A Note from City Manager Matt Huffaker | |
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2023 has been an impressive year for our Citywide Team! This year's final edition of our weekly update is a review of the past year and showcases much of the work done in 2023. While we, of course, cannot include it all—we wanted to share some highlights. Thank you for reading these weekly updates. I am looking forward to the coming year and sharing more City news next year. Our weekly updates will resume the week of January 8, 2024.
Happy Holidays!
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City of Santa Cruz Celebrates a Successful 2023 | |
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In the face of early 2023 challenges from severe storms and coastal damage, the City of Santa Cruz was resilient! Within the City Manager's Office our initial focus on disaster response and recovery paved the way for the start of the West Cliff Stabilization Project. Throughout the year, our integrated Citywide Team tirelessly addressed immediate concerns related to transportation and safety, collaborating with the community to forge a 50-Year Vision for West Cliff—a plan to ensure its resilience and accessibility for all.
Under the guidance of the City Council, we charted a new and ambitious Five-Year Strategic Plan for the City, establishing a robust framework for the years to come. Furthermore, completing and adopting the Climate Action Plan 2030 underscored our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability.
Noteworthy initiatives included the establishment of the Children's Fund Oversight Committee and successfully hosting the City's inaugural State of Youth Summit. The Homelessness Response team reached the 1.5-year mark of the 3-year action plan, seeing a 29% decrease in unhoused people in the City since 2022 and many other achievements throughout the program. A total of 32 regular and special City Council meetings were held, and the diligent management of 270 public record requests showcased our commitment to transparency and public engagement.
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Santa Cruz Public Library Increases Summer Reading by 64% — Hours Total 47,226 | |
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The end of the year is a great time for reflection, as it asks us to look back at accomplishments, learning, and celebrations, giving us the opportunity to glance ahead to the new year and look forward to more opportunities for growth and celebrations.
At Santa Cruz Public Library, we are proud to celebrate a very successful 2023 Summer Reading Program. Over 3,581 readers of all ages participated. Together, they read for over 47,226 hours—no small feat!
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This year the program saw a large increase in participants of all ages, including 2,042 children ages 0–11, 403 teens ages 12–18, and 1,136 adults. These numbers represent an increase of 50% more children than last year, 59% more teens, and 99% more adults. Total participation increased by 64% over last year, which is why this is a wonderful reason to celebrate.
We are fortunate to have librarians serving our young patrons at every branch and at our outreach projects, including the Bookmobile. The Library is also grateful that our school community welcomes and fosters our Summer Reading Program by encouraging reader participation before the end of the school year. We are also grateful for the families and children that join in the events and programs at our branches. We look forward to continuing this success in the 2024 Summer Reading Program.
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Tom Noddy's Bubble Magic at Scotts Valley | |
Children enjoy Fratello Marionettes at Boulder Creek | |
Three Dinosaurs Gruff Puppets at Branciforte Branch | |
Information Technology Implements New Software Solutions | |
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CityWorks Implementation
The Information Technology Department, in collaboration with the Water and the Public Works Departments, recently partnered to implement CityWorks, a Computerized Maintenance Management System. CityWorks is designed to optimize the management of the City's infrastructure assets. CityWorks is a centralized platform for tracking, scheduling, and managing maintenance activities, enabling teams to proactively address issues, reduce downtime, and enhance efficiency. By consolidating data and fostering cross-departmental collaboration, CityWorks improves the responsiveness of maintenance teams and facilitates informed decision making. This initiative is a significant step in building a more resilient and sustainable urban environment in Santa Cruz.
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UKG Pro Time Management Implementation
The Finance and the Information Technology Departments recently collaborated to enhance the City's Time Management System by transitioning to UKG Pro. This advanced system brings a host of features and functionalities, offering a holistic solution for time tracking, attendance management, and payroll processing. Beyond modernizing timekeeping procedures, the upgraded system promotes a smoother synergy between the Finance and Human Resources Departments, laying the groundwork for improved financial reporting and enhanced resource analytics throughout the City's operations.
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Public Works Engineering Makes Progress in Repairing Storm Damage
Our West Cliff storm damage work was front and center this year, starting with the initial emergency restoration after last winter’s bomb cyclone impacts. Our longer-term response to the major storm damage includes two current projects—the West Cliff Stabilization Project and the West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert Project.
