CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - March 10, 2026
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
2:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
2:30 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING,
GENERAL BUSINESS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS
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Enter the meeting ID number: 946 8440 1344
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Correspondence to be included in the agenda packet must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 9th
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, March 8th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
March 10, 2026 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 Cal-Relay 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.santacruzca.gov/councilmeetings 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.santacruzca.gov/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. 2:00 PM
Statements of Disqualification
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(2))
Significant exposure to litigation (one potential case to be discussed) March 10, 2026 City Council 3
City Council
2:30 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call
Oral Communications - 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.
Presentation
2. Parking for Hope Check Presentation
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Council Meeting Calendar
3. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
March 10, 2026 City Council 4
Consent Agenda
4. Minutes of the February 24, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
5. 2026 Program Year (PY) Annual Action Plan (AAP) (ED) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Receive initial funding recommendations for the 2026 U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Action Plan for both Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME); and
2) Direct staff to draft and publish for public review the 2026 Annual Action Plan (AAP).
6. 2023 Program Year Annual Action Plan Amendment - Budget Adjustment (ED)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Amend the 2023 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to reduce funding to the “2023 PY Civic Auditorium ADA Improvements” project in an amount up to $80,000 and reallocate the funding to a newly created project “2023 PY Market St. Senior Center Renovations”;
2) Direct staff to submit the Annual Action Plan (AAP) amendment to HUD for approval; and
3) Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2026 budget to move $80,000 in revenue and expenditure budget from projects h512403, Civic ADA Improvements, and c302422, CDBG Civic ADA Project, to projects h512103, Senior Center Renovation, and c302101, Senior Center Rehab, respectively.
March 10, 2026 City Council 5
Consent Agenda (continued)
7. 2026-2029 City of Santa Cruz Police Officers’ Association Total Tentative Agreement for Successor Memorandum of Understanding (HR) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt a resolution approving a total tentative agreement between the City of Santa Cruz and the Police Officers’ Association effective March 14, 2026 through March 23, 2029.
8. DeLaveaga Driving Range Roof and Building Improvements (c302214) – CEQA Exemption (14 CCR 15061) (PR)
LOCATION: District 1
Motion to:
1) Approve the plans and specifications for the DeLaveaga Driving Range Roof and Building Improvements Project (c302214); 2) Authorize the issuance of an invitation for bid (IFB) for the project and award the contract. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to; execute the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Director of Parks and Recreation is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and 3) Adopt a California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) finding of categorical exemption under (1) Class 1 Categorical Exemption (14 CCR 15301) for existing facilities, and (2) Common Sense Exemption (14 CCR 15061).
9. 2024 Pavement Rehabilitation Project (c400809) – Notice of Completion (PW)
LOCATION: Districts 3, 4, and 5
Motion to accept the work of MCK Services, Inc. (Martinez, CA) as completed per plans and specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the 2024 Pavement Rehabilitation Project (c400809) and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
March 10, 2026 City Council 6
Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Downtown Catch Basin Rehabilitation 2026 (c402602) – Authorize to Advertise and Award - Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to:
1) Approve the plans and specifications for Downtown Catch Basin Rehabilitation 2026 and authorize staff to advertise for bids and award the contract. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget;
2) Adopt a resolution to approve the design of the Downtown Catch Basin Rehabilitation 2026 pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6; 3) Adopt a resolution to amend the FY 2026 Budget and move funds from State Capital Grants Infill Infrastructure grant (IIG) to Transfer from IIG–AHSC funding; and
4) Find the Improvements Categorically Exempt under CEQA Guidelines 14 CCR section 15301(Existing Facilities).
11. Award Contract for Purchase of a Volvo D13 Tractor (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to award a contract for the purchase of a Volvo D13 Tractor from TEC Equipment (Oakland, CA) in the amount of $150,000. The Public Works Director is authorized to approve future Contract Amendments within the approved project budget.
