Approved at the April 28, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 14, 2026
Closed Session
3:00 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 3:00 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 Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb, Director of Finance E. Cabell, 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 3:01 p.m. The following person spoke:
Corbin Szabo made a comment on item 1.2.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 3:02 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
April 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8224
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
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 11, and no reportable action was taken.
2. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(4))
Initiation of litigation (one potential case)
Council authorized the City to enter into a settlement agreement with six regional opioid distributors/dispensers - Associated Pharmacies, Inc., American Associated Pharmacies, JM Smith Corporation, Louisiana Wholesale Drug Co., Morris & Dickson Co., North Carolina Mutual Wholesale Drug Company, and United Natural Foods, including direct and indirect subsidiaries. The City is expected to receive no more than $15,359.49 related to the opioid crisis and needs to spend those funds on abating the impacts of the opioid crisis.
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)
Council received a status report, and took no reportable action.
April 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8225
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
April 14, 2026
3:45 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 3:45 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 (via Zoom), Director of Finance E. Cabell, Chief of Fire R. Oatey (via Zoom), Chief People Officer S. De Leon, Director of Information Technology K. Morgan, Director of Water H. Luckenbach, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications
At 3:46 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.
Unidentified person spoke regarding water rates and stabilization fees, noting that $22 million in funds have been diverted from the water fund calling it greedy and abusive.
James Ewing-Whitman spoke regarding Dance Week happening this week in Santa Cruz and a phased array antennae on Pacific Avenue.
Steve Landau spoke regarding Dark Sky Week and thanked Council for the Mayoral Proclamation that was issued.
Athena spoke regarding bodies and what it means to be human, and requested more access be provided for bathrooms and clean water at parks.
April 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8226
Oral Communications (continued)
Venus spoke regarding traffic safety on High Street and would like to see a protected left turn lane at the Bay Street intersection. [Unintelligible name] spoke regarding immigrant rights as a basic human necessity.
Samir Ghosh spoke regarding Dance Week in Santa Cruz, expressed concerns with future permitting for Salsa by the Sea, and asked Council to direct the Parks and Recreation Department to work with its organizers.
At 4:01 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Presentations
4. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring April, 2026, as Sexual Assault Awareness Month Councilmember Trigueiro read from a proclamation declaring April, 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Karen Madura, Chair of the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women, spoke.
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring March 23—27, 2026, as Government Finance Professionals Week
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson read from a proclamation declaring March 23— 27, 2026 as Government Finance Professionals Week. Director of Finance E.
Cabell spoke.
Presiding Officer's Announcements – Mayor Keeley spoke regarding the passing of Rod Diridon. By consensus Council directed staff to write a letter to Rod’s family reflecting on Rod’s life and expressing Council’s condolences.
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 8224 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
6. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
April 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8227
Consent Agenda
Councilmember O’Hara made a comment on items 8 and 9.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson made a comment on items 9, 10 and 12.
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on items 8, 9 and 20.
Councilmember Trigueiro made a comment on items 9 and 12.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
James Ewing-Whitman made a comment on items 9, 10, 11, 19, and 20.
Unidentified person made a comment on items 22 and 12.
Rhonda Reyna made a comment on item 9.
Karen Madura made a comment on item 9.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to approve the 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.
April 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8228
Consent Agenda (continued)
7. Minutes of the March 24, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
8. Evaluation of City Advisory Bodies (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
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
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 carried 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 MINUTES 8229
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 carried to:
Recognize the attached Administrative Procedure Order (APO) I-82.4, Artificial Intelligence (AI) Appropriate Use Policy, which governs the use of artificial intelligence systems by City employees and City Council; and 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 carried 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 carried 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 MINUTES 8230
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Amending the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations (HR) LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,641 was adopted 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 carried 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 carried to:
Authorize a contract with TEC Equipment, Inc. (Los Angeles, CA) in the amount of $195,000 for outside repairs to City fleet assets; and Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,642 amending 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 carried 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 MINUTES 8231
Consent Agenda (continued)
17. Award Contract for Outside Repair Services to Citywide Assets (Kelley’s Services) – Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
Authorize a contract with Kelley’s Services, Inc. (Santa Cruz, CA) in the amount of $155,000 for City fleet vehicle and machinery parts purchases; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,643 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 carried 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 carried 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
Resolution No. NS-30,644 was adopted 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 MINUTES 8232
Consent Agenda (continued)
21. Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant Concrete Tanks Replacement Project – Budget Adjustment (WT)
LOCATION: County
Resolution No. NS-30,645 was adopted 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 carried 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
April 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8233
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 Cross-Connection Control and Backflow Protection (WT)
LOCATION: Citywide
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 Newsome, 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.
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 4:45 p.m. and returned at 5:02 p.m.
April 14, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8234
General Business (continued)
24. Proposed City Charter Amendments (CC)
LOCATION: Citywide
City Clerk Administrator B. Bush gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
James Ewing-Whitman
Garrett
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to direct staff to prepare a second public hearing on May 26, 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 Trigueiro, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.