ͘ / Ăŵ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ŝŶ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ǁŝƚŚ ^ ŝƚǇ ƌƚƐ͕ WĂƌŬƐ ΘZĞĐ͕ ĂŶĚ tĂƚĞƌ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ŝƐ Ă ǀŝďƌĂŶƚ ĐƵůƚƵƌĂů Ăƌƚ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ͕ ůŽĐĂƚĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ^ĂŶ >ŽƌĞŶǌŽ ZŝǀĞƌ ŝŶ Ă ŇŽŽĚƉůĂŝŶ͕ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĞŶĚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ZŝǀĞƌ tĂůŬǁĂǇ͕ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶŐĞƐƚ ƉĂƌŬ ŝŶ ^͘͘ Ɛ ĂŶ ŽƌŝŐŝŶĂů dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ ĨƌŽŵ ϮϬϬϵ͕ / ŬŶŽǁ ŵǇ ĂƌƟƐƚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͕ / ŚĞůƉĞĚ ďƵŝůĚ ŝƚ͘ / ŬŶŽǁ ƚŚĞ ƌŝǀĞƌ ĂŶĚ ŝƚƐ ŇŽŽĚƐ͘ / ŬŶŽǁ ƚŚĞ ZŝǀĞƌ tĂůŬǁĂǇ ĂŶĚ ƉĂƌŬƐ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ĐŝƚǇ͘ DǇ Ăƌƚ ŝƐ ŝŶƐƉŝƌĞĚ ďǇ ƚŚĞ ƌŝǀĞƌ͕ WŽŐŽŶŝƉ͕ ďĞĂĐŚĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƉĂƌŬƐ ĂĐĐĞƐƐŝďůĞ ďǇ ďŝŬĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ͘ / ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚĞĐŝƐŝŽŶ-ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐ ŽĨ ^ ŝƚǇ ƌƚƐ͕ WĂƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ZĞĐƌĞĂƟŽŶ ĂŶĚ tĂƚĞƌ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐ ďĞĐĂƵƐĞ Ăƌƚ͕ ǁĂƚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ƉĂƌŬƐ ĚĞĮŶĞ ǁŚŽ ǁĞ ĂƌĞ͘ /Ŷ ĂĚĚŝƟŽŶ ƚŽ ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ϰ ǇĞĂƌƐ ĂƐ Ă ^ ƌƚƐ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶĞƌ͕ / Ăŵ Ă ďŽĂƌĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŽĂƐƚĂů tĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ĂŶĚ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ŝƚ ŝƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĐŝƚǇΖƐ ďĞƐƚ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ƚŽ ĞůĞǀĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂƚƵƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ^ĂŶ >ŽƌĞŶǌŽ ZŝǀĞƌ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ Ăƌƚ͕ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ƚŽ ŝŶǀŝŐŽƌĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĂŶĚ ĐƵůƚƵƌĂů ĂƐƉĞĐƚƐ ŽĨ ^ĂŶƚĂ ƌƵǌ͘ dŚĞ ƌƚ ĂŶĚ WĂƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ZĞĐ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐ ĂƌĞ ŝŶ Ă ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶ ƚŽ ŚĞůƉ ŵĂŶŝĨĞƐƚ ƚŚŝƐ ΗĞŵĞƌŐŝŶŐ ĂƐƐĞƚͬƌĞƐŽƵƌĐĞ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ŝƚǇ ŽĨ ^ĂŶƚĂ ƌƵǌ͘ dŚĞ ZŝǀĞƌ tĂůŬǁĂǇ ĐĂŶ ďĞ ƚŚĞ ůŝƚĞƌĂů ƌƚ WĂƚŚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ĨŽƌ ƚŽƵƌŝƐƚƐ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŶĞǁ ƌŝǀĞƌ ĨĂĐŝŶŐ ŚŽƚĞůƐ ĂŶĚ ĚŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ ǀŝƐŝƚŽƌƐ͘ KƵƌ ĐŝƚǇ ƉĂƌŬƐ ĐĂŶ ƌĞŇĞĐƚ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ Ăƌƚ ƚŚĂƚ ǁŝůů ĂƩƌĂĐƚ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŽƵƌŝƐƚƐ ĂůŝŬĞ͘ ŽƚŚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶƐ ;ƚŚĞ ƌŝǀĞƌ Θ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇͿ ĂƌĞ ĂŶŽƚŚĞƌ ƐƚĞƉ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶ ŽĨ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ^ĂŶƚĂ ƌƵǌ a tourist ĚĞƐƟŶĂƟŽŶ͘
^ŬŝůůƐ͗

1. Educator - / ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ƚĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů Ăƌƚ ƚŽ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚŽƵƚ ^ĂŶƚĂ ƌƵǌ ĐŽƵŶƚǇ ĂƐ Ă ^W dZ ƚĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ
ĂƌƟƐƚ ĨŽƌ ϮϬ н ǇĞĂƌƐ͘ / ƐĞĞ ŚŽǁ ƉŽǁĞƌĨƵů ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ ŝƐ ĨŽƌ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͕ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐ͘ Ϯ͘ WƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ĂƌƟƐƚ - KƉĞŶ ^ƚƵĚŝŽƐ ĂƌƟƐƚ ĂŶĚ ĞǆŚŝďŝƚ ĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ Ăƚ Ăůů ƚŚĞ ŵĂũŽƌ ĞǆŚŝďŝƚ ǀĞŶƵĞƐ ŝŶ ^͘ ϯ͘
ĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĞƋƵŝƚǇ - ůŝǀŝŶŐ ŝŶ ĂīŽƌĚĂďůĞ ŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ͕ / ďƌŝŶŐ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĚŝǀĞƌƐŝƚǇ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶ͘ ϰ͘ ĐƟǀĞ
ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂůŝƐƚ - / Ăŵ ŝŶƟŵĂƚĞůǇ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ŝŶ ŽƵƌ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ͕ ĞƐƉĞĐŝĂůůǇ ŽƵƌ ŐƌĞĞŶ ǌŽŶĞƐ͕ ĨŽƌĞƐƚƐ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ^ĂŶ >ŽƌĞŶǌŽ ZŝǀĞƌ͘ / ƐĞƌǀĞ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďŽĂƌĚ ŽĨ ŽĂƐƚĂů tĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ ŽƵŶĐŝů͘ DǇ ĐůĂƐƐ ĐƵƌƌŝĐƵůƵŵ ŝƐ ΗtĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ ƌƚΗ͕ ĐƌĞĂƚĞĚ ƚŽ ƐŚŽǁ ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ ƚŚĞ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶƐ ďĞƚǁĞĞŶ ĂŶŝŵĂůƐ͕ ƉůĂŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƌ ǁĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ͘ DǇ Ăƌƚ ŝƐ ŶĂƚƵƌĞ ĂŶĚ community based.
ϱ͘ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ĂĐƟǀŝƐƚ- ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐ ŽŶ ŵƵůƟƉůĞ ďŽĂƌĚƐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ͕ ŽīĞƌŝŶŐ ĨƌĞĞ Ăƌƚ ĐůĂƐƐĞƐ ĨŽƌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͕ ĂŶĚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌŝŶŐ ĐůĞĂŶ ƵƉƐ ϰy Ă ǇĞĂƌ ƐŝŶĐĞ ǁĞ ŽƉĞŶĞĚ ŝŶ ϮϬϬϵ͘ / ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ Ăƌƚ͕ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞŵĞŶƚ͕ ŽƵƌ ^ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ĐĂŶ ďƵŝůĚ ƌĞƐŝůŝĞŶĐĞ͕ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚ͘ Ϯ͘ tŚĂƚ ƚǇƉĞƐ ŽĨ ĚŝǀĞƌƐĞ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚƐͬĞǆƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞƐ ǁŽƵůĚ ǇŽƵ ďƌŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶͬŽŵŵŝƩĞĞͬŽĂƌĚ͍ ŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ĂĐƟǀŝƐƚ Ăƚ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ƌƚƐ ĞŶƚĞƌ ϭϯнǇƌƐ͕ ^ƚĂī Ăƚ ^ ƌƚ >ĞĂŐƵĞ ϯн ǇƌƐ͘ / ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ǀĞŶĚŽƌ ĚŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ ^ĂŶƚĂ ƌƵǌ- Ϯн yrs.
t- ŽĂƐƚĂů tĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ ŽƵŶĐŝů- ďŽĂƌĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ;Ϯн ǇƌƐͿ ĂŶĚ Ăƌƚ ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶƚ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂī Θ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂů ĐůĂƐƐĞƐ ĨŽƌ tĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ ZĂŶŐĞƌƐ ;-ϭ ǇƌͿ͘
^ƵŵŵĞƌ ĐĂŵƉƐ- &ŽƵŶĚĞƌͬĚŝƌĞĐƚŽƌͬ ƚĞĂĐŚŝŶŐ ĂƌƟƐƚ- ĂŵƉ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ƌƚƐ ;ϭϬнǇƌƐͿ Θ ƌƚ KƵƚƐŝĚĞ ĂŵƉƐ ;ϯнǇƌƐͿ

ǀĞŶƚͬ ĞǆŚŝďŝƚ ĐŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚŽƌ- &ŝƌƐƚ &ƌŝĚĂǇ Ăƌƚ ǁŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ ĨŽƌ tĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ ƌƚƐ ^ƚƵĚŝŽ ;ϴн ǇƌƐͿ͕ DĂŬĞƌƐ &Ăŝƌ ĨŽƌ <ŝĚƐ ZŝǀĞƌ ^ƚƵĚŝŽϭϭϲ- ^ŚŽƉ Θ 'ĂůůĞƌǇ- ŽǁŶĞƌ͕ ĨŽƵŶĚĞƌ ĂŶĚ ĐŽůůĞĐƟǀĞ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ;-ϭ Ǉƌ͘Ϳ ͘ ŶĞǁ ϲ ĂƌƟƐƚ ĐŽůůĞĐƟǀĞ ƐŚŽƉ ĂŶĚ ŐĂůůĞƌǇ ƚŚĂƚ ŚŽŶŽƌƐ ƚŚĞ ƌŝǀĞƌ͕ ĨĞĂƚƵƌŝŶŐ ǁŽƌŬƐŚŽƉƐ ĂŶĚ ĞǀĞŶƚƐ ĞǀĞƌǇ ŵŽŶƚŚ͘ KƉĞŶ ^ƚƵĚŝŽƐ ĂƌƟƐƚ ϱ ǇƌƐ͘
ůĞĂŶ ƵƉ ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĞƌ ͬǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ ĨŽƌ ^ĂǀĞ KƵƌ ^ŚŽƌĞƐ͕ ĚŽƉƚ >ĞǀĞĞ͕ dŚĞ >ĞǀĞůŝĞƐ ϭϬн ǇƌƐ͘ DǇ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚƐ Ăƚ ƚŚŝƐ ƟŵĞ ĂƌĞ ďŝŬŝŶŐ͕ ƉŚŽƚŽŐƌĂƉŚǇ͕ ĐƌĞĂƟŶŐ Ă ƐƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ ƐŚŽƉ ĂŶĚ ĂƌƟƐƚ ĐŽůůĞĐƟǀĞ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ͕ ĐĂƌŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ƌŝǀĞƌ͘ ĨĂŵŝůǇ͕ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͘
ϯ͘ >ŝƐƚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇͬǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌ ĂĐƟǀŝƟĞƐ ǁŝƚŚ ǁŚŝĐŚ ǇŽƵ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ĮǀĞ ;ϱͿ ǇĞĂƌƐ͘ ŽĂƐƚĂů tĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ ŽƵŶĐŝů ϮнǇƌƐ ŽĂƌĚ ŽĨ ŝƌĞĐƚŽƌƐ

17.9 dĂŶŶĞƌǇ dĞŶĂŶƚƐ hŶŝŽŶ ;ZdhͿ ϱн ǇƌƐ ŽĂƌĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌ
dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ƌƟƐƚ /ŶƚĞƌǀŝĞǁ ŽŵŵŝƩĞĞ ϰн ǇƌƐ͘ ŚĂŝƌͬĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĞ ŵĞŵďĞƌ dĂŶŶĞƌǇ ZĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ ZĞƐŽƵƌĐĞ 'ƌŽƵƉ – ďŽĂƌĚ ϭнǇƌ
&ƌĞĞ ŌĞƌ-ƐĐŚŽŽů ƌƚ ĐůĂƐƐĞƐ ϭϬн ǇĞƐ͘ dĞĂĐŚĞƌ
dĂŶŶĞƌǇ WĂŶƚƌǇ- ϯн ǇƌƐ͘ ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĞƌͬ ĨŽƵŶĚĞƌ
^ ƌƚ ŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶĞƌ- ϰǇƌƐ͘ ŽĂƌĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌ
^ĂǀĞ KƵƌ ^ŚŽƌĞƐ- ƐŝƚĞ ĐĂƉƚĂŝŶ ϲнǇƌƐ
Tannery clean-ƵƉƐ- ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĞƌ ϭϯнǇƌƐ
ZŝǀĞƌ ^ƚ ^ŚĞůƚĞƌͬ tĂƌŵŝŶŐ ĞŶƚĞƌ- volunteer
/ ďĞůŝĞǀĞ ŵǇ ůŽŶŐ ŚŝƐƚŽƌǇ ŽĨ ŝŶǀŽůǀĞŵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƌƚƐ͕ ĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ ĂĐƟǀŝƐŵ ŐŝǀĞƐ ŵĞ ĂŶ ŝŶƚĞƌĚŝƐĐŝƉůŝŶĂƌǇ ƉĞƌƐƉĞĐƟǀĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĐĂŶ ƉƌŽďůĞŵ ƐŽůǀĞ ĂŶĚ ĞŶŚĂŶĐĞ ǀŝƐŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ŽƵƌ ^ĂŶƚĂ ƌƵǌ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ WůĞĂƐĞ ĨĞĞů ĨƌĞĞ ƚŽ ĐŚĞĐŬ ŵǇ ǁĞďƐŝƚĞ͗ ůŝŶĚĂĐŽǀĞƌ͘ŽƌŐ dŚĂŶŬ ǇŽƵ͘

17.10 17.11

17.12 17.13

17.14 17.15

17.16 17.17

17.18 17.19

17.20 1. Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
I’m committed to cultivating a vibrant and inclusive arts community in Santa Cruz—one that enhances the lives of residents and inspires visitors by celebrating creativity, cultural diversity, and innovation.

