CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - March 24, 2026
Updated March 23, 2026 – Item 18
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
11:30 A.M. CLOSED SESSION
12:15 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, CONSENT PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND
GENERAL BUSINESS
Council meetings are hybrid, and may be viewed remotely, using any of the following sources:
Click on Zoom link (no time delay): https://zoom.us/j/94684401344 Online at http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/government/city-council/council-meetings Online at Watch – Community Television of Santa Cruz County Comcast Channel 25
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Enter the meeting ID number: 946 8440 1344
When prompted for a Participant ID, press #.
Press *9 on your phone to “raise your hand” when the Mayor calls for public comment. It will be your turn to speak when the Mayor calls on you. Press *6 to unmute yourself. The timer will then be set.
Correspondence to be included in the agenda packet must be received by 5:00 pm on Monday, March 23rd
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 22nd by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
March 24, 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. 11:30 AM
Statements of Disqualification
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95)
1) Claimant: Wayne Jose Shaffer
2) Claimant: Adam M. Brightwell
3) Claimant: Deborah Kathleen Currier
4) Claimant: James Patrick Shay
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
March 24, 2026 City Council 3
Closed Session (continued)
2. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) 1) Property: 121 Soquel Avenue and 1316-1320 Pacific Avenue APNs: 005-081-51, -20, and -21
Owner: City of Santa Cruz and Doghouse2 LLC
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Danco Communities Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
2) 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
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1))
Kathryn Capaldo and Gabrielle Dekock v. City of Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz County Superior Court Case No. 25CV02938)
March 24, 2026 City Council 4
City Council
12:15 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.
Presentations
4. Clam Chowder Cook-off Update
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring February 13, 2026, as Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County 50th Anniversary Day
6. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring April, 2026, as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Council Meeting Calendar
7. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
March 24, 2026 City Council 5
Consent Agenda
8. Minutes of the March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
9. Annual Housing Element and General Plan Progress Reports and Accessory Dwelling Unit Condominium Report (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to accept the 2025 General Plan and Housing Element Annual Progress Reports, and direct staff to submit the reports to the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the California Department of Housing and Community Development; and to accept the annual Accessory Dwelling Unit Condominium Report.
10. Approve the Fifth Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement Between the City of Santa Cruz and County of Santa Cruz and the Cities of Capitola and Scotts Valley, Relating to Library Services, to Extend the Term (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Approve the Fifth Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Santa Cruz and the County of Santa Cruz and the Cities of Capitola and Scotts Valley, relating to library services, to extend the term effective January 1, 2026 through June 30, 2032; and 2) Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the amendment.
March 24, 2026 City Council 6
Consent Agenda (continued)
11. Approval of an Option Agreement for Site Lease to Support Direct Current Fast Charging Infrastructure (CM)
LOCATION: Districts 2, 3, and 5
Motion to:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute an Option to Lease Agreement for Site Lease(s) for space at 3 public parking sites (Downtown Library Affordable Housing Parking Garage located at 119 Lincoln Street, the Parking Lot at 1111 Soquel Avenue, and Harvey West Park located at 326 Harvey West Boulevard) for the purpose of installing and operating Direct Current Fast Charging infrastructure; and
2) Adopt a CEQA finding of categorical exemption pursuant to: 14 CCR 15301 (Existing Facilities); 14 CCR 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land); and 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
12. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion to reject the liability claims of 1) Wayne Jose Shaffer, 2) Adam M. Brightwell, 3) Deborah Kathleen Currier, and 4) James Patrick Shay, based on staff recommendation.
13. Resolution Amending the City of Santa Cruz Classification and Compensation Plan and Personnel Complement to Establish the Classification of Water Treatment Supervisor (Lead) (HR) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt a resolution amending the City of Santa Cruz Classification and Compensation Plan and Personnel Complement to establish the classification of Water Treatment Supervisor (Lead) in the Water Department.
Implementation of and funding for the classification action approved by the City Council will not occur until the required meet and confer process has been completed in accordance with the City’s obligations under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act.
March 24, 2026 City Council 7
Consent Agenda (continued)
14. Authorize the Purchase of Two (2) Replacement Police Traffic Motorcycles and Two (2) Mounted Radios Using Traffic Offender 212 Funds - Budget Adjustment (PD/PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt a resolution amending the FY 2026 budget to transfer funds from the Traffic Offender 212 Fund, in the amount of $95,718, to the General Fund and to increase revenues and expenditures in the General Fund by $95,718 to purchase two (2) replacement police traffic motorcycles and two (2) replacement mounted radios.
