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Highlights on Tomorrow's Board of Supervisors Agenda |
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Photo: someone riding an e-bike on the sidewalk. If the proposed ordinance passes Tuesday, it would become illegal to ride an e-bike on the sidewalk in most cases. Item 12. Consider approving in concept an "Ordinance [...] Relating to the Regulation of Motorized Bicycles, Motorized Scooters, and Electric Bicycles" ...More and more people are using e-bikes and e-scooters to get around. In fact, between 2019 and 2022, e-bike sales increased 269% in the United States. This is great for reducing carbon emissions but has raised some safety concerns. The increase of accidents and near misses has led many to ask my office to require licenses for these devices, impound vehicles or take other measures. E-bikes and scooters are largely regulated by the state vehicle code; however, the County does have the power limit where they can be used. This ordinance would ban e-bikes and e-scooters from sidewalks, except in cases where no bike lane exists and then only if no pedestrians are present. An earlier proposed version of this ordinance would also have banned e-bikes from County Parks, however that section has been removed because there was confusion between parks maintained by the County of Santa Cruz and any park located within the County of Santa Cruz, including popular state parks for mountain biking like Nisene Marks and Wilder. There were also concerns that some county parks serve as valuable low-stress connectors between neighborhoods. As a result, the current proposed ordinance does not include parks. However, County Parks has the right to ban bikes, e-bikes, and scooters from its facilities and will evaluate places where it is appropriate to do so in the future. |
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Photo: the Board of Supervisors will consider a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. Item 13. Consider approving in concept an "Ordinance [...] to Prohibit the Use of Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers" ...The use of gas-powered leaf blowers has been identified since at least the year 2000 as a significant contributor to air and noise pollution. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has provided evidence highlighting the adverse environmental and health impacts of these devices. Recently, the State enacted Assembly Bill 1346 (AB 1346), which in conjunction with implementing regulations subsequently adopted by CARB effectively prohibits the sale of new gas-powered leaf blowers beginning January 1, 2024. However, the State did not act to prohibit the use of existing gas-powered leaf blowers. This ordinance would hold property owners responsible for the illegal use of gas-powered leaf blowers on their property as well as business owners/employers who are providing their employees with gas-powered leaf blowers to perform work. The employees themselves would be exempt from the ordinance. Evidence to support a violation may include photographic or video evidence and a declaration attesting to the authenticity, date, time, location and events from the individual taking the photo or video. The financial impact of this ordinance on the County is minimal. The State funding available under AB 1346 will aid local businesses and sole proprietors in transitioning to electric-powered equipment, mitigating potential economic burdens. Additionally, the long-term environmental and health benefits are expected to result in cost savings associated with improved public health and reduced environmental remediation. |
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Photo: a woman camping at one of Santa Cruz's Hip Camp sites. The Board will consider an ordinance to regulate camp sites on private property tomorrow. Item 14. Hold public hearing to consider proposed amendments to Santa Cruz County Code and Local Coastal Program regulating low-impact camping areas ...In the same theme as Airbnb or VRBO, apps now exist that allow you to rent a campsite for the night on someone's private property. At last count, Santa Cruz County had roughly 25 such sites posted on HipCamp. On November 14, 2023, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft a Low-Impact Camping Area (LICA) Ordinance to establish guidelines for these sites. The ordinance would also increase access to outdoor activities to residents of all income levels, expand opportunities for land preservation and stewardship, and provide additional transient occupancy tax to the County. As currently drafted, the ordinance includes provisions such as:
As directed by the Board of Supervisors, staff presented a proposed ordinance to the Planning Commission at public hearings held on March 13 and May 8, 2024. The Planning Commission suggested changes to the ordinance for the Board’s consideration. The Board will conduct a public hearing on the proposed Low-Impact Camping Ordinance and consider the Planning Commission’s recommended changes. You can view the full agenda here: 2024/06/25 09:00 AM Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Web Outline - Santa Cruz County, CA (iqm2.com) |
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Photo: Yellow rotary phone. In important news for residents who rely on landlines for communication, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) formally rejected an application from AT&T to withdraw itself as a carrier of last resort in the state. The last resort designation, which the telecommunications giant has had for almost 30 years, means AT&T must provide basic telephone service, often coming in the form of copper landlines, to any customer requesting the service within designated areas. Thank you to everyone who wrote letters and spoke up about this crucial infrastructure issue for our County and the State of California. Your voices were heard! You demonstrated to the CPUC how vital it is to keep our landlines alive. More details here in the CPUC press release: https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/.../G000/M534/K132/534132863.PDF |