12. Traffic Calming Pilot Program (c402404) - Notice of Completion (PW) LOCATION: Districts 1, 2, and 6
Motion to accept the work of WGJ Enterprises dba PCI (Azusa, CA) as completed per plans and specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the Traffic Calming Pilot Program (c402404) and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
March 10, 2026 City Council 7
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Proposed Resource Recovery Facility Fee Schedule Revisions (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution adopting a schedule of fees for disposal of refuse, garbage, trash and processing recyclables at the Resource Recovery Facility and rescinding Resolution No. NS-28,872; and
2) Adopt a finding of statutory exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15273 (Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges) because the proposed fee schedule is for the purpose of meeting RRF operating expenses.
End Consent Agenda
Consent Public Hearing
14. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-04 E-Bike Regulation Concepts (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-04 amending Chapter 10.68 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code pertaining to bicycles.
General Business
15. Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Updates (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Introduce for publication an ordinance amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 5.82 (“Sidewalk Vending”); and 2) Adopt a CEQA finding of exemption pursuant to: 14 CCR § 15307 – action by a regulatory agency for protection of natural resources; 14 CCR § 15308 – action by a regulatory agency for the protection of the environment; and 14 CCR § 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption).
March 10, 2026 City Council 8
Public Hearings
16. Amendments to the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance to Create a New Overlay District for Temporary and Affordable Housing, and Updates to the Industrial Land Use Preservation Policy (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Introduce for publication an ordinance amending Chapter 24.10, Chapter 24.12, Part 17, and Chapter 24.22 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) to add a new overlay district and update standards for temporary and affordable housing;
2) Introduce for publication an ordinance amending the Local Coastal Program (LCP) Implementation Plan (IP), amending Section 24.10.1510 of the Municipal Code related to use permit requirements within the General Industrial zoning district;
3) Adopt a finding that the proposed amendments are exempt from environmental review under Public Resources Code Section 21080.085 and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3); and
4) Approve the update to the City Council Industrial Land Use Preservation Policy.
17. Amend Municipal Code Chapter 24.16 Related to Affordable Housing Incentives and Fees, and Adopt Separate Council Policies Related to Development Review Fee Deferrals and Waivers (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Pass for publication an ordinance approving the proposed amendments to City of Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 24, Sections: 24.16.035, 24.16.300, and 24.16.310;
2) Adopt a resolution approving the City Council Development Review Fee Deferral Policy for 100 Percent Affordable Housing Developments; and
3) Adopt a resolution approving the City Council Development Review Fee Waiver Policy for Projects on City-Owned Land.
Adjournment
March 10, 2026 City Council 9
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS None issued.
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – MARCH 10, 2026
18. Proclaiming February 20, 2026 as “Government Communicators Day” and encouraging all residents to join in this observance and to express appreciation for the City Communications Team’s dedication and commitment to serving the community.
19. Proclaiming March 5, 2026 as “Loisrae Guin Hunger Fighter of the Year Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in honoring her as an inspiring example of an individual whose efforts are supporting Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s mission, “to educate and involve individuals to end hunger and alleviate malnutrition in our communities,” and expressing heartfelt appreciation for her contributions on behalf of all those in need.
20. Proclaiming March 5, 2026 as “America Sanchez Hunger Fighter of the Year Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in honoring her as an inspiring example of an individual whose efforts are supporting Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s mission, “to educate and involve individuals to end hunger and alleviate malnutrition in our communities,” and expressing heartfelt appreciation for her contributions on behalf of all those in need.
21. Proclaiming March 5, 2026 as “Dean Sakae of Wysiwyg Farms Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in congratulating Dean Sakae of Wysiwyg Farms for being named the Food Donor of the Year for Santa Cruz County by Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County and expressing heartfelt appreciation for his efforts that benefit Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County and its network of member agencies.
March 10, 2026 City Council 10
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.
Board of Building and Fire Appeals Two openings – at-large nominations.
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.