CITY COUNCIL AGENDA
Regular Meeting - September 22, 2026
Council Chambers
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz
1:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION
2:00 P.M. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, CONSENT, CONSENT PUBLIC HEARING, AND
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
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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, September 21st
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 20th by emailing the Mayor and the City Clerk.
Approval will be confirmed via email.
[email protected] [email protected]
September 22, 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. 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: Larrel Wayne Thompson
2) Claimant: Doug Miller
3) Claimant: Matthew A Staker
4) Claimant: Neda Amjadi
5) Claimant: Neda Amjadi
Claims against the City of Santa Cruz
2. Conference With Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation (Government Code §54956.9(d)(2))
Significant exposure to litigation (one potential case to be discussed) September 22, 2026 City Council 3
City Council
2:00 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. Mayoral Proclamation Declaring October 2026 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
4. Fire Prevention Week and 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.
Consent Agenda
6. Minutes of the September 8, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC) LOCATION: None
Motion to approve as submitted.
September 22, 2026 City Council 4
Consent Agenda (continued)
7. Approval of an Option Agreement for EV Charging Services Site License to Support Direct Current Fast Charging Infrastructure (CM) LOCATION: District 2
Motion to:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute an Option Agreement for EV Charging Services Site License for space at the parking lot located at 1111 Soquel Avenue for the purpose of installing and operating Direct Current Fast Charging infrastructure; and
2) Adopt a CEQA finding of categorical exemption pursuant to: 14 CCR 15301 (Existing Facilities); 14 CCR 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land); and 14 CCR 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
8. Liability Claims Filed Against the City of Santa Cruz (FN) Motion to reject the liability claims of 1) Larrel Wayne Thompson, 2) Doug Miller, and 3) Matthew A Staker; and to return as late the claims of 4) Neda Amjadi, and 5) Neda Amjadi, based on staff
recommendation.
9. Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) Energy and Electrical Resiliency (Project WEER) - Award of Progressive Design for Phase 1 Services (c401405) – Budget Adjustment (PW)
LOCATION: District 3
Motion to:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Project WEER Progressive Design Build Agreement for Phase 1 Services in a form approved by the City Attorney with Royal Electric (Sacramento, CA) in the amount of $5,015,000, and authorize the Public Works Director to execute future contract amendments within the approved budget; and
2) Adopt a resolution amending the FY 2027 budget to appropriate funds to the WWTF-Electrical System Project (c401405) in the amount of $1,500,000 from Fund 721.
End Consent Agenda
September 22, 2026 City Council 5
Consent Public Hearing
10. 2nd Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-15 CalPERS Contract Amendment (HR)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2026-15 implementing the CalPERS contract amendment.
11. 2023 Program Year Annual Action Plan Amendment – Budget Adjustment (CD)
LOCATION: Districts 1 and 4
Motion to:
1) Adopt a resolution amending the 2023 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Action Plan for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to reduce funding to the “2023 PY Civic Auditorium ADA Improvements” project in an amount up to $100,000 and reallocate the funding to the project “2023 PY Market St.
Senior Center Renovations”;
2) Adopt a resolution reallocating 2023-2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the “2023 PY Civic Auditorium ADA Improvements” project in an amount up to $100,000 and reallocate the funding to the project “2023 PY Market St. Senior Center Renovations” and appropriating the funds in the FY27 budget; and
3) Direct staff to submit the Annual Action Plan (AAP) amendment to HUD for approval.
12. Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School – Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) Public Hearing and Resolution (ED) LOCATION: District 5
Motion to:
1) Conduct a public hearing under the requirements of TEFRA and Section 147(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); and,
2) Adopt a resolution providing for the issuance by the California Municipal Public Financing Authority (“CalMuni PFA” or the “Authority”) of revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $12,025,000 (the “Bonds”) for the benefit of Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School
September 22, 2026 City Council 6
General Business
13. Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0 Update (CM)
LOCATION: Districts 2, 3, 4, and 6
Receive, accept, and provide feedback on the project update including medium term coastal adaptation strategy development status, community engagement to date, and timeline to project completion.
14. Amendment to Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 10.41 Pertaining to Eligibility for Citywide Permit Parking (PW)
LOCATION: Citywide
Motion to:
1) Introduce for publication an ordinance to amend Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 10.41 – Citywide Permit Parking to restrict preferential permit parking program participation for certain residential development projects that use state law to provide fewer off-street parking spaces than would otherwise be required by the City. (2) Adopt a CEQA finding of exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) (the “common sense” exemption) and section 15301(c) (existing facilities categorical exemption).
Adjournment
September 22, 2026 City Council 7
INFORMATION ITEMS PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
15. Public Works Department: Annual San Lorenzo River Vegetation Management and Burrowing Rodent Mitigation Project 9/8/26 (PWFYI 0113)
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATIONS
ADDENDUM TO CITY COUNCIL AGENDA – SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
16. Proclaiming the month of September 2026 as “Childhood Cancer Awareness Month” and encouraging all citizens to join in honoring Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services for its 28 years of outstanding support to our community and acknowledging its contributions to Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
17. Proclaiming Tuesday, September 22, 2026 as “Santa Cruz Guitar Company 50th Anniversary Day” and encouraging all citizens to join in recognizing and celebrating the Santa Cruz Guitar Company’s 50th Anniversary and commending its enduring contributions to the heart and soul of our City.
18. Proclaiming the month of October 2026 as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” and encouraging members of our community to participate in activities during the month of October to raise awareness and work together to prevent violence in our world.
September 22, 2026 City Council 8
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
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.