With extensive experience in arts administration, including public relations, community engagement, public art, and communications, I specialize in building the infrastructure and resources necessary for creative ecosystems to thrive. My work empowers artists and organizations to drive innovation, support the creative economy, and foster meaningful connections that enrich the broader community.

My background also includes experience in public art administration, encompassing RFP development, grant writing, DEI initiatives, arts advocacy, and cross-cultural collaboration.

These skills enable me to actively contribute to the Commission’s mission of strengthening Santa Cruz’s arts ecosystem and creating opportunities for sustainable artistic growth.

2. What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
I bring a rich international perspective on the arts and culture industries, shaped by my experiences living in South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This global background has deepened my understanding of inclusivity, cultural representation, and the inner workings of creative industries.

My professional experience spans both performative and visual arts, with a strong emphasis on equity, sustainability, and accessibility. I prioritize relationship-building as a cornerstone of my work, fostering meaningful connections and partnerships that empower communities and support creatives.

Notable contributions include my involvement in the Ebb and Flow River Arts Festival, Central Coast Creative Corps, the Tannery Arts Center and Santa Cruz County’s Open Studios Art Tour.

As a member of the Lana K. Weeks cohort, I contributed to securing over $2 million in unrestricted funding for arts initiatives. I’m also part of the planning committee for the upcoming Santa Cruz Art Week 2026, led by MK Contemporary.

These experiences, coupled with my ability to collaborate across institutions and age groups, illustrate how the arts can intersect with entrepreneurship, address societal challenges, and inspire innovation. My multidisciplinary background and commitment to inclusivity equip me to bring a thoughtful, impactful approach to the Commission’s mission.

3. List community/volunteer activities with which you have been involved in the last five (5) years.
● Executive Board Member for Visit Santa Cruz County
● Museum of Art and History Board Member
● Planning Committee for Santa Cruz Art Week 2026

17.21 17.22

17.23 17.24

17.25 17.26

17.27 17.28

17.29 Shanti Nagwani

Artist Statement
Shanti Nagwani is an artist and art instructor whose work includes: public art, painting, printmaking, mural installation, mehndi, ceramics, photography, wood and metal fabrication, curation, and gallery installation. She collaborates with nonprofits, public and private schools, and community organizations to provide engaging arts education to participants of all ages. Shanti believes in the transformative power of art, and that access to creative expression is crucial for the health and success of any community.

Her favorite part about being a teaching artist is cultivating a sense of belonging and building confidence and excitement in others.

She studied painting, curation, gallery installation, fabrication, public art, and printmaking while receiving her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Santa Cruz.

Awards
2020 Faulkner Award Winner
2020 Irwin Scholarship Nominee
2019 Irwin Project Grant Winner
Featured Exhibitions
April 2024, San Jose Day Art Show at
Empire Seven Gallery, San Jose, CA
March 2020, 12th Annual Art of Painting
in the 21st Century Collegiate Exhibition
at John Natsoulas Gallery, Davis, CA
May 2021, A Collection of Selected Works
by Shanti Nagwani Exhibition at 1101
Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA
Professional Experience
Freelance Artist and Art Instructor,
Santa Cruz, CA
2014-present.

Producing commissioned paintings and
ceramics, art installation, curriculum
development, interior/exterior design,
and private arts event planning.

Delivering art instruction and lecture
services for clients aged 3 to 55+ in
public and private classrooms,
workshops, and events.

17.30 Experience
Preparator
Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, 2023-present.

Performing all duties related to installation and deinstallation of museum exhibitions.

Authoring curriculum for public programs, recruiting and training contract workers, and overseeing communication with artists and clients.

Studio Manager
Merrill Pottery Cooperative, 2022-present.

Managing kiln firings for a 150-member studio. Directing studio safety and best practices, managing inventory, sourcing and performing tool maintenance, leading group and individual presentations, and maintaining communications with all members.

Art Instructor and Consultant
2014-present.

Managing gallery installation, ceramics and fine arts lessons, interior/exterior design, and private event planning. Leading instruction and lecture services for clients aged 3 to 55+ in public and private classrooms, workshops, and events.

Art Instructor and Inventory Manager
Drawn2Art Los Gatos. February 2021-October 2022.

Primary manager of inventory ordering for the studio. Head Instructor for teen and adult classes, summer camps, and daily classes. Led and maintained communication with over 200 parents and clients. Authored and implemented new curricula for eight summer camps. Lead training for seven teachers with 100% success rate on best practices with tools and teaching techniques.

Community Outreach Coordinator
Stories for Solidarity Nonprofit. 2020.

Managed over 20 volunteers and led activities to facilitate community engagement and mutual aid. Cultivated relationships with community leaders to create a network of local volunteers.

17.31 17.32

17.33 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Board of Building and Fire Appeals
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Two at-large appointments of Board of Building and Fire Appeals members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025.

DISCUSSION: The following person is seeking appointment to the Board of Building and Fire Appeals. The asterisk (*) indicates they are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

Myles Corcoran*
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Board of Building and Fire Appeals is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager

18.1 ATTACHMENTS:

1. BOARD OF BUILDING AND FIRE APPEALS APPLICATIONS.PDF

18.2 18.3

18.4 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Children’s Fund Oversight Committee
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve one at-large appointment of a Children's Fund Oversight Committee member, with a term ending January 31, 2026.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. This opening is to fill a vacancy due to a resignation. The appointee will be eligible to serve two more terms.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Children's Fund Oversight Committee.

Allison Guevara
Carolyn Livingston
Pamela Velazquez
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Children's Fund Oversight Committee is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

19.1 Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. CHILDREN’S FUND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS.PDF

19.2 19.3

19.4 19.5

19.6 19.7

19.8 19.9

19.10 19.11

19.12 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, and O'Hara's nominations of Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women (CPVAW) members, with terms ending January 31, 2029, and Councilmember Golder's nomination of one commissioner, with a term ending January 31, 2027.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. CPVAW Commissioners are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following person is seeking appointment to the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women. The asterisk (*) indicates they are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

Courtney Barrett*
Danielle Long*
Héctor Marin
Mervyn Maze
Anissa Novak*
Joy Schendledecker
Joe Thompson
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to CPVAW is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

20.1 FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. CPVAW APPLICATIONS.PDF

20.2 20.3

20.4 20.5

20.6 20.7

20.8 20.9

20.10 20.11

20.12 20.13

20.14 20.15

20.16 I was driven to (re)apply for these commissions based on the impacts I have seen throughout our community due to the we faced these last winters. It is clear to me that these adverse impacts are a direct result of our climate change due to fossil fuels. I have been working alongside Sierra Club these last two years and will continue to bring that same passion for our community and our environment.

We need a variety of input throughout this process. I'm a recent graduate at UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in politics. Throughout my coursework, I have learned and taken courses that challenge the current way of thinking when it comes to our current status quo. I bring a unique perspective to each of these commissions, and if I am selected to serve on these commissions, I will continue to build the knowledge and expertise I currently have. I have been in Santa Cruz for roughly four years now, and I believe that our community thrives the most when all voices and people are heard. Students and student voices need to be brought into the circle to continually build up our community and build partnerships with those who work, study, and live on campus.

I want to use my personal and professional network developed through my work in our local community to make sure my fellow Commissioners and I have access to the latest information on new, insightful, and creative solutions to growth and development. Santa Cruz, alongside the UC, is struggling to balance growth, quality of life, and affordability. I will bring a new voice to advocate for sustainable, equitable, and common-sense solutions to the problems and issues we face.

I will work to ensure we are tracking the newest implementation of laws across the state and looking for ways to ensure we are compliant with the statutes while tailoring our decisions and requirements to push low-income housing creation to the maximum extent possible while learning from other jurisdictions how they are resolving some of the problems we face. Given new laws passed by the legislature and the need for low-income housing, I believe it is necessary to address this issue head-on with all the means at our disposal.

I want to maintain and build a community that is economically diverse. While door knocking in the city, I noticed a common pattern of people moving or being forced out due to the rising cost of homes in Santa Cruz. This causes both community and climate impacts. I want to ensure that in addition to all the legal requirements that guide our decision-making, we are looking at every project through the lens of climate change and the impacts that are happening to our environment.

The increase in traffic over recent years from the former city of Santa Cruz residents being pushed out to more affordable surrounding communities is causing an increase in emissions and increase in traffic. We need to look at our growth as part of a holistic ecosystem of affordability, quality of life, transportation, and economics. I look forward to bringing a focus on holistically informed decisionmaking to the Planning, Transportation, Water, CPVAW, or Downtown Commission.

20.17 20.18
City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: County Latino Affairs Commission
LOCATION: Countywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve one at-large nomination of a County Latino Affairs Commission member, with a term ending April 1, 2027.

BACKGROUND: The City of Santa Cruz has two seats on the Santa Cruz County Latino Affairs Commission and the Council is responsible for nominating the members to fill those spots. The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors ultimately accepts the nominations and appoints new members. Due to a resignation, there is one vacancy.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the County Latino Affairs Commission.

Emmanuel Nevarez
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Not applicable, as this is a County commission.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager

21.1 ATTACHMENTS:

1. COUNTY LATINO AFFAIRS APPLICATIONS.PDF

21.2 21.3

21.4 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Downtown Commission
LOCATION: District 4
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Councilmember Brunner, Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, and Councilmember O'Hara's nominations of Downtown Commission members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. Members of the Downtown Commission are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Downtown Commission.

Names with an asterisk (*) are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

Rebecca Acosta*
Kim Arugula
Jessi Bond
Lisa Colombo
William Ngor
Joy Schendledecker
Boden Shargel
Joe Thompson
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Downtown Commission is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

22.1 FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Thompson
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. DOWNTOWN COMMISSION APPLICATIONS.PDF

22.2 22.3

22.4 22.5

22.6 22.7

22.8 22.9

22.10 22.11

22.12 Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/ Board?
I am interested in joining the downtown commission and/or transportation and public works commission because, as a resident of downtown who has lived on Cedar Street by the Bagelry for the last five years, I understand the unique value of downtown to the vitality and uniqueness of Santa Cruz. Additionally, the new downtown library project will create a parking crunch in the neighborhood during the construction of the project which will last for at least four years. As a proud resident of downtown, I have seen the shortfalls and successes and have more faith than ever that our downtown is resilient and better positioned than most downtowns. While many lament and spread a narrative of despair and doom, I see growth and potential to turn downtown Santa Cruz into a truly unique live, work, and play space, all while balancing the interests of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. As a driver, avid pedestrian, and cyclist, I understand downtown's unique challenges regarding parking availability, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and growth.

For the advisory board, I bring my years of urban planning and development knowledge studying downtowns across the globe. Attached to my application are examples of my work, including a downtown report I did while interning for Councilwoman Kalantari-Johnson and papers I have written on sensible urban development. I am committed, resourceful, and dedicated to improving the vitality of downtown.

Moreover, I have a holistic viewpoint that is centered on a long-term vision for improvements to downtown that focus on improving mobility, bringing diverse dining experiences, and improving public spaces.

I became interested in this position because of my understanding and concern for the parking needs of residents like myself of downtown. New projects such as the downtown library bring an influx of new residents, which ultimately create parking crunches in high traffic neighborhoods such as downtown.

Creating a plan to manage parking in the area requires the knowledge of residents like myself that rely on parking and driving to and from downtown. Furthermore, I understand that parking is key for not just residents but visitors that are seeking to spend the day in town. I appreciate the balance between permitted spots and non-permitted spots, but also see room for improvement on both ends. With the loss of nearly 300 spaces during the duration of construction for the new downtown library, the need to balance and offset parking losses is more pertinent then ever, which is my driving factor for being so deeply interested in working on the downtown commission.

22.13 My extensive experience in public planning, urban infrastructure, and communications equips me to effectively address the complex challenges of long-term strategic planning which would be valuable for the transportation and public works commission. In addition, my experience living within downtown and driving equips me with the knowledge needed to aid in planning long-term parking plans.

