Agenda Highlights for Tomorrow'sBoard of Supervisors Meeting |
Photo: A sidewalk and street trees on 7th Ave. These improvements are maintained by County Service Area 9E. Tomorrow is your final chance to submit a ballot on the proposed increase for Live Oak/Soquel Streetscape Maintenance. You can submit at ballot at the Board of Supervisors meeting itself at 701 Ocean St, Room 525. This proposal is in response to the many community concerns my office heard about weeds growing too high in the medians, the dangerous street tree branches, and uneven sidewalks. This maintenance is paid for by a specific fund called County Service Area (CSA) No. 9E, which provides maintenance of over 1,600 trees and approximately 25 miles of sidewalk within the boundaries of the former Live Oak / Soquel Redevelopment Area. The current assessments raise $39,224 annually, do not increase with inflation and have not changed since 1998. As a result, they do not adequately fund current services. Many people have asked why we can't just take money from somewhere else in the County Budget. The answer is that there are dozens of CSAs throughout the County for everything from fire protection to mosquito abatement and it would be unfair for the General Fund to bail out one specific CSA. The new proposed assessment would collect a total of $130,950 among 10,985 parcels within the CSA. Under the proposed rates a single-family home would pay $7.73 per year as a line item on the property tax bill. The assessment rate may be increased in the future by a percentage no greater than the Consumer Price Index (a common measure of inflation). This would fund more regular maintenance of street landscaping and sidewalks. The results will be certified at the April 30th meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
In December of 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved the largest changes to the County General Plan in 25 years. These changes make it easier to build in-fill housing and promote agricultural tourism. The Coastal Commission needed to review these changes before they go into effect. They did so 1 year later in December of 2023. They suggested some minor changes related to public access and coastal resources, which the Board of Supervisors must now review.
The County is conducting a thorough review of it's advisory commissions for the first time ever. There are currently over 40 boards, commissions, and other advisory bodies. Staff is recommending the elimination of the following: - Emergency Medical Care Commission
- Environmental Health Appeals Commission
- Hazardous Materials Advisory Commission
- Human Services Commission
- Substance Use Disorder Commission
- Syringe Services Program Advisory Commission
If approved by the Board, these commissions will sunset on March 31, 2024 to allow time to complete any existing work and provide for any transitions. The Board of Supervisors recently approved a $75 per meeting stipend for commissioners to encourage more diverse participation and membership. The overall goal is to better support the commissions that the County does maintain so that they can be more productive, while eliminating ones that are not needed.
To read and comment on the full agenda click here: 2024/01/30 09:00 AM Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Web Outline - Santa Cruz County, CA (iqm2.com)
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Photo: Santa Cruz County Court House
A new report by the Criminal Justice System of Santa Cruz County focuses a spotlight on criminal cases with a mental health component in the justice system, finding common ground on many issues while highlighting areas that can be improved.
The study is the first collaborative and comprehensive look at the handling of criminal cases with a behavioral health component by local justice system partners. The review found that justice system partners approach cases with a behavioral health component with compassion and a belief that incarceration is not the most effective response in most cases. All partners also expressed a desire to increase and strengthen collaboration on such cases, including more integrated case management and improved data sharing.
The report also notes that diversions from criminal court for cases with a mental health component have increased significantly in the last several years, and that additional resources are needed to fully address mental health issues for justice-involved individuals.
“This report shows that there is common ground when it comes to handling cases with a mental health component in our community,” said Donna Lind, chair of the Criminal Justice Council of Santa Cruz County. “It also identifies areas of need and provides a platform for improving outcomes for those individuals involved in the criminal justice system.”
Criminal Justice Council partners include public safety leadership throughout Santa Cruz County, including the Sheriff and police chiefs from each of the four cities, the District Attorney, the Chief Probation Officer, the Public Defender’s Office, members of Santa Cruz County Superior Court, County Behavioral Health, and many more.
