CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - May 12, 2026
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
12:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
1:00 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, 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
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, May 11th
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, May 10th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk. Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
May 12, 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 CalRelay 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. 12:00 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: Preetam Donepudi
2) Claimant: Gerhard J. Philipp
3) Claimant: Mario Lastorina-Snyder
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
May 12, 2026 City Council 3
Closed Session (continued)
2. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: 1339 Pacific Avenue
APN: 005-076-09
Owner: 1339-1341 Pacific Avenue LLC
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz, 1339-1341 Pacific Avenue LLC, Santa Cruz Natural History Museum
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
3. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code §54957.6) SEIU
City Negotiator - Sara De Leon
City Council
May 12, 2026 City Council 4
1:00 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 the Week of May 11-16 as National Police Week, and May 15, 2026, as National Peace Officers' Memorial Day
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring May 17-23 as National Public Works Week
6. Beach Safety Week
The below presentation will be heard at or around 3:45 p.m.
7. Hans Christian Andersen Awards
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
May 12, 2026 City Council 5
Council Meeting Calendar
8. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
Consent Agenda
9. Minutes of the April 28, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
10. Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women Appointment (CC)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to approve Councilmember Trigueiro’s nomination of Kay Tollini to the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women.
May 12, 2026 City Council 6
Consent Agenda
11. Explore the Establishment of a Citywide Office of Well-Being and Return with Recommended Next Steps (CN)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Direct staff to explore and develop options for establishing a Citywide Office of Well-Being within the City Manager’s Office to coordinate and advance the City’s Health in All Policies (HiAP) framework, voterapproved initiatives, and community well-being initiatives, and return with recommendations that include:
a) Proposed organizational structure and staffing plan, funding options, and goals and objectives for an Office of Well-Being; b) A strategy to align existing funding sources, including voterapproved revenues, with any new grants or other funding opportunities;
c) A strategy to integrate existing programs, initiatives, and advisory bodies under a unified well-being framework using the findings and recommendations from the Council-directed advisory body study; 2) Direct staff to initiate two near-term priorities that would fall under the Office of Well-Being, including:
a) Development of a Citywide Dashboard that highlights the state of various community indicators of success and strengthens transparency, accountability, and data-informed decision-making; and
b) Development of a Neighborhood Activation Micro-Grant Pilot Program model for City Council consideration, including recommended funding strategies to begin as early as 2027, to support recommended community-led efforts across City Council districts that improve neighborhood well-being, connection, and resilience.
May 12, 2026 City Council 7
Consent Agenda (continued)
12. Santa Cruz Wharf Eastside Resiliency Project (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution approving the plans for the Santa Cruz Wharf Eastside Resiliency Project (Project) prepared by Moffatt & Nichol; 2) Authorize the solicitation of bids and award of contract to construct the Project, in a form approved by the City Attorney;
3) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
4) Adopt a CEQA finding of statutory and categorical exemption, pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080, subd. (b)(2); CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction); and CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of New Structures).
13. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Downtown Pops! Lease (ED) LOCATION: District 4
Motion to:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, a Downtown Pops! Master License Agreement between the City and 1339-1341 Pacific Avenue, LLC and a Sublicense Agreement between the City and the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History; 2) Authorize the City to deviate from its typical Downtown Pops! model to support the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History’s use of 1339 Pacific Avenue; and
3) Adopt finding of categorical exemption from CEQA pursuant to: (1) 14 CCR 15301, Class 1 (Existing Facilities); and (2) 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
Consent Agenda (consent)
May 12, 2026 City Council 8
14. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion to reject the liability claims of 1) Preetam Donepudi and 2) Gerhard J. Philipp; and to return as late claim of 3) Mario LastorinaSnyder, based on staff recommendation.
15. Floral Drive Water Main Replacement Project – Plans and Specifications, and Authorization to Advertise and Award Contract (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion to:
1) Approve plans and specifications for the Floral Drive Water Main Replacement Project (c700002) (Project) and authorize staff to advertise for bids. The City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to execute the contract as authorized by Resolution No.
NS-27,563;
2) Authorize the Water Director to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
3) Adopt a CEQA finding of statutory exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines § 15282 (k), which creates a CEQA exemption for pipeline replacements that do not exceed one mile in length.