What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
I am deeply interested in urban planning, downtown revival projects, and the legal/political foundations of enacting urban change. Throughout my time in Santa Cruz and for the last five years, I have researched, worked on, and lobbied for sensible solutions to improve the vitality of downtown. Despite all the press about downtowns being a thing of the past, I firmly believe that downtowns are crucial to a town's vitality and community health. My ethos behind downtown improvement is to increase the vitality of our spaces through the activation of streets and empty alleyways. Activation would entail the installation of public seating, public art, or community gathering spaces. My interest in the construction and planning parts is what interested me in the transportation and public works commission.

As a marketing and communications for the Santa Cruz METRO, I understand the importance of being strategic with planning and outlook. Among my duties are: managing partnership acquisition projects, connecting social media channels, writing communication plans, and staffing events. In the time I have spent at the METRO, I have worked on bringing together a partnership with the Transit App for all Santa Cruz METRO riders, managed the partnership and selection of a survey provider for a holistic route survey, and am leading the creation of a new social media campaign to highlight places riders can travel to with the METRO.

As a Lower Nob Hill Development Committee member, I worked alongside my neighbors to lobby and win funding to purchase two sites to construct two new parks. Funding for the projects was paid in part thanks to the financing from San Francisco’s soda tax. Furthermore, when Councilwoman Kalantari-Johnson presented me with the opportunity to join the “Yes on Measure Z” movement, I recognized the importance of the measure to helping my neighborhood in a similar way to the efforts I spent in Nob Hill.

22.14 As noted in my experience section, I have engaged with and participated in organizations and groups that share a common goal of improving the vitality of our community, whether it be through opening new parks in Lower Nob Hill, my work at the METRO, or my efforts on Measure Z to help fund our community’s health programs, I am dedicated, motivated, and committed, to improving and bringing a message of downtown vitality and growth to the downtown advisory or transportation and public works commission if presented the opportunity.

List community/volunteer activities with which you have been involved in the last five (5) years.

Intern to Council woman Shebreh-Kalantari Johnson
Grant subcontractor for Shebreh-Kalantari Johnson
Communications/Committee Member/Volunteer for YES on Measure Z Head of Communications for Community Bike Collective
Pacific for Pedestrians
Lower Nob Hill Development Committee
Fort Mason Community Garden Steward/Volunteer
Director of Legal Affairs for Hearts Homeless Student Association UCSC Climate Action Now (CAN)
Volunteer for SC SPCA
Grey Bears Gardening Volunteer

22.15 22.16

22.17 22.18

22.19 22.20

22.21 22.22

22.23 22.24
Downtown Revitalization and Activation
This alley would be the ideal spot for revitalization and activation. In its current state, the alley is often vacant, with many choosing to stay away due to the presence of unhoused individuals. As such, this prime stretch of space is idle, awaiting activation. Even a partial activation of half the space would make a significant impact in making downtown more welcoming and attractive.

The benefits of activating an alleyway are

1. Increased foot traffic.

2. Increased safety.

3. Increased visual beauty.

4. Creation of a new community gathering space.

5. Hosting space for events.

The cons of activating an alleyway are

1. Potential for unhoused individuals to loiter.

2. Removal of loading for some businesses.

3. Cost of maintenance.

In Conclusion
In conclusion, Downtown Santa Cruz requires transformative actions to revitalize and activate derelict spaces like alleyways. Additionally, creating more street fairs alongside Pacific Avenue will increase vibrancy, foot traffic, and income for shops and restaurants within the shopping corridor. At the same time, there are potential impacts from implementing a street fair and activating public spaces, primarily at the expense of delivery accessibility and parking. There is no denying the obvious and essential benefits of renewing the perception of downtown as a safe, vibrant, and welcoming corridor.

Tackling the safety concerns of residents and visitors is paramount to the success of not just downtown but Santa Cruz as a whole. Therefore, the issues of safety, accessibility, and cleanliness can all be addressed through continued investment in policies such as the Downtown Ambassador Program, street markets, and activating alleyways.

22.25 Downtown Revitalization and Activation
References.

Pacific Coast Land Design. (n.d.). Green Street Alley. Pacific Coast Land Design, Inc. https://www.pc-ld.com/green-street-alley
Pasko, J. M., Frey, T., Soliman, A., Neely, C., & Chun, M. (2023, September 20). Downtown Santa Cruz to hike business assessment fee as city center sees post-pandemic rebound in foot traffic.

Lookout Santa Cruz.
https://lookout.co/downtown-santa-cruz-assessment-fee-increase-coming-up-for-public-comment/ Santa cruz mountains makers’ market. The santa cruz mountains makers’ market. (n.d.). https://scmmakersmarket.com/
Stetson, G. (2022, December 3). Santa Cruz city budget shows signs of recovery, but long-term problems persist. Santa Cruz Local.

22.26 Downtown Revitalization and Activation
https://santacruzlocal.org/2022/12/02/santa-cruz-city-budget-shows-signs-of-recovery-but-long-ter m-problems-persist/

22.27 22.28

22.29 22.30

22.31 22.32

22.33 I was driven to (re)apply for these commissions based on the impacts I have seen throughout our community due to the we faced these last winters. It is clear to me that these adverse impacts are a direct result of our climate change due to fossil fuels. I have been working alongside Sierra Club these last two years and will continue to bring that same passion for our community and our environment.

22.34 22.35
City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Equal Employment Opportunity Committee
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve two at-large nominations of Equal Employment Opportunity Committee (EEOC) members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the EEOC. Names with an asterisk (*) are current members interested in reappointment.

Katie Ferraro
Alfredo Manrique*
Joy Schendledecker
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment..

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Arts Commission is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

23.1 Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. EEOC APPLICATIONS.PDF

23.2 23.3

23.4 23.5

23.6 23.7

23.8 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Historic Preservation Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson and Councilmember O'Hara's nominations of Historic Preservation Commission members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. Members of the Historic Preservation Commission are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission. Names with an asterisk (*) are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

Donna Ramos
David Subocz*
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Historic Preservation Commission is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

24.1 Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION APPLICATIONS.PDF

24.2 24.3

24.4 24.5

24.6 24.7

24.8 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Councilmembers O'Hara and Trigueiro's nominations of Parks and Recreation Commission members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. Members of the Parks and Recreation Commission are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Dan Ackerstein
Kim Arugula
Heather Babcock
Melissa Begin
Walter "Joe" Griffin
Andrew Jarvis
Barbara J. Lawrence
Maggie Mathias
Chris Nestlerode
Robert Orrizzi
Michele Replogle
Joy Schendledecker
Boden Shargel
Emma Ussat
Leslie Wooding
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

25.1 HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Parks and Recreation Commission is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. PARKS AND RECREATION APPLICATIONS.PDF

25.2 25.3

25.4 25.5

25.6 25.7

25.8 25.9

25.10 25.11

25.12 25.13

25.14 25.15

25.16 25.17

25.18 25.19
City of Santa Cruz Application for Advisory Boards - Maggie Mathias

1. Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/ Board?
I am eager to join the City’s advisory board because it presents a unique opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process that shapes our community’s future. Having lived and worked in Santa Cruz for over two decades, I am deeply committed to this area, and I believe my experience and skills can help the City make informed, thoughtful decisions in these rapidly changing times.

Since 2005, I’ve worked at 2NDNATURE, a locally-owned, science-based software company.

Initially focused on water science consulting, 2NDNATURE has since evolved into a leader in developing innovative, spatially-based software that addresses stormwater management challenges. Our mission is to support municipalities and corporations with data-driven, sciencebacked tools to inform their planning decisions, particularly in the face of climate change.

Through this work, I have gained extensive knowledge of the water quality and supply issues facing Santa Cruz.

In my role as head of product, I spend my time bringing together people of diverse skills and perspectives to develop short and long-term product road maps. Our road maps must balance what we need, what we want, and what we can do, and I thrive in fostering a collaborative team environment to make these tough decisions. We don’t always get it right, but we are committed to learning and improving every time. I would bring this same commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making to the City’s advisory boards.

2. What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/ Committee/Board?
I bring a diverse range of interests and experiences that I believe will enrich the work of the City.

My extensive travels have allowed me to explore natural areas around the world, from hiking in New Zealand and summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro to exploring parks in Croatia and whitewater rafting in the Pacific Northwest. These adventures have deepened my appreciation for outdoor spaces and underscored the importance of preserving and making them accessible for both current and future generations.

As an avid hiker and dog owner, I spend a significant amount of time in our local parks, beaches, and trails. Over time, I’ve come to recognize how recreational needs evolve with age, which has fueled my passion for ensuring our city’s outdoor spaces are accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive for people of all ages and abilities. I’m inspired by communities that have successfully integrated arts, education, and outdoor activities to create multifunctional spaces for gathering, exercise, and reflection.

As a board member on Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, I have experienced firsthand how the different agencies and organizations in Santa Cruz partner to serve and support our community.

I’ve been actively involved in both short-term response efforts and long-term planning, particularly in the aftermath of park closures caused by the CZU fire and the 2023 coastal storms.

These experiences have reinforced my commitment to ensuring our parks are not only resilient but also accessible and preserved for future generations.

Attachment Page of 12

25.20 City of Santa Cruz Application for Advisory Boards - Maggie Mathias

3. List community/volunteer activities with which you have been involved in the last five (5) years
• City of Santa Cruz Climate Action Task Force (April 2021 to November 2022): Advised City staff through the development of the Final Climate Action Plan 2030. • Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks (June 2010 to present): Current Board Governance Committee Chair, leading development of strategic plan and board recruitment. Current Board Secretary. Past Board Chair and Treasurer.
• Various Santa Cruz City and County elections (2019 to 2024): Campaign treasurer, volunteer, and advisor.
• Live Like Coco Foundation (2015-2020): Volunteer and supporter to local non-profit in helping kids in Santa Cruz County.

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25.23 Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
I am interested in this position because I am grateful for everything the Parks and Recreation Department does and want to contribute to it in any way I can. I grew up in Santa Cruz and have lived in the city for the majority of my life. I think the beauty we have and our greenspace is incredible and I am always amazed at what we have access to in the city and county. Not only that, but I appreciate the recreational services, growing up playing soccer at Harvey West Park or doing junior guards by the wharf, these all have shaped who I am. As someone who sees the value of these services and now have enough experience I’d like to give back to the department in any way I can.

For skills I have to offer, I would like to bring in my experience in schools and youth and adult recreational activities. On the board and as general manager of the Santa Cruz Track Club we have seen growth since pre-covid levels and our best fiscal year yet in 2024. I have done that through building partnerships with other groups and strengthened the ones that we have to build our community. It has come through an understanding of what our partnering groups need and also realizing where we have needed to make some cuts and balance our programs for growth.

I’ve worked as director at Santa Cruz Soccer Camp, where we have had record setting growth both with fiscal oversight and being able to hire and train the right staff to be successful. I would bring the marketing and communications skills I have worked on for the camp and gathered that growth, as well as the leadership skills I’ve developed from working with our families and staff to build our program.

In the school I work at, I’ve helped connect different stakeholder groups to gather data for a long term strategic plan as well as gathering data for our annual report and creating it to highlight the work of the school as a celebration of our community with strong values to everything we do. Additionally, with my background as an educator I always work to always understand and listen with empathy, which I feel is an important role of the commission to take in and listen mindfully to the public’s input.

Overall, I aim to bring the following to the commission: a calm and attentive listening style, long-term planning skills with the ability to evaluate diverse scenarios, and a deep passion for supporting the continued success and growth of the Parks and Recreation Department.

What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
I bring a combination of recreation-focused experience, a commitment to youth engagement, and a passion for environmental stewardship. I am a frequent bike commuter and have set a personal goal to hike every trail in Santa Cruz County—with this time outdoors, I hold high value to our greenspaces and the idea of equitable access to parks and services is of high value to me. At the same

25.24 time I have valued learning from different talks the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band has done, and value their ideas on stewardship and caring for the land we inhabit.

I am on the SCCRTC’s Transportation Equity Workgroup as well as the Diversity and Equity committee at my school. Both positions have allowed me to learn from others as well as provide my own feedback and exchange ideas where I have gained valuable insights into promoting equity and inclusion that I would bring to the commission.

I am an active volunteer with several of the local groups for trail maintenance and stewardship both in the city parks and around the county. I would hope to bring connections and growth to these organizations and would like to facilitate growth and connections throughout our community in connection with the parks and recreation spaces in whatever way I can.

List community/volunteer activities with which you have been involved in the last five (5) years. ● Trail volunteering with Santa Cruz Mountain Trail Stewardship at Delaveaga Park, Pogonip, Wilder Ranch, and Cotoni Coast Dairies and with Land Trust of Santa Cruz ● March to End Homelessness Volunteer
● Live Oak Education Foundation Jackrabbit Mile—Assistant Organizer ● Santa Cruz Track Club Board Member
● Bike Santa Cruz County/Walk and Roll to School Day

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25.35 1. Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
I am thrilled at the prospect of contributing to the Santa Cruz City Parks and Recreation Commission, drawing from my substantial experience overseeing public programs, including trail stewardship and maintenance, at Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS). In this role I have developed an intimate familiarity with city parks, the Parks and Recreation Department's staff, mission, goals, and available resources. Collaborating closely with department contacts, I've developed a profound understanding of the intricacies involved in maintaining and enhancing public spaces. My expertise in event planning, community engagement, and budget management, combined with firsthand knowledge of various city parks gained through weekly activities, uniquely positions me to contribute effectively to the commission's objectives.

