Approved at the September 9, 2026 City Council Meeting
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 25, 2026
Closed Session
1:00 PM
Mayor Keeley opened the City Council Closed Session at 1:05 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; Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: Councilmember O’Hara.
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 be recusing herself from item 2 in an abundance of caution as it relates to her employment.
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period at 1:06 p.m. There were no speakers. Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period at 1:06 p.m., at which time the meeting was closed to the public and Council adjourned to the Courtyard Conference Room.
August 25, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8336
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
Council received a status report, took up under agenda item 8, and no reportable action was taken.
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
Councilmember Brunner recused herself from the discussion. Council received a status report from the City Negotiator, and no reportable action was taken.
August 25, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8337
City of Santa Cruz
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz, California 95060
MINUTES OF A CITY COUNCIL MEETING
August 25, 2026
1:30 PM
Call to Order – Mayor Keeley called the meeting to order at 1:43 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Roll Call
Present: Councilmembers Trigueiro, Brunner, Newsome, Golder, O’Hara (via Zoom, left at 3:34 p.m.); Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson; Mayor Keeley.
Absent: None.
Staff: City Manager M. Huffaker, City Attorney C. Bronson, Assistant City Manager M. Templeton (via Zoom), Deputy City Manager/Director of Economic Development B. Lipscomb, Director of Community Development L. Butler (via Zoom), Director of Finance E. Cabell (via Zoom), Chief of Fire R. Oatey, Director of Parks and Recreation T. Elliot, Director of Public Works N. Nguyen, Director of Water H. Luckenbach (via Zoom), Acting Wharf Supervisor K. Kvenild, Senior Parks Maintenance Worker J. Braga, Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer K. Crossley, Principal Transportation Planner C. Gallogly, Transportation Manager M. Starkey, Superintendent of Recreation T.
Hedden-Jones, Deputy City Clerk Administrator J. Wood, City Clerk Administrator B. Bush.
At this time Council heard items 3 and 4.
Oral Communications
At 1:59 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 military’s use of lightning as a weapon and wi-fi frequency.
Unidentified person spoke regarding their vehicle being towed from a space they perceived to be designated for handicap parking.
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Oral Communications (continued)
Unidentified person spoke regarding making Starbucks a drive thru.
Dana Wagner spoke regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 data of services provided by Meals on Wheels.
Unidentified person spoke regarding being new to Santa Cruz and thanked Council for restrooms near the beach and marine safety.
At 2:09 p.m. Mayor Keeley closed Oral Communications.
Presentations
3. Employee 30-Year Service Pin - Joel Braga
Acting Wharf Supervisor K. Kvenild spoke and presented a pin to Senior Parks Maintenance Worker J. Braga.
4. Mayoral Proclamation: Marine Safety Professionals Recognition Day Councilmember Golder read from a proclamation declaring August 25, 2026, as Marine Safety Professionals Recognition Day. Chief of Fire R. Oatey spoke.
At this time Council returned to hear Oral Communications and proceeded through the remaining agenda in order.
Presiding Officer's Announcements
Statements of Disqualification – None.
Additions and Deletions – None.
City Attorney Report on Closed Session – See page 8336 for the report.
Council Meeting Calendar
5. 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 10 and 11.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke:
Unidentified person made a comment on items 6, 9, and 10.
Unidentified person made a comment on item 10.
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Councilmember Trigueiro moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, 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.
6. Minutes of the August 11, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion carried to approve as submitted.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
7. Fire Station 63 Butler Building Construction (FD)
LOCATION: District 6
Motion carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,690 approving the design, plans, and specifications for the Fire Station 63 Butler Building prepared by William C.
Kempf Architects;
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,691 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;
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 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 carried 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.
9. Resource Recovery Facility Caterpillar 826K Compactor Rebuild (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried 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.
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Consent Agenda (continued)
10. Safe Streets and Roads for All - Grant Application (PW) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion carried to:
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
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 carried to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,692 to approve the plans and specifications for the HSIP 11 and 12 – Unsignalized Crossing Improvement Project pursuant to Government Code Section 830.6;
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. NS27,563. The Director of Public Works or City Engineer is authorized to execute change orders within the approved project budget; and Find the improvements categorically exempt from CEQA under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land).
End Consent Agenda
August 25, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 8342
General Business
12. West Cliff Drive Path Realignment – Approve Plans and Specifications (m400819) (PW)
LOCATION: District 6
Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer K. Crossley gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Director of Public Works N. Nguyen responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following person spoke.
Richard Lee
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Golder, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,693 to approve the design, Plans and Specifications for the West Cliff Drive Path Realignment Project (m400819); 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
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).
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.
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General Business (continued)
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
Principal Transportation Planner C. Gallogly gave a presentation and responded to Council questions.
Transportation Manager M. Starkey responded to Council questions.
Mayor Keeley opened the public comment period. The following people spoke.
Unidentified person
Unidentified person
Drew
Glenn Stewart
Mayor Keeley closed the public comment period.
MOTION: Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, to:
Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,694 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;
Confirm design approach for the future Complete Streets project to use mountable medians on Bay Street at Toledo Street and Anita Street; Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,695 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; and
Direct staff to collect data from the last two years regarding Fire Department response on arterial and collector streets and provide the results to Council when staff returns with the Safety Action Plan.
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General Business (continued)
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 (continued)
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT: Councilmember Newsome requested to add direction to staff as follows:
Include the traffic and speed volumes on Escalona Drive in the pilot traffic study; and
Explore the use of AB 43 and other traffic-calming measures to support speed limit reductions citywide, including at locations proximate to this project and along Escalona Drive.
Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson accepted.
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 3:26 p.m. Council took a break and returned at 3:48 p.m.
Presentation
14. Biarritz Adult and Youth Delegation Report Back
Superintendent of Recreation T. Hedden-Jones gave a presentation. Sister Cities Chair, Carola Barton, Biarritz Sister City Subcommittee Chair, Maggie Mathias, and a Biarritz Youth Delegate, spoke.
Adjournment – Councilmember Golder moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to adjourn. By consensus City Council adjourned at 4:12 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ss/Julia Wood, Deputy City Clerk Administrator, ATTEST: ss/Bonnie Bush, City Clerk Administrator, APPROVED: ss/Fred Keeley, Mayor.