Approved at the March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 24, 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, Assistant City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 1:31 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 1:32 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
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Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95) 1) Claimant: Alan J. Mac
2) Claimant: James Morrissey
3) Claimant: Angelo Jason Mirizzi Kaplan
4) Claimant: Michael Benjamin Ruder
5) Claimant: David W. Turner
6) Claimant: Michael Deuschel
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 15, and no reportable action was taken.
2. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: 37 Municipal Wharf (Gilda’s)
APN: 007-341-03
Owner: Charles Maier
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Charles Maier dba Gilda’s Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and no reportable action was taken.
3. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(2))
Significant exposure to litigation (one potential case to be discussed) Council received a status report, and no reportable action was taken.
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City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
February 24, 2026
2:00 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 2:11 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, City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb, Director of Community Development L.
Butler, Chief of Fire R. Oatey (via Zoom), Chief of Police B. Escalante, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Director of Water H. Luckenbach, Director of Homelessness Response and Community Programs L.
Imwalle, Communications Manager E. Smart, Principal Transportation Planner C. Gallogly, Principal Planner M. VanHua, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications
At 2:11 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.
Garrett spoke regarding the budget, the sugar-sweetened beverage tax, and advised Council how they should evaluate other cities and suggested modeling Santa Cruz after cities like Huntington Beach and not San Francisco or Oakland.
Bradley Snyder spoke regarding media and political slogans used around the world.
John Golder spoke regarding the San Lorenzo Park redesign and stated the egress to the river needs to be protected in accordance with the California Constitution.
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Oral Communications (continued)
Athena Flannery spoke regarding weekly sweeps of homeless encampments and violations against the ADA.
Robert spoke regarding Housing Matters closing its day services and the destruction of encampments on Coral Street.
At 2:25 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Presentations
4. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring February 20, 2026, as Government Communicators Day
Mayor Keeley read from a proclamation declaring February 20, 2026, as Government Communicators Day. Council made comments and Communications Manager E. Smart spoke.
Presiding Officer's Announcements – Mayor Keeley made an announcement regarding Black History Month. Council made comments.
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 8176 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
5. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
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Consent Agenda
Mayor Keeley pulled items 8 and 13 for further discussion.
Councilmember O’Hara pulled item 16 for further discussion.
Councilmember O’Hara made a comment on items 10, 11, and 19.
Councilmember Golder made a comment on item 10.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Garrett made a comment on item 19.
Robert Norse made a comment on items 14 and 19.
Bradley Snyder made a comment on item 13.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, 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.
6. Minutes of the February 10, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
7. Authorization to Participate in the Local Government Climate Alliance (CM) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to direct staff to participate in the Local Government Climate Alliance (LGCA) and provide ongoing authorization for involvement in LGCA activities, including coordinated state-level climate and energy advocacy.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
8. Day Services Planning Update - Budget Adjustment (CM) LOCATION: Citywide
Director of Homelessness Response and Community Programs L. Imwalle gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Tom Stagg
Sean Dougherty
Don Lane
Bradley Snyder
Garrett
Athena Flannery
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,620 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to appropriate up to $409,115 for the procurement and operation of expanded public hygiene access in the City, through a reallocation of currently budgeted funds in Homelessness Response and Community Programs; and Direct staff to continue to collaborate with the County of Santa Cruz staff in further exploring additional options for providing access to basic hygiene and other services to support the unhoused community.
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.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
9. Approval of Three (3) Professional Services Agreements for Qualified Firms to Provide On-Call Grant Support Services (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with qualified firms in a form approved by the City Attorney for on-call grant support services not to exceed $100,000 per vendor per year over a three-year term. The Assistant City Manager is authorized to execute change orders within the approved budget.