West Cliff Stabilization Project
Tremendous progress has been made at the cliff failure locations between Columbia Avenue and David Way. We are building concrete infill walls where specific portions of West Cliff Drive were impacted during the January 2023 storms (920, 932, and 1016 West Cliff). In other areas, large quantities of rip-rap were displaced and new rip-rap will be placed to strengthen the resistance to erosion.
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West Cliff Drive Bethany Curve Culvert Project
The project is now in the design phase and will include construction of new headwalls, roadway stabilization and fill, and pedestrian railings. Construction is planned for spring 2024.
We collected data and hosted both in-person and Zoom community meetings to help us respond to residents’ concerns about West Cliff traffic control. We are collaborating on long-term planning for the West Cliff Drive Adaptation and Management Plan, incorporating community input, and coordinating with other City departments.
Videos of West Cliff construction work, monthly newsletters, traffic updates, and more are available at cityofsantacruz.com/westclifftrafficcontrols .
Another noteworthy 2023 Public Works construction project included the completion of our Ocean Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project.
Ocean Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project
The project enhances traffic safety for all roadway users. It included removal and replacement of ADA-compliant curb ramps, street paving, and striping improvements on Ocean Street and San Lorenzo Boulevard, plus street paving on Dimeo Lane.
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Parking Partnership Benefits Community
In partnership with the Downtown Association, we are hosting the 10th Annual Parking for Hope holiday parking program December 18—25, 2023! The proceeds from street meters during these eight days will be donated to Hope Services, a local nonprofit that helps to keep Pacific Avenue and other Downtown Santa Cruz streets clean. For more than 25 years, Hope Services has provided training and support services to adults with developmental disabilities. Our donations from 2014-2022 totaled $22,568! These donations support the work hours of the dedicated Litter Abatement Crew pictured here.
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Economic Development — A Big Year for Downtown | |
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There is a lot happening in downtown Santa Cruz, centered around much-needed housing development. This year, the Housing Team was awarded the State Prohousing Designation. The City also ranked fifth in the State for providing housing development support. In 2024, community members will move into two 100% affordable housing projects (a total of 135 units!). Another, Pacific Station North, is starting construction downtown and will include a new Metro station.
The Downtown Library Affordable Housing Project hit major milestones this year, with our Infrastructure Team leading the charge. Design permits were approved in March, followed by a $33.5 million award to the project from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program. To close out 2023, 100% design development plans were completed this month, which leads, in turn, to construction-ready design documents.
In 2024, City Arts will support the completion of public art in the first Paseo, connecting Cedar and Center Streets. The Arts Team is celebrating two CARD recipients on their multi-media and performance arts pieces in Andrew Purchin’s “What’s Home” and Senderos’ “Historias de Cultura: Oxacana en Santa Cruz.” Another big win for our Arts Team was the completion of the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study, conducted by Americans for the Arts. The study found that the Arts and Culture Sector brought in $38 million to the City of Santa Cruz economy.
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Last, but certainly not least, the Business Services Team successfully launched the Santa Cruzer—the all-new 100% electric shuttle that replaced the beloved Trolley—to connect our downtown to the beach. Next year, the team will continue to support businesses transitioning their temporary outdoor dining to permanent parklets or private property dining. Finally, the team launched Business Office Hours, inviting business owners to connect with the team in person and learn about any resources or upcoming events.
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Traffic Engineering Launches Bike Share
In June, we launched a new bike share system at no cost to our jurisdiction, with an expanded service area and an important docking system. In partnership with the University of California at Santa Cruz , the County of Santa Cruz, Cabrillo College, and the City of Watsonville, the system is fully owned and operated by BCycle. Over 156,000 rides were completed in the program’s first five months!
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Photo of Cowell Beach by Ryan Chachi Craig
Environmental Compliance Achieves 'A' Grade for Cowell Beach Water Quality
Our Cowell Beach water quality success continued for a fourth year on Heal the Bay’s Annual Beach Report Card with “A” grades for the summer and winter dry sampling categories—a historic achievement.
