Approved at the February 10, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 27, 2026
Closed Session
1:30 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 1:30 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 C. Bronson, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb, Director of Finance E. Cabell, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Brunner announced she will be recusing herself from item 1.2, as it relates to her employment.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 1:31 p.m. The following person spoke:
Felicia Van Stolk spoke regarding item 1.1.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 1:35 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8150
Closed Session
1. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) 1) Property: 1305 E. Cliff Drive
APN: 010-282-01
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiators: Tony Elliot
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Felicia Van Stolk Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of payment, or both
2) Property: 1124 Pacific Avenue
APN: 005-153-10
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Silver Cinemas Acquisition Co.
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
3) Property: 31 Municipal Wharf
APN: 007-341-02
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Peter Drobac Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of payment, or both
4) Property: 49A Municipal Wharf
APN: 007-371-01
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Peter Drobac Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of payment, or both
Councilmember Brunner recused herself from item, 1.2. Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and no reportable action was taken.
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Gov’t. Code §54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation (one potential case to be discussed) Council received a status report and unanimously approved the City entering into litigation in a coalition with a group of local governments to be a Plaintiff to a case against the federal government to preserve the City’s federal funding.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8151
Closed Session (continued)
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1))
City of Fresno, et al., v. Scott Turner, et al.
(Northern District of California Case No. Case No.: 3:25-cv-07070-RS) Council received a status report, and no reportable action was taken.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8152
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 27, 2026
2:30 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 3:04 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, City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb (via Zoom), Director of Community Development L. Butler (via Zoom), Director of Finance E. Cabell, Chief of Fire R. Oatey (via Zoom), Chief of Police B.
Escalante (via Zoom), Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Director of Water H. Luckenbach, Sustainability and Resiliency Officer T. WiseWest, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications
At 3:05 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.
Unidentified person spoke regarding Measure C, thanking Council, and Economic Development staff.
Garrett spoke regarding Measure Z ballot questions and the purpose of its ad hoc subcommittee.
Patrice Boyle spoke regarding the Murray Street Bridge and raising prices at her business to accommodate for the bridge closure and asking Council to keep the bridge opened in two ways.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8153
Oral Communications (continued)
Unidentified person spoke regarding the Murray Street Bridge being reopened to two-way traffic and requested Council do everything possible to keep it open in the summer.
Traci Bliss spoke regarding the Seabright neighborhood, its historic buildings and reminded Council of the City’s commitment to historic Seabright.
Unidentified person spoke, thanking Council for planning to reopen two-way traffic on the Murray Street Bridge, and requested it to remain open.
Unidentified person spoke regarding previously running for City Council and encouraging others to run.
Joe Michalak spoke regarding the Seabright neighborhood and urged Council to do everything they can to retain the economic vitality of that community.
Unidentified person spoke regarding the Seabright neighborhood, and the traffic impacts due to the Murray Street Bridge closure.
At 3:21 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Presentations
4. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring January 2026 as Orphan Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month
Councilmember Trigueiro spoke and read from a proclamation declaring January 2026 as Orphan Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month.
Filmmaker Barak Laub spoke.
5. Leslie Keedy 25-year Service Pin Presentation
This item was continued.
Presiding Officer's Announcements – Mayor Keeley called on Bobby Roy, Founder of the 3D Entrepreneurs Club, to speak about 3D printing technologies.
Statements of Disqualification – Mayor Keeley announced he will be recusing himself from item 15 out of an abundance of caution due to the location of his residence.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See pages 8150–8151 for the report.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8154
Council Meeting Calendar
6. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember O’Hara made a comment on items 7, 11, and 12.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson made a comment on items 10 and 12.
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on items 10 and 12.
Mayor Keeley made a comment on item 11.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Bradley Snyder made a comment on item 13.
Garrett made a comment on item 10.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to approve the Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley (with the exception of item 15).
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: Mayor Keeley (item 15).
