The County has received $380,000 in state funding to purchase a wood chipper that will enhance our regular vegetation management of county roads. The grant will also assist with evacuation planning (see agenda item 28 below).
Last October in the City of Santa Cruz two minors were removed from their grandmother’s home by force, as part of a Family Court custody proceeding. The removal was conducted by a private transport company hired as part of a court order, to transport the children to a private, fee-based reunification camp designed to help them re-bond with their alienated parent. The viral video sparked public outcry and the Board of Supervisors vowed to act.
This draft ordinance would prohibit a youth transport business to use physical force against a child when removing them from a location within the unincorporated area of Santa Cruz County. The penalty for violation would be $10,000 paid to the aggrieved party as well as a misdemeanor charge of $500. It also creates a private right of action for aggrieved individuals under which a business determined by a court to have violated the chapter will be liable for personal damages.
Additionally, on January 31, 2023, the County sent a Board-adopted resolution to all four members of our California State Legislative delegation, encouraging their support in enacting state legislation to regulate private youth transport companies. Since then Senator Laird and Assemblymember Pellerin have issued statements expressing interest in exploring the issue.
So far, 28% of affected CZU parcels have permit activity, including applying for a pre-clearance, building permit or actively in construction. The overall pace of rebuilding is in line with that seen after the Sonoma County Lightning Complex and Glass Fires that occurred in the same timespan as the CZU Fire. However, 47% of parcels with at least one structure red-tagged in the aftermath of the CZU Fire have not pursued rebuilding. The Board will consider options to improve rebuild permitting.
The two options being considered are a dispute resolution process and guidelines for approving in-kind reconstruction with existing septic systems. The dispute resolution process would provide clarity for applicants and decision-makers with details about applicant's alternative proposals and the relief sought. The septic system guidelines would include clear conditions for when an existing system can be used.
Unlike the previous nomination of Mr. Schiffrin, which was for a four year term, this nomination includes the understanding that Mr. Schiffrin will serve for no longer than six months. It also includes the appointment of a new Alternate Member, Trina Barton, who is a newly hired analyst in Supervisor Cummings' office. Ms. Barton has experience working with the cities of Santa Cruz and Oakland; holds a masters and PHD from UCSC; and has been an instructor in politics and legal studies at UCSC.
This $380,000 award from the California Fire Safe Council will support evacuation route planning and hazardous fuel reduction through the purchase of a chipper for County road crews to supplement the annual mowing program. In all, the grant funding will support:
Zonehaven Evacuation Management Tool license for the Operational Area
Lompico Road Evacuation Route Planning
New reflective address signage for residents through a SCCFSC program
Evaluation of Hazardous trees at key evacuation route locations
GIS analysis of 1-way in/1-way out communities to support evacuation preparedness.
Development of a Hazardous Fuels Reduction work specification for crews and contractors.
Purchase of a chipper for Community Development and Infrastructure Road Crews
Specialized training for road crews in operating chipper and performing hazardous fuel reduction.
Updating our County Emergency Operations Plan, with focus on evacuation management of access and functional needs residents.
Support for UCSC in evacuation management, alert and warning capacity.
Public Works' regular vegetation clearing program runs from May-October. However, clearing from the storms is ongoing. For assistance clearing branches from a county maintained road call Road Operations, 24 Hour Dispatch: (831) 477-3999.
View and comment on the full agenda for Tuesday's meeting here:
http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1994
You may also share public comments with the Board of Supervisors live, via Zoom, shortly after 9:00am on Tuesday here:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89949240497
