CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - March 11, 2025
Updated March 10, 2025 – Items 13 and 21
10:30 A.M. CLOSED SESSION, ZOOM/COURTYARD CONFERENCE ROOM 11:15 A.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, CONSENT PUBLIC HEARINGS,
GENERAL BUSINESS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS, ZOOM/COUNCIL CHAMBERS The meeting may be viewed remotely, using any of the following sources:
Click on Zoom link (no time delay): https://zoom.us/j/94684401344 Online at http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-council/council-meetings Online at Watch – Community Television of Santa Cruz County Comcast Channel 25
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Correspondence to be included in the agenda packet must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 10th
PLEASE NOTE:
Council may take a break(s) as needed.
Requests for extra speaking time on items other than Oral Communications must be made by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 9th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
March 11, 2025 City Council 2
The City of Santa Cruz does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. Out of consideration for people with chemical sensitivities we ask that you attend fragrance free. Upon request, the agenda can be provided in a format to accommodate special needs. Additionally, if you wish to attend this public meeting and will require assistance such as an interpreter for American Sign Language, Spanish, or other special equipment, please call the City Clerk’s Department at 420-5030 at least five days in advance so that we can arrange for such special assistance, or email [email protected]. The CalRelay system number: 1-800-735-2922.
Si desea asistir a esta reunión pública y necesita ayuda - como un intérprete de lenguaje de señas americano, español u otro equipo especial - favor de llamar al Departamento de la Secretaría de la Ciudad al 420-5030 al menos cinco días antes para que podamos coordinar dicha asistencia especial o envié un correo electrónico a [email protected]. El número del sistema Cal-Relay es: 1-800-735-2922.
Agenda and Agenda Packet Materials: The City Council agenda and the complete agenda packet containing public records, which are not exempt from disclosure pursuant to the California Public Records Act, are available for review on the City’s website:
www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-council-meetings and at the Office of the City Clerk located at 809 Center Street, Room 8, Santa Cruz, California, during normal business hours.
Agenda Materials Submitted after Publication of the Agenda Packet: Pursuant to Government Code §54957.5, public records related to an open session agenda item submitted after distribution of the agenda packet are available at the same time they are distributed or made available to the legislative body on the City’s website at: www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-councilmeetings and are also available for public inspection at the Office of the City Clerk, 809 Center Street Room 8, Santa Cruz, California, during normal business hours, and at the Council meeting.
Need more information? Contact the City Clerk’s office at 831-420-5030.
Closed Session
10:30 AM
Statements of Disqualification
1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1))
GVC St. George, LLC v. City of Santa Cruz
(United States District Court Case No.CV-07695-BLF)
2. Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Government Code §54957) City Attorney
March 11, 2025 City Council 3
City Council
11:15 AM
Call to Order
Roll Call
Oral Communications Announcement – Members of the public may address Council on matters not on the agenda, but within the jurisdiction of the Council. 30 minutes is allocated for Oral Communications. No extra time for groups will be granted.
Oral Communications
Presentation
3. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring April 2025 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Council Meeting Calendar
4. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
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Consent Agenda
5. Resolution Extending the Emergency Declaration in Connection with the December 2024 Municipal Wharf Emergency (CA/CM)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to adopt a resolution extending by sixty days the Local Emergency Declaration in connection with the December 2024 Municipal Wharf emergency.
6. Minutes of the February 25, 2025 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
7. Award Contract for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Grant Administration Services for Coastal Restoration Projects (CM)
LOCATION: Districts 1, 2, and 4
Motion to:
1) Award a contract for professional grant administrative services to support the coastal restoration projects funded by a NOAA Coastal Resilience Regional Challenge Grant (Grant) to The Ferguson Group (TFG) in the amount of $799,500, reject all other proposals; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract, in a form approved by the City Attorney, with TFG. The Purchasing Manager is authorized to execute change orders within the approved budget.
