November 15, 2024

Public Input Needed on City’s Local Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan

The City of Santa Cruz is seeking your input on its updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), which will help our community reduce the impact of disasters on people and places. The plan identifies hazards in our local area, addresses our vulnerabilities, and develops long-term risk-reduction strategies.

Natural and climate-related hazards are expected to increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The LHMP incorporates the City's Climate Adaptation Plan to better integrate hazard mitigation with climate adaptation and build climate resilience in our community. Potential risks covered by the LHMP include dam failure, tsunamis, coastal erosion, and sea level rise.

We are seeking your input on the Local Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan — please review the plan and provide your feedback through the link below by November 29.

Homelessness Response Outreach Offers Housing and Support Before Winter

To keep Santa Cruz community members safe as winter approaches, the Homelessness Response Outreach Team is connecting with people staying near high-risk areas where flooding, high winds, or landslides may be possible. The team offers shelter to all interested and helps people access vital social services.



Throughout the winter season, the team will distribute flyers with information on severe weather shelters and Cruz Aware, the county’s emergency alert system that provides critical information via text and email during natural disasters, severe weather events, public safety concerns, and other emergencies. Learn more about homelessness outreach and shelter programs.

Community Update Webinar: 

5-year Roadmap for West Cliff 

Date: November 19

Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m. (via Zoom)

Join us for a webinar where we’ll report on the community's rankings of proposed projects and other ideas for the 5-year Roadmap for West Cliff. 

Up Next!  

• The public comment period for the Draft 5-Year Roadmap will open in December 2024 and will be available through January 2025. More details coming soon!
• The 5-year Roadmap will go to the City Council in early 2025. 



Cub Scout Troop Visits SCFD Station 1

Cub Scout Troop 674 recently visited Santa Cruz Fire Department Station 1 for a fun educational tour. Excitement filled the air as the young scouts explored the brightly colored fire engine, marveling at the array of tools and equipment meticulously arranged on its sides. With wide eyes, they learned about each essential tool, learning how firefighters use them to perform daring rescues and tackle emergencies.

Community Input Needed for Midtown Property-Based Business Improvement District

Since May, the Economic Development and Housing Department has collaborated with consultants to determine the feasibility of a property-based business improvement district (PBID) for the Midtown/Eastside area.

Similar to the PBID downtown, this effort aims to support Midtown/Eastside with services ranging from maintenance and beautification to marketing, branding, special events, and district management. Any revenue gathered through these assessments would be managed by the district’s board of directors.

Through workshops and meetings with stakeholders, including property and business owners, the consultants provided a vision for services to potentially be offered in Midtown/Eastside. If you are a property or business owner in the area, we invite you to meet with other stakeholders and the consultant team to learn more about the PBID. Community workshops will be held at the Branciforte Library Community Room at 230 Gault Street, Santa Cruz.

Choose from:

Monday, November 18, from 5–6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, November 19, from 8:30–10 a.m.

Spanish translation will be available at both events.

Santa Cruz Surfing Museum Featured by ABC News

Located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse on Lighthouse Point in Santa Cruz, the Surfing Museum overlooks Steamer Lane, where surfers have been riding the waves for over 100 years. ABC News reporter John Bartell recently explored the museum, encouraging viewers to visit. Check out the coverage on ABC's website.



Fire Department Partners with Santa Cruz Warriors for Local Heroes Night on November 30

On Saturday, November 30, at 7 p.m. at the Kaiser Permanente Arena, the Santa Cruz Warriors will host their annual "Local Hero's Night." At halftime, SCPD and SCFD will compete in a friendly halftime competition. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go towards the Brian Tracy Foundation, which provides financial support to local first responder families.

Last year, we supported a first responder family with a check for $1,500, and we are setting our sights on eclipsing that number! This year, the Brian Tracy Foundation identified Hollister Fire Captain Tim Schneider, an active 28-year member of the HFD who dedicated his career to serving the community where he grew up. Tim suffered a major hemorrhagic stroke, leading to significant impairments.

This year, the Warriors organization enhanced the event site with options for sharing this event with friends and family and the capacity to secure seating areas for small and large groups.



City of Santa Cruz

City Manager's Office

809 Center Street

Santa Cruz CA 95060

santacruzca.gov

831-420-5010