CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - April 28, 2026
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
11:30 A.M. CLOSED SESSION
11:45 A.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING, 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
Or: Call any of the numbers below. If one is busy, try the next one. 1-833-548-0276 (Toll Free)
1-833-548-0282 (Toll Free)
1-877-853-5247 (Toll Free)
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 27th
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 26th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
April 28, 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. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: 17-D Municipal Wharf
APN: 007-331-08
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Marshall Miller and Kathryn Miller
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
April 28, 2026 City Council 3
City Council
11:45 AM
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
2. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring the Week of May 3 - May 9, 2026, as Municipal Clerks Week
3. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring May 2026 as Affordable Housing Month Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Council Meeting Calendar
4. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
April 28, 2026 City Council 4
Consent Agenda
5. Minutes of the April 14, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
6. Consideration of Permanent Display of the Progress Pride Flag and Transgender Pride Flag at the Council Dais (CN)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to adopt a resolution authorizing the permanent display of the Progress Pride Flag and the Transgender Pride Flag at the City Council dais, alongside the United States flag, the State of California flag, and any other regularly displayed flags.
7. Proposed Resolution Regarding Use of City-Owned Facilities for Civil Immigration Enforcement Activities, Emergency Preparedness, and SB 580 Compliance (CN)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt a resolution to:
1) Prohibit the use of City-owned facilities for civil immigration enforcement activities;
2) Direct City staff to continue emergency preparedness and continuity planning related to potential impacts on City services and facilities; and
3) Direct staff to prepare for compliance with Senate Bill 580 (Government Code § 12532.5).
April 28, 2026 City Council 5
Consent Agenda (continued)
8. Third Amendment to the Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Marshall Miller and Kathryn Miller for City-Owned Commercial Space at 17-D Municipal Wharf (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the Third Amendment to the Municipal Wharf Lease Agreement with Marshall Miller and Kathryn Miller and any related documents in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, for the commercial retail space located at 17-D Municipal Wharf;
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Lease, in a form approved by the City Attorney, to be recorded in the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office; and
3) Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to the following CEQA guidelines: 14 CCR 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
9. Application and Project Management Support for Information Technology Systems (IT)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion authorizing the Information Technology Director to approve a contract change order or amendment, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, increasing the expenditure limits set by Council at the September 30, 2025 City Council meeting with respect to the Vantagepoint Business Solutions, LLC (Vantagepoint) Professional Services Agreement, for application and project management support of critical information technology systems. The total contract value, inclusive of this amendment, shall not exceed $1,133,300.
April 28, 2026 City Council 6
Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Donation from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County to Support the Abbott Lighthouse (PR)
LOCATION: District 3
Motion to:
1) Accept a donor-funded light beacon from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County (CFSCC) for the Abbott Lighthouse; 2) Approve of the City accepting funds raised by the CFSCC to support long-term maintenance of the building;
3) Approve the maintenance of the Abbott Lighthouse as described in this agenda report; and
4) Adopt a CEQA finding of categorical exemption pursuant to 14 CCR 15301 (existing facilities) and 14 CCR 15061 (common sense exemption).
11. Santa Cruz Wharf Interim Repairs and Recovery (PR)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to:
1) Authorize the Parks & Recreation Director to execute a final Change Order in the amount of $36,310.15 with Jilk Heavy Construction, Inc. for the 2025 SC Wharf End Interim Repair Project (c302612); and 2) Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2026 budget to appropriate $36,310.15 in California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) reimbursements and insurance proceeds to the 2025 SC Wharf End Interim Repair Project.
April 28, 2026 City Council 7
Consent Agenda (continued)
12. Laurent Street Sewer Rehabilitation (Sewer System Improvements c401511) – Authorize to Advertise and Award (PW)
LOCATION: Districts 3 and 4
Motion to:
1) Approve the plans and specifications for the Laurent Street Sewer Rehabilitation Project 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; and
2) Find the Improvements Categorical Exempt under CEQA Guidelines 14 CCR section 15301(c) (existing facilities).
