CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - September 9, 2025
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
12:30 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
1:30 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, CONSENT PUBLIC HEARINGS,
GENERAL BUSINESS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
Council meetings are hybrid, and 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
Or: Call any of the numbers below. If one is busy, try the next one. 1-833-548-0276 (Toll Free)
1-833-548-0282 (Toll Free)
1-877-853-5247 (Toll Free)
1-669-900-9128
Enter the meeting ID number: 946 8440 1344
When prompted for a Participant ID, press #.
Press *9 on your phone to “raise your hand” when the Mayor calls for public comment. It will be your turn to speak when the Mayor calls on you. Press *6 to unmute yourself. The timer will then be set.
Correspondence to be included in the agenda packet must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, September 8th
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, September 7th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
September 9, 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
12:30 PM
Statements of Disqualification
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95)
1) Claimant: Kathryn Capaldo
2) Claimant: Gabrielle Dekock
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
2. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1))
Purdue Pharma L.P., et al
(United States Bankruptcy Court Southern District of New York Chapter 11 Case No. 19-23649 RDD)
September 9, 2025 City Council 3
Closed Session (continued)
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation (one potential case to be discussed)
4. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: 1070 River Street
APN: 008-661-18
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Arts Council Santa Cruz County
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
September 9, 2025 City Council 4
City Council
1:30 PM
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
Presentations
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring September 2025 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
6. National Emergency Preparedness Month
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Council Meeting Calendar
7. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
September 9, 2025 City Council 5
Consent Agenda
8. Minutes of the August 26, 2025 City Council Meeting (CC) Location: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
9. Resolution Amending the 2025 Council Meeting Calendar (CC) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt a resolution amending Resolution No. NS-30,435 to revise the 2025 Council meeting calendar and cancel the October 14, 2025 regular meeting.
10. Designation of Councilmember O’Hara as the Voting Delegate for the Annual League of California Cities (LOCC) Conference (CN) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to designate Councilmember O’Hara as the voting delegate for the Annual League of California Cities Conference General Assembly in Long Beach October 8-10, 2025.
September 9, 2025 City Council 6
Consent Agenda (continued)
11. Authorize the Purchase of Equipment for the Santa Cruz Fire Department with Fire Public Safety Impact Fee Funds – Budget Adjustment (FD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2026 budget to transfer funds from the Public Safety Impact Fee Fund 217, in the amount of $49,048, to the General Fund budget and add appropriations to purchase equipment for the Santa Cruz Fire Department (SCFD);
2) Direct staff to purchase five (5) high rise packs with Public Safety Impact Fee funds through a cooperative purchasing agreement with L.N. Curtis in the total amount of $18,202.04;
3) Direct staff to purchase fire suppression hoses to allow for the minimum outfitting compliment of the recently acquired reserve Type 3 Wildland Fire Engine (E3138) with Public Safety Impact Fee funds through a cooperative purchasing agreement with L.N. Curtis in the total amount of $8,085.28;
4) Direct staff to purchase fifteen (15) refurbished Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) to outfit E3138, frontline Type 6 Wildland Fire Engine (E3144), and various chief vehicles for the department training program using Public Safety Impact Fee funds through a sole source vendor purchase with Dalmatian Fire Equipment in the total amount of $18,388.61; and
5) Direct staff to purchase various wildland firefighting tools for E3138 from multiple vendors in the amount of $4,372.44.
12. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion to reject the liability claims of 1) Kathryn Capaldo, and 2) Gabrielle Dekock, based on staff recommendation.
September 9, 2025 City Council 7
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Memorial Request Honoring Former Mayor Mike Rotkin (PR) LOCATION: District 3
Motion to approve the installation of a memorial plaque at West Cliff above “Its Beach” in honor of Former Mayor Mike Rotkin.
14. Appointment of Two (2) Ex Officio Members to the Sister Cities Committee (PR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to approve limited term appointments of two (2) ex officio members to serve on the Sister Cities Committee.
15. Wildfire Prevention Grant – Budget Adjustment (PR)
LOCATION: District 1
Motion to:
1) Authorize the Parks and Recreation and Fire Departments to apply for CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention grant funds for the Santa Cruz Regional 911 Emergency Operations Center (Netcom) – Wildfire Risk Reduction Project (g3026XX) and, if awarded:
2) Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2026 revenue and expenditure budget in the amount of $315,819 for project g3026XX;
3) Appropriate awarded funds into the above referenced project; and 4) Direct the City Manager or his designee to negotiate, execute, enter into, and deliver any necessary contracts, agreements, documents and amendments required to implement the project, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney.
16. Measure Q Expenditure Plan and Status Update (PR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to approve and adopt the proposed expenditure plan for City of Santa Cruz Measure Q allocation.
