Approved at the February 24, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 10, 2026
2:00 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 2:02 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 Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara (via Zoom); Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: Councilmember Trigueiro.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Attorney C. Bronson, Director of Information Technology K. Morgan, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
At this time, Mayor Keeley called on City Attorney C. Bronson who explained that Councilmember O’Hara’s remote appearance is authorized as “just cause” per Government Code 54953.8.3 (c)(2).
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Brunner announced she will be recusing herself from item 2.3 as it relates to her employment.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 2:06 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 2:06 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
February 10, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8165
Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95) 1) Claimant: Michael Andrew Collins
2) Claimant: Brendan W. Daly
3) Claimant: Linda Ann Waskiewicz
4) Claimant: Vahid Ebrahimi
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 10, and no reportable action was taken.
2. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) 1) Property: 47 Municipal Wharf
APN: 007-341-06
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: Bonnie Lipscomb and Bruce Noland (dba Flotsam of California, Inc.)
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
2) Property: 41 Municipal Wharf
APN: 007-341-04
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: Bonnie Lipscomb and Bruce Noland (dba Flotsam of California, Inc.)
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
3) Property: 121 Soquel Avenue (Frazier Lewis Lane, portion) and 1316-1320 Pacific Ave
APN: 005-081-51, 005-081-20, and 005-081-21
Owner: City of Santa Cruz and Doghouse2 LLC
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: Bonnie Lipscomb and Danco Communities Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both.
Council received a status report from the City Negotiator on items 2.1 and 2.2, and no reportable action was taken. Item 2.3 was not discussed.
February 10, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8166
Closed Session (continued)
3. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code §54957.6) Police Officers Association
City Negotiator - Sara De Leon
Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and no reportable action was taken.
February 10, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8167
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 10, 2026
3:00 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. in Council Chambers.
At this time, Mayor Keeley called on City Attorney C. Bronson who explained that Councilmember O’Hara’s remote appearance is authorized as “just cause” per Government Code 54953.8.3 (c)(2).
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara (via Zoom); Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: Councilmember Trigueiro.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, Assistant City Manager M. Templeton, City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb, Director of Community Development L.
Butler, Director of Finance E. Cabell, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Urban Forester L. Keedy, Senior Planner C. Stanger, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications
At 3:04 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 about making balloons, the fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant, and hopes for the next Mayor.
Garrett spoke regarding immigration, calling those who have immigrated illegally, “thugs,” and stated Sanctuary Cities are only a sanctuary for criminals.
Gillian Greensite spoke regarding Measure C and the Local Preference Policy Update FYI submitted to the Mayor and Councilmembers.
Michael Collins spoke regarding an ordinance that is supposed to prohibit electric bikes from being ridden adjacent to Commercial establishments.
February 10, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8168
Oral Communications (continued)
Lion Baumgartner spoke regarding hate, vehicles idling longer than they are permitted, and endangered butterflies.
At 3:14 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Presentation
4. Leslie Keedy 25-year Service Pin Presentation
Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot gave a presentation. Urban Forester L. Keedy spoke.
Presiding Officer's Announcements – Mayor Keeley congratulated former Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold for winning a Grammy award, and by consensus Council agreed to send a letter to him on behalf of the City.
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See pages 8165—8166 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
5. The City Council did not review or revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson made a comment on item 7.
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on items 7, 11, 12, 13 and 14.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Unidentified person made a comment on item 7.
Unidentified person made a comment on items 6, 7, and 10.
Unidentified person made a comment on item 7.
