Approved at the April 14, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 24, 2026
11:30 AM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 11:34 a.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 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 recuse herself from item 2.1 as it relates to her employment.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 11:34 a.m. The following person spoke:
Felicia Van Stolk made a comment on item 2.2.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 11:36 a.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8208
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
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 12, and no reportable action was taken.
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
Councilmember Brunner recused herself from item 2.1. Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and no reportable action was taken.
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)
Council received a status report, and took no reportable action.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8209
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
March 24, 2026
12:15 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 12:40 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, Director of Finance E. Cabell (via Zoom), Chief People Officer S.
De Leon, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Chief of Police B.
Escalante, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Director of Water H.
Luckenbach, Superintendent of Recreation T. Hedden-Jones, Principal Planner M. VanHua, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer K.
Crossley, Senior Planner A. Jayewardene, Senior Planner C. Stanger, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B.
Bush.
Oral Communications
At 12:41 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.
James Ewing-Whitman spoke regarding the six-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, and guerrilla gardening.
Unidentified person spoke regarding City utility taxes increasing starting with Measure X in 2005.
Bradley Snyder spoke regarding first responders noticing him on Cedar Street and felt like they were considering scrutinizing him.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8210
Oral Communications (continued)
Rafa Sonnenfeld spoke regarding Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and a potential voter initiative to save Prop 13 which would retroactively cancel Measure C which was just passed in Santa Cruz.
At 12:49 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Presentations
4. Clam Chowder Cook-off Update
Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Superintendent of Recreation T.
Hedden-Jones, and Kris Reyes, Director of External Affairs at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, provided an update on the Clam Chowder Cook-off.
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring February 13, 2026, as Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County 50th Anniversary Day
Councilmember Trigueiro read from a proclamation declaring February 13, 2026 as Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County 50th Anniversary Day. Dana Wagner, Program Director of Meals on Wheels, spoke.
6. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring April, 2026, as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month
Councilmember Brunner read from a proclamation declaring April, 2026, as Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month. Anna Elizabeth, Board Chair, and Peter Wang, Board Member, of the Arts Council of Santa Cruz County, and Rebeca Escobedo, Vice Chair of the Arts Commission, spoke.
Presiding Officer's Announcements – Mayor Keeley announced that the City of Santa Cruz has renamed March 31st to “Farmworker Recognition Day.” Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 8208 for the report.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8211
Council Meeting Calendar
7. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on item 11.
Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb announced the recommendation for item 15 has been amended as follows due to Council direction in Closed Session:
From:
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.
To:
Motion to:
1) Amend the lease to reflect that the City bears responsibility for maintenance and repair of the building structure, envelope, and integral systems, including all infrastructure systems, structural components, and exterior elements that are integral to the structure, preservation, and function of the building. This includes exterior doors; structural elements of the windows; foundations, bearing and exterior walls; subfloors; roof and skylights; and HVAC; including routine servicing and repair of HVAC.
2) Amend the lease insurance provisions to reflect that the Tenant is to purchase the insurance policy for the Museum, per the specifications addressed in the lease agreement, from the City’s insurance broker with the City to reimburse the Museum annually for 50% of the insurance policy with a cap of $20,000 per year. The City will pay the deductible with the exception of the circumstance where the claim was a result of negligence by the Tenant.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
James Ewing-Whitman made a comment on items 8 and 14.
Felicia Van Stolk made a comment on item 15.
Unidentified person made a comment on item 11.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8212
Consent Agenda (continued)
Public comment (continued)
Rafa Sonnenfeld made a comment on item 9.
Bradley Snyder made a comment on item 14.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to approve the Consent Agenda, with the amendment made to item 15.
Principal Planner M. VanHua responded to Council questions on item 9.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner (with the exception of item 15), Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: Councilmember Brunner (item 15).
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
8. Minutes of the March 10, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
9. Annual Housing Element and General Plan Progress Reports and Accessory Dwelling Unit Condominium Report (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried 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.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8213
Consent Agenda (continued)
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 carried to:
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
Authorize the City Manager or designee to sign the amendment.