Furthermore, my eagerness to contribute stems from a deep passion for building healthy communities and fostering environmental stewardship, closely aligning with the department's mission and vision. As a Senior Community Engagement Manager at Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship, I bring extensive experience in event planning, community outreach, budget management, and program development. My proficiency in fostering transparent and honest communication, in line with the department's values, and strategic communication skills contribute to achieving the department's vision. Additionally, my proven track record of securing diversified funding sources, managing teams, and cultivating relationships with local businesses aligns seamlessly with the responsibilities of the commission.

2. What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board? In addition to my professional experiences, my direct involvement with city parks through overseeing public programs with SCMTS adds a specific dimension to my perspective. My hands-on experience in trail stewardship and maintenance aligns seamlessly with the commission's responsibilities. Having worked at various city parks on a weekly basis during SCMTS events, I have gained an in-depth understanding of the unique features, challenges, and opportunities associated with each park. This firsthand knowledge allows me to bring practical insights into the commission's decision-making processes.

Furthermore, my commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not only theoretical but has been translated into tangible actions. I took a leadership role in developing and implementing a DEI committee at SCMTS, fostering an inclusive environment within the organization. This initiative involved creating onboarding policies and programs designed to ensure that diversity and inclusivity were integral parts of the organizational culture.

Beyond organizational initiatives, I have personally developed and implemented multiple DEI programs aimed at serving underserved communities. These programs were designed to break down barriers and provide access to outdoor and recreational activities for individuals who may face systemic challenges. My hands-on experience in executing DEI programs, coupled with my understanding of the diverse needs within the community, uniquely positions me to contribute to the Santa Cruz City Parks and Recreation Commission's commitment to fostering equity, inclusion, and accessibility in recreational opportunities for all residents.

3. List community/volunteer activities with which you have been involved in the last five (5) years.

Over the past ten years, my primary focus has been on my role as Senior Community Engagement Manager at Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship (SCMTS). In this capacity, I have actively contributed to the community through various initiatives. I have created and implemented over a dozen public programs, community engagement initiatives, organized events, and developed partnerships with local businesses, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life within the Santa Cruz community.

One noteworthy community engagement effort includes my involvement in trail crew leader training at SCMTS and the California Naturalist Program. Through these initiatives, I have not only contributed to environmental stewardship but also actively participated in educating and engaging community members in sustainable practices and a deeper understanding of the natural surroundings.

25.36 My commitment to community service extends to my active participation in SCMTS events, where we work closely with the Parks and Recreation Department at various city parks on a weekly basis. This hands-on engagement has provided me with a unique perspective on the needs and challenges of these public spaces, reinforcing my dedication to improving recreational opportunities and overall community wellbeing.

In summary, my community and volunteer activities over the past five years have been centered around enhancing community engagement, promoting environmental stewardship, and actively contributing to the well-being of residents within the Santa Cruz area.

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25.39 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Planning Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Councilmembers Trigueiro and Brunner's nominations of Planning Commission members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. Members of the Planning Commission are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Planning Commission.

Names with an asterisk (*) are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

Detlef Adam
Ayo Banjo
Carolyn Book-Kelley
Lisa Colombo
Michael Funari
Héctor Marin
Michele Replogle
Joy Schendledecker
Boden Shargel
Joe Thompson
Matthew Thompson*
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

26.1 FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. PLANNING COMMISSION APPLICATIONS.PDF

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26.4 Please note: This application is considered a public document, and will be available for release upon request.

CITY OF SANTA CRUZ APPLICATION FOR APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY BODIES Applications will be considered active for two years from date of submission.

NAME* DATE
RESIDENCE ADDRESS* CITY ZIP
EMAIL* HOME # CELL #

EMPLOYER OCCUPATION
REGISTERED CITY VOTER? Yes No YEARS LIVED IN CITY LIMITS OF SANTA CRUZ EMPLOYED BY CITY OF SANTA CRUZ? Yes No PRESENTLY SERVING ON ADVISORY BODY?** Yes No PERSONAL REFERENCE or ENDORSING
COUNCILMEMBER (optional) PHONE
*required fields.

ADVISORY BODIES
If you are applying for more than one advisory body, please rank your preferences numerically with #1 as your first choice.

Arts Commission* Historic Preservation Commission*
Board of Building Appeals* Parks and Recreation Commission* Children’s Fund Oversight Committee Planning Commission*

Commission for the Prevention of Violence
Against Women* Sister Cities Committee
Downtown Commission* Transportation and Public Works Commission* Equal Employment Opportunity Committee Water Commission* Other Advisory Body, or if you are applying for a specialized category, please indicate:

Advisory Body Category
* A Statement of Economic Interest must be filed after appointment by those appointed to the advisory bodies marked with an asterisk (*). The statement includes, but is not limited to, disclosure of financial, business and real property interests held by the appointee (and spouse) in the City of Santa Cruz or within 2 miles of the jurisdiction of the City of Santa Cruz. ** Council Policy 5.1 states that members shall not serve simultaneously on more than one advisory body. If you are presently serving on (or are appointed to) an advisory body, your application to serve on a second advisory body will be forwarded to the Council for consideration only if you indicate that you are willing to resign from the first advisory body. If you are appointed to serve on an advisory body, you may also be eligible to serve on another advisory body or task force if it is scheduled to sunset within 13 months.

SIGN AND RETURN TO CITY CLERK’S DEPARTMENT
By Email [email protected]
By Mail/In Person: 809 Center Street, Room 9
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Signature of Applicant Fax: 831-420-5031
● PLEASE USE THE REVERSE SIDE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ● 6 Sonja Brunner
1 X X
01/10/2023
X
Santa Cruz Black
Santa Cruz
Ayo Banjo
95060
Director of Programs

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I was driven to (re)apply for these commissions based on the impacts I have seen throughout our community due to the we faced these last winters. It is clear to me that these adverse impacts are a direct result of our climate change due to fossil fuels. I have been working alongside Sierra Club these last two years and will continue to bring that same passion for our community and our environment.

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City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Sister Cities Committee
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve two at-large nominations of Sister Cities Committee members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Sister Cities Committee.

Jessi Bond
Enda Brennan
Danielle Brown
Emily Burton
Lisa Colombo
Margaret (Magi) Diego
Douglas Garcia
Leah Kahn
Jonathon Landeck
Jacqui Leatheam
Katherine Lee
Maggie Mathias
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Sister Cities Committee is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

27.1 FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. SISTER CITIES COMMITTEE APPLICATIONS.PDF

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27.18 Leah Eve Kahn
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
m:

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:
16+ years of professional experience in higher ed administration, program management, training, communications, and team management. An experienced, process-oriented, operations professional with a record of success managing large and diverse projects in technical and educational environments.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SANTA CRUZ
Director of Academic Planning, Jack Baskin School of Engineering • July 2023 - Present Summary of Position: The Director of Academic Planning serves as a senior member of the Baskin leadership team with the primary responsibility of overseeing academic program planning and analysis and academic resource and curricular management for the Baskin School of Engineering (BE).
• Academic program planning and development
• Academic resource and curricular management
• Academic data analysis Dean’s Cabinet, Department Chairs, and BE staff units • Directorship of Instructional Support Services and staff supervision

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SANTA CRUZ
Instructional Support Services Supervisor, Jack Baskin School of Engineering • November 2015 - June 2023
Summary of Position: The Instructional Support Supervisor is an experienced professional who provides administrative support for the chairs and faculty of BE academic departments. The supervisor oversees Instructional Support Services (ISS), while managing 3 professional positions within the unit. The ISS Supervisor autonomously administers and manages instructional support and curriculum management for the entire BE division.
• Oversight and direct supervision of Instructional Support Services • Administrative support for BE Chairs and faculty and all academic departments as it pertains to curriculum and enrollment management
• Oversight of curriculum management as it pertains to scheduling, creation of new courses, and course revisions
• Oversight of DRC testing accommodation policy, practices, and data collection • Liaison between faculty and ITS Learning Technologies COMCOURSE, INC.

Director of Program Support, Santa Cruz, CA • June 2008 – June 2015 Summary of Position: The Director of Program Support manages a team of Program Managers and oversees the logistics and operations for online educational partners. The position requires top-level expertise in the Comcourse Learning Management System (LMS), and the ability to

27.19 effectively teach PMs how it can best be utilized based on each institution’s online policies and data analysis needs.
• Oversee Program Managers that run operations and logistics for online education partners • Administratively manage the LMS
• Design LMS feature requests based on partner needs, enhancement and bug reports • Document, maintain, and train employees and partners on existing and evolving software features
• Analyze student progress and various metrics via customized reporting • Train and advise incoming faculty on the LMS
• Determine course scheduling, enrollment projection and management for a variety of educational institutions and programs
• Assist in retaining student records and changes in a variety of Student Information Systems EXTREME LEARNING CENTER, INC.

Training Manager, Morgan Hill, CA • December 2007- May 2008 • Communicate with, and advise all Northern California Academic Coaches, Area Managers, and Regional Managers regarding program specifics/problem solving • Conduct Initial and Advanced Trainings for all Academic Coaches in Northern California • Operate and implement the Northern California Training calendar • Assist in program implementation
• Conduct program quality evaluations
• Track and maintain training payroll
EXTREME LEARNING CENTER, INC.

Lead Site Coach, Watsonville, CA • October 2004 – August 2005 • Site manager of after-school program at Mintie White Elementary School • Facilitate an after-school classroom of third through fifth graders • Assess and record program progress via various computer skill-building software • Communicate student advancement to school faculty, administration, and parents • Manage on-site Academic Coaches
CENTRO DE IDIOMAS INTERCULTURA Heredia, Costa Rica
WESTGATE UNIVERSITY PROGRAM Tokyo, Japan
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTER – UCLA Summer Program, Westwood, CA INTERNATIONAL HOUSE, Santa Monica, CA
Teacher of English as a Foreign Language, Worldwide • 2005 - 2007 • Classroom teaching to multicultural populations of all ages • EFL instruction ranging from beginner to advanced levels • Curriculum planning and student assessments
• Private, group, and business class instruction
• TOEIC exam facilitation

27.20 EDUCATION:

CAMBRIDGE CELTA CERTIFICATION, International House Santa Monica, Certification to teach English as a Foreign Language
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN WOMEN’S STUDIES, University of California at Santa Cruz VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:

Volunteer Medical Interpreter ROTACARE BAY AREA CLINIC, Santa Cruz, CA • June 2008 - March 2021
• Interpreter for Spanish speaking patients, and for English speaking doctors and nurses • Triage incoming patients; In-room interpretation on behalf of patient and doctor; Provide patient discharge, referrals, and instructions verbally and written in Spanish • COVID-19 vaccine clinic administrator

ORGANIZATIONS
Executive Board Member, Administrative Management (AMP) Professionals - UCSC Chapter • March 2019 - 2024
Vice-Chair, University of California Systemwide Steering Committee (AMP) • March 2021 - March 2022
Chair, University of California Systemwide Steering Committee (AMP) • March 2022 - March 2023
Ex-Officio, University of California Systemwide Steering Committee (AMP) • March 2023 - March 2024
TECHNICAL SKILLS AND LANGUAGE:

Technical:

Google Drive Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, HTML, PC and Mac user, Excellent research skills Languages:

English and Spanish

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27.29 City of Santa Cruz Application for Advisory Boards - Maggie Mathias

Since 2005, I’ve worked at 2NDNATURE, a locally-owned, science-based software company.

Through this work, I have gained extensive knowledge of the water quality and supply issues facing Santa Cruz.

As a board member on Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, I have experienced firsthand how the different agencies and organizations in Santa Cruz partner to serve and support our community.

I’ve been actively involved in both short-term response efforts and long-term planning, particularly in the aftermath of park closures caused by the CZU fire and the 2023 coastal storms.

These experiences have reinforced my commitment to ensuring our parks are not only resilient but also accessible and preserved for future generations.

Attachment Page of 12

27.30 City of Santa Cruz Application for Advisory Boards - Maggie Mathias

Attachment Page of 22

27.31 City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Transportation and Public Works Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, and O'Hara, and Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson's nominations of Transportation and Public Works Commission members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. Members of the Transportation and Public Works Commission are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Transportation and Public Works Commission. Names with an asterisk (*) are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

Detlef Adam
Nairi Azarian
Lisa Colombo
Ron Goodman*
Kyle Kelley*
Elizabeth Madrigal
William Ngor
Lola Quiroga*
Michele Replogle
Carlina Rose
Joy Schendledecker
Boden Shargel
Joe Thompson
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

28.1 HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Transportation and Public Works Commission is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION APPLICATIONS.PDF

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Elizabeth Madrigal
January 11th, 2025
Transportation and Public Works Commission (TPWC) Application

1. Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
Having grown up relying on public transportation in the Salinas Valley, the built environment of cities and whether it is amenable to different modes of transportation and accessible to people of differing abilities has always been at the forefront of my mind. Since graduating from the University of California, Berkeley in 2019 with a major in political science and a minor in public policy, I have been working in affordable housing development - both as a project manager and on the policy side. As a project manager, I led teams on new construction transit oriented developments, rehabilitation of existing affordable homes, bringing tenant improvement build outs for community serving nonprofit organizations to realization and organizing an intergenerational, resident-led working group to guide which commercial uses would be apt to activate ground floor retail space. During my time as a Housing and Sustainability Policy Manager at the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, I led the team in 6th Cycle Housing Element technical assistance and community engagement efforts within Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, as well as in statewide legislative efforts. I am especially proud to have spearheaded the creation of a tri-county housing element steering committee that successfully advocated for a Regional Housing Needs Allocation methodology which resulted in more homes being allocated to high and highest opportunity areas, with the intention of promoting equity and inclusion as well as alleviating the Monterey Bay region’s jobs-housing imbalance.

