Dear Friends and Neighbors,
It's a busy time of year, which is why you're hearing from me two weeks in a row! This week the Board of Supervisors is conducting interviews to select a new County CEO. We want to get someone on board in October so they can overlap with current CEO Carlos Palacios before he retires at the end of the year.
The Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday will be brief, but we'll consider the important topic of how to better abate abandoned and inoperable vehicles. The proposal includes additional recommendations for safe parking options since the Board last considered it on August 19.
The Sheriff's Office rotates assignments every three years. Please join me in welcoming Lieutenant Dee Baldwin and Sergeant Abigail Solano to the Community Policing Division for the Mid-County area.
We're also publishing the results of the most recent East Cliff Survey, which demonstrated strong public support for fully separating bikes and pedestrians.
Do you get your water from a private well in Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Live Oak, or La Selva Beach? The Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (MGA) is accepting applications for new board members.
Finally, you can find me this month at the Live Oak Farmers Market on Oct. 19 and at Trunk or Treat at the Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 24. Hope to see you there!
Best, |
Manu Koenig 1st District Supervisor, Santa Cruz County
|
Highlights from This Week’s Board of Supervisors Meetings
|
Image: An abandoned RV on the North Coast. The Board will reconsider an updated ordinance for abandoned or inoperable vehicles at next Tuesday's meeting. This is a follow-up to the August 19th meeting when the Board of Supervisors first considered an ordinance to address abandoned or inoperative vehicles. The item includes additional recommendations to work with the Cities of Santa Cruz and Watsonville on safe parking programs for vehicles that are inhabited.
Abandoned vehicles are one of the more common complaints we receive in the First District Office. When cars or RVs are left sitting for weeks at a time, it impacts neighborhood safety, limits parking for residents, and creates blight on our streets. Unfortunately, under our current County ordinance, tow companies will not always respond to the Sheriff’s Office because of costly requirements that make enforcement difficult.
On October 7, the Board of Supervisors will consider my proposal—together with Supervisor Felipe Hernandez—to repeal and replace our outdated abandoned vehicle ordinance (County Code Chapter 9.57). The proposal makes one key change to County Code: vehicles subject to enforcement will no longer have to be stored for 10 days in a tow-yard before demolition. Instead, they could receive a written warning, be left on the street for 10 days, and then towed and demolished immediately. This small but important fix means tow companies will respond to the Sheriff’s Office and our neighborhoods won’t be stuck waiting indefinitely for action.
At the same time, we know that some inoperable vehicles are also people’s homes. That is why we’re pairing this ordinance with stronger outreach and expanded safe parking options. We're asking our Housing for Health team to coordinate with the City of Santa Cruz and City of Watsonville to connect vehicle residents with supportive services and explore new safe parking sites.
This is about balance—keeping our streets clear of abandoned vehicles while ensuring we treat people living in their cars with dignity and connect them to long-term solutions. With these changes, we can finally enforce the law effectively, reduce blight, and expand safe parking options across the county.
If you've dealt with this issue, please attend the meeting next week in person or virtually. You can also share your story with the Supervisors via email: BoardOfSupervisors@santacruzcountyca.gov
To report an abandoned or inoperable vehicle to the Sheriff's Office click here:
|
Special Meetings - County CEO InterviewsThe Board of Supervisors will be conducting final interviews of County CEO candidates all day Monday and Tuesday afternoon. The Board is seeking a replacement for CEO Carlos Palacios who announced his retirement back in June. Brown Act rules dictate that, when all members of an elected body are conducting official business in the same location, that business must be announced as a formal meeting in an open and transparent manner. The Board will take public comment on the CEO hiring at 9:00am Monday and 1:30pm Tuesday at the Hotel Paradox. The interviews will he held in closed session.
You can view the agendas and find zoom links for these meetings: https://santacruzcountyca.primegov.com/public/portal
|
Meet Mid-County'sNew Community Policing Team
|
Image: Lt. Dee Baldwin and Stg. Abigail Solano
The Sheriff's Office Community Policing Division is under new management! The Community Policing Division works with people to address non-urgent, long-term, or ongoing problems (compare that to Patrol, which responds to the most urgent call for service).