Garrett made a comment on item 7.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to approve the Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Trigueiro.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
6. Minutes of the January 27, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
7. City of Santa Cruz Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Distribution Tax Oversight Committee (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
Ratify the Parks and Recreation Commission’s December 8, 2025 selection of Barbara Lawrence to serve on the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Oversight Committee (Committee);
Appoint Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson to serve on the Committee; and Ratify the City Manager’s selection of five at-large members to the Committee.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
8. Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Flotsam of California, Inc, dba Surf City for City-owned Commercial Space at 41 Municipal Wharf (EDH) Location: District 4
Motion carried to:
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Flotsam of California, Inc., and any documents, amendments or extensions of a non-substantive nature, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for the commercial retail space at 41 Municipal Wharf; Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,613 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to appropriate revenue in the amount of $19,480.39 to the Municipal Wharf Fund (Fund 104) and $1,970.00 to 41 Municipal Wharf (w512501); and Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) finding of categorical exemption pursuant to 14 CCR 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
9. Amended and Restated Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Flotsam of California, Inc, dba Noland’s for City-owned Commercial Space at 47 Municipal Wharf (EDH)
Location: District 4
Motion carried to:
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Amendment and Restated Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Flotsam of California, Inc., and any documents, amendments or extensions of a non-substantive nature, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for the commercial retail space located at 47 Municipal Wharf;
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,614 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to appropriate revenue in the amount of $382.44 to the Municipal Wharf Fund (Fund 104); and
Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) finding of categorical exemption pursuant to 14 CCR 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
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Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to reject the liability claims of 1) Michael Andrew Collins, 2) Brendan W. Daly, 3) Linda Ann Waskiewicz; and to return as late claim of 4) Vahid Ebrahimi, based on staff recommendation.
11. FY 2026 Budget Adjustments and Information on City’s Financial Status – Budget Adjustment (FN/HR)
Location: Citywide
Motion carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,615 amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget appropriation of expenditures to all funds as listed in Exhibit A, in the amount of $24,669,730, including an increase of $2,735,762 to the General Fund, and a total decrease in revenues as listed in Exhibit A in the amount of $26,432,222 to all funds, including a reduction of $124,666 to the General Fund;
Authorize the City Manager to allocate budgetary changes within the applicable funds and departments; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,616 amending the personnel complement for the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development and Housing, Human Resources, Information Technology, Library, Parks and Recreation, Public Works, and Water Departments.
12. 2025-2028 City of Santa Cruz Supervisors Operating Engineers, Local 3 Agreement for Successor Memorandum of Understanding (HR) LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,617 was adopted adopting the 2025-2028 Successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Cruz and the Supervisors Operating Engineers, Local 3, effective December 6, 2025 through December 8, 2028.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
13. 2025-2028 City of Santa Cruz Fire Management Association Agreement for Successor Memorandum of Understanding (HR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,618 was adopted adopting a successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Cruz and the Fire Management Association effective October 11, 2025 through June 30, 2028.
14. 2025-2028 City of Santa Cruz International Association of Firefighters, Local 1716, Successor Memorandum of Understanding (HR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,619 was adopted adopting successor Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Cruz and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 1716 effective September 27, 2025 through July 3, 2028.
End Consent Agenda
Public Hearing
15. Amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 24.04 – Administration, Section
24.12.1755 – Properties with Accessory Dwelling Units, and Chapter 24.16 Part 2 – Accessory Dwelling Units to Align Local Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations with New State Laws, Clarify Language of Existing Regulations, and Other Minor Changes (PL)
LOCATION: Citywide
Senior Planner C. Stanger gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
James Ewing Whitman
Garrett
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
February 10, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8173
Public Hearing (continued)
15. Amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 24.04 and Chapter 24.16 (PL) LOCATION: Citywide (continued)
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to:
Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-02 amending Chapter 24.16 Part 2 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) related to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) regulations;
Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-03 amending the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Implementation Plan (IP), amending Chapter 24.04 and Section 24.12.1755 of the Municipal Code related to Coastal Commission appeal of Accessory Dwelling Unit coastal permits and length of tenancy in Junior Accessory Dwelling Units; and
Acknowledge the determination that the proposed amendments are exempt under Public Resources Code Section 21080.17 as an ordinance to implement ADU state law and under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as a project that can be seen with certainty to have no possibility for causing a significant effect on the environment.
Direct staff to bring back an analysis of the Planning Commission’s recommended changes to short-term rental regulations as they relate to Accessory Dwelling Units no later than at the next annual ADU update to the City Council.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Trigueiro.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
Adjournment – Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 3:56 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.