11. Approval of an Option Agreement for Site Lease to Support Direct Current Fast Charging Infrastructure (CM)
LOCATION: Districts 2, 3, and 5
Motion carried to:
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
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 carried 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.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8214
Consent Agenda (continued)
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
Resolution No. NS-30,636 was adopted 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-MiliasBrown Act.
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
Resolution No. NS-30,637 was adopted 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.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8215
Consent Agenda (continued)
15. Lease Agreement and Construction Coordination Agreement with the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (PR)
LOCATION: District 2
Motion carried to:
Amend the lease to reflect that the City bears responsibility for maintenance and repair of the building structure, envelope, and integral systems, including all infrastructure systems, structural components, and exterior elements that are integral to the structure, preservation, and function of the building. This includes exterior doors; structural elements of the windows; foundations, bearing and exterior walls; subfloors; roof and skylights; and HVAC; including routine servicing and repair of HVAC. Amend the lease insurance provisions to reflect that the Tenant is to purchase the insurance policy for the Museum, per the specifications addressed in the lease agreement, from the City’s insurance broker with the City to reimburse the Museum annually for 50% of the insurance policy with a cap of $20,000 per year. The City will pay the deductible with the exception of the circumstance where the claim was a result of negligence by the Tenant.
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 carried to:
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
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 MINUTES 8216
Consent Public Hearing
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Unidentified person made a comment on item 18.
James Ewing-Whitman made a comment on items 17 and 19.
Bradley Snyder made a comment on item 17.
Rafa Sonnenfeld made a comment on item 18.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara 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; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
17. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-05 Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Updates (CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Ordinance No. 2026-05 was adopted amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 5.82 (“Sidewalk Vending”).
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8217
Consent Public Hearings (continued)
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 carried to:
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; 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;
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,638 directing staff to submit Ordinance No. 2026-07 to the California Coastal Commission; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,639 updating the Industrial Land Use Preservation Policy.
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
Ordinance No. 2024-08 was adopted 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.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8218
Consent Public Hearings (continued)
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 Resolution No. NS-30,640 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
Director of Water H. Luckenbach gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Unidentified person
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, to introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-09 amending 16.15.050 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code pertaining to crossconnection 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.
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.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8219
General Business (continued)
22. Lighthouse Point Hazard and Engineering Analysis (c402305) - Award Professional Services Contract (PW)
LOCATION: District 3
Director of Public Works N. Nguyen introduced the item.
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer K. Crossley gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Shaun Burns
Bradley Snyder
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, 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.
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.
Council took a break at 2:25 p.m. and returned at 2:35 p.m.
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8220
General Business (continued)
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
Senior Planners A. Jayewardene and C. Stanger gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Principal Planner M. VanHua responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Rafa Sonnenfeld
Bradley Snyder
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, to:
Proceed with the proposed direction for the Design Guidelines & Priorities Handout;
Further develop the handout through engagement with design professionals and the community and the Architectural Review Committee, including guidance on preferred design and architectural approaches; Establish a new Council Housing Ad Hoc Committee, comprised of Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, Councilmember O'Hara, and Councilmember Newsome, for no more than the next twelve (12) months with the specific focus of:
Serve as a Council liaison to this effort; and
Receive updates and help guide the development of
recommendations related to the Design Guidelines and Priorities for the City Council’s consideration.
Convene a Council study session, or regular City Council meeting General Business Item, in Fall 2026 to present the Council Housing Ad Hoc Committee recommendations and receive Council policy direction on design priorities;
March 24, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8221
General Business (continued)
23. Objective Design Standards, Expanding the Concept of the Downtown Density Bonus, and Regulations for the Removal of Heritage Trees (CD) LOCATION:
Citywide (continued)
MOTION (continued):
Return to Council following the Fall 2026 Council discussion with recommendations for Council’s priority setting, coupled with incentives for complying with the Council’s priorities, and with potential implementation options based on feedback from the Council Housing Ad Hoc Committee; Not further explore the feasibility of expanding the Downtown Density Bonus concept to other areas of the City; and
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.
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 Newsome, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.