8. 2025 Legislative Program (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt the 2025 Legislative Program.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
9. 2024 Citywide Sewer/Storm Drain Lining Project (c401511) – Notice of Completion (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to accept the work of Insituform Technologies, LLC. (Chesterfield, MO) as completed per plans and specifications, authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the 2024 Citywide Sewer/Storm Drain Lining Project (c401511), and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
10. City of Santa Cruz Resource Recovery Facility Appliance Recycler Services – Award of Contract (PW)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion to award the Appliance Recycler Services contract to Campos Bros. Recovery, Inc. (West Sacramento, CA). The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney, as authorized by Resolution No. NS27,563. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget.
11. Active Transportation Plan (c402408) - Outreach Consulting Contract Amendment 1 (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to approve Contract Amendment 1 with Ecology Action (Santa Cruz, CA) reducing the original contract to $53,186 for outreach consulting for the Active Transportation Plan Update and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract amendment in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute future contract amendments within the approved project budget.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
12. Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Rail Trail) Segment 7 Phase II Project (c401413) – Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: Districts 3 and 4
Motion to adopt a resolution amending the FY 2025 budget to appropriate funds in the amount of $900,000 from Measure D to the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Rail Trail) Segment 7 Phase 2 (c401413).
The below item is deleted from the agenda and will not be discussed.
13. Measure E Oversight Committee (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion authorizing the Mayor to appoint Water Commissioner Julianne Rhodes, and Transportation and Public Works Commissioners Susan Gilchrist and Ron Goodman to serve on the Measure E Oversight Committee.
14. Resource Recovery Facility Enclosed Flare Installation Project (c402512) – Authorization to Ratify Purchase Order (PW)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion to ratify purchase order for the direct purchase of the enclosed flare, related equipment, shipping and startup with Perennial Energy LLC (West Plains, MO) at the Resource Recovery Facility in the amount of $1,023,314.01, in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget.
15. West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert Project (c402407) - Authorization to Ratify Purchase Order (PW)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion to ratify purchase order for additional work as outlined in the latest proposal from Pacific Crest Engineering (PCE) dated November 2024 for the West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert Project (c402407) and authorize the City Manager to execute the contract amendment in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
16. Modifications to City Council Forest Management Policies for Water Department Watershed Lands (WT)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to repeal City Council Policy 11.3 - Timber Harvests in Watershed Area and Preservation of Old Growth Trees, and replace with City Council Policy 11.3 – Forest Management of Water Department Watershed Lands, which includes a) additional old growth tree characteristics that will facilitate their protection and b) the ability to commercialize forest products in alignment with c) the requirement to reinvest revenue from such commercialization into other Water Department watershed restoration work.
End Consent Agenda
Consent Public Hearings
17. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-03 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
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-03 amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 (“Noise”) and Chapter 9.40 (“Sound Amplifying Equipment”) and adding objective standards to both chapters.
18. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-04 Minor Modifications to the Previously-Adopted Amendments to Chapter 18.15 of the Municipal Code Requiring Additional Energy Standards for Alterations and Additions to Existing Single Family Homes (CM/PL) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-04 making minor changes to the previously-adopted Municipal Code Chapter 18.15 which adopted local amendments to Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations (California Energy Code). Council finds the amendments are consistent with the Negative Declaration approved for the City of Santa Cruz 2030 Climate Action Plan adopted by City Council on September 13, 2022.
The ordinance is also exempt under exempt from CEQA under the general rule, 15061(b)(3) and per CEQA Guidelines Section 15308, Class 8, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources.
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Consent Public Hearings (continued)
19. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-05 Childcare Impact Fee Updates (PL)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-05 amending City of Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 18.48 “Childcare Impact Fees,” modifying Section 18.48.050 Exemptions.
20. Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Administrative Amendments. Applicant:
City of Santa Cruz. CEQA: Exempt per 15061(b)(3). (PL)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to introduce for publication an ordinance acknowledging the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption and amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 5.82 (“Sidewalk Vending”) to clarify the definition of an “Enforcement Official,” to specify the time period within which a vendor may receive citations before a permit may be revoked, to reduce the number of citations resulting in impoundment from four to three, to clarify and update restricted vending times and locations, and to provide clearer distinctions between roaming and stationary vending locations.
