CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - April 14, 2026
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
3:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
3:45 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, GENERAL BUSINESS AND PUBLIC
HEARINGS
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
Or: Call any of the numbers below. If one is busy, try the next one. 1-833-548-0276 (Toll Free)
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1-669-900-9128
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, April 13th
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, April 12th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
April 14, 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. 3:00 PM
Statements of Disqualification
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95)
1) Claimant: State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co.
2) Claimant: Corbin James Szabo
3) Claimant: Marco A. Martinez Diaz
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
2. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation (one potential case)
April 14, 2026 City Council 3
Closed Session (continued)
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1))
1) Christina Olsen v. John Balquist, et al
(Santa Cruz County Superior Court Case No. 25CV04087)
2) Brent Michael Campagnolo v. County of Santa Cruz, et al (Santa Cruz County Superior Court Case No. 23CV02945)
April 14, 2026 City Council 4
City Council
3:45 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. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring April, 2026, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring March 23 - 27, 2026, as Government Finance Professionals Week
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Council Meeting Calendar
6. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
April 14, 2026 City Council 5
Consent Agenda
7. Minutes of the March 24, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
8. Evaluation of City Advisory Bodies (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Direct staff to identify funding for and select a consultant from the City’s existing On-Call Business Consulting Services list and proceed with awarding a contract to conduct the evaluation of City advisory bodies and develop recommendations for City Council consideration; and
2) Authorize and direct the City Manager to execute an agreement in a form to be approved by the City Attorney. The Assistant City Manager is authorized to execute contract amendments within the approved project budget.
9. Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Santa Cruz Police Department 2025 Joint Annual Report (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to receive the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Santa Cruz Police Department 2025 Joint Annual Report and provide direction as necessary.
April 14, 2026 City Council 6
Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Report on the City’s Operating Principles and Leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Enhanced City Government Services (CN) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Recognize the attached Administrative Procedure Order (APO) I82.4, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appropriate Use Policy, which governs the use of artificial intelligence systems by City employees and City Council; and
2) Direct staff to:
1. Conduct an annual review and update of the I-82.4 AI Appropriate Use Policy, ensuring that governance structures, internal policies, and industry standards evolve in a measured and risk-aware manner;
2. Maintain and regularly update the City’s published AI Transparency webpage to ensure public access to current information regarding AI tools in use; and
3. Continue exploring practical AI applications while assessing organizational readiness, with a focus on staff training and development, infrastructure planning, and budget alignment to support responsible adoption.
11. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion to reject the liability claims of 1) State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co., 2) Corbin James Szabo, and 3) Marco A. Martinez Diaz, based on staff recommendation.
12. Workforce Housing Affordability Act of 2025 Financial Oversight Committee (FN)
Location: Citywide
Motion to appoint Finance Director Elizabeth Cabell, Carrie Birkhofer, CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union, and Elaine Johnson, NAACP, Housing Santa Cruz County Executive Director, to serve on the Financial Oversight Committee.
April 14, 2026 City Council 7
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Amending the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations (HR) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt a resolution amending City Personnel Rule 5.6: Class of Appointments to Modify the Definition of Limited-Term Appointments.
14. 212 Locust Street/117 Union Street Roofing Restoration Project – Notice of Completion (PW)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to accept the work of Weather Proofing Technologies (WTI) DBA Tremco (Beachwood, OH) as completed per plans and specifications, authorizing the filing of a Notice of Completion for the Locust/Union Roofing Restoration Project (c701907) and authorizing the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
15. Award Contract for Outside Repair Services to City Assets (TEC Equipment) – Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Authorize a contract with TEC Equipment, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) in the amount of $195,000 for outside repairs to City fleet assets; and 2) Adopt a resolution to amend the FY 2026 budget to appropriate funds in the amount of $100,000 for outside repairs to City fleet assets.
16. Contract for Wastewater Treatment Facility Purchase of Vapex Odor Control Units (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to award the purchase of three Vapex Micro Odor Control Units from Govapex Guardian Ozone and Vapex Environmental, LLC (Cocoa, FL) in the amount of $461,587. The Public Works Director (or designee) is authorized to approve future Contract Amendments within the approved project budget.
April 14, 2026 City Council 8
Consent Agenda (continued)
17. Award Contract for Outside Repair Services to Citywide Assets (Kelley’s Services) – Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Authorize a contract with Kelley’s Service Inc. (Santa Cruz, CA) in the amount of $155,000 for City fleet vehicle and machinery parts purchases; and
2) Adopt a resolution to amend the FY 2026 budget to appropriate funds in the amount of $55,000 for outside repairs to Citywide fleet assets.
18. Fleet Vehicle Tire Repairs and Purchases – Change Order (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to authorize a change order in the amount of $70,000 for City fleet vehicle tire repairs and purchases.
19. Purchase of Front Loader Refuse Truck (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to authorize the purchase of one CNG Front Loader refuse truck from Western Truck Parts and Equipment (Sacramento, CA) in the amount of $630,000.
20. Murray Street Bridge Seismic and Barrier Rail Construction (c402519) – Budget Adjustment to Align Expenditures and Reimbursements Anticipated for the Current Fiscal Year (PW)
LOCATION: District 2
Motion to adopt a resolution amending the FY 2026 budget to appropriate funds in the amount of $39,865,571 for the Murray Street Bridge – Construction Phase project (c402519).
April 14, 2026 City Council 9
Consent Agenda (continued)
21. Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant Concrete Tanks Replacement Project – Budget Adjustment (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion to adopt a resolution amending the FY 2026 budget in the amount of $1,500,000 and authorizing the transfer of funds within the Water Department’s Capital Investment Program from Project C702304 (Branciforte Streambank Restoration) in the amount of $700,000 and Project C701806 (River Bank Filtration Study) in the amount of $800,000 to Project C701501 (GHWTP Concrete Tanks Replacement Project) to fund additional work necessary to complete the project.
22. Cooperative Water Transfer and Purchase Agreement Between the City of Santa Cruz and the Scotts Valley Water District (WT) LOCATION: County
Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Water Transfer and Purchase Agreement between the City of Santa Cruz (the City) and the Scotts Valley Water District for the operation of the Intertie 1 Project.
End Consent Agenda
Public Hearings
23. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-09 Amending Section 16.15.050 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code Pertaining to CrossConnection Control and Backflow Protection (WT) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-09 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.
April 14, 2026 City Council 10
Public Hearings
The below item will be heard at or around 5:00 p.m.
24. Proposed City Charter Amendments (CC)
LOCATION: Citywide
Conduct the first of two public hearings required by Government Code Section 34458 to consider proposed amendments to the City Charter.
Motion to direct staff to prepare a second public hearing.
Adjournment
April 14, 2026 City Council 11
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS None issued.
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – APRIL 14, 2026
25. Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month
Proclaiming the month of April 2026 as “Arts, Culture, and Creativity Month” and encouraging all citizens to support the arts and join in the celebration.
26. Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County 50th Anniversary Day Proclaiming February 13, 2026 as “Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County 50th Anniversary Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in honoring Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County for enhancing the lives of older adults by providing nourishing meals, meaningful human connection, and dedicated service for 50 years.
27. Dark Sky Week
Proclaiming April 13–20, 2026 as “Dark Sky Week” and encouraging all citizens to join in observing this important week and adopting safe, sensible lighting practices that protect dark sky resources for the benefit of all.
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.
Commission for the Prevention of
Violence Against Women
One opening - Councilmember
Trigueiro’s nomination
Downtown Commission One opening, Councilmember Golder’s Nomination
April 14, 2026 City Council 12
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.