September 9, 2025 City Council 8
Consent Agenda (continued)
17. Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Rail Trail) Segment 7 Phase 2 Project (c401413) – Notice of Completion (PW)
LOCATION: Districts 3 and 4
Motion to accept the work of Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) as completed per plans and specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Rail Trail) Segment 7 Phase 2 Project (c401413).
18. Award of Contract to MKN CPM, LLC. for On-Call Construction Management Services (WT)
LOCATION: None
Motion authorizing the City Manager to execute an agreement with MKN CPM, LLC. (San Jose, CA) for On-Call Construction Management Services in a form to be approved by the City Attorney and authorizing the Water Director to execute future contract amendments that do not exceed the formal bid limit.
19. Financial Planning Services for Water Rates (WT)
LOCATION: None
Motion to approve a contract with Bartle Wells Associates (Berkeley, CA) in a not-to-exceed amount of $199,550 for financial planning and cost-of-service analysis for water rates.
End Consent Agenda
Consent Public Hearings
20. Second Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-18 to Amend Municipal Code Chapter 24.04.160 to Extend the Active Life of Commercial Permits from Calendar Year 2019 through January 1, 2030 (EDH/PL)
LOCATION: Citywide
Adopt Ordinance No. 2025-18 amending Municipal Code Chapter
24.04.160 to extend the active life of commercial permits from calendar year 2019 through December 31, 2026 to January 1, 2030.
September 9, 2025 City Council 9
Consent Public Hearings (continued)
21. Second Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-19 to Amend Title 18 of the Municipal Code to Align the Energy Reach Code for Major Renovations and Additions to Existing Single-Family Homes with the 2025 California Building Code Cycle (PL/CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Adopt Ordinance No. 2025-19 amending Municipal Code Title 18 – Buildings and Construction, amending Chapter 18.15 to modify local amendments to Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations (California Energy Code), aligning the energy reach code for renovations and additions to existing single-family homes with the 2025 California Building Code Cycle. CEQA determination: These 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 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.
General Business
22. Resolution of Intention to Establish the Midtown Santa Cruz Business Improvement District (EDH)
LOCATION: Districts 1 and 2
Motion to adopt a Resolution of Intention to Establish the Midtown Santa Cruz Business Improvement District and Levy Assessments for Calendar Year 2026 in the Midtown Santa Cruz Business Improvement District.
23. San Lorenzo Park Redesign Final Report (PR)
LOCATION: District 1
Motion to:
1) Accept the San Lorenzo Park Redesign Final Report; and 2) Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to sections 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies), 15306 (Information Collection), and 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
September 9, 2025 City Council 10
Public Hearing
The below item will be heard at or around 5:00 p.m., and will proceed as follows:
1) Staff presentation
2) Appellant will have up to 20 minutes to present
3) Applicant will have up to 20 minutes to present.
4) Public Comment
5) Appellant will have 5 minutes to rebut issues raised by applicant and members of the public. No new issues may be raised.
6) Public Hearing will be closed, and Council will deliberate and take action.
24. 1811/1815/1819 Mission Street: CP25-0002 (APN 004-124-31, -32, -34) Appeal of the Planning Commission Approval of a Residential Demolition Authorization Permit, Lot Line Adjustment, Design Permit, and Density Bonus Request to Demolish Three Residential Dwelling Units, Combine Three Lots into One Lot, and Construct a Six-story Mixed Use Building with 67 Residential Units and Ground Floor Commercial Area on Property Located in the C-C (Community Commercial) Zone District and within the Mission Street Urban Design Plan Area. Environmental Review: Categorical Exemption 15305, Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations and Categorical Exemption 15332, In-Fill Development Projects. Owner: Stanford@Water Development LLC. (PL)
LOCATION: District 3
Motion to adopt a resolution denying the appeal thereby upholding the Planning Commission’s acknowledgement of the environmental determination (Categorical Exemption Section 15305, Class 5 and Categorical Exemption Section 15332, Class 32) and approval of the Residential Demolition Authorization Permit, Lot Line Adjustment, Design Permit, and Density Bonus request, based on the findings listed in the draft Resolution and the Conditions of Approval attached as Exhibit “A.”
Adjournment
September 9, 2025 City Council 11
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – September 9, 2025
25. Public Works Department: Annual San Lorenzo River Vegetation Management and Burrowing Rodent Mitigation Project - 8/19/25 (PWFYI 0111)
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 9, 2025
26. Proclaiming August 9, 2025 as “Rotary Club of Santa Cruz Sunrise Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in recognizing and celebrating its 40 years of service and impact.
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.
Arts Commission One opening – appointed by Councilmember Brunner.
Board of Building and Fire Appeals One opening – at-large nomination.
County Latino Affairs Commission One opening - at-large nomination.
Historic Preservation Commission One opening – appointed by Mayor Keeley.
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.