13. Advance Dilemma Zone Detection and Retroreflect Project (c402216) – Notice of Completion (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to accept the work of DC Electric Group, Inc. (Cotati, CA) as completed per plans and specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the Advance Dilemma Zone Detection and Retroreflect Project (c402216) and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
April 28, 2026 City Council 8
Consent Agenda (continued)
14. Fleet and Employee Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure at City Hall Annex (c405606) - Authorization to Award Contract - Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to:
1) Award a contract to Varni Electric (Watsonville, CA) for installation of EV chargers in the amount of $156,649, and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Director of Public Works is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget;
2)Adopt a resolution to amend the FY 2026 budget and appropriate funds in the amount of $84,000 of rebate incentives from Central Coast Community Energy (3CE) for the City Hall Campus Lot 13 – EV Charging Infrastructure (c402606); and
3)Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
15. Union/Locust Backup Generator Project (c702107) – Notice of Completion (WT)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to accept the work of unWired Broadband, LLC. (Fresno, CA) as complete per the plans and specifications, authorizing the filing of a Notice of Completion for the Union/Locust Backup Generator Project (c702107), and authorizing the Water Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
End Consent Agenda
April 28, 2026 City Council 9
Consent Public Hearing
16. Approval of 2026 Program Year (PY) Annual Action Plan (AAP) (ED) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution for the City’s 2026-2027 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Action Plan (AAP); 2) Direct staff to submit the 2026-2027 AAP to HUD, and authorize the City Manager to sign an application for federal funding assistance for the 2026-2027 program year; and
3) Authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute program/project contracts, loan and grant agreements and related loan documents with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) sub-recipients and contractors in connection with Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) activities proposed in the 2026-2027 AAP and any subsequent revisions to the 2026-2027 AAP.
General Business
17. Report on City Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee Deliverables and Proposed Next Steps (FD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Receive a report on the activities of the Wildfire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee, summarizing the committee’s work over the past twelve months, including key findings, collaborative efforts, and final deliverables; and
2) Direct staff to proceed with the associated Wildfire Preparedness Communications Strategy.
April 28, 2026 City Council 10
General Business (continued)
18. Active Transportation Plan Adoption (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution approving and adopting the recommendations of the 2026 updates to the City of Santa Cruz Active Transportation Plan; and
2) Adopt a CEQA finding of Statutory Exemption under California Public Resources Code section 21080.20.
19. Receipt of AB 481 Annual Military Equipment Report, Amendment of Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.90, and Resolution Adopting a Policy Update Pertaining to AB 481 Military Equipment (PD) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Receive the Santa Cruz Police Department’s (SCPD) Annual Military Equipment Report;
2) Introduce for publication an ordinance amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 9.90 “AB 481 Military Equipment Use” clarifying the procedure for amending the Military Equipment Use Policy in SCPD Policy 705; and
3) Adopt a resolution adopting an amended Military Equipment Use Policy (SCPD Policy 705), which (a) incorporates the acquisition of additional military equipment, and (b) modifies section 705.10 (“Use in Exigent Circumstances”) to more accurately capture the Council’s intent when this matter came before the Council in 2025.
20. 2026 Annual Update on Projects in the 5-year Roadmap for West Cliff to Advance the Community’s 50-year Community Vision for West Cliff (CM/PW)
LOCATION: Districts 3 and 6
Receive a status update on the five projects identified in the City Council adopted 5-year Roadmap for West Cliff along with an update on additional West Cliff related projects.
Adjournment
April 28, 2026 City Council 11
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – APRIL 28, 2026
21. City Manager - Equitable Community Engagement Guidelines APO 4/17/26 (CMFYI 272)
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – APRIL 28, 2026
22. Proclaiming the month of April 2026 as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” and encouraging all residents to learn more about how to end sexual assault, sexual harassment, and violence against women in Santa Cruz through prevention, programs, and public policy.
23. Proclaiming the last week of March 2026 as “Government Finance Professionals Week” and encouraging all residents to recognize and appreciate the hard work and contributions of the finance professionals who serve our community.
24. Proclaiming the month of May 2026 as “ALS Awareness Month” and encouraging all citizens to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease.
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 – to be appointed by
Councilmember Trigueiro
Downtown Commission Two openings – to be appointed by
Councilmembers Golder and O’Hara
April 28, 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.