The report also acknowledged that the aging Santa Cruz County Main Jail is not conducive to housing or managing cases with a behavioral health component, and that alternate facilities specializing in crisis stabilization with higher security are needed.
The report comes during a period of significant change to the State’s justice system and it’s response to justice-involved individuals with mental health needs, including a 2021 California Supreme Court decision limiting the use of cash bail, caps on the number of individuals who can be committed as Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST), the upcoming implementation of the Community Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment (CARE) Act, and Medi-Cal mandates impacting those with behavioral health issues, along with other State and local changes.
The report was created by Watsonville-based Applied Survey Research. To view the report, visit santacruzcjc.org.
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Photo: Zero Emmission Passenger Rail and Trail banner.
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is hosting community open houses to obtain public input on the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project’s Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement. The project proposes new high-capacity passenger rail service and stations on approximately 22 miles of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from the City of Santa Cruz to Pajaro, as well as 12 miles of Coastal Rail Trail from Rio Del Mar Boulevard through the community of La Selva Beach and the City of Watsonville.
The Project’s Purpose and Need Statement identifies and documents the needs and constraints that drive the development of transportation improvements in the Project study area and further outlines the opportunities to address these needs through the project’s fundamental purpose.
Community members are invited to attend upcoming in-person and virtual open houses to learn more about the Project and provide input on the Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement, which will guide the development of the project concept and is the first project milestone.
In-Person: Monday, Feb. 12, 2024
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Ramsay Park Family Center
1301 Main St., Watsonville
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024
6:00 to 7:30 PM
Live Oak Grange
1900 17th Ave., Santa Cruz
Virtual:
Available at http://www.zeprt.com from Feb. 5 through March 4, 2024.
The public can also provide input at a public hearing during the Feb. 1 RTC meeting (see meeting agenda for details) or submit written comments by 9:00 a.m., Jan. 31 to: 1101 Pacific Ave., Suite 250, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 or email: zeprt@sccrtc.org.
For more information on the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project, visit https://sccrtc.org/zeprt/.
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Photo: LAFCO logo.
Applications are being accepted for the Regular and Alternate Public Member seats on the Local Agency Formation Commission of Santa Cruz County (“LAFCO”). Any person wishing to apply for either position can get an application on LAFCO’s website here or request an application form by calling the LAFCO Office at 831-454-2055. Completed forms should be returned to the LAFCO office.
LAFCO will accept applications for these two positions until 3:00 p.m. on February 23, 2024.
More information about LAFCO can be found at www.santacruzlafco.org.
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is currently accepting applications for the Measure D Taxpayer Oversight Committee for representatives from Districts 2 & 4.
Members of the Measure D Taxpayer Oversight Committee must be residents of Santa Cruz County who are neither elected officials of any government, nor employees from any agency or organization that either oversees or implements projects funded from the proceeds of the sales tax.
Click here to download the application. Application deadline is Feb. 15, 2024.
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Photo: People using internet devices.
Santa Cruz County residents may be eligible for monthly broadband discounts and rebates on computers or tablets and are being encouraged to sign up by February 7.
Under the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, qualified households are eligible for $30 monthly internet discounts and one-time $100 rebates on computers or tablets. Indigenous community members may be eligible for enhanced benefits.
So far, 11,000 Santa Cruz County residents have signed up for the program. However, that figure represents just 28 percent of local eligible households.
The program is scheduled to sunset on February 7. However, a nationwide effort is underway to extend the program, which has helped expand broadband access to nearly 23 million households, making it one of the most successful federal efforts ever to close the digital divide. Visit https://www.internetforallnow.org to apply and for additional details.
Families of four or fewer qualify if their household income is less than $60,000 or less. For each additional family members, add $9,000 to determine eligibility limits.
Additional ways to qualify include having at least one household member enrolled in any of the following Federal Assistance Programs:
• Lifeline
• Free or Reduced School Lunch Programs
• CalFresh or SNAP
• Medi-Cal or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Pell Grant
• WIC (Women, Infants & Children)
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Households also qualify is at least one member is enrolled in any of the following assistance programs for indigenous communities: Tribal Programs for Residents on Qualifying Tribal Lands, Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance, Tribal TANF, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Tribal Head Start (must meet income standards).