The Sheriff's Office rotates assignments every few years so that employees gain a complete understanding of public safety in our county. Please join me in thanking Lieutenant Nick Baldridge and Sergeant Randall Hopp for their three years of dedicated service to Community Policing and the Mid-County region. Their leadership, commitment, and collaboration laid the groundwork for success. Now please join me in welcoming Lieutenant Dee Baldwin and Sergeant Abigail Solano.
Lieutenant Baldwin has served with the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years, working across Patrol, Investigations, Corrections, and Administration. Overseeing the Community Policing Division, he manages the Sheriff’s Community Service Centers in Boulder Creek, Felton, Live Oak, Aptos, and Watsonville. In addition, he serves as the Commander of the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team. A lifelong Santa Cruz resident and Soquel High graduate, Lieutenant Baldwin is raising two daughters in our local schools and remains deeply connected to the community. His priorities include expanding outreach, strengthening collaboration with county partners, and ensuring responsive service to residents. Lieutenant Baldwin can be reached directly at shf820@scsheriff.com.
Sergeant Abigail Solano has served with the Sheriff’s Office for 11 years, with experience in Patrol, Investigations, and Administration. She now leads Community Policing efforts in Live Oak, working out of the Sheriff’s Live Oak Service Center at 5200 Soquel Avenue. A 14-year resident of Santa Cruz County, she is raising her three children here and is committed to building strong relationships, fostering public trust, and partnering with residents to address community concerns. She is eager to engage with neighbors and collaborate on solutions that support a safe and thriving community. Sergeant Solano can be reached directly at shf513@santacruzcountyca.gov.
You can meet Lt. Baldwin and Sgt. Solano at the Live Oak Farmers Market on Sunday, October 19 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM or at Trunk or Treat at the Sheriff's Center (5200 Soquel Ave, 95062) on Friday, October 24 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. The Live Oak/Soquel Service Center is located in the lobby at 5200 Soquel Ave and can be reached at (831) 454-7683. For emergencies dial 911.
|
East Cliff Survey Results
|
Image: The East Cliff Parkway re-striping option that fully separates bikes and pedestrians was favored by a majority of respondents in the recent survey.
Thank you to everyone who completed the East Cliff Survey. Overall, we had more than 1,550 complete responses to the survey. After deleting duplicates and considering only validated Santa Cruz County voters, we had 1,121 responses..
We collected survey responses through links provided via this newsletter, on social media, and through signage posted on the East Cliff parkway. We also conducted in-person polling on East Cliff - which was informative both because of the first hand feedback and observations we were able to make while spending time there.
The survey was structured like a ranked-choice contest, where respondents indicated their first, second and third choice votes.
The first choice votes were as follows:
Existing Layout | 252 | 22.48% | Bike Lane Striping on Walkway | 308 | 27.48% | Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas | 561 | 50.04% |
It's notable that over 77% of respondents said their first choice was something other than the existing layout. This echoed comments we heard in person that "something needs to change."
If this were strictly an election, the option of Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas wins in the first round. In practice, my office and the Department of Public Works are taking this public input under advisement. So, we decided to see how close it would be after we eliminated "Existing Layout" (the option with the least first choice votes) and looked at what people who preferred that option ranked as their second choice.
Somewhat surprisingly, 40% of the people who had selected Existing Layout as their first choice, selected Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas as their second choice. The results after eliminating Existing Layout were therefore:
Bike Lane Striping on Walkway | 459 | 40.95% | Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas | 662 | 59.05% |
Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas was preferred by an 18% spread.
Some of the written feedback and comments we received while walking on East Cliff suggested why the option of Bike Lane Striping on Walkway didn't do better. These can be summed up as:
"Pedestrians will still walk in a bike lane that's on the walkway, bikes will still have to swerve around them, it won't actually solve the problem."
We asked how respondents use East Cliff most frequently as part of the survey (walk, bike or drive). Of these subgroups walkers had the strongest preference for Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas - 64%. Bikers preferred Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas slightly less at 54.7%. The only user group that preferred Bike Lane Striping on Walkway was Drivers at 53.3% (Fully Separated Bike and Pedestrian Areas - 46.7%). Only 17.5% of respondents said that the way they use East Cliff most is driving.