Public Hearings
The recommendation for the below item was corrected.
21. Public Safety Impact Fee Nexus Study and Proposed Fees Update (FD/PD)
LOCATION: Citywide
This item is continued to the March 25th April 22nd Council meeting and will not be discussed on March 11th.
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Public Hearings (continued)
22. 313 Swift Street (Application No. CP24-0104) – Assessor’s Parcel Number 003-161-32 – Request for 1) Acknowledgement of the Environmental Determination and Adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) Pursuant to Section 15074 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and 2) Consideration of the Application for a Planned Development Permit, Coastal Permit, Design Permit, and Heritage Tree Removal Permit to Allow Construction of a New, Four-Story, Approximately 120,604 Square-Foot Multifamily Educator Workforce Housing Project Encompassing Approximately 100 Residential Units, Approximately 119 Parking Spaces, New Landscaping, and Associated Site Modifications, Including the Removal of Up to Six (6) Heritage Trees, on a Site Located in the P-F/CZ-O (Public Facilities/Coastal Zone Overlay) Zoning District, Based on the Findings and Conditions of Approval Listed In Exhibit “A.” (Environmental Review: Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration). (Applicant/Filed: Santa Cruz City School District/June 27, 2024) (PL)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion to adopt a resolution acknowledging the environmental determination and adopting the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), and approving the Planned Development Permit, Coastal Permit, Design Permit, and Heritage Tree Removal Permit to allow construction of a new, fourstory, approximately 120,604 square-foot multifamily educator workforce housing project encompassing approximately 100 residential units, approximately 119 parking spaces, new landscaping, and associated site modifications, including the removal of up to six (6) Heritage trees, on a site located in the P-F/CZ-O (Public Facilities/Coastal Zone Overlay) zone district, subject to the attached conditions of approval.
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General Business
23. 2025-2030 City of Santa Cruz Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaptation Plan (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt a resolution approving and adopting the 2025-2030 City of Santa Cruz Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaptation Plan and directing and authorizing the appropriate City representatives to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
24. Consideration of the Proposed 5-year Roadmap for West Cliff to Advance the Community’s 50-year Vision for West Cliff (CM/PW) LOCATION: Districts 3 and 6
Receive comments on and adopt the 5-year Roadmap for West Cliff.
Adjournment – The City Council will adjourn no later than 3:30 p.m.
March 11, 2025 City Council 11
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – MARCH 11, 2025
25. Economic Development and Housing Department: 333 Locust – Unit Vacancies - 2/12/25 (EDHFYI 001)
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
None issued.
Advisory Body Appointments
The following positions are either currently vacant or the terms are due to expire. Council will make appointments at a future meeting.
Board of Building and Fire
Appeals
One opening – 4-year term, at-large nomination.
County Housing Authority Board One opening – 4-year term, at-large nomination.
County Latino Affairs Commission One opening – 4-year term, at-large nomination.
Historic Preservation Commission Two openings – One 4-year term to be appointed by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, and one 2-year term to
be appointed by Mayor Keeley.
March 11, 2025 City Council 12
Public Hearing
If, in the future, you wish to challenge in court any of the matters on this agenda for which a public hearing is to be conducted, you may be limited to raising only those issues which you (or someone else) raised orally at the public hearing or in written correspondence received by the City at or before the hearing.
Any person seeking to challenge a City Council decision made as a result of a proceeding in which, by law, a hearing is required to be given, evidence is required to be taken, and the discretion in the determination of facts is vested in the City Council, shall be required to commence that action either 60 days or 90 days following the date on which the decision becomes final as provided in Code of Civil Procedure Section 1094.6 Please refer to code of Civil Procedure 1094.6 to determine how to calculate when a decision becomes “final.” The 60-day rule applies to all public hearings conducted pursuant to the City’s Zoning Ordinance, Title 24, Santa Cruz Municipal Code. The 90-day rule applies to all other public hearings.