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Photo: Tick Check poster.
Officials at Santa Cruz County Mosquito and Vector Control (SCCMVC) remind residents that the onset of the first rains start the season for adult western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus). This tick is the primary vector of Lyme disease in Santa Cruz County. Approximately 1% of adult and 7% of nymphal (immature) Western black‐legged ticks in this county are infected with the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease. In 2023, there were 13 reported human cases of Lyme disease in Santa Cruz County.
Remember these helpful precautions to reduce the risk of Lyme disease:
• Walk (and keep pets) on trails and avoid tall grasses, trail margins, brush, and logs.
• Use EPA‐registered repellent for use against ticks; always follow label directions. Products with a concentration of 20% DEET or higher and/or treating clothes and shoes with permethrin before entering tick habitat are recommended.
• Wear long pants and long‐sleeved shirts.
• Check yourself, your children, and your pets thoroughly for ticks after time outdoors. Remove ticks as soon as you find them using tweezers and pulling straight out.
• Shower and launder clothes (on high heat) soon after activity in tick habitat.
Removing a tick shortly after it attaches (less than 24 hours) can prevent transmission of Lyme diseases and other tick‐borne diseases. If you remove a tick and have questions about potential disease risk, save it for identification: 1. Place the tick (preferably alive) in a ziplock bag with a wet paper towel/cotton ball. 2. Disinfect the wound site. 3. Call/email/fill out the electronic Service Request form to make an appointment for identification and consultation.
Consult your healthcare provider if a tick has bitten you or if you are in an area where ticks are common and are concerned about Lyme disease. Painful redness that occurs less than 24 hours after a tick bite and does not expand is likely a local allergic reaction to the tick bite. Early Lyme disease can include flu‐like symptoms and often an expanding, painless rash. Lyme disease is treated with antibiotics, and most patients recover without complications, particularly when the disease is diagnosed early.
If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress to arthritis and in some cases serious nervous system problems. Note that a Lyme disease diagnosis cannot be confirmed or ruled-out by the results of a tick test alone.
For more information on testing, please contact Mosquito and Vector Control.
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Photo: Road construction sign.
County Roads
ROAD CLOSURE: INTERSECTION OF SILVER MOUNTAIN DRIVE AND MILLER HILL ROAD FOR POLE & FUSE REPLACEMENT
On Friday, February 23, there will be a road closure at the intersection of Silver Mountain Drive and Miller Hill Roads from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for pole and fuse replacement. Commuters can detour through Stetson Road. Drivers are advised to expect delays.
For further information, please contact Natalie Sutton, Project Coordinator at Michels Construction at (208) 606-6463.
Caltrans
DAYTIME LANE CLOSURES ON SOQUEL AVENUE NEAR HIGHWAY 1
For Monday, Jan. 29 through Wednesday, Jan. 31, daytime traffic control will be in effect on Soquel Ave between 17th Ave. and Chanticleer Ave. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction from 7 am to 3 pm.
This daytime lane closure will allow for the completion of the falsework decking over and adjacent to Soquel Ave. Crews will be staging the next phase of work from the falsework and begin forming of the bridge itself. Crews will also perform minor drainage work behind concrete barriers on either side of Highway 1.
A detour is available. Travelers on Soquel Ave. will be directed to 17th Ave., Rodriguez Street and Chanticleer Avenue, before returning to Soquel Avenue. Message and directional signs will be in place to direct travelers with expected delays of five minutes.
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Photo: Flyer for Sheriff's Town Hall.
Tuesday, January 30th - The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office Town Hall for Summit residents at 6 PM. This is an in-person meeting at The Forum at Loma Prieta Elementary School.
Tuesday, January 30th - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 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, February 7th - Office Hours From 1:00 PM - 3:00 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.
Tuesday, February 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.
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