Approved at the May 26, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 12, 2026
Closed Session
12:00 PM
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson opened the City Council Closed Session at 12:01 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.
Absent: Mayor Keeley.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Brunner announced she will recuse herself from item 2 as it relates to her employment.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson opened the public comment period at 12:02 p.m. The following person spoke:
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 1.2.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson closed the public comment period at 12:06 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8253
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
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 14, and no reportable action was taken.
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
Councilmember Brunner recused herself from the discussion. Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and took up under agenda item 13.
3. Conference with Labor Negotiators (Government Code §54957.6) SEIU
City Negotiator - Sara De Leon
Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and no reportable action was taken.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8254
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 12, 2026
1:00 PM
Call to Order – Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson.
Absent: Mayor Keeley.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, City Attorney C. Bronson, Assistant City Manager M. Templeton, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb, Director of Community Development L.
Butler, Chief of Fire R. Oatey, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Deputy Chief of Police J. Garcia, Marine Safety Officer A. Moise, Housing and Community Development Manager J. de Wit, Principal Transportation Planner C. Gallogly, Parking Program Manager G. Hussey, Recreation Superintendent T. HeddenJones, Principal Management Analyst G. Liebig, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications
At 1:15 p.m. Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson 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 Vision Zero, the City’s commitment to eliminating traffic deaths by 2030, and requested Council prioritize quick-build safety projects for traffic safety in the next budget.
Unidentified person spoke regarding his attendance at the May 4th Water Commission meeting and stated his disagreement with the statistics provided regarding the loss of revenue.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8255
Oral Communications (continued)
Unidentified person spoke regarding Coral Street, expressing they do not support the encampments being moved weekly for the streets to be cleaned, and stated the people living on Coral Street have not been provided water, phone charging, or personal mail services.
Megan Range spoke regarding her position at PG&E as the Government Relations Director and introduced herself to Council.
At 1:23 p.m. Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson closed Oral Communications.
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 Councilmember Golder read from a proclamation declaring May 11—16 as National Police Week, and May 15, 2026 as National Peace Officers’ Memorial Day. Deputy Chief of Police J. Garcia spoke.
5. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring May 17—23 as National Public Works Week Councilmember O’Hara read from a proclamation declaring May 17—23 as National Public Works Week. Director of Public Works N. Nguyen spoke.
6. Beach Safety Week
Chief of Fire R. Oatey spoke and responded to Council questions. Marine Safety Officer A. Moise gave a presentation on Beach Safety Week and responded to Council questions.
At this time Council heard Presiding Officer’s Announcements and proceeded in order through item 21.
7. Hans Christian Andersen Awards
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, Recreation Superintendent T. Hedden-Jones, Isabella Tuncer and Ana Maria Treadwell, Co-Chairs of the Subcommittee for the Sister City Sestri Levante, and Enda Brennan, Ex Offacio Member of the Sister Cities Committee, spoke about the Hans Christian Andersen writing awards and announced this year’s winners.
At 3:52 p.m. Council took a break and returned at 4:01 p.m. to hear item 22.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8256
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Brunner announced she will recuse herself from item 13 out of an abundance of caution as it relates to her employment.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 8253 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
8. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda. City Clerk Administrator B. Bush reminded Council there would only be one meeting date for the budget hearings on May 26th.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Trigueiro made a comment on items 10, 11, and 13.
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on items 10 and 11.
Councilmember Newsome made a comment on item 12.
Councilmember O’Hara made a comment on item 11.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson made a comment on items 11 and 13.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Tremain Hedden-Jones made a comment on item 11.
Greg Bengston made a comment on item 11.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Trigueiro moved, seconded by Councilmember O’Hara, to approve the Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner (with the exception of item 13), Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Keeley.
DISQUALIFIED: Councilmember Brunner (item 13).
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8257
Consent Agenda (continued)
9. Minutes of the April 28, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
10. Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women Appointment (CC) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to approve Councilmember Trigueiro’s nomination of Kay Tollini to the Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women.
11. Explore the Establishment of a Citywide Office of Well-Being and Return with Recommended Next Steps (CN)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
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, voter-approved initiatives, and community well-being initiatives, and return with recommendations that include:
Proposed organizational structure and staffing plan, funding options, and goals and objectives for an Office of Well-Being;
A strategy to align existing funding sources, including voter-approved revenues, with any new grants or other funding opportunities; 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. Direct staff to initiate two near-term priorities that would fall under the Office of Well-Being, including:
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
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8258
Consent Agenda (continued)
11. Explore the Establishment of a Citywide Office of Well-Being and Return with Recommended Next Steps (CN) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) 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.
12. Santa Cruz Wharf Eastside Resiliency Project (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,653 approving the plans for the Santa Cruz Wharf Eastside Resiliency Project (Project) prepared by Moffatt & Nichol; Authorize the solicitation of bids and award of contract to construct the Project, in a form approved by the City Attorney;
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
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).
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8259
Consent Agenda (continued)
13. Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History Downtown Pops! Lease (ED) LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
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; 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
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).
14. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to reject the liability claims of 1) Preetam Donepudi and 2) Gerhard J. Philipp; and to return as late claim of 3) Mario Lastorina-Snyder, 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 carried to:
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; Authorize the Water Director to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
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.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8260
Consent Agenda (continued)
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 carried 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.
17. Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Radio Upgrade Project – Notice of Completion (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion carried 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 carried 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
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8261
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
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, to 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.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Keeley.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8262
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
Housing and Community Development Manager J. de Wit gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Director of Community Development L. Butler responded to Council questions.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Adrienne Pearson
Gillian Greensite
Bruce Van Allen
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson closed the public comment period.
At 2:46 p.m. Council took a break and returned at 2:53 p.m.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to:
Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-11 amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Section 24.16.045, and adding a new Part 5 to Chapter 24.16 “Local Preference Policy”; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,654 with an updated local preference policy.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Keeley.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8263
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) Principal Transportation Planner C. Gallogly gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Parking Program Manager G. Hussey responded to Council questions.
Director of Community Development L. Butler responded to Council questions.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Unidentified person
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Newsome moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to:
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; 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;
Provide feedback on potential future policy changes related to parking and transportation near development;
Accept update on Major Transit Stop eligibility; and
Direct staff to explore policy that removes all new multi-family housing developments from being included inside residential parking districts.
May 12, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8264
General Business (continued)
21. Consultant Contract for Street Design Standards (PW) LOCATION: Citywide (continued)
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Keeley.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
At this time Council heard item 7.
22. 2026 Youth Liaison Program Presentation (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Principal Management Analyst G. Liebig introduced the item.
Sookie Ramos, Community Impact Coordinator with United Way Santa Cruz County, and Youth Liaisons Cayden Karsan, Bo Goldstein, and Sophia Hoffman gave a presentation.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember O’Hara, to accept the 2026 Youth Liaison Program Presentation.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: Mayor Keeley.
DISQUALIFIED: None.
Adjournment – Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 4:16 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.