Approved at the August 25, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 11, 2026
Closed Session
1:00 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 1:07 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 Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Brunner announced she will be recusing herself from item 2 as it relates to her employment.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 1:07 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 1:08 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
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Closed Session
1. Conference With Legal Counsel – Liability Claims (Government Code §54956.95) 1) Claimant: Mathew D. Sheldon
2) Claimant: Michael John Deuschel
3) Claimant: Juan Carlos Valencia
4) Claimant: Joshua S. Grant
5) Claimant: Nathan Escalante
6) Claimant: Jose Noel Hinojosa
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 15, and no reportable action was taken.
2. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: 121 Soquel Avenue
APN: 005-081-51 (Portion)
Owner: Oswald, LLC dba Oswald
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Damani Thomas Under Negotiation: Price, Terms of payment, or both
Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and no reportable action was taken. Councilmember Brunner recused herself from this item.
3. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(1))
1) James Morrissey v. City of Santa Cruz, et al.
(Santa Cruz County Superior Court Case No. 26CV01124)
2) California Grocers Association, et al. v. City of Santa Cruz, et al. (Sacramento County Superior Court Case No. 25WM000095)
Council received a status report, and no reportable action was taken.
August 11, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8320
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 11, 2026
2:00 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 2:25 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome (left at 4:00 p.m.), Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Staff: 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 (via Zoom), Chief of Fire R. Oatey (via Zoom), Chief People Officer S. De Leon, Director of Information Technology K. Morgan, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Director of Water H. Luckenbach, Administrative Assistant II C. Koscielak, SCADA Network and Systems Administrator B. Ashby, Sustainability and Resiliency Officer T. Wise-West, Senior Planner R. Bane, Deputy City Attorney A. Geise, Housing and Community Development Manager J. de Wit, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
Presentations
4. SEIU AB 2561 Presentation
Administrative Assistant II C. Koscielak, on behalf of SEIU Local 521, gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
5. Employee 25-year Service Pin - Brandon Ashby
Director of Information Technology K. Morgan spoke and presented a pin to SCADA Network and Systems Administrator B. Ashby.
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Presentations (continued)
6. Update on Monterey Bay Green Youth Service Corps Fellow Projects Sustainability and Resiliency Officer T. Wise-West introduced the Youth Service Corps Fellows. Program Coordinators for Resilient Central Coast, Anna Michel, Anjelka Stipanovič, and Julia Alaimo, gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
7. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring August 11, 2026 as Catherine Breed Day Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson read from and presented a proclamation declaring August 11, 2026 as Catherine Breed Day. Trent Hodges, Save the Waves Senior Manager, spoke.
8. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring June 29, 2026, as Oliver Tree Day Councilmember Brunner read from and presented a proclamation declaring June 29, 2026 as Oliver Tree Day. Oliver Tree’s parents spoke.
Oral Communications
At 3:12 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.
James Ewing Whitman spoke regarding the comments he made at the County Board of Supervisors meeting earlier in the day.
Bradley Snyder spoke regarding a conversation he had with the new CEO of Santa Cruz METRO.
Unidentified person spoke regarding the Pledge of Allegiance, particularly liberty, and stated Americans need to reaffirm America’s roots and values.
At 3:19 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification – Councilmember Newsome announced he will be recusing himself from item 28 as he owns property within 500 feet of the project.
Additions and Deletions – None.
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City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 8319 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
9. The City Council reviewed and did not revise the meeting calendar attached to the agenda.
Consent Agenda
Councilmember Brunner made a comment on item 17.
Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot responded to Council questions regarding item 17.
Councilmember Newsome made a comment on items 16, 17, and 20.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
James Ewing Whitman made a comment on items 10 and 21.
Bradley Snyder made a comment on item 21.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Trigueiro moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, 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.
10. Minutes of the June 23, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
11. Certification of the June 2, 2026 Primary Election (CC) LOCATION: Districts 4 and 6, Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,684 was adopted confirming and approving the canvass of ballots and returns for the City of Santa Cruz Primary Election held on June 2, 2026, and declaring the results.
12. Designation of Voting Delegate and Alternate to Attend the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo (CC)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to designate Councilmember Brunner as the voting delegate, and Councilmember Golder as the alternate, to attend the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo in Anaheim September 23—25, 2026.
13. 2026-2031 Economic Development Strategy Budget Adjustment (ED) LOCATION: Citywide
Resolution No. NS-30,685 was adopted amending the Fiscal Year 2027 budget to appropriate $87,750 in the Economic Development Trust Fund (Fund 136) for the 2026-2031 Economic Development Strategy consultant contract.
14. Resolution of Support for Designation of the City’s Eligible Census Tract to be Considered for Inclusion as an Opportunity Zone in the Opportunity Zone 2.0 Program (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Resolution No. NS-30,686 was adopted authorizing submission of a local authority recommendation form requesting that Census Tract 06087101002 be considered by the State of California for Opportunity Zone designation in the Opportunity Zone 2.0 Program.
15. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion carried to reject the liability claims of 1) Mathew D. Sheldon, 2) Michael John Deuschel, 3) Juan Carlos Valencia, 4) Joshua S. Grant, and 5) Nathan Escalante, and to return as late the claim of 6) Jose Noel Hinojosa, based on staff recommendation.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
16. Civic Auditorium – Handrail Project (c302422) – Notice of Completion (PR) LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to accept the work of Selway Construction, Inc. (San Jose, CA) as completed per the plans and specifications and authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for Civic Auditorium - Handrail Project (c302422).
17. Award Contract for Poet's Park Playground Improvement Project (c302603) (PR) LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Approve the plan and design of the Poet’s Park Playground Improvement Project (c302603), as shown in the attachment, POET'S PARK PLAYGROUNDOPTION 2.PDF; Award the Poet's Park Playground equipment and installation contract to Ross Recreation Equipment (Santa Rosa, CA) in the amount of $130,195.63, and Authorize the City Manager to execute the contract in a form approved by the City Attorney;
Authorize the Parks and Recreation Director to execute change orders within the project budget, including potential modifications of the approved plan and design; and
Adopt a finding of exemption from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (Common Sense Exemption) and the following categorical exemptions: CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities); Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction); Section 15303 (New Construction or Conversion of New Structures); and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations of Land).
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Consent Agenda (continued)
18. Award Contract to Davey Resource Group, Inc. for GIS Tree Inventory Update (PR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
Award a contract to Davey Resource Group, Inc. (DRG) in the amount of $150,000 to prepare a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Tree Inventory update on a sub-set of the city-wide tree inventory, as part of the grant funding awarded by the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network (USDN) to expand tree canopy, improve tree care, and grow community capacity in Santa Cruz;
Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement in a form acceptable to the City Attorney; and
Adopt a finding of CEQA exemption pursuant to (1) the Class 6 Categorical Exemption (14 CCR 15306) for information collection, and (2) the Common Sense Exemption (14 CCR 15061(b)(3)).
19. MRF Stormwater Tanks Pad Installation Project (c402111) – Authorization to Advertise and Award (PW)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion carried to:
Approve the plans and specifications for the MRF Stormwater Tanks Pad Installation Project (c402111); 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, and as authorized by Resolution No. NS-27,563. The Director of Public Works is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget. Adopt a CEQA finding of categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction).
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Consent Agenda (continued)
20. Pacific-Beach Roundabout Enhancements Project (c402507) – Notice of Completion (PW)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to accept the work of Anderson Pacific Engineering Construction, Inc. (Santa Clara, CA) as completed per plans and specifications, authorize the filing of the Notice of Completion for the Pacific-Beach Roundabout Enhancements Project (c402507), and authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion as the Owner’s Authorized Agent.
21. Purchase of One Refuse Front Loader and Two Sweeper Vehicles (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
Authorize the purchase of one Front Loader vehicle from Western Truck Parts and Equipment (Sacramento, CA) in the amount of $550,000; and Authorize the purchase of two Fayat Ravo R5 Series sweeper vehicles from Municipal Maintenance Equipment (Sacramento, CA) in the amount of $700,000.
22. Award of Agreement to Chemtrade Chemicals US, LLC for Liquid Aluminum Sulfate (WT)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to accept the bid of Chemtrade Chemicals US, LLC (Toronto, Canada) for liquid aluminum sulfate and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement in a form approved by the City Attorney.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
23. Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal Project Landowner Agreement and Cooperator Agreement (WT)
LOCATION: County
Motion carried to authorize the City Manager to execute the following agreements, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, for the Old City of Santa Cruz Dam Removal Project (Project):
Landowner Agreement between Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz and the City of Santa Cruz; and
Cooperator Agreement between the United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Resource Conservation District of Santa Cruz County, and the City of Santa Cruz.
End Consent Agenda
Consent Public Hearing
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 Brunner, to approve the Consent Public Hearing 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.
24. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-14 Amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Section 1.18.020 to Adjust the Salaries of the Mayor and Councilmembers (CN)
LOCATION: Citywide
Ordinance No. 2026-14 was adopted to adjust the salaries of the Mayor and Councilmembers.
August 11, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8328
Consent Public Hearing (continued)
25. TEFRA Hearing and Resolution Regarding Recycled Conduit Funding for the Calypso Project (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion carried to:
Conduct the public hearing under the requirements of Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,687 approving the issuance of tax-exempt multifamily housing revenue bonds in an amount not to exceed $75,000,000 (the “Bonds”), by the California Municipal Finance Authority (“CMFA”) for the benefit of Calypso Affordable LP (the “Borrower”), to provide for the financing of the multi-family rental affordable housing project, and rescinding Resolution No. NS-30,640.
