While the agenda for our August 8th meeting of the Board of Supervisors is relatively short, there's been lots of action over the summer outside of the Board Chambers (see articles below). This presentation will be live approximately 9:30AM. You can tune in on Zoom here.
Currently, 27% of Santa Cruz County residents are 60 years of age or older, and by 2030, 30% of county residents will be. Between 2010 and 2020, the county's 65-84 age bracket grew by 81% according to Census data - the fastest of any county in California. This presentation will discuss County efforts to become a more age-friendly community.
The Civil Grand Jury is an independent body under the jurisdiction of the Superior Court that performs an oversight for local governments and publishes investigative findings and recommendations to improve governmental operations. This year the Grand Jury published eight reports. The Board of Supervisors must respond to their findings and recommendations. This agenda item provides responses to the reports on CORE (the County's grant program for local non-profits), Cyber Threat Preparedness, and the Future of our Jails.
To view and comment on the whole Board of Supervisors agenda click below: http://santacruzcountyca.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=1985
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County Road Crews at Work
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Photo: County road crew resurfaces a road in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
July and August are always busy for our county roads crew. That's because it's the beginning of the fiscal year (meaning there's money in the bank) and the soil has dried out. With all the cleanup work to do after the winter storms, this summer is busier than ever. County Public Works is being very proactive in designing and building fixes to all the storm damage.
Here's an overview of some of the work in the First District that's happened and happening this summer: - Ditching and Mowing: Skyview Terrace, Summit Rd, Soquel San Jose Rd and side roads, Olive Springs, Laurel Glen, Mountain View, Branciforte Dr, Granite Creek, Glen Canyon, North Rodeo Gulch, Glen Haven, Prescott, Porter Gulch
- Thurber Ln Hazard Tree Removal: After a tree fell across Thurber Ln and blocked access to the Santa Cruz Gardens neighborhood last winter we've put together a proactive approach to address remaining hazard trees. Due to the total cost of the project, work will be separated into 4 projects over 4 years. Removal of the first clump happened at the end of July.
- Storm Damage Repairs:
- Prescott Rd 0.28 – Storm damage repair
- Main St. – Culvert Replacement
- Redwood Lodge Rd – Bridge replacement
- Morell Cutoff PM 0.1 – Storm damage repair
- Soquel SJ. Rd. 6.59 (where we have stop signs currently) – Storm damage repair
- Stetson Rd – Storm damage repair, currently in design and trying to fit into this years schedule.
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Photo: a tractor and construction fencing at the Farm Park.
If you've noticed the tractors parked at the Farm Park, you're probably asking "what's going on?" The answer: equipment staging for the Soquel Dr Project!
The Soquel Dr Buffered Bike Lane & Congestion Mitigation Project, as it's officially known, will break ground in the next couple of months. It goes from Harbor High to State Park Dr and will add 10 miles of green bike lanes (buffered and protected) to this high-traffic corridor. It also includes 10 new cross-walks with rapid flashing beacons and an upgrade to the post office cross walk in Soquel Village with new lights. The project will also improve traffic flow with 22 new adaptive stop lights.
The Farm Park is the best place to stage equipment for the Soquel Dr Project because it is publicly owned and centrally located.
The Soquel Dr Project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. At that point the County will partner with the Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship to build dirt bike jumps at the Farm Park. Look out for a fundraising campaign to start next year.
You can learn more about the Soquel Dr Project here.
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Image: Soquel Village area improvements included in the Soquel Dr Project starting in the coming months.
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Photo: a chipping machine grinds up a pile of brush.
The Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Santa Cruz County opened their Fall Chipping Program on August 1st. Neighborhoods with eight or more participating households are eligible for reimbursement of chipping costs to create wildfire defensible space. The program is available to Santa Cruz County residents who live in areas defined as “Wildland Urban Interface” that may potentially be impacted by fire. The program is first-come-first-served. A neighborhood representative can sign up to reserve funds from the Chipping Program here.
Establishing and maintaining defensible space around your home and outbuildings before the fire-prone late summer and early fall is imperative to avoid major damage to your property when wildfire strikes. Defensible space is the buffer you create between buildings and the vegetation that surrounds them to prevent structures from catching fire, either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Creating ample buffer zones not only increases the chances of your home surviving a fire on its own, but it also gives firefighters a safer location from which to defend your home. In fact, fire crews are more likely to prioritize defending your property if you have taken steps to limit fuel loads around your buildings.
Recently, the RCD updated the Santa Cruz County Living with Wildfire Guide in collaboration with Cal Fire and the Fire Safe Council. It is an excellent resource and includes an overview of wildfire behavior and things individuals, neighborhoods and communities can do to prepare for wildfire.
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Cell Towers Adding 72hr Battery Back Up Power
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Image: map showing the locations where permits have been issued for cell towers to install 72hr battery backup power
There's nothing worse than being without internet or cell service in an emergency. Yet that's exactly what rural Santa Cruz County residents have had to deal with through the winter storms and PGE's Public Safety Power Shutoffs (to reduce fire risks).
That's why I've been working with Comcast, AT&T and our County Planning Department to fast-track 72-hr back-up battery power for cell and internet hubs across the Santa Cruz Mountains. Six facilities in the First District have been permitted and will see batteries installed soon: - 25890 ADAMS RD
- 24261 LOMA PRETA AVE
- 502 OLIVE SPRINGS RD
- 4991 BRANCIFORTE DR
- 3875 BRANCIFORTE DR
- 26620 SOQUEL SAN JOSE RD
- 1134 GLEN CANYON RD
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Annual Count Shows 21.5% Decline in Santa Cruz County Homelessness
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Photo: A tiny home village in San Francisco built by non-profit Dignity Moves. A similar village will soon be built in the City of Watsonville thanks to an $8M state grant.
