CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - September 8, 2026
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
2:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
2:15 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, GENERAL BUSINESS AND PUBLIC
HEARINGS
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
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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, September 7th
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, September 6th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
September 8, 2026 City Council 2
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. 2:00 PM
Statements of Disqualification
Public Comment on Closed Session Items
Closed Session
1. Real Property Negotiations (Government Code §54956.8) Property: 1020 Cedar Street
APN: 005-042-36 (portion of)
Owner: City of Santa Cruz
City Negotiator: Bonnie Lipscomb
Negotiating Parties: City of Santa Cruz and Joseph S. Ferrara dba Atlantis Fantasyworld
Under Negotiation: Price, terms of payment, or both
September 8, 2026 City Council 3
City Council
2:15 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
2. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring September 2026 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
3. Community Gardens Update
4. National Emergency Preparedness Month
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.
September 8, 2026 City Council 4
Consent Agenda
6. Minutes of the August 25, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
7. Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury Response (CM)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to authorize the Mayor to submit responses to the Santa Cruz Civil Grand Jury on behalf of the Santa Cruz City Council for the Walking in the County of Santa Cruz Grand Jury Report.
8. Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Oversight Committee Bylaws (CM) LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Approve the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax Oversight Committee (SSBTOC) bylaws; and
2) Adopt a resolution exempting the SSBTOC from the City’s policy (Council Policy 5.1) that requires city residency for advisory body members, and allowing up to three non-City-residents who have experience in youth programs or early childhood development to serve on the SSBTOC.
September 8, 2026 City Council 5
Consent Agenda (continued)
9. Third Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Laughing Phoenix, Inc. dba the Great Rabbit, Atlas Services Corporation dba Atlas Geotechnical and Clever Collective for City-Owned Space at 915 Cedar Street (ED)
LOCATION: District 4
Motion to:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Third Amendment to the Lease Agreement with Laughing Phoenix, Inc. dba the Great Rabbit, Atlas Services Corporation dba Atlas Geotechnical and Clever Collective, in a form approved by the City Attorney, for the commercial space at 915 Cedar Street;
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Lease, in a form approved by the City Attorney, to be recorded in the Santa Cruz County Recorder’s Office; and
3) Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to the following CEQA guidelines: 14 CCR 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
10. Authorization to Exceed $100,000 for Legal Services with Burke, Williams, & Sorensen, LLP (HR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion authorizing the City Manager, or their designee, to execute agreements and approve payments exceeding $100,000 for legal services for Fiscal Year 2027.
11. Authorization to Exceed $100,000 for Investigation Services with Oppenheimer Investigations Group, LLP, Related to Respectful Workplace, Harassment, and Discrimination Complaints (HR) Location: Citywide
Motion authorizing the City Manager, or their designee, to execute agreements and approve payments exceeding $100,000 in the aggregate for third-party investigation services related to workplace harassment, discrimination, and respectful workplace complaints for Fiscal Year 2027.
September 8, 2026 City Council 6
Consent Agenda (continued)
12. Memorial Request Honoring Celia and Peter Scott (PR) LOCATION: District 5
Motion to approve the installation of a memorial plaque in Pogonip in honor of Celia and Peter Scott.
13. Wastewater Treatment Facility Sinkhole Emergency Repair (m409659) – Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: District 3
Motion to:
1) Ratify an emergency purchase order with Anderson Pacific Engineering (Santa Clara, CA) for repair of a sinkhole at the Wastewater Treatment Facility in the amount of $333,286; 2) Find the project categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines 14 CCR Section 15269(b) (Emergency Projects); and
3) Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2027 budget and appropriating funds in the amount of $333,286 to fully fund the repairs.
14. Purchase of a Wachs Valve Truck (WT)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to purchase a Ford F-550 Wachs Valve Truck from Rush Truck Center (New Braunfels, TX) in the amount of $276,712.98 under the existing cooperative contract with Sourcewell.
End Consent Agenda
September 8, 2026 City Council 7
General Business
15. 2026 Water Department Long-Range Financial Plan, 2026 Water Rate Study, and Proposed Water Rate Schedule for Calendar Year 2027 – Calendar Year 2031 (CY 2027 – CY 2031) (WT)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Adopt the 2026 Water Department Long-Range Financial Plan; 2) Receive the 2026 Water Rate Study dated August 18, 2026; 3) Accept the proposed schedule of water rate increases for CY 2027 – CY 2031 and the proposed CY 2027 – CY 2031 Drought Cost Recovery Fee schedule as set forth in the Rate Study, and direct staff to post the Rate Study as the basis for the proposed rates in connection with the Proposition 218 notice process, for the purposes of proceeding with the required public notice and protest period under Proposition 218; and 4) Authorize the Water Department to mail the Proposition 218- compliant public notice initiating the protest period and set the required public hearing for Tuesday November 17, 2026, after the hour of 10:00 a.m.
Adjournment
September 8, 2026 City Council 8
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
16. Economic Development Department: Second Amendment to License Agreement with Bogard Construction, Inc. for 125 Coral Street 8/21/26 (EDFYI 004)
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 8, 2026
17. Proclaiming August 28, 2026 as “SUP Shack 15th Anniversary Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in celebrating fifteen years of community, adventure, outdoor recreation, and the success of a locally owned and women-owned small business that has enriched the Santa Cruz Harbor and our community.
18. Proclaiming August 25, 2026 as “Marine Safety Professionals Recognition Day” and encouraging all residents to recognize and thank the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to keep our coastline safe.
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
September 8, 2026 City Council 9
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.