15. Lease Agreement and Construction Coordination Agreement with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (PR)
LOCATION: District 2
Motion to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute, in a form approved by the City Attorney, the 1) Construction Coordination Agreement, and 2) Amended and Restated Lease Agreement between the City and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.
16. Award of Contract to EKI Environment & Water, Inc. for Design Services for Water Supply Augmentation, Beltz Well 9 Upgrades for Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion to:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement in a form to be approved by the City Attorney with EKI Environment & Water, Inc. of Daly City, CA in the amount of $468,000.00 to perform design services for the Beltz Well 9 Upgrades for Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project (Project); and
2) Authorize the Water Director, or designee, to execute amendments for the Project that are within the approved project budget.
End Consent Agenda
March 24, 2026 City Council 8
Consent Public Hearings
17. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-05 Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Updates (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-05 amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 5.82 (“Sidewalk Vending”).
The attachments for the below item were updated.
18. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance Nos. 2026-06 and 2026-07 Amending the Zoning Map and to Municipal Code Chapter 24.10 – Land Use Districts, Chapter 24.12, Part 17 – Emergency Shelters, and Chapter 24.22 – Definitions to Create a New Overlay District and Implement Uses and Development Standards for Temporary and Affordable Housing (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Adopt Ordinance 2026-06 amending Chapter 24.10, Chapter 24.12, Part 17, and Chapter 24.22 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) related to a new overlay district and standards for temporary and affordable housing;
2) Adopt Ordinance 2026-07 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 resolution directing staff to submit Ordinance No. 2026-07 to the California Coastal Commission; and
4) Adopt a resolution updating the Industrial Land Use Preservation Policy.
March 24, 2026 City Council 9
Consent Public Hearings (continued)
19. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-08 to 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 adopt Ordinance No. 2024-08 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.
20. TEFRA Hearing and Resolution Regarding Conduit Financing for the Calypso Project (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Conduct the public hearing under the requirements of Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and adopt a resolution approving the issuance of tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $42,000,000 (the “Bonds”), by the California Municipal Finance Authority (“CMFA”) for the benefit of Calypso Affordable LP (the “Borrower”), to provide for the financing of the multi-family rental affordable housing project.
General Business
21. Introduce for Publication an Ordinance Amending Section 16.15.050 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code Pertaining to Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Protection (WT)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to introduce for publication an ordinance amending 16.15.050 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code pertaining to cross-connection control and backflow protection to replace reference to Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations with reference to the California Health and Safety Code.
March 24, 2026 City Council 10
General Business (continued)
22. Lighthouse Point Hazard and Engineering Analysis (c402305) - Award Professional Services Contract (PW)
LOCATION: District 3
Motion to award a contract to Environmental Science and Associates (San Francisco, CA) for the Lighthouse Point Hazard and Engineering Analysis in the amount of $387,032. The City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to execute an agreement in a form to be approved by the City Attorney. The Director of Public Works is authorized to execute contract amendments within the approved project budget.
23. Discussion of Potential Approaches to City Council Direction on Objective Design Standards, Expanding the Concept of the Downtown Density Bonus, and Regulations for the Removal of Heritage Trees (CD) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to direct staff to:
1) Proceed with the proposed direction for the Design Guidelines & Priorities Handout;
2) Further develop the handout through engagement with design professionals and the community;
3) Return to Council in Fall 2026 for Council’s priority setting, coupled with incentives for complying with the Council’s priorities; 4) Not further explore the feasibility of expanding the Downtown Density Bonus concept to other areas of the City;
5) Explore an alternative to expanding the Downtown Density Bonus concept through incentives associated with the Design Guidelines & Priorities Handout that achieve similar City Council goals related to the Downtown Density Bonus expansion concept; and
6) Prepare draft updates to heritage tree regulations for housing development projects and direct staff to return to Council with a proposed ordinance in Fall 2026.
Adjournment
March 24, 2026 City Council 11
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS None issued.
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – MARCH 24, 2026
24. Proclaiming December 31, 2025 as “Marilyn Press Rigler Day” and encouraging all residents to join in honoring her for a century of life, service, and inspiration and extending heartfelt best wishes for continued health, happiness, and fulfillment.
25. Proclaiming March 18, 2026 as “Susan True Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in congratulating her as the recipient of the 2026 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture Award for her contributions to local agriculture.
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.