Agenda Highlights for Tomorrow'sBoard of Supervisors Meeting
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The opioid epidemic has significantly impacted Santa Cruz County. In 2018 the County had 30 accidental opioid overdose deaths. In 2023, from Jan-Oct, the County had 97 accidental opioid overdose deaths. Nearly half of these were among people who were housed, and white males were the most impacted demographic (see data from Sheriff-Coroner's Office here).
In 2018, Santa Cruz County filed a complaint against fourteen opioid manufacturers and distributors, alleging that they dispensed opioids in ways that the industry knew to be dangerous, addictive, and prone to abuse. The County’s case was combined with thousands of other opioid cases for joint administration purposes.
In 2021, local political subdivisions and state agencies across the Country reached settlements with the three largest pharmaceutical distributors, McKesson, Cardinal Health, Amerisource Bergen, and manufacturer Johnson & Johnson (J&J). In late 2022, agreements were announced with three pharmacy chains, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, and two additional manufacturers, Allergan and Teva. Additional defendants proceeding separately in bankruptcy courts are Purdue Pharma and members of the Sackler family, Endo, and Insys.
As a result of these settlements, the County of Santa Cruz expects to receive approximately $26 million over the next 18 years, including $1,046,609 for Fiscal Year 2023-24. This item proposes to work with the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County to create a grant program that would distributes the majority of the funds to projects that alleviate the opioid epidemic.
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In November 2023, Environment California and Azul submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission proposing the expansion of 6 marine protected areas, including the Natural Bridges State Marine Reserve (SMR), and the designation of a new SMR at Pleasure Point. The petition included letters of support from Mayor Fred Keeley and Assemblymember Dawn Addis.
The proposed Pleasure Point SMR would be about 3.2 sq mi, with boundaries ranging from the northeastern edge of Trees Beach along the mean high tide line to the tip of Soquel Point. From the mean high tideline, the proposed boundary extends south (offshore) by 2.5 sq mi. The stated goal of expanding and establishing these SMRs is to enhance the condition, diversity, and size of kelp forests'.
The designation of State Marine Reserves prohibits any injury, damage, taking, or possession of living, geological, or cultural marine resources, except under specific permits or authorizations. Such restrictions severely limit recreational fishing opportunities in these designated areas and could disproportionately affect the well-being of local communities dependent on fishing-related activities.
Since daylighting of the petition, there has been a significant outcry from the Santa Cruz community about its potential impacts. This item would express the Board of Supervisors' opposition to the proposed expansion.
The Fish and Game Commission has just completed its 10-year management review of marine protected areas. At its next meeting on March 19th, the commission will discuss its approach to evaluating petitions for program expansion, such as this one. Public comment will be accepted. Links to the agenda and Zoom link are available here.
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The County of Santa Cruz has been working on a Regional Bike Share Program with neighboring jurisdictions. The goal of the program is to create a seamless network of electric bikes that can replace short car trips for residents and tourists alike. BCycle was selected as the operator. Unlike the Jump bikes from before, BCycle bikes must checked out and returned to a docking station. Parking on streets and on sidewalks without a station is not permitted.
Last year BCycle launched the program in the City of Santa Cruz and at UCSC. They are now ready to begin installing docking stations and bikes in mid-county and Capitola. 13 docking stations are proposed in the Live Oak area (view map here): 7th and Brommer Santa Cruz Harbor Live Oak Library Moran Lake County Park Pleasure Point 40th and Portola Brommer St. Park 17th and Brommer Foster and Capitola Jose and Rodriguez Paul Sweet Rd/Dominican Sunny Cove Chanticleer Park
Additional locations for docking stations in Soquel are currently being explored. The program will not cost the County any money.
In response to reports of many near collisions between e-bikes and pedestrians, my office is pursuing an ordinance that would make it illegal to ride an e-bike on the sidewalk. We expect to introduce the ordinance at the March 26th meeting of the Board of Supervisors.
Full agenda: 2024/03/12 09:00 AM Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting - Web Outline - Santa Cruz County, CA (iqm2.com)
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Photo: A vacation rental displaying required signage.
The County of Santa Cruz’s Planning Division is stepping up enforcement efforts on unpermitted vacation rentals. A Code Compliance officer dedicated to Vacation Rentals was hired in October 2023, and the zoning administrator heard the first two cases for permit revocation on February 2nd. This move aims to mitigate the adverse effects of unregulated short-term vacation and hosted rentals on housing availability in the county.
Property owners can obtain permits, which are valid for five years and are encouraged to schedule a zoning appointment with Planning staff to review the permit submission requirements: bit.ly/schedule-permit-appointment. Short-term rentals are regulated by sections 13.10.690 and 13.10.694 of the Santa Cruz County Code.
Property owners failing to comply with permit requirements will face citations - with escalating fines for subsequent violations. Persistent non-compliance could result in the posting of a notice of violation and the imposition of associated fees and penalties of up to $2,500 per violation after 90 days and revocation of permits. Permits may be denied renewal for significant violations of the vacation rental ordinance. The public can report unpermitted and non-compliant vacation and hosted rental properties online at bit.ly/vacation-rental-violation.