"The Letters" Statue Installed at Simpkins Swim Center/Live Oak Library Annex |
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Photo: The Letters sculpture with artists Sooja Choi and David Sehyoon Choi. Earlier this month the County of Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz Public Libraries announced the installation of the “The Letters,” a public artwork created for the new Live Oak Library Annex. Artists David and Sooja (Soo) Choi collaborated on the fabrication of the seven-foot tall, welded-steel sculpture, composed of over 1,000 individually cut letters which form a crouching figure in the process of picking up words. The title of the work refers to the way that words and letters come alive to convey meaning, helping us to understand ourselves and our world. “The Letters” conveys a sense of one’s own destiny, through words of affirmation such as “liberty,’ “happiness,” “love,” “unity,” “justice,” “peace,” and “hope.” It reminds us that how we move through the world is our choice. All-year-round, the shadows created by “The Letters” will delight visitors to the Annex, the adjoining Simpkins Family Swim Center, Live Oak Community Center, and Parks Department offices. Soo Choi has been drawn to creating large public sculptures for 40 years. Her insightful and conceptual sculptures explore the infinite possibilities of negative space. She specializes in working with various metals, acrylic, as well as mixed media materials. She immigrated to the United States in 1982, and currently works and lives amidst the inspiring landscape of the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband David Choi and her son. With a generous spirit, positive outlook and affable nature, David Sehyoon Choi works and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. After studying printmaking at the esteemed Hongik University in Seoul, Korea, David immigrated to the United States with his wife, Soo Choi, in 1982. Working as a team while each retaining their distinctive style is essential to their work. Later this summer, the public will have an opportunity to meet the artists at the Annex grand opening; check www.parks.santacruzcountyca.gov or www.santacruzpl.org for details. For more information about the County’s public art program, please go here. Additionally, the Live Oak Library Annex will begin hosting the community this summer, offering limited library services. The Live Oak Community Rooms have reopened and are available for reservations. Contact the Santa Cruz County Parks Department at reservations@parks.santacruzcountyca.gov or visit parks.santacruzcountyca.gov. |
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Photo: A person experiencing homelessness receiving outreach. It's a case where no news is good news. Preliminary results from the 2024 Point-In-Time (PIT) Count show Santa Cruz County was able to maintain progress from the 2023 PIT Count in reducing the impacts of homelessness on individuals and the community. The annual PIT Count is an estimate of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single day and offers valuable insights into the current state of homelessness within Santa Cruz County. The overall number of people experiencing homelessness remained essentially unchanged between 2023 and 2024, with a slight 2.6% increase to 1,850. This comes on the heels of 2023 when the count showed a huge 22% reduction in homelessness. Critics suggested the reduction was the result of bad weather making it harder to count people. However, this year's persistently lower number demonstrates real progress is being made. Local investments and strategies, including the Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz County framework, are contributing to sustainable drops in homelessness. “Last year’s numbers were the lowest ever recorded in Santa Cruz County, so it was gratifying to see that work validated in this year’s count,” Housing for Health Director Robert Ratner said. “However, we have a long way to go before we can claim success, and there are many challenges ahead including the anticipated loss of critical State funding.” Preliminary data highlights areas of progress and challenges with specific populations. Proposed cuts to State funding in the areas of housing and homelessness will make it difficult to sustain local progress in future years. Key takeaways from 2024 preliminary PIT Count numbers include: • The number of families experiencing homelessness declined from 76 to 52, with only 4 unsheltered families identified. • Youth, 18 – 24-year-olds, without children in their household declined 40%, from 334 to 199. • There was a 5% reduction in homelessness among children under 18. • There was a 55% decline in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness, from 159 to 72. Federal, State, and local prioritized investments, policies, programs, and housing resources for families, youth, and veterans contribute to the progress seen by these populations. However, a lack of similar focused commitments with other groups contributed to increased levels of homelessness. • There was a 7% increase in homelessness among seniors, those aged 55 and over, mirroring national and statewide trends. • The number of people with disabilities experiencing a year or more of homelessness increased 19% from 573 to 710. • The number of people reporting severe mental illness increased by 5%, while those reporting long-term substance use disorders increased by 32%. Conducted at the end of January 2024, the PIT Count undercounts the total number of people experiencing homelessness throughout the year and excludes those who are in institutions and other populations, including those staying with family or friends. However, consistent methodologies allow useful year-to-year comparisons over time within a given geographic area. The final PIT Count report is expected to be released by the end of July. The full report will provide a more comprehensive analysis and serve as a foundation for informed decision-making and targeted interventions in our ongoing efforts to ensure all County residents have a stable, safe, and healthy place to live. Visit the Housing for Health Partnership website to view the previous year’s results. |
