Item 9. Consider resolution ratifying the proclamation of a Local Emergency for the December 2023 Coastal Storms ...

The proclamation of a Local Emergency will allow state and federal assistance to potentially be made available for the County, partner jurisdictions like Capitola and the City of Santa Cruz, businesses, and private property owners. Initial damages for this event County-wide, including partner cities, are estimated at over $1.5 million, and this does not include preparation and emergency response costs. The County threshold for California Disaster Assistance Act funding support is approximately $1.2 million dollars. Other damages yet to be identified may increase this number.

Item 34. Approve agreement with the Family Services Agency of the Central Coast in the amount of $2,255,350 for the provision of mobile crises response services ...

This item details the pilot 24/7 mobile crisis response program the County has started rolling out. This contract will pay for staffing the response teams with Behavioral Health Intervention Specialists and Certified Peer Support Specialists through the Family Services Agency. County Behavioral Health will provide the clinical staffing for the teams. 

The Family Services Agency (FSA) staff will respond to behavioral health crises and engage, assess, de-escalate, safety-plan, and link individuals to appropriate community services and supports. In cases that warrant clinical expertise, especially if a §5150/§5585 hold seems appropriate, the County’s Behavioral Health staff (MHL, MERT, and MERTY) will join the FSA team in the field. Both teams will be capable of transporting individuals to services needed to further stabilize the crisis they are facing. 

One goal of the Pilot Program is to work with Santa Cruz Regional 9-1-1 and the city police departments to develop procedures so that the mobile crisis team will be the primary responder dispatched for behavioral health calls to 911. This will clear up the confusion that has resulted up till now from having three telephone numbers that community members may call when experiencing a behavioral health crisis. 

Item 41. Authorize the Deputy CAO/ Director of Community Development and Infrastructure to reserve Housing Funds for four affordable housing projects

This item provides details about some potential 100% affordable housing projects that have been made possible by the recent updates to the County General Plan. The county typically loans money to projects like these for early design work to help them move forward. New projects seeking funding include one at 41st & Soquel Dr and another at Thurber Ln & Soquel Dr. The Park Haven Plaza Homekey project has also requested additional funds due to significant cost inflation over the last year.

By providing predevelopment loans for a project, the County does not imply or guarantee their approval. Each project will be subject to public development review and environmental review processes applicable based on their location.

To view and comment on the full agenda, click here: 2024/01/09 09:00 AM Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Web Outline - Santa Cruz County, CA (iqm2.com)

If you’re a property owner living in Soquel, Twin Lakes, Live Oak, or nearby you should've received a ballot and Notice of Public Hearing around the middle of December. This is to provide funding for streetscape maintenance, including trimming street-trees, mowing medians and repairing sidewalks within the County service area No. 9E. This is the first proposed assessment increase for this area in 26 years (since 1997).

If you choose to cast your vote, below are some important dates:

📭📭 Ballot by mail: Due no later than Monday, January 22nd.

📝📝 In-person delivery: Submit your sealed ballot to 701 Ocean St, Room 410, Public Works Division before the close of the public hearing on Tuesday, January 30th. 

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 9:00 a.m. at 701 Ocean Street, Room 525, Santa Cruz, CA to discuss the Proposition 218 election to increase funding for streetscape maintenance services within County Service Area No. 9E - Streetscape Maintenance. On the day of the hearing you may submit your ballot in-person at the Board Chambers. 

If you think your proposed assessment is incorrect it may be because your parcel information on record needs to be updated. You can still submit an affirmative ballot and then correct the amount. To clarify any questions please contact our office at (831) 454-2160.

For answers to other FAQs click here.

County

Hazel Dell Road

From Old Hazel Dell Road to Hidden Canyon Road will remain closed during repair hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, until the end of January 2024. Outside these hours, one lane will be open with stop signs and traffic delineators in place. 

During this time, crews will be working hard on final paving, drainage, and guardrail improvements. 

Caltrans

Hwy 1

Work continues on a project to construct north and southbound auxiliary lanes and bus-on-shoulder improvements on Highway 1 between the 41st Avenue and Soquel Drive interchanges and to construct a new bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing at Chanticleer Avenue.

For Monday, Jan. 8, through Friday, Jan. 12, travelers will encounter a daytime closure on one of two onramps to southbound Hwy. 1. The loop onramp to southbound Hwy. 1 from 41^st Ave. may be closed from 9 am to 3 pm. Message and directional signs will direct travelers to detour to the southbound onramp for Hwy. 1 at Soquel Dr. Travelers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

Additionally, the onramp to southbound Hwy. 1 at Soquel Ave. may be closed from 9 am to 3 pm. Message and directional signs will direct travelers to detour to the southbound onramp for Hwy. 1 at 41^st Ave. Travelers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

Note: These daytime closures of onramps to southbound Hwy. 1 at 41^st Ave. and Soquel Ave. will alternate. These two ramps will never be closed at the same time. Up-to-date information on the timing of these closures will be available on Caltrans Quickmap at: https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/

Hwy 9 

A tree and brush removal operation will result in one-way reversing traffic control on Highway 9 the week of January 8.

For Monday, Jan. 8, through Wednesday, Jan. 10, travelers will encounter one-way reversing traffic control on Highway 9 near Riverdale Blvd. in Boulder Creek from 8 am to 4 pm.

For Thursday, Jan. 11, travelers will encounter one-way reversing traffic control on Highway 9 north of Clear Creek Rd. in Brookdale from 8 am to 4:30 pm.

For Friday, Jan. 12, tree crews will be working on Highway 9 near Stapp Rd. North of Boulder Creek. Although no traffic control will be in effect, please use caution on your commute through the area.

This tree and brush removal operation is necessary to prepare these sites for future drainage projects.

Hwy 17

Travelers will encounter a closure of the #2 (right) lane of northbound Hwy. 17, between Vine Hill Rd. and the summit, on Monday, Jan. 8, through Thursday, Jan. 11, from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.

This lane closure is necessary for crews to conduct tree-trimming operations for the safety of the traveling public. This work is weather-dependent.

Please allow for extra time during your commute through the area.

Hwy 35

Highway 35 near Bear Creek Road in the Santa Cruz Mountains, currently operating under one-way reversing traffic control, will be closed to thru traffic on Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6 am to 2 pm.

Crews will be working in the middle of the road with a concrete boom truck pump in order to perform a concrete curb pour. Given the narrow width of the road at that location, a full closure of the highway is required.

Once reopened on Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 2 pm, this location will return to one-way reversing traffic control by means of a temporary signal. Over the next few months, crews will continue with additional repair work on the northbound lane behind concrete barriers.

The First District is looking for community members with relevant experience to serve on the following commissions:

• Emergency Medical Care Commission
• Human Services Commission
• Substance Use Disorder Services Commission

Apply using the button below. You can find more information on County committees and commissions and other general vacancies on the County Commissions page. Commissioners may receive a newly approved $75 per meeting.