The Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments is a funding model through which the City and County of Santa Cruz allocate an annual $5.9 million in funding for social safety net services. A total of 41 nonprofit and public agencies representing 57 programs receive funding today. These services helped 106,935 people (nearly 40% of county residents).
This annual report reviews data submitted by funded programs. The CORE funding cycle is for three years. We are currently in the 2022-2025 cycle. The County will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2025-2028 cycle next spring. This is an opportunity for the Board of Supervisors to provide direction on ways to prioritize funding for the next round of awards.
The County of Santa Cruz is the lead disaster response agency for county residents. In the last 6 years Santa Cruz County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters causing hundreds of millions in damages to County infrastructure. There were three federally declared disasters during the 2017 storms, COVID-19, the 2020 CZU Wildfire, and two declared disasters during the 2023 Atmospheric River Storms.
Unfortunately, the scale and frequency of climate change-induced disasters pose a significant threat to the financial stability of local governments across the country, particularly in Santa Cruz County. In addition to threats from coastal storms, storm surges, river flooding, earthquakes, and wildfires, Santa Cruz was recently ranked by FEMA as the most vulnerable county to landslides in California and 15th overall for the nation.
Only 40% of the County's $250 million in claims have been reimbursed. There are $159 million in outstanding claims. These significant delays by FEMA have placed the County General Fund in a precarious financial situation. The County must explore debt financing options until FEMA reimbursements arrive. This could impact the development of other infrastructure projects that need to borrow money.
The County has elevated congressional outreach resulting in modest gains, including FEMA completing their review and authorizing $4.7 million in claims from the CZU fires, moving $8.8 million in debris removal claims from pending status into FEMA environmental review, and indications are that COVID claims are going to be expedited soon.
The County is required to award projects to the lowest, responsible bidder. However, one project was recently awarded to a contractor with a documented history of labor violations, while another project has been delayed by months due to significant challenges, including a work stoppage. That's why I've worked with Supervisor Hernandez to ask that we review how we make sure project bidders are indeed "responsible." We've also asked for a list of upcoming county projects that could benefit from Project Labor Agreements, another tool to ensure workers are treated fairly and projects are delivered on time.
The Board of Supervisors has received many communications for and against passing a ceasefire resolution.
To view and comment on the full agenda: 2023/12/12 09:00 AM Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Web Outline - Santa Cruz County, CA (iqm2.com)
|
Photo: Penny Ice Creamery, including their 41st Ave location, was one of a number of businesses to receive their Green Business Certification Awards this year. Photo Credit: IG @_lifewithjenn_
Congratulations to the outstanding Recipients of this year's 2023-2024 Green Business Certification Awards!
Forty-four businesses in Santa Cruz County have not only met but exceeded regulatory standards, showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on the environment through initiatives such as energy and water conservation and waste reduction. Their dedication to sustainability is commendable, and their collective efforts contribute significantly to the well-being of our community! A special thank you and recognition go to the Certified Green Businesses residing in the First District: - Two Birds Books
- Discretion Brewing
- The Penny Ice Creamery on 41st
- Monterey Bay Mortgage
- Extraordinary Construction
- Catalpa Street Garage LLC
- Wild Beauty Cosmetics
- Deborah Lindsay Company
- Harbor Health Center
- Main Street Elementary
- Mountain Elementary School District
- Santa Cruz County Sanitation District
|
Photo: Firefighter working on a prescribed burn.
As part of a strategy to improve the County’s communication about prescribed fires, California State Parks has created a new website. This site serves as a comprehensive resource on the process and importance of prescribed burns in the Santa Cruz District of California State Parks. This includes updates on active prescribed burns throughout our region.
Questions or concerns can be directed to SantaCruz.PrescribedBurns@parks.ca.gov or call (831) 216-6459. Follow the Santa Cruz State Parks Instagram for additional updates. Why do we conduct prescribed burns? California has a Mediterranean climate. That means we have relatively warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Plants grow during the winter and spring and then act as potential fuel for fires in the summer. This plant material does not decompose very quickly and builds up due to California's climate. Without fire to recycle it, becomes increasingly hazardous. As Californians, we don’t get to choose whether our landscapes burn, only how they burn. Prescribed burns remove fuel from the landscape, making it safer for people; they return nutrients to the soil, stimulate plant growth and germination, and help sustain the complex mosaic of plant communities that support the biodiversity that is California State Parks' mission to protect.
|
Photo: Household Hazardous Waste
The County of Santa Cruz is making it easier than ever to keep our environment clean and safe. The Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program is on a mission to protect our beautiful surroundings and keep the community thriving.
There are drop-off spots where you can safely dispose of up to 15 gallons of hazardous waste, including 5 gallons of motor oil or 125 pounds of materials. Make sure to store these items in sturdy, leak-proof containers (max 5 gallons), and if there's a leak, double up and pop it in another container.
Below are the drop-off spots: - Buena Vista HHW: 1231 Buena Vista Dr., Watsonville
- Open: Wed 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Ben Lomond HHW: 9835 Newell Creek Rd., Ben Lomond
- Open: Thursday 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
- Santa Cruz HHW: 605 Dimeo Ln., Santa Cruz
- Open: Sat 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
For more information and a list of accepted materials, check out this website.
|
Photo: A view of the new bridge being constructed on Main St over Bates Creek in Soquel.
County Roads
East Cliff and Portola Dr.
Now until December 29: Lane ClosuresPortola Drive (between 17th and 24th avenues) will experience periodic lane closures. Crews will be out on the field doing sewer manhole work.
Throughout this period, one lane will be open at all times, allowing for traffic one way.