A Point-in-Time (PIT) count is conducted every year to get a snapshot of homelessness in Santa Cruz County. This year's count was conducted on February 23rd, 2023 and showed a 21.5% decline in people experiencing homelessness - the lowest level since the PIT Count was first conducted.
A total of 1,804 people were counted. 79% of people experiencing homelessness were unsheltered. Of those, nearly half slept in vehicles. 30% had some form of employment. Of the unemployed, more than half are looking for work. Nearly 25% have been in the foster care system. 75% percent were residents of Santa Cruz County when they became homeless. This is consistent with findings statewide that the majority of people experiencing homelessness do not stray far from their home county.
This decline is a big step in the right direction. The progress is thanks to significant state investment to address this issue as well as coordinated work by the County and City of Santa Cruz. For example, since the closure of the COVID-19 sheltering system the County has worked with our local Housing Authority to move more than 600 people into permanent supportive housing.
There is also reason to be optimistic with Homekey Projects like Veterans Village and Park Haven Plaza currently under construction to serve veterans, families and former foster youth experiencing homelessness (56 units combined). County Behavioral Health will soon have access to another 100 new supportive housing units through projects currently under development throughout the community — Harvey West Studios and Jessie Street in Santa Cruz, Bienestar Plaza in Live Oak and Tabasa Gardens in Watsonville.
The County just received a $10.1 million state grant to provide 34-units of Behavioral Health Bridge Housing for homeless adults with behavioral health challenges. Finally, a Santa Cruz - Monterey County project received $8 million to address homelessness along the Pajaro River Levee. It will build 34 tiny homes at a church in Watsonville.
"We still have a long way to go,” said Robert Ratner, director of the Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Division. “Addressing homelessness in Santa Cruz County requires long-term, systemic change, but we are heading in the right direction.”
For the full results of the PIT Count click here.
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Photo (left to right): Supervisor Manu Koenig, Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Santa Cruz Councilmember Shrebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Watsonville Mayor Eduardo Montesino, Watsonville Councilmember Ari Parker, METRO CEO Michael Tree, and RTC Executive Director Guy Preston.
Here's the biggest summer news you probably missed while Fourth of July grilling: on July 3rd the U.S Department of Transportation announced it's awarding Santa Cruz METRO $20 million to purchase zero emission hydrogen buses. Combined with a recent $38 million state grant, this means that Santa Cruz METRO will soon be ordering a total of 54 hydrogen fuel cell buses, giving us the largest hydrogen fleet in the nation. Combined with 9 electric battery buses, 60% of all METRO’s buses will be zero emissions within the next 24 months.
We also want to make sure those buses serve as many people as possible. That's why we're undertaking Reimagine METRO, a comprehensive review of the bus routes in the county. This project will update the bus network to be more convenient and reliable.
METRO is considering significant changes to where and how often the bus comes. The goal of the project is to provide more frequent bus service to more people and the destination they want to go.
You can contribute your ideas for the bus network by taking the Reimagine METRO Alternatives Survey by August 15, 2023. METRO planners will also join me at my Town Hall meeting Thursday this week at the Sheriff Center (and on Zoom) to discuss the project (see details below).
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Photo: Leopard lilies grow along a creek at Big Basin Redwoods State Park
Is it worth making the trip to Big Basin? Resoundingly yes.
I’ll admit. I had my doubts: it burned, it’s far, we can’t bring the dog, not very many trails are open. But gliding into the park through the massive and still very much alive trees, you’ll quickly realize that it was worth the journey.
For one, it’s not crowded. On a summer weekday we enjoyed plenty of quiet time on the trail. For another, the water is flowing and there are many cool blue pools surrounded by vibrant undergrowth. The orange Leopard Lilies are a standout.
Finally, the forest prevails. The charred exterior of the trees tells the story of a fiery, molten hell. And yes, some trees were lost. But they are the exception not the rule. For every tree that fell to the flames hundreds more survived. In these uneasy times, the hottest days ever recorded on planet earth, it’s inspiring to remember that we will find a way forward. If we’re smart, we’ll work with the trees to do it.
If you are looking for a fun and hassle free way to get to Big Basin, Santa Cruz METRO is offering 5 departures from the Scotts Valley transit center every weekend through September 10th. Your admission to the park is free with a paid bus ticket. You can even bring your bike! Check out the video below to learn more about the program.
Or you can make a parking reservation. $8 pays for your spot and park entry. (I made a reservation the night before in 5 minutes).
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Video: California State Parks and Santa Cruz METRO join forces to bring visitors to Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
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Image: Santa Cruz County Seal and Santa Crus Mid-County Groundwater Agency logo.
Private well owners are needed as representatives for the Santa Cruz Mid-County Groundwater Agency Board of Directors - learn more about the opportunity here. Applications are due August 14, 2023.
Currently, there are 3 openings on County Commissions. If you are interested in serving, please feel encouraged to explore the commission websites (linked below) and apply!
Historic Resources Commission
Arts Commission
Substance Use Disorder Commission
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Photo: Aerial view of the 1st District.
Tuesday, August 8th - 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.
Thursday, August 10th - Hybrid Town Hall. From 6 PM to 7:30 PM at the Community Room at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, ground floor and on Zoom. With a special presentation by John Urgo from Santa Cruz METRO. He will present an overview of the Reimagine METRO project, review potential route options, and share the latest project updates.
Tuesday, August 22nd - Board of Supervisors Meeting. Begins at 9 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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