Photo: Baby interacting with an adult. The County's proposed equity statement is:
"Equity in action in Santa Cruz County is a transformative process that embraces individuals of every status, providing unwavering support, dignity, and compassion.
Through this commitment, the County ensures intentional opportunities and access, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive and belong."
This proposed statement, and the plans to actualize it, are the result of extensive work by staff, the Circle on Anti-Racism, Economic and Social Justice (CARESJ), and over 1,000 community members.
This report is accompanied by an "Equity Inventory" - a review of over 150 programs and activities the County is currently working on to create more equitable results in our community. The inventory includes everything from small actions like the Parks Department and Sheriff's Office making all of their forms available in Spanish, to large actions like the creation of the Public Defender's Office and a comprehensive network of community partners that can support peoples' re-entry into the community after incarceration.
The next step for promoting equity will be to start tracking indicators of population health (such as life expectancy, rent-burden, etc.). These indicators will be analyzed by race/ethnicity, geographic location and other lenses. This will provide the County a clear understanding of what policies are working to improve equity and which ones need to be improved.
To view and comment on the full Board of Supervisors agenda click below: http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1989
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Photo: METRO bus fleet.
At our September 22nd METRO meeting, the Board of Directors approved the purchase of 57 hydrogen-powered, fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs). This procurement will be the largest acquisition of FCEBs in North American history.
Santa Cruz Metro expects to start taking delivery of the 57 new FCEBs in late 2024, which includes 48 40-foot buses and nine 60-foot articulated buses. The new vehicles will replace aging compressed natural gas (CNG) and diesel buses, converting 59 percent of Santa Cruz Metro’s fleet to zero emissions. Currently, 10 percent of Santa Cruz Metro’s fleet is composed of zero-emissions buses (ZEB). This single purchase will jump that total to more than 69 percent. This will support the transition of 100 percent of Santa Cruz Metro’s fleet to zero-emission technology years ahead of the deadline set in the state’s Innovative Clean Transit (ICT) Regulation.
The FCEB procurement is made possible, in part, through $20.4 million in grant funding from the Federal Transit Administration’s FY23 Bus and Bus Facilities program and a $38.6 million award from the California State Transportation Agency’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Santa Cruz Metro has also applied for $27 million from the California Air Resources Board’s Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust, which is administered by the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
The reason the transit agency has selected to purchase more hydrogen-powered buses than rechargeable electric battery buses is that hydrogen offers significant operational advantages. It's much faster to refuel a hydrogen bus than charge a battery powered bus all night long. That means these buses can serve the public for more hours every day. They are also much lighter without the heavy batteries, meaning they can carry more people. Finally, they can continue to operate during emergencies even if the electrical grid is down (as the METRO buses did this past year, helping to evacuate people during the winter storms). There are currently major state-wide efforts underway to expand sustainable hydrogen production.
New Buses Should be Full!
Of course, if we're really going to have a world class transit system in Santa Cruz it's not enough to just get new buses, we also need to improve the service itself. That's why at the same meeting, the METRO Board of Directors voted to move forward with Phase 1 of the Reimagine METRO project. These new changes to service will start in December 2023 with METRO’s Winter Schedule. The changes include: - More service (25% more than spring 2023)
- A significant increase in night and weekend service
- Higher frequency service in areas with high transit demand
- Simpler, more direct routes (Mid-County routes will be renamed to the 1, 2, and 3 lines)
- Better transfers with shorter wait times and no additional fare
- Higher frequency service between Watsonville and Santa Cruz
- A NEW route connecting the UCSC campus to Live Oak and Capitola Mall
A draft Phase 1 system map can be viewed here. The METRO Board will review Phase 2 improvements before the end of the year. The goal of these changes is to double current ridership through fast, frequent and reliable service.
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Photos: Before and after shaded fuel Break work on Summit Road.
Congratulations to the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County (FSCSCC)!
CAL FIRE has approved their grant application to the Wildfire Prevention Program. The request was for $999K; about $786K will go towards a roadside evacuation route project along Soquel San Jose Road, and the rest to chipping programs countywide. Funding will be allocated to FSCSCC staff, fuels reduction contractors, carbon capture of biofuels, and project costs.
Many thanks to Joe Christy, Lisa Lurie, Thomas Sutfin, and Larry Lopp, who helped with preparing the application, to CAL FIRE CZU Unit Forester Rich Sampson who provided guidance in preparing a revised budget and work plan, and to Dave Reid at the County's Office of Response, Recovery, and Resilience, and the California Fire Safe Council for supporting Patty Ciesla's work as a grant writer for the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County.
Funding comes from the California Climate Investments cap and trade program. Many thanks to our legislature and governor for allocating this funding to wildfire prevention.