16. Non-Flow Conservation Fund Reimbursement Agreement Between Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County and City of Santa Cruz - Award Contract (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement in a form to be approved by the City Attorney with the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County (RCD) to provide reimbursement to RCD for approved Non-Flow Conservation Fund conservation and restoration projects, not to exceed $3,684,575 over the course of five years, and authorize the Water Director to execute future contract amendments within the approved Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) project budget.
May 12, 2026 City Council 9
Consent Agenda (continued)
17. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Radio Upgrade Project – Notice of Completion (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion to accept the work of Telstar Instruments Inc. (Sacramento, CA) as complete per the plans and specifications, authorizing the filing of a Notice of Completion for the SCADA Radio Replacement Project (c702201), and authorizing the Water Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
18. Beltz 12 Phase II Ammonia Removal Improvements Project (c702203) – Notice of Completion (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion to accept the work of ACCO Engineered Systems, Inc. Dba Geo H.
Wilson Mechanical Contractors (Santa Cruz, CA) as complete per the plans and specifications, authorizing the filing of a Notice of Completion for the Beltz 12 Phase II Ammonia Removal Improvements Project (c702203), and authorize the Water Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
End Consent Agenda
Public Hearings
19. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-10 Amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.90 AB 481 Military Equipment Use (PD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-10 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.
May 12, 2026 City Council 10
Public Hearings (continued)
20. First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Section 24.16.045 and Adding Part 5 to Chapter 24.16 Related to the City’s Local Preference Policy (ED/CD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Introduce for publication an ordinance amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Section 24.16.045, and adding a new Part 5 to Chapter
24.16 “Local Preference Policy”; and
2) Adopt a resolution with an updated local preference policy.
General Business
21. Consultant Contract for Street Design Standards, Parking Policy Near Transit Proximate Developments, and Status Update on Implementation of the Downtown Plan Expansion (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide (and District 4 for Downtown Plan Expansion Update)
Motion to:
1) Advertise a request for proposals for consultant assistance with street design standards and parking policy near transit proximate developments. Authorize staff to select a consultant and execute a contract in a form approved by the City Attorney. Authorize the Public Works Director to approve future contract amendments within the approved project budget;
2) Direct staff to return in fall 2026 with options for consideration regarding residential permit parking rates, municipal code updates to the residential permit parking program, and objective standards for active transportation infrastructure;
3) Provide feedback on potential future policy changes related to parking and transportation near development; and
4) Accept update on Major Transit Stop eligibility.
May 12, 2026 City Council 11
General Business (continued)
22. 2026 Youth Liaison Program Presentation (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to accept the 2026 Youth Liaison Program Presentation.
Adjournment
May 12, 2026 City Council 12
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – MAY 12, 2026
23. City Manager: Quarterly Grant Report – Fiscal Year 2026 as of December 31, 2025 5/4/26 (CMFYI 273)
24. Library: Incident Report – Santa Cruz Library 3rd Quarter 2025-2026 4/30/26 (LBFYI 024)
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – MAY 12, 2026
25. Proclaiming April 29, 2026 as “Santa Cruz Wharf South End Reopening Day” and inviting all community members to join in celebrating this exciting new chapter for the Santa Cruz Wharf.
26. Proclaiming the week of May 3–9, 2026 as “Professional Municipal Clerks Week” and encouraging all citizens to join in expressing heartfelt appreciation to our City Clerk Bonnie Bush, Deputy City Clerk Julia Wood, Records Coordinator Brittany Inclan, and Administrative Assistant Jenna Shaffer for the vital services that they perform and their exemplary dedication to the community that they represent.
27. Proclaiming the month of May 2026 as “Affordable Housing Month,” along with other local leaders in the greater San Francisco and Monterey Bay area regions.
28. Proclaiming May 7, 2026 as “Arbor Day” and encouraging all citizens to plant trees to offset climate change and enhance our local environment and natural world for our present and future generations.
May 12, 2026 City Council 13
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 Downtown Commission Two openings – to be appointed by
Councilmembers Golder and O’Hara
Sister Cities Committee One opening – at-large nomination 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.