August 11, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8329
General Business
26. CalPERS Contract Amendment (HR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Chief People Officer S. De Leon spoke and responded to Council questions.
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 Brunner, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,688 declaring the City Council’s intention to approve an amendment to the City’s contract with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to remove the contract exclusions applicable to “All Appointive Members of the Boards and Commissions; and Persons Compensated On An Hourly Basis Employed June 26, 1962, or thereafter as County Branch Library Aides, Library Pages, School Crossing Guards and Recreation Department Employees” prospectively from the effective date of this amendment to contract; and
Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-15 implementing the CalPERS contract amendment.
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.
August 11, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8330
General Business (continued)
27. 2025-2030 City of Santa Cruz Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and Climate Adaptation Plan (LHM-CAP) – Year 1 Implementation Progress Report (CM) LOCATION: Citywide
Sustainability and Resiliency Officer T. Wise-West gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Unidentified person
James Ewing-Whitman
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, to accept the LHM-CAP Year 1 Implementation Progress Report.
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.
At this time, Councilmember Newsome left the dais.
August 11, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8331
Public Hearing
28. 900 High Street: CP25-0105 (APN 001-022-45) Major Modification and Density Bonus Request Proposing Modifications to Application No. CP22-0164 to Revise the Previous Density Bonus Request, Increase the Total Number of Residential Units from 40 to 47, Alter the Unit Mix, and Modify the Building Design/Envelope Compared to the Project Design as Previously Approved.
Environmental Review: Statutory Exemption Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3. Applicant: Sibley Simon, Workbench. Owner: Envision Peace Village, LLC, c/o Sibley Simon (CD)
LOCATION: District 5
Senior Planner R. Bane gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Director of Community Development L. Butler, project applicant Sibley Simon, City Attorney C. Bronson, Deputy City Attorney A. Geise, and Housing and Community Development Manager J. de Wit, responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
David Pattee
John Hall
Unidentified person
Clayton Markel
Deb de la Luz deBruyn
Bradly Snyder
Andrew Merriam
Judi Grunstra
Unidentified person
Ron Goodman
Andrea Tolaio
Deborah Elston
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
August 11, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8332
Public Hearing (continued)
28. 900 High Street: CP25-0105 (APN 001-022-45) Major Modification and Density Bonus Request to Application No. CP22-0164 (CD) LOCATION: District 5 (continued)
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, to:
1) Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,689 acknowledging the environmental determination (Statutory Exemption pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3) and approving a Major Modification and Density Bonus Request proposing modifications to Application No. CP22-0164 based on the findings listed in the resolution and the Conditions of Approval attached as Exhibit “A,” with the following amendments:
Revise Findings 22 through 25, “Inclusionary Alternate Approach, Sections 24.16.030.2 and 24.16.030.11,” to deny the applicant’s proposed alternative inclusionary compliance method, including the finding of conformance with Section 24.16.025.
Amend the Conditions of Approval #35 to require compliance with the City’s inclusionary housing requirements, including the representativeunit-mix requirement, while preserving the affordability required for the project’s State Density Bonus; and
2) Authorize the City Attorney and Community Development Director to make revisions necessary to effectuate this direction, with all other project approvals, findings, and conditions remaining as recommended.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson requested to add to the motion:
1) Amend the resolution to remove “Incentive/Concession 2 - Option for Streamlined Tenant Selection;” and
2) Direct staff to include quantifiable data that demonstrates cost saving when incentives/concessions or waivers are requested by applicants for future projects.
Councilmember O’Hara accepted.
At 6:11 p.m. Council took a break and returned at 6:27 p.m.
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Public Hearing (continued)
28. 900 High Street: CP25-0105 (APN 001-022-45) Major Modification and Density Bonus Request to Application No. CP22-0164 (CD) LOCATION: District 5 (continued)
After discussion, Councilmember O’Hara withdrew the motion and made the following motion:
MOTION: Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,689 acknowledging the environmental determination (Statutory Exemption pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21083.3) and approving a Major Modification and Density Bonus Request proposing modifications to Application No. CP22-0164 based on the findings listed in the resolution and the Conditions of Approval attached as Exhibit “A,” with the following amendment:
Remove “Incentive/Concession 2 - Option for Streamlined Tenant Selection” and replace it with an alternative concession request to allow for the Inclusionary Alternate Approach, per 24.16.030, proposed by the applicant, as articulated in their proposal and the City’s staff report.
Authorize the City Attorney and Community Development Director to make the conforming revisions necessary to the resolution to effectuate the amendment above, and with all other project approvals, findings, and conditions remaining, as recommended; and
Direct staff to include quantifiable data that demonstrates cost saving when incentives/concessions are requested by applicants for future projects.
ACTION: The motion carried with the following vote.
AYES: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Golder, O’Hara; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
DISQUALIFIED: Councilmember Newsome.
Adjournment – Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Trigueiro, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
August 11, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8334
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.