CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - August 25, 2026
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
Councilmember O’Hara will be participating remotely from the location listed below. In accordance with the Brown Act, the agenda was posted at this location no less than 72-hours before the meeting.
201 Main Street
Green Bay, WI, 54301
1:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
1:30 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, 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, August 24th
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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, August 23rd by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
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. 1:00 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: Phoebe Ann Kelley
2) Claimant: John Balquist as Trustee of the Anthony J. Koci Trust 3) Claimant: Mary Sierra
4) Claimant: Maria Gabriela Martin
5) Claimant: Marianne Roberts
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
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Closed Session (continued)
2. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: 121 Soquel Avenue (Frazier Lewis Lane, portion) and 1316- 1320 Pacific Avenue
APNs: 005-081-51, 005-081-20, and 005-081-21
Owner: City of Santa Cruz and Doghouse2 LLC
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: Bonnie Lipscomb and Danco Communities Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
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City Council
1:30 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
3. Employee 30-year Service Pin - Joel Braga
4. Mayoral Proclamation: Marine Safety Professionals Recognition Day Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification
Additions and Deletions
City Attorney Report on Closed Session
Council Meeting Calendar
5. The City Council will review the meeting calendar attached to the agenda and revise it as necessary.
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Consent Agenda
6. Minutes of the August 11, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
7. Fire Station 63 Butler Building Construction (FD)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution approving the design, plans, and specifications for the Fire Station 63 Butler Building prepared by William C. Kempf Architects;
2) Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2027 budget to transfer $111,771 from the Public Safety Impact Fee Fund 217 to the General Capital Investment Program Fund 311 to complete construction of a Butler Building at Fire Station 63 for the Santa Cruz Fire Department and appropriate funds to project c212306;
3) Authorize the City to enter into a contract, in a form to be approved by the City Attorney, for approximately $177,001 with American Project Solutions for the construction of the Fire Station 63 Butler Building; and
4) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute change orders within the approved project budget.
8. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion to reject the liability claims of 1) Phoebe Ann Kelley, 2) John Balquist as Trustee of the Anthony J. Koci Trust, 3) Mary Sierra, 4) Maria Gabriela Martin, and 5) Marianne Roberts, based on staff recommendation.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
9. Resource Recovery Facility Caterpillar 826K Compactor Rebuild (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to enter into a contract in the amount of $488,854.35 with Peterson Tractor Company (San Leandro, CA) to rebuild the Caterpillar 826K compactor, the current landfill compactor tractor.
10. Safe Streets and Roads for All - Grant Application (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Apply for, and if awarded, accept and appropriate funds from the Federal Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All Fiscal Year 2026 funding program for the Improving Post-Crash Care Through EMS Innovation and Signal Preemption Project; and 2) Find that the Council’s action is exempt from CEQA under CEQA’s Common Sense Exemption (14 CCR 15061(b)(3)).
11. HSIP 11 and 12 – Unsignalized Crossing Improvement Project (c402517 and c402610) (PW) LOCATION: Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution to approve the plans and specifications for the HSIP 11 and 12 – Unsignalized Crossing Improvement Project pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6;
2) 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, as authorized by Resolution No. NS-27,563. The Director of Public Works or City Engineer is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and
3) Find the improvements categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
End Consent Agenda
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General Business
12. West Cliff Drive Path Realignment – Approve Plans and Specifications (m400819) (PW)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution to approve the design, Plans and Specifications for the West Cliff Drive Path Realignment Project (m400819); 2) 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; and 3) Adopt a CEQA finding of categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities), Section 15302 (Replacement or Reconstruction), and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
13. Bay Drive Protected Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Path Project - Public Access Trail Easement Deed and Certificate of Acceptance (c402304) (PW)
LOCATION: Districts 3, 4, 5, and 6
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution to approve the design and plans for the Bay Street at Escalona Drive Pilot Plan, and direct staff to implement the approved pilot plan, which restricts through movements on Escalona Drive across Bay Street/Drive while maintaining the southbound left turn from Bay Street to eastbound Escalona Drive;
2) Confirm design approach for the future Complete Streets project to use mountable medians on Bay Street at Toledo Street and Anita Street; and
3) Adopt a resolution accepting a permanent public access trail easement for public use from Santa Cruz City Schools over a portion of real property (APN 004-441-24) required for the construction of the Bay Drive Protected Bike Lanes and Pedestrian Path Project and authorizing and directing the City Manager to execute the corresponding deed and Certificate of Acceptance.
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Presentation
14. Biarritz Adult and Youth Delegation Report Back
Adjournment
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INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – AUGUST 25, 2026
15. Public Works Department: May 26, 2026 Budget Hearing Response from Public Works 8/18/26 (PWFYI 0112)
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – AUGUST 25, 2026
16. Proclaiming August 11, 2026 as “Catherine Breed Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in congratulating her on her extraordinary achievements and her commitment to going beyond the black line by choosing a life guided by curiosity, courage, and connection—and creating pathways for others to do the same.
17. Proclaiming June 29, 2026 as “Oliver Tree Day” in recognition of his achievements and contributions to the arts.
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 County Library Advisory
Commission
One opening – at-large nomination
Downtown Commission Two openings – to be appointed by
Councilmembers Golder and O’Hara
Sister Cities Committee One opening – at-large nomination Transportation and Public Works
Commission
One opening – to be appointed by
Councilmember Trigueiro
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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.