Through seeking appointment to the TPWC, I am prepared to bring both my lived and professional experiences and skills to the table in order to guide Santa Cruz towards being a city that does not view the issues we are facing in a siloed manner, but rather in an equitable framework of simultaneously addressing transportation, our worsening housing and climate crises as well as everyday basics such as providing quality access to recreational activities to those in our community.

28.16 2. What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
As someone who is wholly reliant on public transportation and walking to get around Santa Cruz and beyond, I bring a unique perspective to this Commission. Through regularly spending time with one of my friends who traverses the city on a wheelchair, I have been exposed to areas in which the city can improve their accessibility and look forward to discussion on this item.

Furthermore, I will share lessons learned from encounters I’ve had as a Latina woman navigating Santa Cruz to this board - whether that be helping monolingual Spanish speakers who were having difficulty in getting where they needed to go due to signage only being in English, or unsavory situations that have transpired when walking home at night, which were accentuated by street design.

Lastly, I am interested in exploring ways which the Transportation and Public Works Commission can advise the City in intentionally furthering engagement with underserved communities. This is especially important to me as I grew up with Spanish being the primary language spoken in my household and can remember times in my childhood were my parents would’ve liked to fully participate in community meetings, parent-teacher conferences, etc. but were not able to as they were not provided resources to be on an even playing field with those who already spoke English.

3. List community/volunteer activities with which you have been involved in the last five (5) years.

My volunteer activities over the last five years have largely focused on advancing housing and transportation efforts within the localities I’ve resided in, as well as on a regional basis. At the start of the pandemic, I moved back to Monterey County in order to be closer to my parents and made it a goal of mine to be locally involved in Seaside - where I lived at the time. This resulted in the Mayor of the City of Seaside appointing me to serve as a Planning Commissioner, in which I diligently reviewed and made recommendations on land use matters that were brought forth to this body. Shortly thereafter, I was appointed as an inaugural member to the Link21 Equity Advisory Council whose function is to guide the Link21 program towards achieving their objective of transforming Northern California’s passenger rail network into a faster, more integrated system that provides safe, efficient, equitable and affordable travel for all users of the system. The Link21 program is sponsored by San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) as well as the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority and spans

28.17 the Northern California Megaregion, of which I currently represent the Monterey Bay Area.

Additionally, I am involved with a number of housing advocacy organizations in Santa Cruz County in which I advocate for abundant housing, renter protections, and tackling the climate crisis head on via promoting placement of new housing opportunities for Santa Cruz County’s workforce near their jobs and schools. I pride myself on being of service to the different communities I belong to and remain excited about the prospect of serving on the Transportation and Public Works Commission. Thank you for your time and consideration.

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28.20 Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/ Board?
I am interested in joining the downtown commission and/or transportation and public works commission because, as a resident of downtown who has lived on Cedar Street by the Bagelry for the last five years, I understand the unique value of downtown to the vitality and uniqueness of Santa Cruz. Additionally, the new downtown library project will create a parking crunch in the neighborhood during the construction of the project which will last for at least four years. As a proud resident of downtown, I have seen the shortfalls and successes and have more faith than ever that our downtown is resilient and better positioned than most downtowns. While many lament and spread a narrative of despair and doom, I see growth and potential to turn downtown Santa Cruz into a truly unique live, work, and play space, all while balancing the interests of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. As a driver, avid pedestrian, and cyclist, I understand downtown's unique challenges regarding parking availability, pedestrian and cyclist safety, and growth.

28.21 My extensive experience in public planning, urban infrastructure, and communications equips me to effectively address the complex challenges of long-term strategic planning which would be valuable for the transportation and public works commission. In addition, my experience living within downtown and driving equips me with the knowledge needed to aid in planning long-term parking plans.

28.22 As noted in my experience section, I have engaged with and participated in organizations and groups that share a common goal of improving the vitality of our community, whether it be through opening new parks in Lower Nob Hill, my work at the METRO, or my efforts on Measure Z to help fund our community’s health programs, I am dedicated, motivated, and committed, to improving and bringing a message of downtown vitality and growth to the downtown advisory or transportation and public works commission if presented the opportunity.

List community/volunteer activities with which you have been involved in the last five (5) years.

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Downtown Revitalization and Activation
This alley would be the ideal spot for revitalization and activation. In its current state, the alley is often vacant, with many choosing to stay away due to the presence of unhoused individuals. As such, this prime stretch of space is idle, awaiting activation. Even a partial activation of half the space would make a significant impact in making downtown more welcoming and attractive.

The benefits of activating an alleyway are

1. Increased foot traffic.

2. Increased safety.

3. Increased visual beauty.

4. Creation of a new community gathering space.

5. Hosting space for events.

The cons of activating an alleyway are

1. Potential for unhoused individuals to loiter.

2. Removal of loading for some businesses.

3. Cost of maintenance.

28.33 Downtown Revitalization and Activation
References.

28.34 Downtown Revitalization and Activation
https://santacruzlocal.org/2022/12/02/santa-cruz-city-budget-shows-signs-of-recovery-but-long-ter m-problems-persist/

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28.37 Lola Quiroga
January 10, 2025
Transportation and Public Works Commission Application

1. Why are you interested in this position? What particular skills would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
I am thrilled to continue serving on the Transportation and Public Works Commission (TPWC) because I genuinely love this work—it’s one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply passionate about active transportation and building sustainable, equitable communities that create a more connected Santa Cruz. Serving on the TPWC allows me to channel this passion into meaningful action that benefits our city and its residents.

One of the key strengths I bring to the TPWC is my analytical approach. Before each meeting, I thoroughly prepare by visiting project sites, asking staff detailed questions, and gathering input from my network of neighbors, advocates, and community members. I carefully review public comments (both written and oral) and ensure that these perspectives inform my contributions during meetings. This preparation allows me to bring a well-rounded and thoughtful perspective to the commission.

As an advocate and problem solver, I have a plethora of ideas and a solution-oriented mindset.

My professional experience at METRO and UCSC TAPS has given me a deep understanding of bike and bus infrastructure, as well as insights into best practices from communities across California and beyond. This knowledge enables me to offer informed suggestions tailored to our local context. I prioritize finding low-cost, effective solutions to infrastructure challenges, recognizing that even small changes can have a big impact on how drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians interact with our streets.

Outside of the commission, I stay engaged by routinely reaching out to staff with feedback and suggestions. I’m always eager to learn about the issues facing our community and find ways to address them. I’m particularly committed to advocating for individuals who rely on car-free transportation options, ensuring they can navigate our city safely and confidently. Whether it’s creating safer routes for children, individuals with disabilities, or others who don’t have the luxury of choosing to drive, I advocate to make Santa Cruz a more walkable, bikeable, and equitable place for everyone.

As a car-free student, renter, and young queer Latina woman, I also bring a valuable perspective that helps ensure the TPWC’s work reflects the diverse needs of our community. I’m committed to using my voice and experience to advocate for underrepresented groups and to champion transportation solutions that improve safety, accessibility, and quality of life for all. I take great

28.38 pride in serving this community, and I’m eager to continue contributing to the TPWC’s important work in making meaningful improvements to people’s lives.

2. What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/Committee/Board?
As a student, young person, renter, car-free individual by choice, Latina, queer woman, and cyclist, I bring a multifaceted perspective to the Commission. Having lived in various parts of Santa Cruz—moving five times in four years—I’ve gained unique insights into the city’s diverse conditions and transportation needs. I’ve used every form of transportation across different areas, from Natural Bridges to Live Oak, and this firsthand experience has given me a comprehensive understanding of our city’s transportation dynamics that many others may not have had the opportunity to experience.

Since joining the Commission, I have gained extensive experience and built strong relationships that further enhance my contributions. For example:
● UCSC Planning: After the UCSC bike/ped safety study in January, I collaborated closely with UCSC Planning staff. As Vice President of the UCSC Student Housing Coalition, I organized two presentations for planning staff, offering feedback on bike/ped/bus infrastructure on campus. I maintained ongoing communication with their team about proposed infrastructure changes and grants. I was also invited to participate in discussions with METRO and UCSC regarding a bus turnaround point on campus and attended four site visits to support decision-making.
● UCSC TAPS: In my role as a representative to the Advisory Committee on Campus Transportation and Parking (ACCTP), I developed a strong relationship with UCSC TAPS. I provided feedback that led to tangible changes, such as adjustments to the schedules of the Science Hill Limited Pilot and extended Bike Shuttle hours based on rider input. I also advocated for improved customer information for the Bike Shuttle, ensuring that riders receive clearer communication about trip updates through multiple methods of communication.
● Santa Cruz METRO
○ Before joining METRO as a Planning Intern, I regularly attended board meetings and collaborated with advocates, the METRO CEO, and planning staff to advocate for improved UCSC and Eastside connections as well as enhanced weekend schedules. These efforts demonstrated my commitment to making public transit more accessible and efficient for the community.

28.39 ○ In my current role at METRO, I focus on community advocacy and rider experience. I design schedules aligned with school bell times to maximize YouthCruzFree and UCSC ridership, adjust schedules using on-time performance data, and create tailored stop notices for each service change to ensure clear and effective communication with riders. I’ve shown a strong passion for enhancing the rider experience by leveraging data to improve schedule reliability and by prioritizing customer-focused communications.
○ Engaging directly with the community is central to my approach. Whether on the bus, at TPWC meetings, or through online forums, I actively gather rider feedback to implement meaningful service changes that address community needs. This connectedness has directly influenced the positive impact I’ve been able to achieve at METRO.
○ One of my key contributions has been addressing the issue of bus bunching. By advocating for and implementing all-door boarding on articulated buses on the UCSC campus, dwell times have been reduced significantly. Additionally, eliminating the requirement for riders to show IDs before boarding buses on campus further decreased dwell times across all bus types, improving the overall efficiency of the transit system.

These experiences exemplify my commitment to the work that the Transportation and Public Works Commission does. I actively engage with community members to understand their lived experiences with our infrastructure and gather ideas for addressing challenges. While many people are too busy to attend meetings or submit formal feedback, they often share valuable insights on social media. I believe it’s essential to meet people where they are and consider all forms of feedback, whether through public comment, direct conversations, or online discussions.

This approach ensures we’re making informed, inclusive decisions that reflect the needs and desires of our community.

Thank you for considering my application for the Transportation and Public Works Commission.

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2 These experiences have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of transportation planning, environmental sustainability, and community engagement. I am eager to bring my expertise, collaborative approach, and passion for equitable and sustainable transportation solutions to this Commission, contributing meaningfully to its mission.

2. What types of diverse interests/experiences would you bring to the Commission/ Committee/Board?
During my time living across the Bay Area I have engaged with virtually every mode of transportation available, including:
• Walking: Navigating neighborhoods and urban areas on foot has given me an appreciation for pedestrian safety, accessibility, and the importance of well-designed street level infrastructure. • Commute Cycling: As a cyclist, I've gained firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities for improving bike infrastructure and safety.
• Motorcycling: My experience as a motorcyclist has deepened my understanding of roadway design, traffic dynamics, and rider safety.
• Public Transit Dependency: At various points, I have relied exclusively on public transportation, offering me a keen appreciation of its strengths and areas for improvement. • Accessibility Challenges: While temporarily using an assisted walking device, I personally experienced the barriers and limitations faced by individuals with mobility challenges, inspiring a commitment to inclusive transit planning.
• Long-Distance Commuting: My experience commuting long distances using both personal vehicles and public transit has given me insight into regional connectivity and the needs of diverse commuters.
• Commitment to Sustainability: My diverse transportation experiences have deepened my awareness of the environmental impacts of different modes of travel. This awareness drives my commitment to promoting sustainable transportation solutions that reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and support equality and environmentally friendly urban development.

These experiences have cultivated a deep understanding of transportation systems from multiple perspectives, equipping me to contribute meaningfully to discussions and decisions that promote accessibility, safety, efficiency, and sustainability for all community members.

With gratitude,
Carlina Rose

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28.52 I was driven to (re)apply for these commissions based on the impacts I have seen throughout our community due to the we faced these last winters. It is clear to me that these adverse impacts are a direct result of our climate change due to fossil fuels. I have been working alongside Sierra Club these last two years and will continue to bring that same passion for our community and our environment.

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City Council

AGENDA REPORT
DATE: 01/10/2025
AGENDA OF: 01/28/2025
DEPARTMENT: City Clerk
SUBJECT: Water Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, and Councilmembers O'Hara and Trigueiro's nominations of Water Commission members, with terms ending January 31, 2029.

BACKGROUND: The annual recruitment for advisory body appointments officially closed on January 12, 2025. Members of the Water Commission are directly nominated and appointed by each member of the Council.

DISCUSSION: The following people are seeking appointment to the Water Commission.