Additionally, 53% of people want to see the speed limit reduced from 25MPH to 20MPH.
More people than not want to see a raised crosswalk/speed table at East Cliff and 32nd, Moran Lake Parking Lot, and 20th Ave. Of these, a raised cross walk at Moran Lake was the most popular with 70% in favor.
For those still concerned about changes from the existing layout, I offer a couple of observations.
First, the vast majority of bikes using East Cliff today are e-bikes, which are better suited to using the street. An e-bike can more easily keep pace with a car, whereas high speeds and a heavier weight make them dangerous when mixing with pedestrians.
Second, we're trying to design a solution for high use days, not low use days. Ticketing of bikes on the walkway will probably be very limited. No one is going to ticket your 5 year old riding on the walkway. If you're riding your bike safely on the walkway on an uncrowded day, you're not likely to have a problem either. Those examples aren't the problem we're trying to solve for.
The problem we're trying to solve is fast-moving bikes and crowded conditions. The fully separated bike and pedestrian option will provide a striping plan that functions safely even under the most crowded conditions. I believe that's why the wisdom of the crowd favored this solution.
My office is reviewing final design and cost options with the Department of Public Works and we anticipate beginning to make changes on the ground in 2026.
|
Image: Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency Announcement
The Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency (MGA) is accepting applications to fill two vacancies for Private Well Owner Directors on the Board of Directors. The MGA is a public agency formed in 2016 to comply with California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The MGA is responsible for groundwater management in the Mid-County Groundwater Basin in the communities of Soquel, Aptos, Capitola, Live Oak, and La Selva Beach.
To be eligible, an applicant must either own, manage, or be served by: 1) a private or shared domestic well; 2) a small water system well; or 3) a well used for commercial, industrial, institutional, recreational, or agricultural purposes. The well must be located within the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Basin. The time commitment is approximately 5 - 10 hours per quarter, including evenings. Terms are for four years. The position is unpaid.
MGA is seeking candidates who are passionate about our community’s future and sustainability of the Basin. An ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative setting and be able to effectively represent the interests of Private Well Owners in the Basin. They will be open to learning about, and working with, people whose interests may conflict with their own and are willing to make educated compromises that are respectful of competing viewpoints. Desired candidates will have the means and motivation to communicate with the community they are representing. They will have knowledge, skills, and experience that will benefit the MGA and the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
Visit the MGA's website at midcountygroundwater.org to download a copy of the application.
Applications are accepted via email to admin@midcountygroundwater.org or by mail or delivery to the Soquel Creek Water District, 5180 Soquel Drive, Soquel, CA 95073.
Applications Due: 4:00 PM, October 29, 2025
|
Trunk or Treat is Comingto the Live Oak Sheriff Station!
|
Image: Trunk or Treat at the Sheriff Center, Photo Credit: SLV Steve
Trunk or Treat is happening again this year at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave. Dress in your scariest costume and join my office, along with County Parks, the Sheriff, and other local agencies, to celebrate Halloween 2025 in a fun and safe environment. The celebration will take place on Friday, October 24 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Can't wait to see you there! |
Photo: Live Oak Farmers Market. Come visit me at the Market on Oct. 19th!
County Board Chambers will undergo renovations for the remainder of the calendar year. All Board meetings from 9/30 on will be held at various alternate locations throughout the County. The Fall 2025 meeting schedule with locations can be found here.
Tuesday, October 7 - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Santa Cruz County Government Center Community Room located in the Basement at 701 Ocean Street.
Sunday, October 19 – Live Oak Farmers Market Tabling from 9:00 AM -1:00 PM. Supervisor Koenig and staff, as well as our new Community Policing Team will be at the Live Oak Farmers Market at the East Cliff Shopping Center, located at 15th Ave. and East Cliff Drive. Stop by, say hello and ask a question or two.
Tuesday, October 21 - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Scotts Valley City Council Chambers located at 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066.
Wednesday, November 5 - Office Hours from 1 PM to 3 PM. Come visit me at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz CA 95062. Bring your questions and meet with me one-on-one. As always, first come, first served.
|
|