7. City Manager Annual Merit Increase (CA/HR)
LOCATION: None
Resolution No. NS-30,606 was adopted amending the Personnel Complement and Classification and Compensation Plans and the FY 2026 Budget – City Manager, effective January 3, 2026.
8. Minutes of the January 13, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) Motion carried to approve as submitted.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8155
Consent Agenda (continued)
9. Adoption of a Council Policy, "Disruption of Remote Participation During a Council Meeting," as required by Senate Bill 707 (CC)
LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,607 was adopted adopting Council Policy 6.22, Disruption of Remote Services, to incorporate new Brown Act amendments regarding Council meeting disruption procedures for two-way remote access pursuant to Senate Bill 707.
10. Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0 Update: Summary of Community Engagement Events and Data Summary Conditions Technical Brief (CM) LOCATION: Districts 2, 3, 4, and 6
Motion carried to receive information on the community engagement events to date and accept the Data Summary Technical Brief Snapshot for the Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0 Project.
11. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR) for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 (FN) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR), and related reports, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025.
12. Fiscal Year 2025/26 California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Tobacco Program Grant Award - Budget Adjustment (PD) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,608 authorizing the City Manager of the City of Santa Cruz to accept grant funds in the amount of $374,883 from the State of California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, Tobacco Grant Program, and authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute the contract and agreements associated with the acceptance of this grant, and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,609 amending the FY 2026 budget in the amount of $374,883 for the FY 2025/26 Tobacco Program Grant.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8156
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Pacific-Beach Roundabout Enhancements Project (c402507) – Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: District 4
Resolution No. NS-30,610 was adopted amending the FY 2026 budget to appropriate funds in the amount of $100,000 from Traffic Impact Fee (TIF) for the Pacific-Beach Roundabout Enhancements Project (c402507).
14. Award Single Source Purchase Order for the 212 Locust Street/117 Union Street – Sewer Repair Project - Budget Adjustment (m402502) (PW) LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Authorize the 212 Locust Street/117 Union Street – Sewer Repair Project and authorize the City Manager to award and execute the Single Source Purchase Order for $123,744 to Montano Plumbing (Santa Cruz, CA) in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Director of Public Works or designee is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget;
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,611 to amend Public Works Fund 101 FY 2026 budget and appropriate funds in the amount of $123,744 from Fund 711 and Fund 951; and
Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Class 1, existing facilities, 14 CCR 15301).
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8157
Consent Agenda (continued)
15. 222 Market Street Roofing Project (c402604) - Change Order (PW) LOCATION: District 1
Motion carried to:
Authorize a Change Order for additional work as outlined in the latest proposal from Moriarty’s Roofing, Inc dated December 15, 2025 for the 222 Market Street roofing project from the Public Facilities Upgrades and Repairs Project (c402604). The Public Works Director or designee is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
Approve of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) determination contained in this Agenda Report. The Council’s action is exempt from CEQA review under (1) Class 1 Categorical Exemption (14 CCR 15301) for existing facilities.
16. Service Order 11 Change Order 2 with HDR Inc. for Capital Program Management Services - Budget Adjustment (WT)
LOCATION: None
Motion carried to:
Authorize the City Manager to execute Change Order 2 in the amount of $1,993,028 with HDR, Inc. in a form to be approved by the City Attorney; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,612 to amend the FY 2026 budget by transferring funds within the Water Department’s CIP in the amount of $825,000 from project c702103 (ASR - Santa Margarita Groundwater Basin) to c701501 (GHWTP CC Tanks Replacement), to provide funding for additional work needed to complete the GHWTP CC Tanks Replacement Project.
End Consent Agenda
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8158
Consent Public Hearing
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Trigueiro moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, 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.
17. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-01 Amending Chapter
16.02 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code Restricting the Irrigation of Nonfunctional Turf (WT)
LOCATION: County (Water Service Area)
Motion carried to:
Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-01 amending Chapter 16.02 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code restricting the irrigation of nonfunctional turf; and Acknowledge the determinations that the ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Acti (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15307, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources and Section 15308, Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment.