10. 136 River Street Grant Administration - Budget Adjustment (ED) LOCATION: District 5
Motion carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,621 committing funding from the California State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Program in an amount of $623,298 as a loan to the 136 River Street Affordable Housing Project, an eligible affordable housing project;
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,622 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to appropriate $1,800,000 in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF), funded by State HCD through the Local Housing Trust Fund (LHTF) as a loan to 136 River Street Apartments Investors, L.P.;
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute related PLHA and LHTF documents; and
Authorize staff to submit requests for reimbursement of PLHA and LHTF funds.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
11. Authorization for Application and Acceptance of Prohousing Incentive Program Funds (ED)
LOCATION: District 5
Resolution No. NS-30,623 was adopted to approve application submittal and, if selected, receive an allocation of the 4th round of the Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute any documents or amendments related to the award, in a form approved by the City Attorney.
12. Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Santa Cruz Diner, Inc., dba Gilda’s for City-owned Commercial Space at 37 Municipal Wharf - Budget Adjustment (ED) LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Santa Cruz Diner, 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 37 Municipal Wharf;
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,624 amending the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to appropriate revenue in the amount of $4,233.00 to the 37 Municipal Wharf (w512601) Project; and
Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to the following CEQA guidelines: 14 CCR 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
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Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Design Services Contract for the Coral Street SUD Navigation Center (ED) LOCATION: District 5
Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. There were no speakers.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to:
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract with NJA Architecture for design services through construction management in an amount not to exceed $1,280,040, and any related documents in a form to be approved by the City Attorney; and
Authorize the Deputy City Manager, or designee, to execute amendments or change orders with NJA Architecture within the approved budget of the Navigation Center BHCIP project (c512602).
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.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
14. Resolution Establishing the 2026 Security Deposit Interest Rate for Residential Rental Property (ED)
LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,625 was adopted establishing the 2026 interest rate for the residential security deposits at 0.02% and rescinding Resolution No. NS30,444.
15. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to reject the liability claims of 1) Alan J. Mac, 2) James Morrissey, 3) Angelo Jason Mirizzi Kaplan, 4) Michael Benjamin Ruder, 5) David W. Turner, and 6) Michael Deuschel, based on staff recommendation.
16. Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico Friendship City Status (PR) LOCATION: Citywide
Carola Barton, Chair of the Sister Cities Committee, and Erika Allende, Chair and Isai Pâvos, Member of the Puerto Escondido Sister Cities Subcommittee, gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Fernanda Medina
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to approve the adoption of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico as a Friendship City as recommended and resolved by the Sister Cities Committee.
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.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
17. Purchase of Lift Vehicle (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to award a contract for the purchase of a Ford E-Transit T-350 Cargo Van with a LiftUp Aerial Device from Rush Truck Center (Commerce City, CO) in the amount of $127,598.
18. Purchase of Wastewater Collection Utility Truck (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to award a contract for the purchase of one Ford F-550 Utility Truck from Watsonville Ford (Watsonville, CA) in the amount of $108,388.
19. SCMU Customer Assistance Program (UCAP) Update—Expansion to Include Multi-Family Customers - Budget Adjustment (WT)
LOCATION: County
Council receive an update on the SCMU Customer Assistance Program (UCAP), including the expansion of the UCAP to serve multi-family customers, and adopt Resolution No. NS-30,626 amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget in the amount of $1,101,000 for the UCAP Special Revenue Fund (Fund 296) and ($42,631) for the Water Department (Fund 711).
End Consent Agenda
Consent Public Hearing
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 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; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
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Consent Public Hearing (continued)
20. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance Nos. 2026-02 and 2026-03 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
Motion carried to:
Adopt Ordinance 2026-02 amending Chapter 24.16 Part 2 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) related to Accessory Dwelling Unit Regulations; Adopt Ordinance 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
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,627 directing staff to submit Ordinance No. 2026-03 to the California Coastal Commission.
