Approved at the September 30, 2025 City Council Meeting City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 9, 2025
12:30 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 12:31 p.m. in a public meeting via Zoom and in Council Chambers, for the purpose of announcing the agenda, and receiving public testimony.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, City Attorney T. Condotti, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Public Comment
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 12:32 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 12:33 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8038
Closed Session
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
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 12, and no reportable action was taken.
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)
Council received a status report, and no reportable action was taken.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation (one potential case to be discussed) This item was not 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
Council received a status report, and no reportable action was taken.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8039
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
September 9, 2025
1:30 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager M. Templeton, Assistant City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development and Housing B. Lipscomb, Director of Water H.
Luckenbach, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Chief of Fire R.
Oatey, Director of Finance E. Cabell, Chief of Police B. Escalante (via Zoom), Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Principal Management Analyst M.
Albert, Economic Development Manager R. Unitt, Parks Superintendent M. Godsy, Senior Parks Planner N. Downing, Senior Planner R. Zhou, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B.
Bush.
Oral Communications Announcement - The Mayor provided a brief announcement about Oral Communications.
Oral Communications
At 1:33 p.m. Mayor Keeley opened Oral Communications for members of the public who wished to speak regarding items not listed on the City Council agenda.
James Ewing-Whitman spoke regarding the Board of Supervisors meeting.
Bradley Snyder spoke regarding why he voted for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the potential cause of the autism spectrum.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8040
Oral Communications (continued)
Dana Wagner spoke regarding Meals on Wheels and provided Council with data for the FY 2024.
Garrett spoke regarding healthcare in Santa Cruz, stating it is not as good as it is “over the hill.”
John Roskelley spoke regarding the status of his job.
Unidentified person spoke regarding the initial offer for the SEIU 521 contract.
Arden spoke regarding the SEIU 521 contract and the physical violence she has experienced as an employee at the Downtown Library.
Rene Belling spoke regarding the SEIU contract negotiations and the proposed Cost-of-Living Adjustment.
Michael Spadafore spoke regarding the Murray Street Bridge and expressed doubts with the amount of work hours Public Works cited at the previous meeting.
Hemet Vaidya spoke regarding the Bethany Curve Bridge, stating the project was not properly noticed and requested the project be put on hold.
Megan Dawson spoke regarding the mural art on the Bethany Curve Bridge, and requested the project be paused.
Dorinda Parker spoke regarding the Bethany Curve Bridge, requested the project be paused, and provided alternatives to graffiti abatement.
Jean Crawford spoke regarding the Bethany Curve Bridge, stating the project was not properly noticed, and requested the project be placed on hold and reagendized for Council’s consideration.
Unidentified person spoke regarding Pacific Avenue and making it pedestrianfriendly.
Carrie Koscielak spoke regarding SEIU 521 contract negotiations.
Patrice Boyle spoke regarding the construction on the Murray Street Bridge, and requested to be provided more updates.
Melissa Huggins spoke regarding the SEIU contract negotiations and the proposed Cost-of-Living Adjustment.
At 2:07 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8041
Presentations
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring September 2025 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson read from and presented a proclamation to Kimberly Berrelleza with Jacob’s Heart declaring September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
6. National Emergency Preparedness Month
Chief of Fire R. Oatey and Principal Management Analyst M. Albert gave a presentation on National Emergency Preparedness Month.
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 8038 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
7. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember O’Hara made a comment on item 13.
Director of Water H. Luckenbach responded to Council questions regarding item 19.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson made a comment on items 13, 16, and 17.
Councilmember Newsome made a comment regarding item 17.
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on item 16.
Councilmember Trigueiro made a comment regarding items 13, 14, and 16.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8042
Consent Agenda (continued)
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Unidentified person spoke regarding items 8, 17, and 18.
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 13.
Garrett spoke regarding item 19.
Bradley Snyder spoke regarding item 15.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to approve the 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.
8. Minutes of the August 26, 2025 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
9. Resolution Amending the 2025 Council Meeting Calendar (CC) LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,547 was adopted amending Resolution No. NS-30,435 to revise the 2025 Council meeting calendar and cancel the October 14, 2025 regular meeting.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8043
Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Designation of Councilmember O’Hara as the Voting Delegate for the Annual League of California Cities (LOCC) Conference (CN)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried 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.
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 carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,548 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);
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;
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; 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 Direct staff to purchase various wildland firefighting tools for E3138 from multiple vendors in the amount of $4,372.44.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8044
Consent Agenda (continued)
12. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to reject the liability claims of 1) Kathryn Capaldo, and 2) Gabrielle Dekock, based on staff recommendation.
13. Memorial Request Honoring Former Mayor Mike Rotkin (PR) LOCATION: District 3
Motion carried 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 carried 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 carried to:
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:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,549 amending the FY 2026 revenue and expenditure budget in the amount of $315,819 for project g3026XX; Appropriate awarded funds into the above referenced project; and 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.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8045
Consent Agenda (continued)
16. Measure Q Expenditure Plan and Status Update (PR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to approve and adopt the proposed expenditure plan for City of Santa Cruz Measure Q allocation.
17. Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail (Rail Trail) Segment 7 Phase 2 Project (c401413) – Notice of Completion (PW)
LOCATION: Districts 3 and 4
Motion carried 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 carried 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 carried to approve a contract with Bartle Wells Associates (Berkeley, CA) in a not-to-exceed amount of $199,550 for financial planning and cost-ofservice analysis for water rates.
End Consent Agenda
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8046
Consent Public Hearings
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Garret spoke regarding item 20.
Unidentified person spoke regarding items 20 and 21.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, to approve the Consent Public Hearing 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.
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
Motion carried to 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 MINUTES 8047
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
Motion carried to 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
Economic Development Manager R. Unitt gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Kristin Lowell, with Kristin Lowell, Inc., responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Kay Tollini
Bradley Snyder
James Ewing-Whitman
Sonia McMoran
Dyane
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8048
General Business (continued)
22. Resolution of Intention to Establish the Midtown Santa Cruz Business Improvement District (EDH) LOCATION: Districts 1 and 2 (continued) MOTION: Councilmember Brunner moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to adopt Resolution No. NS-30,550 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.
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.
23. San Lorenzo Park Redesign Final Report (PR)
LOCATION: District 1
Superintendent of Parks M. Godsy introduced the item and responded to Council questions.
Senior Parks Planner N. Downing gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Sasha Morgan
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Kimberly Finley
Brad Snyder
Unidentified person
Lynda Marin
Garrett
Erica Snyvich
Unidentified person
Laurie Egan
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8049
General Business (continued)
23. San Lorenzo Park Redesign Final Report (PR) LOCATION: District 1 (continued) MOTION: Councilmember Trigueiro moved, seconded by Councilmember O’Hara, to:
1) Accept the San Lorenzo Park Redesign Final Report;
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;
3) Direct staff to evaluate a potential agreement to dedicate the Riverlands portion of San Lorenzo Park to Indigenous peoples as a living cultural landscape, in a form and scope determined through close consultation with local Tribal partners and consistent with the August 2025 San Lorenzo Park Conceptual Redesign Final Report and applicable grant, flood, and environmental requirements. Staff shall continue engagement with Tribal partners throughout this process and compensate their consultation using available project funds; and
4) Return to City Council within six months with a recommended policy to compensate Tribal partners for consultation on other City projects and ensure alignment with the City’s work on an Equitable Engagement Policy.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson requested to amend #4 as follows:
4) Return to City Council within six months with a recommended policy that outlines parameters and the framework for to compensation of Tribal partners for consultation on other City projects and ensure alignment with the City’s work on an Equitable Engagement Policy. Councilmembers Trigueiro and O’Hara accepted.
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.
Council took a break at 4:29 p.m. and returned to the dais at 5:04 p.m.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8050
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner (arrived at 5:11 p.m.), Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Public Hearing
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
Senior Planner R. Zhou gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Appellant Bruce Thomas gave a presentation.
The property owner spoke in opposition to the appeal.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
David Carlson
Craig Nevlin
Joe Hutson
Dana Rayfield
Joanne Hutson
Kerri Johnson
Elizabeth Lowry
Bradley Snyder
Andrea Hutson
Unidentified person
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
Appellant Bruce Thomas spoke.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8051
Public Hearing (continued)
24. 1811/1815/1819 Mission Street: CP25-0002 (APN 004-124-31, -32, -34) (PL) LOCATION: District 3 (continued)
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember O’Hara, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,551 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,”; and Direct staff to increase parking enforcement for the next 3—6 months and explore adjustments to parking restrictions on Dufour Street, with particular attention to reducing double parking. Staff shall assess whether compliance improves during this period and meet with Dufour neighbor representatives as part of the evaluation.
Director of Public Works N. Nguyen responded to Council questions.
Director of Planning and Community Development L. Butler responded to Council questions.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember O’Hara requested to add direction to staff to work with the Council Ad Hoc Housing Subcommittee to evaluate ways in which the City may have greater collaboration over architectural styles, building design, and site design for proposed development, with particular attention given to the early stages of the development review process when there is a greater likelihood of design changes being incorporated. Staff should include prior time-sensitive Council direction on housing and objective standards in this direction (City Council Public Hearings 8/12/2025, 6/24/2025, 5/15/2025), discuss with the Subcommittee this calendar year, and report back in the first quarter of 2026 with policy recommendations. Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson accepted.
September 9, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8052
Public Hearing (continued)
24. 1811/1815/1819 Mission Street: CP25-0002 (APN 004-124-31, -32, -34) (PL) LOCATION: District 3 (continued)
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: Councilmember Trigueiro.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
Staff direction:
Councilmember O’Hara requested staff to look into the City’s ability to limit delivery hours and truck sizes.
Adjournment – Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.