Meanwhile, work continues on the Summit Shaded Fuel Break with crews expected to clear the road between Loma Prieta School and Highway 17 this year.
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Photo: A health worker giving a vaccine.
The updated Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the FDA and recommended by the CDC for everyone 6 months and older. Officially known as the 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, they are now available in Santa Cruz County.
In alignment with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Santa Cruz County Public Health Officials urge everyone 6 months and older to stay up to date with the newest COVID-19 vaccine.
“Staying up to date on the COVID-19 vaccine will be an essential tool to help residents stay healthy,” said Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez. “The updated vaccines provide the best available protection against severe illness caused by current variants.”
The updated COVID-19 vaccines will especially help protect those who are most at risk of developing severe COVID-19 complications, such as older adults, people who smoke, or anyone with chronic conditions, like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease. COVID-19 vaccination also decreases the risk of Long COVID, which can cause prolonged symptoms.
This virus season, vaccines are available for the three viruses responsible for most hospitalizations – COVID-19, RSV, and flu. RSV vaccines are approved for people ages 60 years and older. These vaccines can be given safely at the same time and are available at health care providers, pharmacies, and clinics.
Contact your health care provider or visit www.vaccines.gov to schedule your vaccine appointment.
For local COVID-19 information go to www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus or call (831) 454-4242 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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How to Report an Abandoned Vehicle
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Photo: An abandoned car
Have you noticed an abandoned vehicle but did not know how to report it?
The Sheriff's Office administers the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Program to respond to complaints of abandoned vehicles and those parked on streets for more than 72 hours in the unincorporated areas of the county. You can report an abandoned vehicle online or call (831) 454-7602. Be prepared to report the following information about the vehicle you are reporting: location, color, make and model, license plate number and how long it has been since it was last moved, if known.
Community Service Officers verify violations, mark vehicles, post ten-day notices of intent to remove, and arrange tows for improperly parked, abandoned, wrecked, dismantled or inoperative cars, trucks, RVs and trailers.
Although the Sheriff’s Office may mark an abandoned vehicle for abatement, delays sometimes occur because either 1) the tow truck operators delay or decline a specific assignment and/or 2) the salvage storage yard delays or declines vehicles. Unfortunately, these two factors are outside of our control and lead to delays. If a vehicle is marked for abatement, we will continue to work with the independent operators to remove the vehicle as soon as possible.
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Photo: Construction workers repairing a road.
County Roads PAVEMENT REPAIRS FOR SOQUEL SAN JOSE ROAD IN SOQUEL Dates: Monday, October 2 - Tuesday, October 17
Location: Soquel San Jose Road from Olive Springs Road to O'neill Lane in Soquel
Work hours: Weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Crucial pavement repairs are scheduled from Monday, October 2 to Tuesday, October 17 on San Jose Road, between Olive Springs Road and O'neill Lane in Soquel. To facilitate the repairs, please note that traffic will be reduced to a single lane with traffic control measures in place between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
STORM DAMAGE REPAIR: PRESCOTT ROAD IN SOQUEL Dates: Wednesday, October 4 to Friday, October 13
Location: Prescott Road (P.M. 0.28)
Work hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. During work hours, there will be a single-lane closure with traffic control measures in place. We anticipate delays of up to 15 minutes. We kindly request everyone to plan their travels accordingly, especially during the mentioned working hours. Up-to-date information on County of Santa Cruz maintained roads can be accessed online.
Caltrans HIGHWAY 1 PROJECT BETWEEN SOQUEL DRIVE AND 41ST AVENUE For the week of October 1, crews will continue with daytime grading northbound, as well as excavation for the pavement widening, electrical work, bridge columns, and retaining wall construction. Clearing and grubbing will begin southbound behind the k-rail on the outside shoulder. There are no scheduled highway lane closures.
Daytime traffic control continues to be in effect on Soquel Ave. between Chanticleer Ave. and 17th Ave. from 6 am to 5 pm. One lane of traffic will remain open in each direction. This will permit crews to continue with construction of the pedestrian overcrossing columns on both sides of Soquel Ave. Extended daytime traffic control on Soquel Ave. will be used only to facilitate concrete pours.
Lanes have been temporarily shifted to the west on Soquel Ave. and K-rail (concrete barriers) and temporary crash cushions have been placed adjacent to northbound Soquel Ave. Installation of K-rail is necessary for the safety of crews and travelers in the area.
Travelers on Soquel Ave. can expect delays of five minutes as a result of this daytime traffic control.
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Photo: Harbor Public Meeting Room.
Tuesday, October 3rd - 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.
Tuesday, October 10th - Harbor Hybrid Town Hall. From 6 PM to 7:30 PM at Harbor Public Meeting Room, across from S-Dock, 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)
13462487799,,96708318897# US +(Houston)
Wednesday, October 11th - 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.
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