Image: collage of home kitchen photos The Santa Cruz County Board is considering a new ordinance to launch a two-year pilot program allowing Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO). This would let residents operate small food businesses from their homes, subject to health and safety standards. The ordinance is exempt from further environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The program will involve application procedures, inspections, and enforcement measures. The goal is to boost economic opportunities while ensuring food safety. The board will revisit the program in 12 months for a status update.
The Santa Cruz County Board is considering a report on the 2024 Future of Public Health initiative and Community Health Indicators. This initiative, funded by a state grant, aims to modernize local public health systems and address key health challenges. The presentation will cover findings from the 2024 Community Health Assessment, focusing on mental health, access to healthcare, housing security, and children's health. Despite a budget cut, the Health Services Agency plans to maintain essential services and continue working towards public health improvements through data-driven strategies and community collaboration.
The Human Services Department is presenting a status report on the Collective of Results and Evidence-Based (CORE) Investments Request for Proposals (RFP). The CORE program aims to fund community organizations supporting equity and well-being in Santa Cruz County. The report outlines proposed funding for Fiscal Years 2025-28, including $3.79 million for services like housing, education, and family support. The Board is asked to approve the distribution of funds and provide guidance on carve-outs for prioritized services. Final recommendations will be presented by November 2024.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors is conducting a study session on the Housing for a Healthy Santa Cruz Strategic Framework, aimed at addressing homelessness in a comprehensive and compassionate way. The Board will adopt a resolution in response to a Supreme Court ruling and Governor Newsom's executive order related to homelessness and encampments. The session also includes a review of the county's six-month progress on homelessness reduction efforts and outlines goals for the next six months. There is no immediate financial impact from the proposed actions.
The proposed resolution would guide Santa Cruz County’s approach to homelessness by promoting a compassionate and comprehensive strategy. It responds to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling and Governor Newsom's executive order on addressing homeless encampments. The resolution emphasizes core values and principles, focusing on collaborative, humane responses to homelessness and encampments, particularly in sensitive habitats. It aims to develop coordinated protocols across various departments to address both humanitarian and environmental concerns, aligning with broader state efforts to address homelessness compassionately.
The six-month update on homelessness in Santa Cruz County (January to June 2024) shows mixed results. The overall homeless population remained stable compared to 2023. However, reductions were noted among veterans, youth, and families with children, while homelessness increased among seniors and people with disabilities. Progress was made in reducing the average length of homelessness and preventing returns to homelessness, although further improvements are needed. Significant gaps remain in linking unsheltered individuals to housing programs, particularly in areas like outreach and capacity.
The Santa Cruz County Board is considering options for expanding cannabis cultivation canopy limits. Two options are proposed: one allows a 2% annual increase in canopy size, and the other permits a one-time expansion of 10%. Both options apply to specific zoning districts Commercial Ag (CA), Special Use (SU), and Timber Preserve (TP). They aim to align with sustainable growth and economic development goals. The board will decide which option to move forward, schedule a review with the Planning Commission, and return with recommendations by December 2024. The financial and workload impacts are also considered for both options.
You can view and comment on the full agenda here: 2024/09/10 09:00 AM Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Web Outline - Santa Cruz County, CA (iqm2.com)
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Adopt a Sidewalk Planter - Pilot Program
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Photo: Pleasure Point Park looking good thanks to volunteers who adopted this planter.
Live Oak and Soquel have many sidewalk planters that could use more love. This issue became more noticeable in recent years when inflation outpaced the County's budget for streetscape maintenance in mid-county. This past winter residents and businesses rejected a measure that would have increased funding for sidewalk and streetscape maintenance. County roads crews have done what they can on a limited budget, focusing on clearing tall weeds in medians in the middle of the road that block sightlines. However, sidewalk planters, which are typically not a safety risk, could use more care.
Meanwhile, along East Cliff volunteers have demonstrated that a little elbow grease can go a long way. Recent work transformed these sidewalk planters (like the one pictured above) from dirt-patches into gardens. Let's bring that passion to every part of the District!
If there's a sidewalk planter near you that you want to improve with maintenance, plantings or art, please click on the button below and complete the interest form. My office will follow up with you as we finalize the program. The goal is to begin the program this fall so that plants can be installed this winter and become established with the winter rain. Most all of the irrigation systems for these planters no longer work so we are going to have to work with nature and watering cans!
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Photo: A firefighter working a controlled burn.
The University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network is partnering with CalFire, California State Parks, Indigenous groups and others on October 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park ($10.00 entrance fee applies) to demonstrate live burns and offer educational opportunities to the community.
The Good Fire Fair will offer educational activities for children and adults: - Learn how to safely build, tend and extinguish a campfire
- Learn how to make your home more resilient to wildfire
- Watch live burns of piles and redwood understory growth (likely between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., depending on the weather)
More details on the event can be found here.
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Photo: A person using a chipping machine.
The Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Santa Cruz County is offering neighborhoods with five or more participating households a reimbursement of chipping costs related to the creation of defensible space for wildfire preparedness. The program is available to Santa Cruz County residents who live in areas -- defined as “Wildland Urban Interface” areas -- that may potentially be impacted by wildfire.