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Photo: South County Government Center ribbon cutting. The County of Santa Cruz on Tuesday, June 11th celebrated the opening of the South County Government Center, commemorating years planning and development across multiple departments to increase services to residents in Watsonville and surrounding areas. The renovated 121,000 square-foot-campus – formerly the headquarters of West Marine – provides a centralized campus for residents to access services offered by the Human Services Department, Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, County Clerk/Elections, and Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office, making them more accessible and convenient for South County residents. “Bringing these essential services together under one roof is a significant step forward for South County," Fourth District Supervisor Felipe Hernandez said. "This new campus will not only enhance the accessibility of County services but also better the quality of life for our workforce and increase equity for residents living in Watsonville." In 2021, the County Board of Supervisors voted to acquire the building for $15.6 million. Following substantial improvements including seismic upgrades, the building opened to the public last month. By allowing the County to sunset ongoing lease agreements and consolidate operations under one roof, the renovated building is expected to save taxpayers money. And by reducing travel to North County for employees and clients and locating services where they are most needed, the project is also expected to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce traffic congestion on Highway 1. “500 Westridge is important not just from a financial standpoint, but also helps us better meet the needs of our residents,” County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios said. “Creating a second headquarters building to balance services is a foundational change in the way we are delivering services that will have lasting benefits for those we serve.” |
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Photo: Hands gathered together. In alignment with its commitment to ensure intentional opportunities and access that foster an environment where everyone can thrive and belong, the County of Santa Cruz, in partnership with the City of Santa Cruz, is accepting funding proposals for the Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments Program. Eligible community organizations are invited to submit a proposal for funding in response to the Request for Proposals (RFP). The CORE RFP released on June 3, 2024, is a first step in awarding $3,790,025 for the upcoming 2025-28 three-year funding cycle. County Supervisors and Santa Cruz City Councilmembers also approved setting aside $1.5 million of the available CORE funding, to be awarded specifically for shelter and homeless prevention services through a separate process. CORE Investments, formerly known as Community Programs, has operated for more than 40 years to allocate local funds to help families and individuals thrive. Enhanced in 2015 to better define community priorities and selection criteria, CORE Investments engages community and subject matter expertise in the proposal review process, provides technical assistance to applicants and to the community, and promotes equity-centered and outcomes-driven collective impact results. The 2025-28 funding cycle will fund eligible agencies that provide a variety of services for those in our community most impacted by systemic inequities such as racism and poverty, helping to collectively ensure Santa Cruz County is a safe, healthy community with equitable opportunities for all. To find the CORE RFP solicitation and any addenda please go here. For more information on the CORE Investments RFP, including a timetable of all major dates, training and technical assistance opportunities, and all corresponding documents, please visit the CORE website. |
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Photo: Next Wave poster with Metro logo. Santa Cruz METRO continues to improve service by offering faster, more frequent and reliable for its riders. Here are some the new changes that started on June 20th: Increased Frequency • Route 1 will increase frequency to every 15-minutes, from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. And, back by popular demand, Route 1 will now use Soquel Ave. instead of Water St. • Hwy-17 Express will increase frequency to every 30 minutes during peak periods. • Route 90X will increase frequency to operate every 30-minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends. River Front Transit Center Updates • Hwy-17 Express will now depart from new Area 4, located in front of the Front St. entrance to Trader Joe’s • Routes 1, 3A, and 3B will have new departure and/or arrival locations at RFTC. • New Route 11 will follow other UCSC routes, departing from Area 1 and arriving at Area 3 Update to Route 78. Take METRO to Big Basin • Big Basin service will continue on the weekends throughout the summer schedule. For all the details go here. |