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Public Works Operations Accomplishments
Our San Lorenzo River Management Project occurred twice this year to help flood conveyance—in the fall as usual and in February—to bring the City’s levees into maintenance compliance as part of our FEMA levee accreditation effort.
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Before: A San Lorenzo River Management site prior to flood conveyance work. | |
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After: A San Lorenzo River Management site after flood conveyance work.
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Santa Cruz Police Department Implements New Policing and Community Service Efforts | |
In 2023, the Santa Cruz Police Department (SCPD) implemented comprehensive measures to enhance public safety and community engagement.
One example is the implementation of seven-day coverage in the downtown area, featuring two sworn officers on each side of the week, ensuring a heightened level of security and fostering increased community interaction. Additionally, 2.5 Community Service Officers are dedicated to the vehicle abatement program, intensifying efforts to address public safety concerns related to abandoned vehicles and nuisance behaviors. The SCPD introduced two new evening traffic officers equipped with state-of-the-art traffic vehicles, amplifying traffic and DUI enforcement initiatives to promote safer streets.
A pivotal step in defining the SCPD's commitment to the community, it established a Mission Statement and Values in 2023. The SCPD's commitment to education is evident through the Tobacco Grant Program, focusing on restricting tobacco sales to minors. Furthermore, hosting bilingual Police Citizens Academy events in both Spanish and English underscores a commitment to community engagement and transparency.
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Anticipating advancements in 2024, the SCPD aims to boost sworn officer staffing levels by at least 80%, emphasizing diversity. Staffing for Records and Property, as well as Evidence sections, will be fully realized, contributing to streamlined operations. An improved radio infrastructure enhances communication between officers and dispatchers, prioritizing officer safety. The introduction of a new drone program and Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) will enhance SCPD's technological capabilities.
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How Your Local Water Heroes Guarded the Water System During 2023 Storms | |
Field Supervisory Jay Mims raising the motors. Note the flood waters coming up through the plates on the floor! | |
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A group of dedicated employees stood by the heart of the City’s water system to prepare it for intense storms at the beginning of the year. The Coast Pump Station is
vital to the City's water system. It pumps water from the north coast creeks and San Lorenzo River up to the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant for treatment.
On January 9, 2023, the station’s pump motors were at serious risk of damage from rising flood waters. With the speed of a NASCAR pit crew, staff disconnected and hoisted
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the motors up and out of harm’s way. When the flood waters receded, staff reinstalled the motors and switched on the pump station to do its job.
This level of teamwork and speed speaks volumes about their commitment to serving the community and maintaining the reliability of the City’s water system.
Your Watershed Warriors have been working hard all year to prepare for more storms and ensure your water experience is seamless, no matter the weather.
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Climate Proofing Our Water System
Climate change is already impacting our water supply and infrastructure. That is why our Water Department is leading an aggressive plan to “climate proof” the system and secure our water future. Below are a few highlights of vital work completed in 2023:
- Piloted and initiated the design of Aquifer Storage and Recovery facilities to store water in wet years for recovery in dry years—consider it a “bank” of underground water we can use when there are no rainy days and surface water is scarce.
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Published the Draft Environmental Impact Report for the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant Improvement Project, which will improve the efficiency and resiliency of our water treatment infrastructure. Learn more and provide feedback here.
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- Made significant progress on the Newell Creek Dam Inlet/Outlet Replacement Project. We are updating the pipeline that allows us to draw water from the reservoir for delivery to the Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant; release water into Newell Creek to maintain fish habitat; and, when conditions allow, pump water from the San Lorenzo River up to be stored in Loch Lomond Reservoir.
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An Award-Winning Water Department
Earlier this year, our Water Department received the American Public Works Association Project of the Year Award for the Laguna Creek Diversion Retrofit Project (in the category of Historical Restoration and Preservation). Congratulations to all involved!
The Laguna Creek Dam was constructed in 1890 and helped create the City’s public water system. Construction to update the dam took place from 2021—2022. The work brought the dam up to modern environmental and safety standards, improved wildlife habitat, and streamlined operations.