Names with an asterisk (*) are current commissioners interested in reappointment.

David Baskin*
Justin Burks*
Tom Burns*
Laura Ciravolo
Lisa Colombo
Kent Dannehl
Laura Knobel
Joy Schendledecker
Joe Thompson
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION: Not applicable. Does not require CEQA review as it does not meet the definition of a Project under CEQA as it does not have a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.

HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES (HiAP): Though this administrative process of appointing members to the Water Commission is not directly related to Health in All Policies, the City recently adopted an ordinance that implemented a stipend for members serving on commissions, which aligns with the equity pillar of Health in All Policies.

29.1 FISCAL IMPACT:

1. The recommendation in this report impacts the General Fund: No

2. This recommendation requires a budget adjustment: No

3. The recommendation creates an on-going expenditure commitment: No FISCAL IMPACT DESCRIPTION: No impact.

Prepared By:

Bonnie Bush
City Clerk
Submitted By:

Michelle Templeton
Assistant City Manager
Approved By:

Matt Huffaker
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:

1. WATER COMMISSION APPLICATIONS.PDF

29.2 29.3

29.4 29.5

29.6 Justin Burks
| Santa Cruz, CA |

H I G H L I G H T S
• City of Santa Cruz Water
Commission Chair, Water Use
Efficiency Practitioner Grade 3,
& certified Graywater Installer
• Local & Federal Policy Advocacy
• Project & Program Planning,
Development, Implementation,
& Management
• Community Engagement,
Negotiation, & Public Speaking

K E Y P R O J E C T S
• Negotiate contracts to fund
projects including Advanced
Metering Infrastructure worth
up to $1.6M per year.
• Finalized the 2021 Water
Conservation Strategic Plan,
creating interactive GIS maps
from the plan to ensure the
plan continues to be leveraged.
• 2015 & 2020 Urban Water
Management Plan co-author
• Using CMS tools, led redesign
of multiple agency websites.

Trained my staff to takeover.
• Independently planned,
coordinated, & hosted dozens
of water conservation
workshops, incl. multi-lingual
webinars available on YouTube.
• Media appearances with NPR’s
Morning Edition, NBC News, &
The Mercury News.

P R O G R A M P R O F I C I E N C Y
• MS Office Suite (Int.-Advanced)
• ArcGIS v. 10.2 (Int.-Advanced)

E D U C A T I O N
Ecology & Evolution Biology, B.S.

University of California —
Santa Cruz 2008

L E A D E R S H I P

D R O U G H T R E S P O N S E
Subject matter expert in developing 2 ordinances for Valley Water’s 2021-23 drought response. Revamped the Water Waste Program from an educational to an enforcement program in 4 weeks. To build consensus for the drought response, led policy discussions at monthly Board Committee meetings and dozens of meetings with water retailers.

Managed year-to-year participation increases between 130% and 530%.

A C C O U N T A B I L I T Y & C O M M U N I C A T I O N Key evaluator and negotiator of a Customer Relationship Management software update—an innovative platform to improve community engagement and workforce efficiency—instrumental during the 2021-23 drought response.

P R O G R A M A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
Prepare and oversee preparation of water conservation-related budgets and reports. Implement, evaluate, and design water-demand management programs. Contracting experience with Requests for Proposals, Invitations to Bid, Piggyback/Cooperative Agreements, SingleSource and Sole-Source Non-Competitive Agreements.

C A R E E R H I G H L I G H T S
S R . W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N S P E C I A L I S T Santa Clara Valley Water District — San José, CA 2021 to present • Budget oversight up to $10.3 million annually to support long-term water conservation programs and short-term drought response.
• Develop and leverage partnerships with 13 water retailers, Santa Clara County municipalities, and the Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency to progress toward shared local, regional, and statewide goals. • Hire, train, and manage a team up to 4 full-time employees, 4 temporary staff, and 7 vendors supporting 13 of 24 county-wide water conservation programs and pilots. Spearhead strategic priorities for all programs. • Finalized 2021 Water Conservation Strategic Plan to meet the Board of Director’s 2030 conservation target of 99,000 acre-feet per year, successfully leveraging its strategies for the 2021-23 drought response.

W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N S P E C I A L I S T I I I Santa Clara Valley Water District — San José, CA 2018 to 2021 • Revamped Water Efficient Technology Rebate Program to increase the maximum rebate to $100,000 and up to 100% of equipment costs for innovative water-saving equipment.
• Transitioned the successful pilot into launching a $500,000 county-wide plumbing fixture replacement program with a cost-benefit ratio between $144 and $850 per acre-foot of water saved.
• Increased $270,000 budget 19% to provide landscape water budgets to 200 sites; year prior, leveraged surplus to more than double program size. (over)

29.7 C A R E E R H I G H L I G H T S ( C O N T I N U E D )

W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N S P E C I A L I S T I I I ( C O N T I N U E D ) • Secured $191,000 agreement to train 20 professionals, and to install 70 laundry graywater reuse systems for low-income residents.
• Led interdisciplinary team to develop recommended best practices to help capital project teams to deliver more accurate project schedules.
• Manage 6 temporary staff providing >600 residential landscape surveys and the 1st county-wide, continuous water-waste outreach program.
• Represent Valley Water in Department of Water Resources workgroups to develop AB 1668/SB 606 (California’s Conservation Framework) requirements.
• Responded to COVID-19’s impacts on recruitment, management, and connecting with support staff by establishing virtual onboarding procedures and weekly stand-up meetings.

W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N S P E C I A L I S T I I Santa Clara Valley Water District — San José, CA 2015 to 2018 • Chaired 20-member Landscape Committee to prioritize program improvements and raise awareness of sustainable landscape practices.
• Utilized data-driven decision making for developing outreach strategies to increase rebate program participation. • Oversaw development of new educational and promotional resources for graywater, rainwater harvesting, and stormwater management, including infographics and online content.

W A T E R C O N S E R V A T I O N R E P R E S E N T A T I V E City of Santa Cruz Water Dept. — Santa Cruz, CA 2014 to 2015 • Managed and assisted the implementation of multiple incentive and regulatory programs to safeguard the City’s water supply during their declared water-shortage emergency and historic drought. • Consulted with and educated thousands of customers on how to maintain their properties and landscapes while using less water more effectively.

A S S I S T A N T E C O L O G I S T & H A B I T A T T E C H N I C I A N Jodi McGraw Consulting — Freedom, CA 2011 to 2014
• Assisted development of multiple Conceptual Area Protection Plans, one of which led to constructing the Highway 17 Wildlife Crossing (2022); Habitat Conservation Plans; recreation, grazing, and farmland prioritization plans, and databases to identify effective management techniques & to prioritize protecting properties from development.
• Improved the abundance and frequency of rare species populations through a combination of field work, experimental design, literature review, & data analysis for projects required by the Endangered Species Act and in response to requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act.

V O L U N T E E R E X P E R I E N C E
California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP) Board Member — Sacramento, CA City of Santa Cruz Water Commissioner — Santa Cruz, CA
• As Chair (2023-24), collaborate with the Director to develop the work plan and strategy for adopting a Water Supply Augmentation Implementation Plan in 2025. • As Vice Chair (2022), assisted development of criteria for and approved the Securing Our Water Future Policy prior to City Council adoption, establishing the city’s policy for future water supply projects.
• Identify opportunities to mitigate impacts of higher water rates on low-income or disadvantaged communities.

Friends of the Rail and Trail — Santa Cruz, CA
Pride (LGBTQ+ Straight Alliance) Employee Resources Group — San José, CA 2023 to present
2021 to present
2018 to present
2016 to present
Justin Burks
| Santa Cruz, CA | 29.8
January 12, 2021
To the Honorable Santa Cruz City Council,
As Valley Water’s Assistant Operating Officer of the Water Supply Division, I highly recommend Justin Burks for the City of Santa Cruz’s Water Commission.

Justin joined Valley Water's Water Supply Planning and Conservation Unit as a Water Conservation Specialist II in the middle of a drought (August 2015). Justin's patience and willingness to help were a perfect fit, which resulted in excellent customer service. He has shown good judgment, understanding the need to work within Valley Water goals and policies while at the same time wanting to continue to improve his programs.

Over the last five plus years I’ve seen Justin grow professionally and personally. Justin continues to demonstrate independence, clear critical thinking, strong interpersonal communication, an ability to identify solutions to difficult problems and issues, and an adeptness at engaging with the public while representing Valley Water.

Justin not only excels in program management and customer service, he has also demonstrated consistent and high-quality contributions to Valley Water in other areas. He participates regularly on Valley Water's Water Conservation Retailer Subcommittee and Landscape Committee, often leading agenda items and providing clear, assertive opinions on policy discussions that affect Valley Water interests. He is part of the team developing the county’s Model Water Efficient New Development Ordinance (MWENDO). He connected that team with a group focusing on a graywater-ready new development ordinance effort along the Central Coast, which has helped incorporate the best of the graywater-ready ordinance with Valley Water’s efforts.

When Justin asked me to write this letter of recommendation, I was more than happy to help him on his personal and professional goals to rebuild the public's trust in government while becoming a stronger leader. He has contributed greatly to Valley Water during his relatively short time here. With his intelligence, diligence, and communication skills, I am confident that he has the potential and ability to effectively lead, manage, motivate, and build his team to meet whatever challenges lay ahead of him.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about Justin and why I feel he'd be a fantastic addition to Santa Cruz’s Water Commission.

Sincerely,
Jerry De La Piedra
Assistant Officer – Water Supply Division

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29.13 1
Laura Ciravolo

PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT
Experienced Civil Engineer, hydraulic specialization, with strong backgrounds in water and wastewater systems operation & management, including budgetary projections. Managed longterm business plans for major national/international water companies and public entities. Expert in capital improvement planning and Master Plan development. Managed innovative project method delivery systems (Design-Build, Design-Build-Finance-Operation, Lease/Lease Back, P3). Proven ability to lead simultaneously projects and programs of varying size and complexity and coordinate large internal/external teams. Appointed member of the investment plan evaluation procedure committee and reference person for both national and regional boards in the Catania Water District rate approval process. As Chief Operating Officer at Acque Potabili Siciliane Inc. conducted the operation & maintenance management program of the Palermo Water District's infrastructures during the start-up phase. Dedicated to promoting a sustainability culture at various levels. Resultoriented with strong ability to work in a group and build a positive relationship with the public, customers, officials and civic organizations. Registered civil engineer in California.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Director of Research Facilities and Operations, UCSC Social Sciences Division (Jan 2023- present)
Westside Research Park Facility Manager, University of California Santa Cruz (Sept 2020 – Dec 2022)
Assistant Director, Facilities & Operations, Otter Student Union, California State University Monterey Bay, (Mar 2020 – Sept 2020)
Senior Project Manager, San Mateo County Community College District- Facilities Planning Department, San Mateo, (Jan 2018 – Feb 2020)
General Manager, Catania Water District Authority, Catania, Italy (2008 – 2015) • Led public hearings and meetings with shareholders, stakeholders, citizens, environmental associations, municipalities, customers and employees, for strategic plans approval. • Coordinated rate approval process as a member of the investment plan evaluation procedure committee and reference person for the national and regional water authorities at the Catania Water District.
• Managed technical and financial reporting activities. • Developed business strategy.
• Developed District Master Plan and Investment Plan.
• Managed technical meetings with Ministerial and European agencies; • Project Manager for the “Water District projects implementation” to solve UE infringement procedure
Master Plan gained the European Commission consensus. CWDA obtained a consistent amount of public funds (about $1,700 million) to renovate sewage and wastewater treatment systems

29.14 2
Chief Operating Officer, Acque Potabili Siciliane (APS), Inc. (Palermo Water District), Italy (2007– 2008)
• Conducted Operations & maintenance for the district facilities (water and wastewater systems to serve 84 municipalities, 2 million inhabitants and 12 wastewater treatment plants), managing dedicated crews (more than 210 operators both administration and in field position).
• Oversaw capital projects improvement.
• Conducted the New Company operation and maintenance start-up overseeing the first maintenance/improvement plan for the inherited infrastructures, mostly beyond their useful life.
• Drafted the long-term maintenance plan for the New Company related to water/sewage systems and wastewater treatments plans conducting audits on field. • Supervised laboratories pre-qualification process, led negotiation for fees and contract, monitored water quality tests.
• Assured water and wastewater compliance with code and regulations. • Developed matrixed organization layout for the operational area.

Technical Manager, Acqualatina, Inc. (owned by Veolia Water Inc.) Latina, Italy (2002 – 2005) • Southern Area Facilities O&M (water, wastewater systems and wastewater treatment plants) included customer service and laboratory (managed more than 110 operators) • Designed the new supply water system layout;
• Adopted innovative solution (solar-powered water purifier, special water saving campaign) to overcome the water crisis during the drought season in summer 2002; Technical Project Manager, Sidra, Inc. Catania, Italy (1997 – 2007) • R&D department leader.
• Catania Water Supply System Masterplan designer.
• Managed Special Projects from the design to the delivery, applying innovative solutions; • Implemented “brief term” strategy with non-structural interventions.

