Image: AI and government. The Board of Supervisors will review a proposed County AI use policy at Tuesday's meeting. Source: DanRentea/stock.adobe.com
Voters overwhelmingly approved Measure C, the single-use cup tax, in June 2022. The tax went into effect on January 1, 2023. It charges $0.25 per single-use cup, half of which is returned to the County as a tax to be used on actions that reduce pollution, address illegal dumping, clean parks and public areas, and other related activities. It is the first program of its kind in the nation.
As with all new programs, there have been some challenges. While the County orginaly projected 304 businesses would collect the single-use cup tax, so far only 67 businesses (22% of original estimates) are complying with the tax. Revenues are currently $40,000 quarterly and staff estimates that they can reliably be increased to $70,000 quarterly, or $280,000 annually.
Staff is recommending a spending plan that includes $50,000 towards Board-directed local non-profit contributions, $100,000 for Parks Maintenance, $100,000 for cleanups along roadways, and $30,000 in contingencies.
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The County is taking a cautiously optimistic stance on developing a policy for using Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms like Chat GPT. In government, there are a ton of wordy documents, meaning that a tool to write quickly could help make county employees way more productive. Chatbots could also help members of the public navigate the County's complex services. However, there are risks that need to be addressed; including personal data protection and biases prevention.
For these reasons, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to create an adaptable AI policy. An AI Policy Committee (AIPC) was formed that includes representatives from the County's Information Services Department (ISD), County Counsel, Personnel, and the County Administrative Office (CAO).
The AIPC consulted with other jurisdictions and interested organizations from the technology sector to solicit ideas for an initial AI policy. Additionally, ISD developed a dashboard to quantify staff usage trends of ChatGPT, a leading AI tool. In August, the AIPC convened an AI Early Adopters Workgroup and began discussing procurement criteria and training programs.
Since tracking began in May of 2023, staff have engaged in over 33,000 sessions using two AI tools, Chat GPT and Google Bard. Three hundred and two county employees have tried the AI services (approximately 12% of all employees), with a small group of approximately 30 users initiating half of the sessions (see figure below).
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Figure: graph showing Chat GPT and Google Bard usage by county employees.
Meanwhile, the State of California has pursued a similar strategy. On September 6, 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order to study the development, use, and risks of AI technology throughout the state and to develop a deliberate and responsible process for evaluation and deployment of AI within state government. The Executive Order includes but is not limited to, provisions that direct state agencies to prepare AI risk analysis and beneficial uses reports, develop procurement guidelines, conduct ongoing impact analysis, and provide state employee training.
The County's Proposed Artificial Intelligence Appropriate Use Policy includes the following provisions for responsible use: - Data Privacy and Security: Comply with all data privacy and security standards to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII), Protected Health Information (PHI), or any sensitive data in generative AI prompts.
- Avoiding Bias: AI tools can create biased outputs. When using AI tools, develop AI usage practices that minimize bias and regularly review outputs to ensure fairness and accuracy, as you do for all content.
- Accuracy: AI tools can generate inaccurate and false information. Take time to review and verify AI-generated content to ensure quality, accuracy, and compliance with County guidelines and policies.
The County will continue to improve this policy as well as identify training, procurement, and improvement opportunities related to AI.
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs) provide a legal pathway for community members to prepare and sell food created in their individual kitchens. Such programs provide an opportunity for county health departments to regulate small, otherwise, non-permitted enterprises while allowing home cooks to earn a modest income selling food they have prepared. The state passed enabling legislation in 2018. It identified women, immigrants, and people of color as a large part of the home cook industry.
Santa Cruz County has yet to follow neighboring Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, among others, in developing a program to permit and monitor MEHKOs. By directing staff to explore a potential pilot MEHKO program, our intention is to gather more information, including examining model legislation from other counties, looking at the potential economic benefits to historically marginalized communities, and considering impacts on household sanitation systems.
To view and comment on the full Board of Supervisors agenda for September 19th: https://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com//Citizens/detail_meeting.aspx?ID=1988
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Photo: Twin Lakes beach and Schwan Lake inundated during the Jan. 2023 storms. Photo credit Lisa Setzer.
The California Coastal Commission awarded the County $780,000 in Local Coastal Program (LCP) Local Assistance funds to support the County’s sea level rise vulnerability assessment. The funding will support the completion of a series of technical studies on future sea level rise hazards, economic impacts, and adaptation pathways, with a unique focus on the impacts to coastal environments concerning public access.
This comprehensive analysis will encompass coastal zones spanning approximately 32 miles of the unincorporated Santa Cruz County shoreline, ultimately leading to a crucial LCP amendment on sea level rise. “This grant will play a pivotal role in Santa Cruz County's efforts to plan its coastal resiliency and adapt to the challenges posed by sea level rise,” said County Resource Planner David Carlson.
Last year the Coastal Commission rejected the County's Local Coastal Program amendment because of its provisions to plan for seawalls in the Opal Cliffs neighborhood. There was also disagreement about the definition of "existing development" that would be eligible for coastal armoring. The goal of this project is for the Commission and the County to foster a collaborative partnership that results in an LCP Amendment that is approved by both the County Board of Supervisors and the Coastal Commission.