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Laguna Creek Dam in 2022
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Parks and Recreation Celebrates Grant Funding, Park Improvements, and Record Attendance and Revenue
Big wins in 2023 for the Parks Division included renovation of Garfield Park, including a brand new playground; receipt of a million dollar grant award for Inflation Reduction Act USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry; installation of new ballfield lights at Harvey West Park; DeLaveaga Golf Course operations turning a profit; several years of reintroduction plus a wet winter leading to 1,899 Santa Cruz tarplants being censused at Arana Gulch; removing over 1,000,000 pounds of storm debris from Main and Cowell Beaches; and signing of a first-ever Memorandum of Understanding with DeLaveaga Disc Golf Club.
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Big wins in 2023 for the Recreation Division included the City's designation as an Age-Friendly Community by AARP to include the development of a master plan on aging; a Civic Auditorium grant for over $320,000 to upgrade and enhance safety at the facility; record revenue across multiple programs, including Junior Guards and the Clam Chowder Cook-Off (over $83,000); implementation of the Civic Business and Operations Plan, which set future revenue/cost targets; Civic Auditorium energy efficiency improvements, including installation of solar panels and an upgraded smart heating system; and Co-Rec Softball rules updated by the Sports/Beaches Team to be more inclusive and foster equity in the softball leagues—all gender-specific references were removed or changed.
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Finance Department Earns 14th National Honor
In 2023, the Finance Department won its 14th consecutive Governmental Finance Officers' Association Award of Financial Reporting Achievement and Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. In addition, the Finance Department initiated a citywide long-range financial plan and fiscal outlook model, processed an estimated 34,000 vendor invoices, and issued 1,350 purchase orders.
Human Resources Department Made Advancements in Employee Training and Safety Initiatives
In 2023, the Human Resources Department took strides to enhance employee training resources by expanding its scope. Collaborating with the Finance Department, the Human Resources Department successfully secured safety training for all staff that is scheduled for 2024. Concurrently, the Human Resources Department initiated the implementation phase of the 2021 Compensation Study.
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Planning and Community Development Department Successes
In 2023, the Planning and Community Development Department submitted the first draft of the 6th Cycle 2023–2031 Housing Element to the State; the Accessory Dwelling Unit Legalization Program was updated; the Sidewalk Vending Ordinance inspection, citation, and impound processes were established; 1,650 building permits were issued; 11,500 phone calls and in-person needs were managed; planners in the Advanced Planning Division gave 20 City Council presentations; and 92% of building plans were reviewed and provided responses within established timelines. The Planning and Community Development Department accomplished this work in five major divisions: Administration, Building and Safety, Advance Planning, Code Compliance, and Current Planning.
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Santa Cruz Fire Department Suffers Losses but Forges Through to Successes in 2023
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The Santa Cruz Fire Department (SCFD) suffered two tremendous losses at the beginning of the year with the passing of Fire Engineer Ben Bynes (February 21, 2023) and Fire Captain Brian Tracy (April 27, 2023). Although we had a terrible start to the year, we were able to honor our fallen, forge through the tragedies, and still end the year with positive wins and successes.
The SCFD had a successful Regional Academy class of 2023 coupled with a lateral recruitment, resulting in three hired and trained firefighters. We acquired a new type-1 engine (3113) and hosted a traditional inaugural push-in ceremony to put the rig in service, with great attendance from the community and City staff.
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16-year veteran Fire Captain Brian Tracy passed away on April 27, 2023. | |
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Due to superior work from the deployed crews, the residential Ocean Street fire on the day after Thanksgiving was successfully extinguished while other surrounding buildings were protected from the threat of fire spread. The SCFD adopted the 11-year-old fire victim this holiday season and will continue to support potential needs in the future.
In total, the SCFD responded to 9,251 calls for service in 2023—206 were fires, 5,273 were EMS, and 3,772 were other types of calls. It was a busy year for the SCFD to say the least!
The SCFD completed five vegetation management projects in 2023 with funding from two grants totaling $369,000. The vegetation area covers 20 acres, of which 4.5 acres were invasive acacia trees.
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Recently retired Fire Engineer Ben Bynes passed away on February 21, 2023. | | |
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City of Santa Cruz
City Manager's Office
809 Center Street
Santa Cruz CA 95060
santacruzca.gov
831-420-5030
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