The Southern-Area operational team obtained the Board of Directors public appreciation The teamwork effectiveness was crucial to overcoming the water supply emergencies due to aged infrastructures and water scarcity
Developed an original kind of customer’s contract called “Deferred contract” to support the operation of the new pipelines during the construction phase. In two years, Sidra not only transferred 2,000 old “flat rate” contracts to 12,000 new “individual” contracts but also installed more than 15,000 new water meters, saving water and improving its income.

Negotiated water service’s transfer condition with Mayors and City officials. Managed merging of 38 small companies into the New Company. During first 10 month the company started to serve 52 municipalities (63% of total district municipalities), 540.000 inhabitants (42% total) improving the quality of the service and customer relationships

29.15 3

LICENSES
- California PE License Civil Engineering (C 92626) since 2020 - Catania (Italy) Board Professional Engineers License – Civil Engineering since 1995

EDUCATION
University of Catania, Italy
- Ph.D., Civil Engineering, environmental hydronomy
Dissertation Title: “A Conceptual Model for Conventional and Non-Conventional Water Resources Planning: A Case Study: the Catania Water District” - Bachelor’s & Master’s with Honors, Civil Engineering, Hydraulic specialization

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Gavilan College, Instructor, “Water Treatment Plant Operation” (Sep 2017 – Dec 2017) West Valley College, Instructor, “Water Treatment Plant Operation” and “Water Distribution” Classes (Jan – Dec 2017)

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Santa Cruz Sister Cities Committee member, Advisory Body of City of Santa Cruz (since Jan 2021)
Sustainable Silicon Valley, Project Associate – Water Team, Santa Clara, CA (since Jan 2017) Italian Red Cross, Refugee Aid, Catania province, Italy (2000 – 2015)

COMPUTER SKILLS AND COMPETENCES
 Google Drive, and Google applications
 Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Project);
 Design and accounting programs (AutoCAD, CDS - Computer Design of Structures, Primus, Revu Bluebeam)
 GIS software (Arcinfo, Arcview, STAR Viewer, Proreti GIS programs);  Project and Construction Management software (Asana, Impact, Procore);

CERTIFICATIONS
 Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Professional Certification  Building Operator certification (BOC) Level I and II Certification  NPDES Permit Writer’s Course, EPA Water Permit Division, Jun 2017  National Incident Management System (NIMS) - FEMA Certification 100 and 200  OSHA 10 hours certificate
 Basic CPR and First Aid
More than 25% in reduction of water leaks and consistent cost-saving only with minor improvement actions (network’s sectorialization, meters installations, water leaks repairs,

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29.22 Vita - Kent Dannehl
Kent Dannehl
Education
Ph.D. Political Science, University of California, Los
Angeles,June 1991 (expected)
Major Fields: Political Theory, Public Law
Minor Fields: American Political Thought, Approaches
to the Analysis of
Political Consciousness.

M.A.University of California, Los Angeles, 1987;
Political Science
B.A.Merrill College, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1978;
College Honors, Honors in Politics, Honors on the
Comprehensive Exam.

New College, Oxford, Admitted to study for B.Phil but
withdrew for personal
reasons after one term, 1979-80.

Major field: Politics
Dissertation
Title "Property and the Resilience of Modernity".

SupervisorE. Victor Wolfenstein
Professional Experience
Teaching Assistant, University of California, Santa Cruz Upper division courses:

Politics 104 A, American Political Thought (Fall 1988 & 90) Politics 104 B, American Political Thought (Winter 1989) Politics 105 A, Classical Political Theory (Fall 1989)
Politics 105 C, Modern Political Theory (Spring 1990)
Lower division courses:

Politics 33 - Theories of Political Freedom (Spring 1989) Legal Studies 80 - Introduction to Legal Studies (Winter 1990) Teaching Assistant, University of California, Los Angeles Upper division courses:

Political Science 170 - Anglo-American Legal Systems (Winter 1987) Lower division courses:

Political Science 6 - Statistics (Fall 1985 & Spring 1987)

29.23 Political Science 10 - Introduction to Political Theory (Winter 1986 & 88Spring 1986, Fall 1987
Political Science 70 - History of the Supreme Court (Fall 1986, Spring 88)
Research Assistant, University of California, Santa Cruz Richard Wasserstrom 1989-90:

Worked to find and identify theories of mitigation in use in state and federal death penalty cases
and in the academic literature surrounding such cases.

University Related Experience
Member, Graduate Student Association, Space Allocation Committee, 1986-87
Graduate Student Member, Department of Political Science, Graduate Studies Advisory
Committee 1987-88.

Work Experience
Assistant Director, London Nelson Community Center, City of Santa Cruz, 1982-84.

Grant Writer and Administrator, Legal Aid Society of Santa Cruz County, Inc. 1980-82
Academic and Teaching Honors
University of California, University Fellow 1984-85
University of California, Los Angeles. Teaching Assistant Trainer 1988-89.

As trainer I was responsible for training all first year TA's in our department [13]. This position
is awarded annually by the department on a competitive basis based on performance as a Teaching
Assistant.

References
E. Victor Wolfenstein, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Political Science, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90024-1472,
Office .

Dept. office .

Leonard Binder, University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Political Science, 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, California, 90024-1472,
Office .

Dept. office .

John Schaar, Politics, Kresge College, University of California, Santa Cruz; Santa Cruz, California, 95064.

29.24 Office .

Faculty Message Center
Abstract
Political theory and social thinking as a whole seem tired of being modern. From as many directions as social theorists can develop there have been attempts to end modernity as well as the institutions that make it up. We are post-industrial, post-ideological, posthistorical, post-liberal, post structural and of course post-modern.

In the face of this, however, some of the basic institutions and relationships associated with modernity not only survive but seem to grow stronger. I believe that central to this strength is the conception of freedom usually associated with the modern state.

I argue that some help in developing an understanding of the strength of the `modern' understanding of freedom as well as why various alternatives have seemed fruitless can be found in a theoretical conversation between Hegel, Marx and Arendt. The terrain for such a conversation is charted by Aristotle's assertion that for political freedom to exist and develop the oikos necessarily must be subservient to, regulated by, and kept separate from, the realm of political action and freedom.

Modernity, Hegel argues, has overcome that necessary separation not by regulating necessity to a realm outside of politics, but by recognizing and integrating necessity within a rational whole. The first step toward such an integration Hegel thought was accomplished when the socially recognized relationships defined by property could be rationally actualized within an ethical life. `Property' for Hegel functions in two ways. While one side of this formulation has been familiar to us in one form or another since Marx, I believe that it is the other side which is more important to an understanding of the strength of modernity. The more familiar side of the formulation points out that we somehow `actualize' ourselves in our property and the social relations defined by that property, but equally important Hegel believed--and more so in understanding the resilience of modernity--is the fact that in our property we both discover and define ourselves. Thus we not only actualize our aims, we also create and discover ourselves. For Hegel in things we first begin to find ourselves. In modern property we begin to see ourselves as individuals who should be `free'.

While Hegel believed that this most basic mode of self discovery would be "raised up" or "abolished" [aufheben] by later `higher' methods of spiritual expression, I claim, along with Marx, that in modern bourgeois capitalism this is not always--or even usually--the case.

For Marx, as for Aristotle, political life cannot be reconciled with private interest.Unlike Aristotle and like Hegel, Marx believed that although modernity had not yet resolved Aristotle's dilemma, it had certainly created the conditions for its solution. Rather than recognizing and integrating such `private property' relations into Hegel's rational whole, modern productive forces make it possible to abolish them. Thus, Marx believes modernity has made it possible to remove the influence of the contemporary oikos by making it possible to abolish the necessity on which it is based. This is done by abolishing the property relations on which it and its politics are based and then politicizing or re-politicizing its management.

I assert, along with Arendt, that this too, is not likely to

29.25 achieve its goal. Even if Marx's intuitions [along with Hegel's] were correct that such relations can be [and indeed are] enslaving, they cannot be abolished or made political. That attempt is much more likely to result in some variation of bureaucratic managerial privatism more interested in its own survival than in political freedom. Thus Arendt is correct to argue that Hegel is wrong to politically recognize and legitimate `private' property relations, and that Marx is wrong if he intends only to try either to abolish such relations, or to manage them publicly.

Still, by asserting laboring and working men and women are necessity bound and hence `anti-political', Arendt fails to clearly address the ways in which all human relationships, including those dictated by necessity, are constitutive and self-revelatory.I conclude this section by arguing that Hegel offers a compelling understanding of how `free individuality' is created together with how such individuals necessarily create and recreate the political institutions associated with modernity. We `discover' or `find' ourselves in fundamental ways in our property and thus, when given a chance, recreate the institutions which were an important part of that discovery.

Nevertheless, for reasons best articulated by Marx and Arendt, the `ourselves' we find there often fail to achieve the rational freedom Hegel so desired. However, neither Marx, with his attempt to abolish the property relations which characterize modernity, nor Arendt, by linking them to our `animal' or `private' selves and thus somehow dislodging them from the discourse concerning `political freedom', are able to formulate a better solution to what I have characterized as the Aristotelian dilemma. They do nonetheless suggest what a truly "post-modern" or "post-Hegelian" theory must try to do.

Returning to the question of `post-modernity' the last section of the dissertation argues that many of the `post-modern' political theories are somewhat mis-designated. The post modern claim cannot be supported so long as it is grounded in the same self-actualizing `free subjectivity' created by modern institutions.

Course Work[1984-90]
Courses Completed
F 84 Political Science as a Discipline John Petrocik
F 84 Quantitative MethodsThad Brown
W 85 Hegel's Phenomenology E. Victor Wolfenstein
W 85 Probability TheoryThad Brown
W 85 Habermas and Critical TheoryRichard Ashcraft
S 85 Hegel's Phenomenology (con't) E. Victor Wolfenstein S 85 I.S. Locke & Hume Richard Ashcraft
F 85 Theories of Participation Duane Smith & Blair
Campbell
F 85 Topics in Constitutional LawRobert Welch
W 86 Contemporary Constitutional TheoryRobert Welch
W 86 Topics in Constitutional LawRichard Funston
S 86 Consciousness and Political Knowledge Leonard Binder F 86 Liberalism and the Individual Duane Smith
W 87 Hegel's Philosophy of Right E. Victor Wolfenstein
W 88 Politics and the LawBruce Cain & Dan
Lowenstein
W 90 Aristotle and Political EqualityPeter Euben
Courses Audited

29.26 S 87 Conceptual Approaches to Social Science Leonard Binder W 88 Politics and Textual Interpretation Sheldon Wolin
F 88 The Nature of Political ThinkingJohn Schaar
W 89 Kant's Political Theory Robert Meister

29.27 Kent Dannehl
, Santa Cruz, California 95060

PROFILE
Over twenty-five years’ experience in the software industry as a software, tools, servlet and web service developer, writer, instructor, and instructional developer. Also, have 6 years experience as a University and Community College political science teacher and statistical researcher. I am an exceptional team member well skilled at moving between development, writing, and instructional tasks.

EDUCATION
Doctoral Candidate
University of California, Los Angeles
June 1991
Dissertation topic: Property and the Resilience of Modernity Major Fields: Political Theory, Public Law
Minor Fields: American Political History, American Political Thought Advanced to candidacy, but left graduate school to take a position in a software development group as a writer.

Master of Arts
University of California, Los Angeles
June 1987
Major Field: Computer Applications in Social Science, Statistical Methodology Bachelor of Arts
University of California, Santa Cruz
College Honors, Merrill College UCSC
Honors in Politics
Honors on the Politics Comprehensive Exam.
1978

PUBLICATIONS
UNIX Commands by Example: a desktop command reference for UnixWare, Solaris, and SCO UNIX; New York; PTR Prentice Hall, 1994
Co-authored with David Elboth and P.C. Larsen. This book is a command reference to networking, X and administration commands for SCO UNIX, Solaris and UnixWare. This book is still available on Amazon.com.

Conference Papers
“Hegel, Property and Modernity"
Delivered at the 1992 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association. "The Supreme Court's Theory of Constitutional Representation: Bandemer and Partisan Gerrymandering"
Delivered at the 1993 Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association.

29.28 EXPERIENCE
I have over 35 years combined experience teaching political science and working in the software industry as a writer, editor, information architect, instructor, and software developer. Below is a partial list of positions I have held
Senior Technical Writer February 2004-2009
Microsoft, Mountain View, California
Current writing responsibilities include designing, developing, writing, and maintaining Application Interface (API) and Troubleshooting references for Microsoft TV’s IPTV and Foundation Edition Television products. I am responsible for both stand-alone hard-copy documentation and .chm-based online documentation used by third-party developers.

Publications Project Lead October 1996 to January 2003
Starfish Software, Scotts Valley, California
Throughout most of my tenure at Starfish, I managed one or two contract technical writers and delivered all server application interface (API) documentation. I created and wrote most of the TrueSync server API documentation, the majority of the user portal documentation, and Java servlets that would return sample XML data for developers using the Starfish API.

I was also responsible for creating and teaching online training courses for developers. Customers for the courses included developers at IBM, Motorola, and Excite.

While at Starfish I also designed, developed, and implemented a multi-platform HTML-based help system for the Java/AWT Personal In-formation Manager (PIM) and the “Internet Sidekick” servletbased PIM. I wrote tools in awk and sed to generate navigational documents “on the fly” from HTML source.