An extensive outreach component will educate the public, decision-makers and other stakeholders about the expected future impacts of sea level rise to ensure that decisions made reflect a comprehensive understanding of these impacts, addressing the needs of all members of the community. A range of adaptation options will be examined, using economic and fiscal information to demonstrate the relative costs and benefits of each strategy. The vulnerability assessment will be conducted at both the neighborhood and regional scales, and the final phase of the project will include recommendations for policy updates necessary for an LCP Amendment addressing coastal hazards.
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Board Votes to Reestablish Recovery Center
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Photo: The new Recovery Center being installed in front of the County Jail on Ocean St.
Last Tuesday the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors authorized the re-establishment of a Recovery Center to provide substance use interventions to residents while freeing up important public safety resources. The former Recovery center burned down in December of 2020 due to a fire started by trespassers while the building was boarded up during the onset of the Pandemic.
The Recovery Center played a crucial role in supporting both law enforcement and the community in previous years. Operating from 2015 until its closure in the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Recovery Center successfully redirected nearly 1,400 individuals away from jail during its last year of operation. This led to a 94 percent reduction in the time local law enforcement officers spent on processing intoxicated individuals and facilitated access to treatment and valuable resources, aimed at lowering the likelihood of reoffending.
“I am very pleased the Board of Supervisors approved the Recovery Center contract with Janus of Santa Cruz.” Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart said. “This program will help shift alcohol and drug dependency to a health care issue rather than a criminal justice issue. I want to thank the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrative Officer, Carlos Palacios, for funding this important program. I look forward to partnering with Janus of Santa Cruz and helping our community members who are struggling with addiction.”
The Board unanimously authorized a contract with Janus of Santa Cruz for $1.08 million. The Recovery Center is expected to open January 2, 2024 within a new modular building at 265 Water St. Construction on the new center is underway.
The center will operate continuously and provide space for up to ten eligible adults who can be diverted for additional services. Janus-trained personnel will triage and monitor intoxicated individuals, including screening for medical and behavioral health issues. Staff members will have expertise in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, trauma-informed care, harm reduction and drug/alcohol symptomology assessments.
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Photo: Santa Cruz County Superior Court Building.
Earlier this month, a new jury summons process began in Santa Cruz County. The new summons will be via postcard rather than a letter enclosed in an envelope.
For the next couple of weeks, some jurors must still respond to the traditional summons. If you have received the traditional summons, pay careful attention to the information the Court has posted to its website about responding to that summons. By mid-October, however, all jurors will be receiving the new postcard.
Along with the new mail format, the Santa Cruz Court is also adopting a new jury management system that includes both an online and phone system.
Visit the Court's website to see an image of the postcard and learn more about the 2 new systems. For questions, please contact the Superior Court at 831-420-2203 or by email at jury.information@santacruzcourt.org.
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Photo: Construction workers repairing a road.
Pavement Repairs on Branciforte Drive Project Dates: Monday, September 18 - Friday, September 29
Location: Branciforte Drive spanning from Granite Creek Road to the Santa Cruz City limits Work Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pavement repairs are scheduled to take place on Branciforte Drive, spanning from Granite Creek Rd to the Santa Cruz City limits. During this period, traffic will be reduced to a single lane with traffic control measures in place.
Temporary Road Closure on 34th Avenue in Santa Cruz Project Date: Friday, September 22
Location: Between addresses 421 34th Avenue and 511 34th Avenue in Santa Cruz
Work Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
34th Avenue between address 421 to 511 will be temporarily closed to all vehicular traffic. This closure is essential to provide a safe working environment for the installation of two pre-manufactured homes by Villa Homes.
For more information or any questions regarding this temporary road closure, please contact Michael MacMahon, Engineering Associate for the County of Santa Cruz, at (831) 454-2054 or via at Michael.MacMahon@santacruzcountyca.gov. Up-to-date information on Santa Cruz County-maintained roads is available online.
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Photo: Bill Wilson Center logo.
The Bill Wilson Center's (BWC) Santa Cruz County Shared Housing/Host Home Program is looking for people who can provide temporary housing in a safe and welcoming environment for young adults (ages 18-24) who are experiencing homelessness. BWC partners with homeowners who can provide a spare bedroom and bathroom in order to build a sustainable community for young adults to thrive and feel supported in a safe, welcoming, host home environment. Host Homes will be provided with monthly rental assistance (up to $1,500) for providing temporary shelter to homeless youth.
Host homes can be located anywhere in Santa Cruz County. Hosts can be families, couples, or singles. The BWC will match a young adult to approved host homes. Hosts receive ongoing training and 24/7 support from BWC case managers.
The youth in the program are referred to BWC by the county. Common causes for youth homelessness can include, but are not limited to, aging out of foster care, gender identity, sexual orientation, and family conflicts. These youth lack stable housing arrangements and often sleep in places not meant for human habitation such as the woods, on the sidewalk, or in vehicles.
If you can help or would like additional information about becoming a host, please contact Valerie Arno at varno@bwcmail.org.
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Photo: Harbor Public Meeting Room.
Tuesday, September 19th - Board of Supervisors Meeting. Begins at 9 AM. The agenda is here. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.
Wednesday, October 4th - Office Hours. From 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the First District Office at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, ground floor.
Tuesday, October 10th - Harbor Hybrid Town Hall. From 6 PM to 7:30 PM at Harbor Public Meeting Room, 365 A Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
and on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96708318897
Meeting ID: 967 0831 8897
One tap mobile
+16699009128,,96708318897# US (San Jose)
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