There will be detours signs placed near and around the project area to help guide drivers in the area.
This week, December 11 - December 15: Moving Lane ClosuresSimilar to the ongoing lane closures above, there will be moving traffic control with possible short lane closures for striping on Portola Drive (between 17th and 24th avenues).
The area will be managed by flaggers, with one lane open at all times, allowing for traffic one way.
Lane closures will only be in effect from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays, and is contingent on weather conditions.
For more information on this project, visit the project website: https://sccsd.wpcomstaging.com/2022/06/15/east-cliff-drive-sewer-replacement-project/
For ongoing project updates on County-maintained roads in District 1, subscribe to receive Road Impact Notification emails: http://eepurl.com/ixr85w
Caltrans
Hwy 1
Wednesday Dec. 13 and Thursday Dec. 14, travelers will encounter a full overnight closure of northbound Hwy. 1 at 41st Ave. from 10 pm to 4:30 am. A detour is available.
Travelers on northbound Hwy. 1 will be directed off at 41st Ave. and head east to Soquel Dr. Travelers will continue north on Soquel Dr. before rejoining Hwy. 1 at the northbound Soquel Dr. onramp. Travelers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes.
One lane of southbound Hwy 1 may also be closed from 9 pm to 6 am.
Poor weather may result in a rescheduling of these closures. Updates will be provided as the closure dates approach.
This full overnight closure of Hwy. 1 is necessary for crews to construct the working platform from which the new bicycle and pedestrian bridge overcrossing will be constructed. Over two nights, crews will construct the platform, or falsework, out of timber and steel beams which will be utilized to stage the next phase of bridge construction.
Hwy 35 Near Bear Creek Road
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 Wednesday Dec. 13, from 7 am to 4 pm.
Crews will be working in the middle of the road with a concrete boom truck pump in order to perform a concrete barrier slab pour. Given the narrow width of the road at that location, a full closure of the highway is required.
Once reopened on Wednesday Dec. 13, this location will return to one-way reversing traffic control by means of a temporary signal which will be in place over the next few months. Crews will continue with additional repair work on the northbound lane behind concrete barriers during that time.
|
Photo: California Coastal Commission Logo.
After several months of review and coordination between the California Coastal Commission and County staff, the Sustainability Update will be presented to the Coastal Commission (agenda item 12b) at a public hearing on Friday, December 15, 2023, available online or in person.
Coastal Commission staff is recommending that the Commission approve the Sustainability Update Local Coastal Program amendment with suggested modifications to ensure changes would conform to the Coastal Act. To learn more about the upcoming meeting and read the complete staff report, please visit the California Coastal Commission website.
The Sustainability Policy and Regulatory Update is a comprehensive update to Santa Cruz County’s General Plan/Local Coastal Program and modernization of the County Code. The project also includes preparation of new Santa Cruz County Design Guidelines and rezoning of key opportunity sites. The goal of this update is to implement new policies and code regulations that support more sustainable communities in Santa Cruz County. These documents will shape land use and transportation planning, as well as future development, in Santa Cruz County for many years to come.
Learn More: http://www.sccoplanning.com/SustainabilityUpdate
To provide testimony at the hearing, refer to the Coastal Commission's Hybrid Hearing Procedures on their website (www.coastal.ca.gov). To obtain a paper copy, call 415-904-5202. The in-person meeting is at the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz (175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060).
To provide written comments, email CentralCoast@coastal.ca.gov or submit materials to Commission staff by 5 pm on the Friday before the hearing. Late submissions won't be distributed. Alternatively, submit directly to Commissioners, ensuring all receive the materials. Summarize your position in two or three pages, if possible.
Meeting Time: Friday, December 15 at 9 AM
Meeting Location: Dream Inn, 175 W. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
View Meeting Agenda: Click Here
To participate on Zoom go to page 3 here.
|
Photo: California State Park Adventure Pass logo with family at the beach.
California State Parks is offering a free Adventure Pass to all 4th graders! The California State Park Adventure Pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families into 54 amazing state parks throughout California.
Fourth graders, their families, and anyone else in the car can enjoy free state park entry throughout the pass holder’s fourth-grade year (September 1-August 31) and the following summer!
Parents or guardians can call (800) 444-7275 or go to ReserveCalifornia.com and set up a profile by providing their name, address, phone number, and email address. California State Parks will send a free California State Park Adventure Pass to their email right away! Or Visit the State Parks Pass Sales Office to sign up.
Use your pass by printing it out or keeping it on your phone to show a State Parks staffer at one of the 54 state parks! Enjoy the beauty of nature and have a fun adventure with your family and friends!
|
Photo: Happy Valley Elementary School Logo
Tuesday, December 12th - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting 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.
Thursday, December 14th - Happy Valley Town Hall from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in person and online. Director Tony Elliott from the City of Santa Cruz's Parks and Recreation Department will discuss DeLaveaga Park and other city parks questions.
Location: Happy Valley Elementary School, 3125 Branciforte Dr., Santa Cruz, CA 95065 and on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96708318897
Meeting ID: 967 0831 8897
One tap mobile
+16694449171,,96708318897# US
+17193594580,,96708318897# US
Sunday, December 17th - Live Oak Farmers Market from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Stop by with your questions or to swap recipes! Hope to see you there!
Tuesday, January 9th- 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.
Wednesday, January 10th - Office Hours. From 1 PM to 3 PM. at the First District Office at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, ground floor. Bring your questions and we will meet one-on-one. First come, first served. If you would like to schedule an appointment for another day and time, contact our office at first.district@santacruzcountyca.gov. |
|