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Photo: The County's existing psychiatric care facility on Soquel Ave. The bridge housing project will be constructed on the neighboring lot.
The Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency and Human Services Housing for Health Division announced construction of a pioneering 34-bed low-barrier navigation center, the first of three similar facilities planned throughout Santa Cruz County.
Funded through a $10.2 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) for the Behavioral Health Bridge Housing (BHBH) Program, the new facility will provide County Behavioral Health services and interim supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness with behavioral health conditions, with priority for Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court participants.
"The Behavioral Health Bridge Housing Program represents a significant step forward in addressing the intersection of homelessness and behavioral health challenges in our community," Santa Cruz County Health Services Director Mónica Morales said. "Through collaborative efforts and innovative approaches, we can provide much-needed support and pathways to stable housing for individuals in need."
“This will be the first of its kind referral-based facility in Santa Cruz County and will provide a service-rich environment with on-site interim housing so that individuals with psychiatric health and substance use disorder needs are not discharged back to the streets,” Housing for Health Director Dr. Robert Ratner said. “Once established, this program will help Santa Cruz County secure additional state and federal dollars to address homelessness.”
To be located at 2202 Soquel Avenue adjacent to the existing Behavioral Health Center operated by Telecare, the project is a critical step in a broader strategy to provide a more robust housing continuum for those with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. Stakeholder engagement and input from groups including individuals with lived experience of mental illness underscored the urgent need for housing solutions with integrated behavioral health services.
The referral-only facility will be built on county-owned land using modular construction and is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Two more navigation centers are being developed to expand services and reduce the impacts of homelessness on individuals and the community.
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Image: Logo for the Santa Cruz County Cannabis Licensing Office
The Board of Supervisors directed the Cannabis Licensing Office to seek input from the public regarding policies related to: - Farm tours and sales - limited sales of cannabis from cultivators directly to consumers.
- Consumption lounges - allowing consumption on-site at existing retail businesses.
- Canopy limits - allowing a modest increase in the total area where cannabis can be grown on a parcel and increasing cultivation limits within greenhouses
A Cannabis Policy Listening Session to discuss these topics is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27th from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Sheriff’s Office Community Room, 5200 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz 95062 and on Zoom.
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Image: A rendering of the new Capitola Ave Overcrossing. It will include widened sidewalks and a bike lane. The current bridge over the highway will be demolished this month to begin construction.
County
Sewer Pipe Repair Project Sanitation work for the 2022 Sewer Pipe Repair Project is set to take place between 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the following locations and days: - 17th Avenue (Near address: 2140 17th Avenue): Thursday, March 7 - Wednesday, March 13, 2024
- Mattison Lane (From address: 2740 Mattison Lane to the cul-de-sac): Thursday, March 14 - Friday, April 12, 2024
- 43rd Avenue (From address 1780 43rd Ave to Capitola Road): Monday, April 15 - Wednesday, May 22, 2024
If you have any questions, you can contact Cristina Crocker, County of Santa Cruz, via email or by phone at (831) 477-3956 or Alfred Lee, APB General Engineering, via email or by phone at (925) 989-1453.
CALTRANS
Demolition of Capitola Ave Bridge Starting on Monday, March 11, at 9 a.m., crews will close the Capitola Ave. overcrossing at Hwy. 1 to all vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic and begin preparation for its demolition. This long-term closure will be in effect for approximately 14 months. A detour will be in place via Bay Ave./Porter St. and Park Ave. Message and directional signs will be posted to assist travelers.
There will be a 24-hour Closure of Hwy. 1 for demolition of the Capitola Avenue Bridge from Saturday, March 23, at 7 p.m. through Sunday, March 24, at 7 p.m. Travelers will encounter a full closure of Hwy. 1 between Bay/Porter and Park Ave. Demolition crews will use this 24-hour closure to safely demolish the Capitola Ave. overcrossing and haul materials away.
During this 24-hour closure, travelers on northbound Hwy. 1 will exit at Park Ave. and travel on Soquel Dr. to rejoin northbound Hwy. 1 onramp at Bay/Porter. Travelers on southbound Hwy. 1 will be directed off at Bay/Porter, travel on Soquel Dr. and rejoin southbound Hwy. 1 at the Park Ave. onramp. Highway 1 will fully reopen to travel on Sunday March 24 at 7 pm.
The date for the demolition of the Capitola Ave. overcrossing and 24-hour closure of Hwy. 1 is weather dependent. Updates will be provided in advance of March 23.
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Photo: Board of Supervisors meeting in Board Chambers.
Tuesday, March 12th - Board of Supervisors Meeting starting at 9:00 AM. The agenda is found here. The meeting will be held via Zoom and in person at the Board Chambers at 701 Ocean Street, Rm 525.
Wednesday, March 13th - 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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