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Time to Add Your Voice to
Metro Changes
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The last decade has been trying for transportation. Budget crises, political polarization and the Great Recession have combined to make a perfect storm that has resulted in diminished funding for transit and transportation. Starting with the state budget woes that marked the first decade of this century, the Legislature and the Governor systematically stripped billions in funding that was originally earmarked for transportation. They repurposed construction dollars to pay off debt, moved the state truck fees designed to repair roads to pay off additional debt, and remodeled the state gas tax to be capped during the good times (although they provided no protection when gas prices fall). At the federal level, Congress took ten years to reauthorize a major transportation bill which, in the end, provided very little new funding for transportation. Lastly, since sales tax is a primary source of funding for local transit, the Great Recession ripped a $26 million hole in the Metro's budget for bus service.
During the economic downturn, the Metro Board prioritized service to help those without other transportation by dipping into reserves. Unfortunately, the recession was deeper and lasted longer than any other time in the last 70 years and the Metro is now left with low reserves and a slow recovery of sales tax revenue. The Metro has been assessing this structural deficit for the past 18 months and is now looking at ways to restructure routes to stabilize the system. In the mid-county this means that there could be longer waits for some buses and a reduction of routes elsewhere in the system. A full list of suggested changes can be found at www.scmetroforward.com.
The Metro is holding a series of community meetings during the month of May to hear from your concerns about the changes and to receive suggestions about how to make the service changes better or more effective.
May 3 - Louden Nelson Community Center, 3 - 8:00 p.m.
May 12 - Simpkins Swim Center, 3 - 8:00 p.m.
The Metro is open to all suggestions. However not making any cuts is simply not a possibility. They have held up hiring people, postponed salary increases, and cut back on purchases, such as new buses but they still have a structural deficit that is forcing these changes.
Although I remain hopeful that we will get some relief with the passage of the transportation measure that will be on the local ballot in November, we have to prepare for all eventualities. UCSC is contemplating purchasing some of the routes that are planned to be cut, and Cabrillo students are considering a measure to increase their registration fees to provide free bus passes to all students who enroll.
I encourage you to stay informed and participate in any of the upcoming meetings. The Metro Board will not be making any final decisions until June 24.
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Working To Prevent Youth Violence
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In the 1st District we have been working for years to help provide positive, pro-social activities for young people. The recent opening of the Boys & Girls Club is the biggest addition to our community. It builds on the successful work that has been ongoing with Live Oak Community Resources, and the Live Oak School District to build a successful Futsal (indoor soccer) league serving 350 kids and a Jr. Giants non-competitive baseball program that will serve 250 kids. But we can't stop with these successes. To protect our youth and prevent violence involving them, we need to consistently work on a set of strategies that will support young people and their families.
The United Way of Santa Cruz has taken a leadership position by partnering with the Criminal Justice Council to conduct a conference on this issue and then create a Youth Violence Prevention Taskforce (YVPT). They have completed a thorough study and developed recommendations with community leaders, parents and young people. You can read the report here.
To ensure that the plan is enacted, a special Santa Cruz/Live Oak Team has been assembled and comprised of educators, non-profits leaders, elected officials, law enforcement representatives, and young people who will work to guide the strategies discussed in the report in order to effect change in our community. I am a co-chair of this team and the group has broken down into three areas to focus on the most important elements: Youth, Families and Neighborhoods. These subgroups have further refined strategies through community meetings and sessions with young people. You can read their priority strategies here.
There are many opportunities for you and your family to get involved
. I encourage you to be a leader in preventing violence in our community.
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Fireworks in Santa Cruz County
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Over the years my office has received an increase in constituent concerns about the illegal use of fireworks in our community. Typically this has peaked during the Fourth of July holiday; however, I am aware that these calls now occur throughout the year. In addition to the expanding duration of this illegal activity, we have seen that it has moved from the beach areas into our urban and rural neighborhoods. The illegal use of fireworks often impacts our community by traumatizing pets and disturbing neighborhoods, and also poses a significant fire hazard during the dry times of the year.
This year the Sheriff's department has recommended a shift in the way we manage the Fourth of July holiday in an effort to be more responsive to illegal fireworks activity. They believe the proposed plan will significantly improve their effectiveness. Because the residents of the First District, particularly Live Oak, Pleasure Point and the Harbor, are impacted by this illegal activity, I am holding a community meeting where the Sheriff's department can share with you their strategy and hear your concerns and ideas for addressing this issue around the holiday as well as year-round.
Monday, May 16 at 7:00 p.m.
The Center for Public Safety
5200 Soquel Avenue - Santa Cruz
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Wednesday, May 4
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Michael's on Main
2591 Main Street - Soquel
Wednesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 18
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Loma Prieta School Forum
23800 Summit Road
NEW Tuesday, May 24
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Enterprise Technology Center
Santa's Village Rd, Scotts Valley
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Santa Cruz Bike to
Work Week
May 6-13
PG&E Work in Live Oak
PG&E is planning tree and vegetation removal in parts of Live Oak neighborhoods as part of their gas pipeline safety efforts across California. I want to make sure your voice is heard. If you live on or around, Rodriguez St., Bali Way, Chanticleer Ave., Mattison Ln., La Paloma Ln., Gross Rd., or the immediate surrounding area, you may be affected.
Wednesday, May 11
6:00 - 8:30 pm
Live Oak Sheriff Station Conference Rm
(Enter on Chanticleer Ave.)
5200 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz
Oaxacan Guelaguetza Festival
Sunday, May 22
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Harbor High School
300 La Fonda Ave,
Santa Cruz
Call 429-3898 or visit
Jet Path Select Committee Meeting
The newly formed Select Committee on South Bay Arrivals will hold their first organizational meeting on May 6. The Select Committee is comprised of 12 local elected officials and will accept public input, review FAA proposals, and make recommendations on issues identified in the FAA's Initiative with a focus on SFO arrivals and departures that impact the South Bay region, including Santa Cruz County. I will send out an update after this first meeting. We will be taking public input at our next meeting. Join us!
6-8:30 p.m.
Board of Supervisors Chambers
5th floor - 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz
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First District Office
Contact Info
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| Phone: 454-2200
701 Ocean Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Staff
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