Public Hearing
18. Amendments to the Zoning Map and to Municipal Code Chapter 24.10 – Land Use Districts to Create a New Overlay District to Allow Ministerial Approval of 100 Percent Affordable Housing in Specified Zone Districts, Including New Objective Standards for Heritage Tree Removals on Those Sites (PL) LOCATION: Citywide
This item was continued to a future meeting and was not discussed.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8159
General Business
19. 2025 Health in All Policies (HiAP) Progress Update and Proposed 2026-2029 HiAP Citywide Implementation Workplan (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Sustainability and Resiliency Officer T. Wise-West gave a presentation.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Garrett
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Brunner moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to:
Accept 2025 Health in All Policies (HiAP) progress update; and Approve the proposed 2026-2029 HiAP Citywide Implementation Workplan.
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.
Advisory Body Appointments
City Clerk Administrator B. Bush gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Jeremy Stone
Unidentified person
Jennalee Dahlen
Cynthia Denny
Megan Goddard
Leah Kahn
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8160
Advisory Body Appointments (continued)
20. Arts Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember O’Hara nominated Jeremy Stone.
By consensus Jeremy Stone was appointed to the Arts Commission with a term ending January 31, 2029.
21. Children’s Fund Oversight Committee
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember Trigueiro nominated Aracely Contreras and Pamela Velazquez.
Councilmember Golder nominated Patricia Marrone Bennett.
Voting for Aracely Contreras: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Voting for Patricia Marrone Bennett: Councilmember Golder.
Voting for Pamela Velazquez: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
By consensus, Council:
Reappointed Aracely Contreras and Pamela Velazquez to the Children’s Oversight Fund Committee with terms ending January 31, 2030; and Ratifed the reappointments of David Brody as the First Five Santa Cruz representative and Andrew Cunningham as the youth organization representative.
22. County Latino Affairs Commission
LOCATION: County
By consensus Aracely Contreras was appointed to the County Latino Affairs Commission with a term ending April 1, 2029.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8161
Advisory Body Appointments (continued)
23. Downtown Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember Trigueiro nominated Jennalee Dahlen.
By consensus Jennalee Dahlen was reappointed to the Downtown Commission with a term ending January 31, 2027.
24. Historic Preservation Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember Brunner nominated Olga Pastuszynski.
Councilmember Newsome nominated Margo McBane.
By consensus Olga Pastuszynski and Margo McBane were appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission with terms ending January 31, 2029.
25. Parks and Recreation Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson nominated Don Iglesias.
Councilmember Brunner nominated Emma Ussat.
By consensus Don Iglesias and Emma Ussat were appointed to the Parks and Recreation Commission with terms ending January 31, 2029.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8162
Advisory Body Appointments (continued)
26. Planning Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember O’Hara nominated Monica Hammer.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson nominated Pete Kennedy.
Councilmember Newsome nominated John McKelvey.
By consensus Monica Hammer was appointed with a term ending January 31, 2029, Pete Kennedy was reappointed with a term ending January 31, 2029, and John McKelvey was reappointed with a term ending January 31, 2027.
27. Sister Cities Committee
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember O’Hara nominated Leah Kahn.
Councilmember Golder nominated Margaret Diego.
Voting for Leah Kahn: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Voting for Margaret Diego: Councilmember Golder.
By consensus Leah Kahn was appointed to the Sister Cities Committee with a term ending January 31, 2030.
28. Transportation and Public Works Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember Brunner nominated Dustin Mulvaney.
By consensus Dustin Mulvaney was appointed to the Transportation and Public Works Commission with a term ending January 31, 2029.
January 27, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8163
Advisory Body Appointments (continued)
29. Water Commission
LOCATION: Citywide
Councilmember Brunner nominated Megan Goddard.
By consensus Megan Goddard was reappointed to the Water Commission with a term ending January 31, 2029.
Adjournment – Councilmember Trigueiro moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.