Approved at the June 9, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
May 26, 2026
11:30 AM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 11:32 a.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara (via Zoom); 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, Director of Finance E. Cabell, Chief of Fire R. Oatey, Chief People Officer S. De Leon, Director of Information Technology K.
Morgan, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Chief of Police B.
Escalante, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Director of Water H.
Luckenbach, Senior Professional Engineer H. Yu, Finance Manager E.
Burton, Principal Management Analyst V. Pearson, Principal Management Analyst L. Bass, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Oral Communications
At 11:33 a.m. Mayor Keeley opened Oral Communications for members of the public who wished to speak regarding items not listed on the City Council agenda.
Michael Spadafora spoke regarding the Murray Street Bridge and communication from the City regarding its construction.
Seth Heitzenrater spoke regarding the Murray Street Bridge and asked when they can expect communication for the anticipated bridge closure in June.
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Oral Communications (continued)
Bradley Snyder spoke regarding the Murray Street Bridge construction and local businesses that have closed downtown.
Unidentified person spoke regarding the City’s requirement for a permit prior to building demolition, and sewer lateral cleanouts.
At 11:43 a.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
At this time, Mayor Keeley reordered the agenda and item 1 was moved to the end of the meeting. It was later announced that this item is continued to the June 9th meeting.
Presentations
1. Shingu Delegation Report Back
This item was continued to the meeting of June 9, 2026.
Presiding Officer's Announcements – Mayor Keeley spoke regarding Memorial Day.
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Brunner announced she will be recusing herself from item 7 as it relates to her employment.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – None.
Council Meeting Calendar
2. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
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Consent Agenda
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on items 9 and 12.
Councilmember Trigueiro made a comment on items 9, 12, and 13.
Senior Professional Engineer H. Yu responded to Council questions regarding item 13.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Unidentified person made a comment on item 12.
Unidentified person made a comment on item 6.
Unidentified person spoke regarding item 5.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Vice Mayor KalantariJohnson, to approve the Consent Agenda.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner (with the exception of item 7), Newsome, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: Councilmember Brunner (item 7).
3. Minutes of the May 12, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
4. Environmental Impact Report for 307 Chestnut Street (p502601) – Budget Adjustment (CD)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Approve a contract with Dudek (Encinatas, CA) to prepare the Environmental Impact Report for 307 Chestnut Street in the amount of $55,200 and authorize the Director of Community Development to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,655 to amend the FY 2026 budget and appropriate funds in the amount of $55,200 from the applicant for the Environmental Impact Report for 307 Chestnut Street (p502601).
5. Update on the Implementation of the Downtown Plan Expansion (CD/PW/CM) LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to accept the update on the one-year implementation of the Downtown Plan Expansion.
6. Approval of Monterey Bay Area Regional Climate Project Working Group (RCPWG) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,656 affirming the City Council’s intention to commit to funding the City of Santa Cruz’s contribution to the RCPWG for two additional years (through FY 2028), for an annual contribution of $20,000 and a total contribution of $40,000; and
Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to enter into the MOU as a voting member of the RCPWG.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
7. Downtown Association: Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessments for FY 2027 (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Approve the annual report and work plan prepared by the Downtown Association for FY 2027; and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,657 as a Resolution of Intention to levy a Downtown Association Parking and Business Improvement Assessment for FY 2027 and schedule a public hearing for June 9, 2026 on the levy of the assessments for FY 2027.
8. Approve the Single Source Vendor Selection and Allocation of Funding in the Amount of $101,586 for Shower Repairs in Fire Station 61 from the FY 2026 Approved Fire Department Budget (FD)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Approve the single source vendor selection for Central Coast Construction Company (Cen-Con) and approve the expenditure of $101,586 for shower repairs in Fire Station 61; and
Adopt a CEQA finding of categorical exemption pursuant to: (1) 14 CCR § 15301 (Class 1/existing facilities), (2) 14 CCR § 15302 (Class 2/replacement or reconstruction), and (3) 14 CCR § 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption).
9. Update to the City Emergency Operations Plan (FD)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to approve the updated 2025-2030 City Emergency Operations Plan.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Award a Citywide Contract for On-call Plumbing Services (FN) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to award a citywide contract for on-call plumbing services to Silicon Valley Mechanical, Incorporated, San Jose, California, for 5 years, with 2 (1) year optional extensions, and to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney with Silicon Valley Mechanical. The Purchasing Manager is authorized to execute change orders within the approved budget.
11. Authorize the Purchase of Police Patrol Vehicle Equipment and Associated Labor to Upfit Three (3) Police Patrol Vehicles Using General Capital Improvement 350 Funds - Budget Adjustment (PD/PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,658 was adopted authorizing the City Manager to transfer funds in the amount of $65,021 from the General Capital Improvement 350 Fund to the FY 2026 General Fund to purchase patrol vehicle equipment, with associated labor costs, to upfit three (3) patrol vehicles.
12. Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 Grant Proposal (PW) LOCATION: Districts 1 and 2
Motion carried to apply for, accept, and appropriate funds from the California Transportation Commission Active Transportation Program Cycle 8 for the Eastside Neighborhood Connector and Sidewalk project.
13. Award Contract - Pump Station 1 and Soquel Pump Station Design Consulting Services (c401707)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to award the Engineering, Design, and Consulting services contract for Pump Station 1 and Soquel Pump Station (c401707) with Carollo Engineers (Walnut Creek, CA) and direct the City Manager to execute a Professional Service Agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney. The Public Works Director is authorized to execute future amendments within the approved project budget.
End Consent Agenda
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Public Hearings
14. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-11 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
This item was continued to the meeting of June 9, 2026 and was not discussed.
15. Proposed City Charter Amendments (CC)
LOCATION: Citywide
City Clerk Administrator B. Bush gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
City Manager M. Huffaker, City Attorney C. Bronson, and Director of Finance E. Cabell responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
James Ewing-Whitman
Unidentified person
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to:
Direct staff to return to Council at the June 23, 2026 meeting with a resolution calling an election to place a measure on the November ballot with the proposed edits presented by staff;
Direct staff to develop an anti-nepotism policy by the end of December 2026; and
Direct staff to develop a policy recommending but not requiring the City Manager live within the county and/or within 30 miles of the City of Santa Cruz.
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Public Hearings (continued)
15. Proposed City Charter Amendments (CC) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) After discussion, the motion was restated as follows:
Direct staff to return to Council at the June 23, 2026 meeting with a resolution calling an election to place a measure on the November ballot with the proposed edits presented by staff;
Direct staff to develop an anti-nepotism policy by the end of December 2026; and
Direct staff to develop a policy recommending but not requiring the City Manager live within the county and/or recommended mileage from the City.
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.
16. Public Posting of Vacant Funded Positions and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with Assembly Bill 2561 (AB 2561) (HR) LOCATION: Citywide
Chief People Officer S. De Leon gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. There were no speakers.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to receive the information report on the City of Santa Cruz Vacancies and Recruitment and Retention Efforts Pursuant to Government Code Section 3502.3.
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Public Hearings (continued)
16. Public Posting of Vacant Funded Positions and Recruitment and Retention Efforts in Compliance with AB 2561 (HR) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) 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.
General Business
17. Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget (CM/FN)
LOCATION: Citywide
Director of Finance E. Cabell, Finance Manager E. Burton, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, and Director of Water H. Luckenbach gave a presentation.
At 1:41 p.m. Council took a break and returned at 2:06 p.m.
Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, City Manager M. Huffaker, Finance Manager E. Burton, Director of Finance E. Cabell, Principal Management Analyst V. Pearson, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, and Principal Management Analyst L. Bass responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Unidentified person
Ariel Zucker
Dana Bagshaw
Nancy Pyzel
Unidentified person
Judi Grunstra
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
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General Business (continued)
17. Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget (CM/FN) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, to:
1) Receive the FY 2027 Budget information;
2) Direct staff to return to Council in September 2026 with a staffing plan and funding options for the establishment of the Office of Well-Being, including any recommended budget adjustments for FY 2027;
3) Direct staff to ensure departmental performance measures align with the Strategic Plan, Council directive, and soon-to-be developed Community Indicators Dashboard to be reflected in each department's budget section beginning with the FY 2028 Budget packet; and
4) Direct staff to amend the Parks and Recreation FY 2027 Goal to remove the word "secure" in reference to Children's Fund and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax funds and replace it with, “Work with the Children's Fund Oversight Committee and the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Oversight Committee to explore the allocation of funds towards relevant Parks and Recreation programs.”
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Newsome requested to add:
5) Direct the City Manager and the Director of Public Works to return to Council in August 2026 with options to address safety issues at the crosswalk of Mission Street and Green Street, including a flashing light crosswalk beacon, and engage with the neighbors near the intersection of Myrtle Street and Taylor Street to assess the want for speed bumps; and 6) Explore prioritizing the reinstated transfer from the General Fund to the Street Maintenance and Rehabilitation Fund for transportation safety projects.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson accepted.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Trigueiro requested to add:
7) Direct the City Manager’s Office and Community Development Department to provide Council with an analysis on any fee reductions or waivers available (without creating direct expenses) for the Homeless Garden Project before budget adoption.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson and Councilmember Newsome accepted.
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General Business (continued)
17. Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget (CM/FN) LOCATION: Citywide (continued) 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 3:27 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.