A neighborhood representative can sign up to reserve funds here. The program is first-come-first-serve.
This program incentivizes the creation of defensible space around homes and private roads in high wildfire risk areas by offering communities with a minimum of five participating households up to $250 per property and $80/500 linear feet of road. Each property must clear vegetation within 100 feet of occupied structures or 10 feet on either side of a private road that could contribute to the ignition or spread of wildfires.
Funding for this program is provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program and the Fire Safe Council of Santa Cruz County, as well as the California Coastal Conservancy.
For more information email chipping@rcdsantacruz.org or call Laurel Bard at (831) 205-4486.
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Photo: CERT class trainees.
When disaster strikes will you know what to do?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Basic Training course prepares you to help yourself and others at home and in your community in the event of a catastrophic disaster such as wild-land fires, flood, or earthquake. Because first responders will not be able to help everyone immediately, CERT training can help you stay safe, save lives, and protect property. You will learn what to do on your own, in your neighborhood, and how to help others as part of a CERT team.
The CERT Auxiliary of Santa Cruz County is offering a free 21-hour training over 3 weekend days. Topics covered through discussion and hands-on-practice include Disaster Preparedness, Disaster and Psychological First Aid, Fire and Utility Safety, and Simple Search and Rescue.
Dates: - Saturday, September 21 and 28, 9 am - 5 pm and Saturday, October 5th, 9 am - 4:30 pm. All classes required.
- Location: September 21 & 28: Watsonville Fire Station #2, 370 Airport Blvd, Watsonville. October 5th: Central Fire Station 1, 930 17th, Live Oak.
Please visit https://santacruzcountycert.org/cert-training-classes for information and to sign up.
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Image: Free fare to the fair poster.
The Santa Cruz Metropolitan Transit District (METRO) is offering free fares on both fixed-route and ParaCruz services to the Santa Cruz County Fair hosted at the Watsonville Fairgrounds, September 11-15th.
To provide additional service to Santa Cruz County Fair attendees, METRO has created a special route, Route 79F, that will provide free daily service to the Watsonville Fairgrounds. Additionally, METRO will offer free service on the Route 79 weekend service and daily ParaCruz service to the fairgrounds in Watsonville. Fixed-Route customers can utilize Route 79F to get to the Fairgrounds daily, but Route 79 will only provide service to the fairgrounds during the weekends on September 14-15th.
Riders who take Routes 79F, 79 or ParaCruz service to the Fair will also receive discounted County Fair tickets. To obtain the discount, riders should request a coupon voucher from the operator and present the voucher at the fair ticketing window when purchasing tickets. Discounts tickets are $15 for adults ($7 savings) and $5 for children ($6 savings).
Service will depart from the Watsonville Transit Center on the hour from noon – 10pm on weekdays and 10am – 10pm on weekends and will offer a return trip from the County Fair at :25 past the hour from 12:25pm – 10:25pm on weekdays and 10:25am – 10:25pm on weekends.
Go here for information on taking METRO to the County Fair. For details on the Santa Cruz County Fair visit santacruzcountyfair.com.
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SOQUEL DRIVE BUFFERED BIKE LANE AND CONGESTION MITIGATION PROJECT
Date: Tuesday, 9/10 - Tuesday, 9/17
Location: Soquel Drive/Soquel Avenue (7th Avenue to State Park Drive)
Time: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
From Tuesday, September 10, to Thursday, September 12, from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm traffic signal modifications will take place along Soquel Avenue and Soquel Drive, between 7th Avenue and State Park Drive. These traffic signal modifications are necessary for upgrades to traffic signal systems along the Soquel Avenue/Soquel Drive corridor. Commuters may experience delays during traffic signal modifications.
More information about this project can be found on the Soquel Drive Project website.
SOQUEL CREEK WATER DISTRICT'S PURE WATER SOQUEL MICRORESURFACING PROJECT
Date: Sunday, 9/22 - Monday 9/23 (night work) and Wednesday 9/25, Thursday 9/26, Friday 9/27 (daytime work) Locations:
Night 1 Night 2 Porter St - Off Ramp Closed / Porter St Closed S Main St - EB and WB Lane Park Ave - Off Ramp / On Ramp Closed
Day 1 Day 2 Soquel Ave - EB Lane Gross Rd/ Auto Plaza Dr - WB Lane Wharf Rd - SB Lane E Walnut St - WB Lane Cabrillo College Dr - WB ane Willowbrook Lane - SB Lane
Day 3 Time: (Night work) 10 PM - 6 AM and (Day work) 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM for non-commute routes and 9 AM - 3 PM for commute routes (i.e. Cabrillo College Drive, Park Avenue, Soquel Drive/Ave)
Questions? Contact: Skyler Murphy, Water Resources Planner, via email |
Photo: Board of Supervisors meeting in Board Chambers.
Tuesday, September 10th - 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.
Tuesday, September 24th - 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.
Wednesday, October 2nd - Office Hours from 1 PM to 3 PM. Come visit me at the 1st District Office in Live Oak at the Sheriff's Center, 5200 Soquel Ave, ground floor. Bring your questions and we will meet one-on-one. First come, first served.
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