February 8, 2024

What Makes Santa Cruz Special? Tell Us!

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our rebranding initiative! So, what does that mean? We are looking at our City's image through the lens of our staff, residents, and businesses to ensure the City’s brand and communications represent everything that makes Santa Cruz such a special place. At the end of this project, we will launch new City of Santa Cruz communications materials, such as a new logo, colors, and other materials that will help us better represent the City. A subsequent project will include a website refresh.  

We are beginning the first phase of our comprehensive project, starting with in-depth research. In line with our ongoing commitment to fostering a vibrant, healthy, and resilient Santa Cruz, we are excited to introduce a significant component of this initiative—a comprehensive community survey titled "What Makes Santa Cruz Special?" The survey aims to dive into the City's essence through the perspectives of those who live, work, and contribute to our diverse community.  

This survey is a crucial step in our collaborative effort to capture the diverse voices and experiences that define Santa Cruz. Our goal is to gather insights that reflect the current sentiment of our residents and staff and guide us in crafting a future that resonates with the unique spirit and aspirations of the community.  



Thanks for taking the survey and sharing it with your friends and family! 

Storm Update

Our dedicated teams diligently responded to the impacts of the recent storm with our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) activated. As Sunday unfolded, we encountered heavy rain, high winds, fallen trees and debris, and widespread street closures across the City.

Public Works crews kept an eye on the San Lorenzo River Levee, monitored West Cliff, helped with traffic closures, set up barricades for public safety, cleared downed trees from roadways and City facilities, and repaired street lights and signs. And this work isn't done.

On Sunday, a tree fell on an aerial sewer line near Hagemann Court. Public Works has been monitoring the situation 24/7 and quickly set up emergency bypass pumping to keep sewer service running. On Saturday, our contractor, Precision Grade, will be out there to permanently repair the line. The work crew may need to work on Sunday, too. We’ll keep neighbors informed of the situation and progress.

Unfortunately, we've observed additional damage at the end of the wharf. The extent of damages is currently being assessed.

While we should be through the worst of this storm system, we may still see some rain. Stay up to date and follow the National Weather Service!

Seamless Leadership Transition: Heidi Luckenbach Steps in As New Director of Santa Cruz Water Department

Last Thursday marked a leadership transition in our Water Department as Rosemary Menard passed the reins to Heidi Luckenbach. After a decade as the Water Department director, Rosemary retired, and now, with 25 years of departmental experience, Heidi continues our journey toward an adaptable and resilient water future.

During Rosemary's tenure, she navigated the Water Department through multiple droughts and wildfires, oversaw infrastructure replacements, updated water meters for efficiency, and led the Water Supply Advisory Committee's critical work to address water supply challenges and prepare for ongoing climate change impacts.

As we confront the challenges of climate change, Heidi's expertise is pivotal in fulfilling our commitment to diversify our water supply and implement innovative solutions. Adapting to the fluctuations in water abundance and scarcity due to weather whiplash is essential to sustaining our way of life and ensuring Santa Cruz's resilience for generations to come.

Stay informed and engaged by signing up for the Our Water Our Future Newsletter, where we share updates on water supply initiatives.

In 2022, the City of Santa Cruz launched a three-year Homelessness Response Action Plan. As we hit the halfway point of our three-year plan, we are cautiously optimistic that our program and outreach efforts are making a positive impact in our community and helping people get housed.

In Santa Cruz County, about 1,804 citizens are experiencing homelessness. Approximately 1,028 of them are living in the City of Santa Cruz. This is a 29% decrease in one year in the number of unhoused people within City limits.

The City's outreach team engages in street-level outreach with unhoused individuals, meeting them in encampments or wherever they may be staying. When meeting a new client, they offer help and support, provide access to shelter and services, and make life-saving connections with people.

Our Safe Parking Program and two 24/7 shelters — 1220 River Street Transitional Community Camp and City Overlook at the National Guard Armory — are key parts of the City's homelessness response efforts.