General Business
21. E-Bike Regulation Concepts (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Principal Transportation Planner C. Gallogly gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
John Golder
Michael Collins
James Ewing Whitman
Bradley Snyder
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
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General Business (continued)
21. E-Bike Regulation Concepts (PW) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember O’Hara, to:
1) Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-04 amending Chapter 10.68 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code pertaining to bicycles; 2) Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (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); 3) Direct staff to work with state and regional partners, including state legislators and policy lobbyists, to pursue inclusion of Santa Cruz in existing state-authorized pilot programs, or pursue new authorizing legislation, to establish a minimum rider age of at least 10 for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes; 4) Direct staff to evaluate and return to Council with a letter in support of Assembly Bill 2346 (AB 2346), which would allow a local agency to set speed limits for bikes on sidewalks, Class IV bike lanes, and multiuse paths. a. If AB 2346 does not pass and there are no active efforts at the State or regional level, direct staff to evaluate and return to Council with recommendations to establish local speed limits for e-bikes on multiuse paths, informed by the Mineta Transportation Institute study, and best practices from peer jurisdictions;
5) Direct staff to continue coordination with state and regional partners to address other concerns and potential solutions related to speed and age limits for e-bikes;
6) Direct staff to continue efforts to expand e-bike education, with an emphasis on partnership with Santa Cruz City Schools;
7) Direct staff to continue to seek outside funding to provide continued and expanded e-bike education for youth and community members; and 8) Direct staff to explore increasing fines for bikes on sidewalks throughout the City, consistent with the municipal code.
City Attorney C. Bronson responded to Council questions.
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General Business (continued)
21. E-Bike Regulation Concepts (PW) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Trigueiro requested to remove #8 of the original motion to:
1) Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-04 amending Chapter 10.68 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code pertaining to bicycles; 2) Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (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); 3) Direct staff to work with state and regional partners, including state legislators and policy lobbyists, to pursue inclusion of Santa Cruz in existing state-authorized pilot programs, or pursue new authorizing legislation, to establish a minimum rider age of at least 10 for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes; 4) Direct staff to evaluate and return to Council with a letter in support of Assembly Bill 2346 (AB 2346), which would allow a local agency to set speed limits for bikes on sidewalks, Class IV bike lanes, and multiuse paths. a. If AB 2346 does not pass and there are no active efforts at the State or regional level, direct staff to evaluate and return to Council with recommendations to establish local speed limits for e-bikes on multiuse paths, informed by the Mineta Transportation Institute study, and best practices from peer jurisdictions;
5) Direct staff to continue coordination with state and regional partners to address other concerns and potential solutions related to speed and age limits for e-bikes;
6) Direct staff to continue efforts to expand e-bike education, with an emphasis on partnership with Santa Cruz City Schools;
7) Direct staff to continue to seek outside funding to provide continued and expanded e-bike education for youth and community members; and Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson did not accept.
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General Business (continued)
21. E-Bike Regulation Concepts (PW) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) MOTION TO AMEND: Councilmember Trigueiro moved to:
1) Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-04 amending Chapter 10.68 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code pertaining to bicycles; 2) Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (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); 3) Direct staff to work with state and regional partners, including state legislators and policy lobbyists, to pursue inclusion of Santa Cruz in existing state-authorized pilot programs, or pursue new authorizing legislation, to establish a minimum rider age of at least 10 for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes; 4) Direct staff to evaluate and return to Council with a letter in support of Assembly Bill 2346 (AB 2346), which would allow a local agency to set speed limits for bikes on sidewalks, Class IV bike lanes, and multiuse paths. a. If AB 2346 does not pass and there are no active efforts at the State or regional level, direct staff to evaluate and return to Council with recommendations to establish local speed limits for e-bikes on multiuse paths, informed by the Mineta Transportation Institute study, and best practices from peer jurisdictions;
5) Direct staff to continue coordination with state and regional partners to address other concerns and potential solutions related to speed and age limits for e-bikes;
6) Direct staff to continue efforts to expand e-bike education, with an emphasis on partnership with Santa Cruz City Schools;
7) Direct staff to continue to seek outside funding to provide continued and expanded e-bike education for youth and community members; and The motion failed due to lack of a second.
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General Business (continued)
21. E-Bike Regulation Concepts (PW) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) ACTION: The original 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.
22. Review of 2025 State of California Legislation Impacting Land Use, Housing, Homelessness Response, and Economic Development (CD/ED/CM) LOCATION: Citywide
Principal Planner M. VanHua gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Director of Community Development L. Butler responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Bradley Snyder
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, to accept the review of 2025 State of California legislation impacting land use, housing, homelessness response, and economic development.
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 O’Hara, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
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RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.