Approved at the August 12, 2025 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 4, 2025
1:00 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara (arrived at 1:02 p.m.); Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, City Attorney T. Condotti, Assistant City Manager M. Templeton, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development and Housing B. Lipscomb, Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler, Director of Finance E. Cabell, Director of Water H. Luckenbach (via Zoom), Director of Public Works N. Nguyen (via Zoom), Chief of Fire R. Oatey (via Zoom), Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot (via Zoom), Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications Announcement - The Mayor provided a brief announcement about Oral Communications.
Oral Communications
At 1:02 p.m. Mayor Keeley opened Oral Communications for members of the public who wished to speak regarding items not listed on the City Council agenda.
Marv Lewis spoke regarding Lot 4 and asked Council to agendize a discussion item to discuss the project’s tax credit eligibility.
Elise Casby requested Council to agendize an item regarding Lot 4, to disclose all financial details and to allow full public participation.
August 4, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7998
Oral Communications (continued)
Patrice Boyle spoke regarding the Murray Street Bridge construction and the negative impact it is having on the lower Seabright businesses.
Michael Spadafora spoke regarding the negative impact the Murray Street Bridge construction is having on the lower Seabright businesses.
Unidentified person spoke regarding the Significant Tree Walk she attended with Urban Forester Leslie Keeley.
At 1:13 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Consent Agenda
Mayor Keeley pulled item 2 for further discussion.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember O’Hara, to approve the remaining Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
1. San Lorenzo River Levee Burrowing Rodent Mitigation Project (PW) LOCATION: Districts 1, 2, 4, and 5
Motion carried to
Reject all bids for the San Lorenzo River Levee Burrowing Rodent Mitigation Project (c402112); and
Authorize staff to re-advertise the project for bids and award the contract.
The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute an agreement on a form approved by the City Attorney. The Director of Public Works is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget.
August 4, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7999
Consent Agenda (continued)
2. Resolution Ordering an Election, Requesting the County to Conduct the Election, and Requesting Consolidation of the Election to be Held on November 4, 2025 (CC)
LOCATION: Citywide
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Unintelligible name
Unidentified person
Unintelligible name
James Lapp
Elise Casby
Laz Meiman
Andrew Goldenkranz
Karen Menehan
Dave Pattee
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, to adopt Resolution No. NS-30,531 ordering and consolidating an election to be held on November 4, 2025, adding the following two citizen initiative measures to the ballot:
1) Workforce Housing Affordability Act of 2025
2) Workforce Housing and Climate Protection Act of 2025 ACTION: The motion carried unanimously with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
Adjournment – Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 1:49 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.