The City's Long-term Safe Parking Program provides 24/7 parking for oversized vehicles at the National Guard Armory. The Santa Cruz Free Guide operates the program, and on-site case management, housing navigation, and healthcare services are available. In 2023, 40% of program participants moved into more supportive housing during their stay.

Jessie Street Terrace Apartments Update

We are happy to announce that Jessie Street Terrace Apartments is now “out of the ground” and currently at 20% completion! MidPen is anticipating project completion in early 2025. This month, more project work will be done on retaining walls and wood framing.

For further updates on this project and other affordable housing projects in the City of Santa Cruz, visit the Housing Assistance Information website.



Annual Water System Flushing Starts Next Week

As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining water quality and safeguarding public health, the Santa Cruz Water Department will start its annual flushing maintenance next week. This essential routine maintenance, mandated by the Water Board, will take several months to complete.

Flushing forces water through pipes at high speeds to cleanse the distribution system of any accumulated sediments to optimize water quality and improve the capacity of our pipes. While this process is carefully planned to minimize disruptions, residents may experience temporary changes in water clarity or pressure. If you experience any issues, please call customer service at (831) 420-5220.



Please don’t be alarmed if you see our crews releasing water from hydrants! It’s part of the process. Your cooperation during this period is appreciated, as it contributes to the longevity and reliability of our water infrastructure. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to ensure a clean, safe, and reliable water supply for our community.



Improving Our Parks

Numerous park planning and facility improvement projects are underway. Here is a brief status update on several of those projects:

• Pogonip Homeless Garden Project: Work is underway on a site decontamination and remedial action plan.

• San Lorenzo Point/Three Princes Park: The State Parks Department is advancing with ADA improvements in collaboration with the City's Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments.

• Harvey West Park Redesign: Will start by the fall of 2024.

• Harvey West Pool Feasibility Study: Will be completed in February 2024.

• Civic Auditorium Improvements: The solar and roof replacement projects are complete, and the hand railing installation is underway.

• Golf Course Driving Range: The Rangeside Bar ADA improvements are in design, and other improvements are slated to start soon.

• Main Beach Restrooms: The contractor began construction and renovation of the Beach Street restroom in December. The project is expected to be completed by the end of May.

• Market Street Senior Center: This Community Development Block Grant-funded project is in the planning and design phase.

• Westside Research Park Pickleball Courts: The location of this project is on the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) property. Parks and Recreation Department staff are meeting with UCSC regarding plans and agreements. The City Council is slated to review the project completion timeline.

• Downtown Site Furnishings and Improvements: Plans are complete, and implementation will begin in spring 2024.

• West Cliff: In-fill walls are currently under construction. Due to last week's rain, new paths are closed near West Cliff and Columbia. West Cliff landscape design plans will be launched by the Fall. More information on current work can be found on the Public Works Department's webpage.

Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off

Register now to compete in the Santa Cruz Clam Chowder Cook-Off on February 24 and 25, 2024. Get more information, buy tasting kits, and more on the Beach Boardwalk website.

Winter/Spring Activity Guide Now Online

The 2024 Winter/Spring Activity Guide is now online in English and Spanish. Register now for classes, Spring Break camps, and more.

West Cliff Update

Due to the recent storm, Granite Construction has not been conducting work on West Cliff this week. Instead, they have utilized this time to conduct assessments of the area for any potential damage resulting from the recent storm. Fortunately, no significant issues are suspected at this time. Watch the update video!

Community Conversations Continue 

On January 30th, a community meeting was held to review the top themes and priorities from the various outreach meetings, surveys, and public opinion research results related to the 50-year Community Vision. You can review the recording now and learn more about all the work completed to date!



City of Santa Cruz

City Manager's Office

809 Center Street

Santa Cruz CA 95060

santacruzca.gov

831-420-5010