Here is your chance to learn about what the County is doing to reduce global warming and help our local community withstand the impacts of climate change.

The Santa Cruz County Commission on the Environment is hosting a series of public meetings starting Wednesday, July 31st to help inform the community of the County’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) goals.

The overall purpose of the CAAP is to achieve a 40 percent emissions reduction from 1990 levels by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.

When: Wednesday, July 31st from 5:00pm - 7:00pm

Where: County Governmental Center, 701 Ocean St, 5th Floor

To learn more about the meeting series, go here. 

If you need another opportunity to come enjoy our new Live Oak Library Annex (aka LOLA), I will host a town hall there on August 6th.

This town hall will focus on issues in the Live Oak neighborhood with an open forum at the end. We will discuss topics including parks, streetscape maintenance, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure between the Harbor and Pleasure Point.

It will be a hybrid meeting. If you cannot make it out to LOLA, you can join virtually. Zoom link here: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96708318897

When: Tuesday, August 6th from 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Where: Live Oak Library Annex, Simpkins Family Swim Center, 

979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz

Registration is not required, but if you do register we'll save you a seat!

Billions of federal funding from the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act will be invested in broadband. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is responsible for making sure it gets spent in the right places based on public input.

To this end, the CPUC has released the Broadband Challenge page for Broadband Equity, Access and Development (BEAD). This enables Californians to provide feedback on the State's list of locations eligible for federal BEAD funding. Residents can look up their address on the map and submit evidence to demonstrate need of improved broadband at individual locations.

These submissions will help clarify the final fund allocation for Santa Cruz County, so please participate! The Challenge opened on July 8 and will be available till August 7th.

County

Aptos Area Adaptive Traffic Control System Project

The Aptos Area Adaptive Traffic Control System Project is underway and will continue through August 21, 2024 (weekdays only) from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The project will focus on improving traffic control by utilizing an adaptive traffic control system that will collect and process real-time traffic data and adjust signal timings to maximize efficiency to improve traffic flow at the following locations:

• Soquel Drive / State Park Drive / Sunset Way Intersection

• Soquel Drive / Rancho Del Mar /Aptos Rancho Road Intersection

• Soquel Drive / Spreckels Drive Intersection

• Soquel Drive / Aptos Creek Road Intersection

• Soquel Drive / Trout Gulch Road Intersection

During the project period, some traffic disruptions may occur, as lane closures will be implemented to facilitate work in the areas noted above.

Soquel Drive Buffered Bike Lane and Congestion Mitigation Project

Now until Tuesday, December 31 (Monday-Friday) from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm sections of Soquel Drive between State Park Drive and Paul Sweet Road may be reduced to one lane in each direction. Impacts on traffic will be intermittent as work progresses at multiple sites. The single-lane closures currently in place will facilitate safe improvements to the sidewalk, street, drainage, and traffic signal systems.

More information about this project can be found on the Soquel Drive Project website.

Stormwater Damage Repairs

Now thru Mid-October (Monday - Friday) Stormwater Damage Repairs will commence on Soquel San Jose (between Rancho Soquel Road and Conference Ground Road) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lane closure, traffic delays, and temporary road closures will be necessary to complete the work. The temporary road closures (for tree removal, drilling holes and placing piles, and paving) are expected to last up to 30 minutes. One lane will be closed, and a temporary traffic signal will be used to direct traffic through the open lane.

These lane closures and delays are necessary for the construction of a soldier pile retaining wall and roadway improvements. Commuters traveling through the area should seek alternate routes or plan for delays.

There is an opening for the First District seat on the First 5 Commission. This opening is perfect for someone who is committed to seeing that all children in Santa Cruz County have fair and equal access to health care and early learning experiences and meets one of the following qualifications:

• A recipient of project services included in the County’s strategic plan
• Educators specializing in early childhood development
• Representatives of a local childcare resource or referral agency
• A local childcare coordinating group
• Representatives of a local organization for prevention or early intervention for families at risk
• Representatives of community-based organizations that have the goal of promoting nurturing and early childhood development
• Representatives of local school districts
• Representatives of local medical, pediatric, or obstetric associations or societies

Learn more about First 5 and the Commission. If you'd like to apply, click on the button below. 

Tuesday, August 6th - Live Oak Town Hall from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Live Oak Library Annex at Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave Santa Cruz or online. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96708318897

Wednesday, August 7th - Office Hours from 1 PM to 3 PM. Come visit me at the 1st District Office in Live Oak at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, ground floor. Bring your questions and we will meet one-on-one. First come, first served.

Tuesday, August 13th - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The agenda is pending. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.

Tuesday, August 27th - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The agenda is pending. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.

Manu Koenig

First District Supervisor,

Santa Cruz County