Political Science Instructor Spring 1995
Cabrillo College, Aptos, California
Political Science 1, Introduction to US Government
Teaching Fellow Summer quarter 1992
University of California, Santa Cruz
Politics 33, Political Freedom
University Fellow September 1984 to June 1986
University of California, Los Angeles
Teaching Fellow Fall 1988 to June 1989
Political Science 355, Practical Teaching. Responsible for training all first-year teaching assistants in UCLA’s Department of Political Science.

29.29 Kent Dannehl
Santa Cruz, California
(W)
email:

Summary
Java and web applications developer, and project manager with over six years’ experience in the design, implementation and documentation of Starfish Software’s TrueSync middleware servers. This experience includes J2EE compliant java servlet design and development, JSP development, XML/XSLT development and HTML/JavaScript design and development.

As a development team member I have:
 designed, coded and implemented a java-based, J2EE compliant synchronization server used by Excite, General Magic, H3G, IBM (part of WebSphere), Motorola, and others
 designed, coded and implemented a java J2EE compliant servlet-based Personal Information Manager used by thousands of users at Excite, General Magic, H3G, IBM (part of WebSphere), Motorola, and others .  designed and coded an XML/XSLT interface for the Starfish Personal Information Manger.  designed and coded and XML/XSLT, java servlet based, web SyncML Device Manager.  designed and coded a java servlet based help system for the Starfish Personal Information Manager.  structured and wrote the server/servlet API documentation for developers at IBM, H3G, Excite and others.  created online training courses in covering the TrueSync server and online PIM for OEM developers I can use, and am very familiar with Linux, SCO and Sun’s UNIX implementations, Motif and CDE desktops, and the different flavors of Windows. I thrive on challenging opportunities that necessitate integrating my talents as an engineer with my talents as a senior writer.

Technical Summary
Programming Languages C#, Java
Scripting Languages WordBasic, PERL, JavaScript, XSLT, Shell, Awk, Flash.

Web programming
technologies
J2EE, JSP, XML, HTTP, HTML, DHTML, SYNCML, WML
Database Technologies JDBC, SQL, ORACLE 7, SAS, SPSS
Text Processing Technologies HomeSite, TROFF, NROFF, SED , AWK Adobe FrameMaker, Acrobat, and Photoshop , Word (many
versions)
Operating Systems Solaris, SCO UNIX, Linux (several flavors), Windows (all flavors), IBM MVS, IBM CMS,

29.30 Professional Experience
September 2013 to October 2020
Ericsson MediaKind
Santa Clara, California
Microsoft sold their TV software to Ericsson in June 2013. My work there continued as listed below.

February 2004 to September 2013
Microsoft (Microsoft TV products)
Mountain View, California
Microsoft TV offers digital TV software to enhance the viewing experience of consumers and the business of broadband network operators including Comcast, Verizon and others. Microsoft TV solutions support the features that operators need to deliver competitive services today and they continue to develop new solutions to enable the digital TV networks, content, services and connected experiences of tomorrow.

Recent Responsibilities
Builder
Assisted in all aspects of document production. Developed, operated and maintained a complex, automated, C#/Excel/Word/Perl-based documentation build process. Shared in a broad range of production-related activities, including managing, configuring, debugging, and fixing document builds; reworking Word documents to comply with formatting guidelines; debugging and repairing corrupted Word documents; developing training programs and providing training and support to a team of twelve writers in the use of customized, Word-based authoring tools as well as writing and maintaining an internal Help system documenting the build process as well as the authoring tools and processes.

August 2003 to October 2003
SUN iForce Partner Products
San Jose, California
Sun iForce Partner Products manages the Developer Contact Centers and the Sun Partner Products Catalog using a web based user portal. The user portal is a set of business processes and a Web site, which allows Sun Microsystems Inc. to collect data from companies developing products on Sun platforms when they join the iForce[sm] Partner Program.

The Web site allows representatives of Sun, including Developer Contact Centers (DCCs) and Membership Administrators to view, validate, and modify the data. Each of these groups has distinct and separate interfaces (portals), which will provide information and functionality tailored to their needs.

Recent Responsibilities
Senior Writer
Before the project was severely cut back in October, I worked closely with engineers to write functional and technical specifications for this project. I also participated in the redesign of the existing DCC portals. I was also responsible for writing Developer Coding Guidelines, and a Data Dictionary.

Starfish Software (October 1996 to January 03)
Scotts Valley, California
Starfish Software made TrueSync -- one of the most widely used data synchronization solutions in the world. The TrueSync infrastructure is designed to provide end-to-end synchronization for wireless data services, enterprise application servers (such as iPlanet, Microsoft Outlook, or Lotus Notes), Mobile Devices (such as Personal Digital Assistants and phones), and corporate infrastructures. The TrueSync technology platform is a comprehensive set of wireless and wireline synchronization products and solutions.

TrueSync Server Products and Solutions are written almost entirely in Java and provide multi-tier over-the-air and wireline synchronization between a heterogeneous mix of devices, applications and services.

29.31 Most Recent Responsibilities
Engineer I & II, Internet Sidekick/TrueSync.com (August 1998 to January 2003) Responsible for developing and maintaining major parts of the “Internet Sidekick” servlet and its XML, JSP and HTML client interface. The Internet Sidekick is a java-servlet-based personal information manager application for accessing and manipulating personal information data stored in the TrueSync data store. The Internet Sidekick servlet is written in java and runs on any J2EE compliant HTTP server (e.g. Tomcat or Apache). It accesses data directly from an Oracle database (reads) or through the TrueSync middleware server (writes and reads). The Internet Sidekick client templates utilize XML, XSLT, JSP, JavaScript and forms to solicit, present and manipulate data maintained by the TrueSync server.

I was responsible for maintaining all the Java-based servlet modules and developing new XML based Personal Information Manager (PIM) modules utilizing JSP, XML and XSLT. When last I checked, the “Internet Sidekick” could be seen online at www.starfish.com.

Engineer II, Simplify Device Manager (September 2002 to January 20003) As a member of the development team, I was responsible for developing a java servlet based interface for Starfish’s “Simplify” device manager. Device management encompasses technologies utilized by wireless operators and corporate IT departments to perform complex remote configuration of mobile devices on behalf of end users. Responsible for servlet development as well as the XML/XSLT based client interface. As the interface developer on this project, I worked with the Human Factors team to create a web-based interface for the TrueSync device manager and then (with others) created the servlet and supporting XML to implement it.

Publications Project Lead (October 1996 to August 1998) As needed, I managed 2 contract technical writers and delivered all server application interface (API) documentation.

Created the TrueSync server API documentation set and wrote a large part of the documentation. Customers for the documentation include developers at IBM, Motorola, and Excite.

Technical Trainer (September 1999 to November 2002)
As needed, I created server API courses for Starfish server customers. Created the course framework as well as a series of on-line labs. These courses taught developers how to install, configure and start programming against the TrueSync server API.

Project Manager TrueSync Sync Adaptor for Exchange (November 2001 to August 2002) Took over management of this project mid way through the product development cycle. Managed and coordinated a development project creating new product for TrueSync customers. TS SyncAdaptor for exchange enabled the TS middleware server to Synchronize PIM data between Microsoft’s Exchange server and all the supported TrueSync clients.

I project-managed the development, documentation, integration and QA efforts for this product. Delivered product to customer on budget and on time.

SunSoft Developer Products (August 1995 to October 1996) Menlo Park, California
Sun WorkShop
Documentation Lead
As a senior documentation lead, I was Responsible for delivering RAD ScreenPlay (a multi-media authoring tool) online videos for the WorkShop – a suite of tools for professional developers. Also responsible for resolving all issues involving ScreenPlay, documenting WorkShop Projects, and building and testing for integration the online documentation.

Santa Cruz Operation - SCO (June 1991- 1995)
Joint Application Design Team (JAD)
As an engineering member of the JAD team, I helped architect the design and change control process for SCO Open Server Release 5.0. The JAD process assembles all the principals involved in software application design and then creates a design process that can deal with the inevitable changes to software design and functionality that occur during a long software development cycle.

Advanced Hardware Developers Kit (AHDK)
Worked closely with X and network engineers to write the X Link Kit Guide and parts of the Networking and TTY Drivers Guide. These guides provide assistance to developers writing device drivers for existing and future SCO operating systems

29.32 On-line Help
As one of the technical leads, I helped design the new NCSA Mosaic-based, on-line help system for SCO Open Server Release 5.0. I coordinated part of the effort to architect, document and implement a new on-line documentation system based on Mosaic Release 2.4 (help browser) and HTTP Release 1.4 (HTTP server). I worked closely with information architects, X and usability engineers to guarantee that the new documentation system was state of the art.

Publications and Papers
UNIX Commands by Example: A desktop command reference for UnixWare, Solaris, and SCO UNIX Written in conjunction with David Elboth and P.C. Larsen. This book is a command reference to networking, X and administration commands for SCO UNIX, Solaris and UnixWare. Published by Prentice-Hall in August 1994.

Education
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Ph.C., M.A. Political Science
Major Fields: Political Theory, Public Law
Minor Fields: Statistical Applications and Methodology
The Candidate in Philosophy (Ph. C) is awarded to graduate students upon completion of all Ph.D requirements prior to the dissertation
While enrolled at the University, I taught classes in American Political Thought, Political Theory, Constitutional Law, Statistics and Practical Teaching.

New College,
Oxford, England
Admitted to study for D.Phil but withdrew for personal reasons after one term, 1979-80.

Major field: Politics
University of California, Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California
BA. Politics
College Honors
Honors in the major
References
Available on request
Kent Dannehl
Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Email:

29.33 Summary
 Over 35 years of experience as a software developer, project lead, technical writer, editor, information architect and instructor
 SQL language experience (SQL) and the ability to create and customize software C# tools using SQL on the backend
 Skilled developer of C#, Perl, Shell, PowerShell and msbuild build tools  Scripting language experience (Windows and Linux) from the perspective of the user and the installer/administrator
 Ability to develop new technology, modify the structure of existing products and provide technical guidance to complex projects
 Extenssive experience with development tools such as TFS. Artifactory, Git, Jenkins, Jira, and Confluenc  Experience in project management and the ability to lead and provide guidance to a tools development team.

Job Objective
Obtain a challenging position as a tools software developer on a team connected to creating and maintaining tools that make use of my creative abilities, analytical skills and strong knowledge of advanced tools technologies.

Experience
Software Developer IV
Ericsson Inc 2795 Augustine Drive, Santa Clara, CA
Create and customize software SQL build and development tools Develop C#, Perl, Shell, PowerShell and msbuild build tools Use scripting languages (Windows and Linux) from the perspective of the software developer and the installer/administrator
Develop new tools technology, modify the structure of existing products and provide technical guidance to complex projects
Install update and manage development tools including Artifactory, TFS, Gitlab, Jenkins, Jira, and Confluence.

Lead and manage miscellaneous development projects as well as mentor tools development team.

Software Developers, Systems Software
Microsoft Corp 1065 La Avenida St # Sv1, Mountain View, CA  Create and customize software SQL build and development tools  Develop C#, Perl, Shell, PowerShell and msbuild build tools  Use scripting languages (Windows and Linux) from the perspective of the software developer and the installer/administrator
 Develop new tools technology, modify the structure of existing products and provide technical guidance to complex projects
 Install update and manage development tools including Artifactory, TFS, Gitlab, Jenkins, Jira, and Confluence.  Lead and manage miscellaneous development projects as well as mentor tools development team.

Education
Issuing Institution Location Degree Received Course of Study University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Master's Degree Political Science

29.34 Skills
Publications and Papers
Published Publicly
UNIX Commands by Example: A desktop command reference for UnixWare, Solaris, and SCO UNIX Co-authored with David Elboth and P.C. Larsen. This book is a command reference to networking, X and administration commands for SCO UNIX, Solaris and UnixWare. Published by Prentice-Hall in August 1994. This book is still available on Amazon.com.

Partial List of Books written (either individually or part of a team) while at SCO, SUN, and Starfish (listed chronologically by employer)

1. SCO: “Building X Display Drivers with the X Server Link Kit’’.

2. SCO: “ Configuring Network Connections”.

3. SCO: “Kernel Driver Interface Guide’’ (team member).

4. SCO: “SCO UNIX Development System Encyclopedia’’ (team member – wrote over 60 articles).

5. SCO: “Using SCOHelp’’.

6. SCO: “Adding information to SCOHelp”.

7. SUN: Sun WorkShop: Beyond the Basics (team member—wrote 3 chapters).

8. SUN: Sun WorkShop: Getting Started (team member – wrote 3 chapters).

9. Starfish: Using the TrueSync Event API to Fetch, Store and Synchronize Events.

10. Starfish: Using the TrueSync Contacts API to Fetch, Store and Synchronize Contacts.

11. Starfish: Using the TrueSync Tasks API to Fetch, Store and Synchronize Tasks.

12. Starfish: Using the TrueSync Notes API to Fetch, Store and Synchronize Notes.

13. Starfish: Using the TrueSyn
Additional Comments
References Available on Request

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29.41 I was driven to (re)apply for these commissions based on the impacts I have seen throughout our community due to the we faced these last winters. It is clear to me that these adverse impacts are a direct result of our climate change due to fossil fuels. I have been working alongside Sierra Club these last two years and will continue to bring that same passion for our community and our environment.

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Santa Cruz City CouncilJanuary 28, 2025

Santa Cruz City Council
January 28, 2025