[{"_1":2,"_106":-5,"_107":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,84,94],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6319668,"mediaKeyId","2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1","parentId",2360694,"title","Board unanimously reaffirms county support for LGBTQ+ individuals and women's reproductive and bodily autonomy","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4327000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1&start=4327&end=4327","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1/thumbnail_4327000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6319668/Santa-Cruz-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Board-unanimously-reaffirms-county-support-for-LGBTQ-individuals-and-womens-reproductive-and-bodily-autonomy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319668-2537ad1ab4eb018764c2bf2632dce9fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165705&Signature=aHrv8BVUii8SLrgOuQD5w60plDfPf5WXCvrTAX2wKEMknzak0BgCeY3jMYQkUFPhRoD9qZC7csNud5p~fsi2zuZhpDW-z5VKKh0RlnIKV9fw2q0Xn5i8XR15VMGiB5XanB1mlhHRlB4pBIqAh0dr-T3sCJ2N8-dYNMPJOMfUprEicVUfoC9YzhYh4s5vIrw4cxfZWFB14e3xaDKHBtyvgLB202nJ6dizG2obktDw~V9OgwFnU9TmLn2rzAFtLKWk5o9uJQrvndaZHEz8~qduE8A2nMlSMZNa7mHewEF6-HeWn969N9IXOKqjcL1PeyPpRto3nEglt-TDDiRPhCt04w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","CTV Santa Cruz County","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution reaffirming the county's commitment to protect and support LGBTQ+ individuals and women's bodily autonomy and to monitor and respond to federal policy changes that could threaten local services.

Supervisor Monica Martinez introduced the resolution, citing a history of county action dating to 1975 and more recent local resolutions on reproductive and transgender rights. Martinez asked the county administrative officer to work with departments to identify any federal or state policy shifts that could reduce funding or impede services for LGBTQ+ people and women and to return to the board with recommended actions or a special meeting if rapid response is required.

Health Services Agency Director Monica Morales described internal actions the county has taken and intends to take: reinforcing staff messaging and training, expanding communication and outreach to community-based organizations, and organizing cross-agency workgroups to track policy changes and support service continuity. County EEO Officer Mitsuno Bauermeister described internal personnel policies already in place, including a county gender-inclusion policy and regular training to make county workplaces safe and affirming for transgender and gender-diverse employees.

Public commenters urged the board to adopt the measure; advocates and service providers — including Planned Parenthood and local youth and community organizations — spoke in support. Supervisors noted the resolution is both a message of solidarity for vulnerable residents and a practical step directing staff to identify risks and respond quickly if federal actions threaten locally funded programs.

The resolution passed unanimously and the board directed staff to return with assessments and recommendations as federal policies evolve.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors 1/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","In a unanimous vote, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution reaffirming Santa Cruz County's commitment to protect the rights and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ residents and women, and directed the CAO to report quickly if federal actions threaten county-funded services.","taxTitle","Santa Cruz City, Santa Cruz County, California","taxId",4734,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":42,"_43":77,"_45":77,"_46":78,"_48":79,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6319673,"Measure Q implementation begins: board staff to seat oversight panel, draft vision plan and start grants program design",3499000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1&start=3499&end=3499","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1/thumbnail_3499000.jpg","/articles/6319673/Santa-Cruz-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Measure-Q-implementation-begins-board-staff-to-seat-oversight-panel-draft-vision-plan-and-start-grants-program-design","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319673-d52e6a82b089940cab4501f4038afa5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165705&Signature=I47pQr0u7XC5PRd83I6dVdCI~VkqOZzjdJOkImwIe3fAo1bRwgy89db-zCBADmUo5lXt53F79aMplrMjI-Ga2xdu~aikm4mymIp636LbmIjOoFfPBUnDgcIpZL4ke9aP2wAmNy0EgBxu96zpCGqeAM4R4foMnOljukg5nOlcQZUlwgilEj8xPQc7~h-eN~wZAPPStxo5RqIhPW0c9lsmMyd4kpwrVkAxFZKTf0biI3p~svCtyR2qO167I91O4j-mLDT7SJrmWHRtHuDEtYQKUkBnRYvSxTgQ-B1DjKbW3cShV0hyXx5~63PxJbPenVUt~Z7~0zdTgJCX8wOuZauvvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Supervisors received an update on Measure Q implementation and approved the next steps for standing up the Citizens Oversight Advisory Board (COAB), drafting a county vision plan, and designing a grants program for projects that protect open space, drinking water, wildlife, reduce wildfire risk and expand equitable access to parks and natural areas.

Measure Q is a voter-approved parcel tax that is expected to generate roughly $7.5 million annually once collections begin in the 2025–26 fiscal year. County staff explained how funds will be allocated across categories set by the measure: direct city allocations, a county program, a partner program (including a land stewardship partner), and a discretionary grants program that will fund multi-benefit projects; $600,000 was identified in the measure for Pajaro watershed projects and another $600,000 related to the San Vicente Redwoods area.

The board approved a staff recommendation to open the nomination window for COAB candidates and return appointments to the board for approval. Staff said the COAB will be a nine-member panel (five county appointees, four appointed by cities) and will advise on a vision plan, prioritize projects and recommend a land-stewardship implementation partner. County parks and OR3 (Office of Response, Recovery & Resilience) will provide administrative support and will work with the COAB on a public-engagement process aimed at producing a vision plan for board approval by July 1, 2025, if feasible.

Director Jeff Gaffney of County Parks outlined the plan for disbursing funds to cities and for a county-managed grants program that will set aside a portion of revenues for multi-benefit grants, while county staff noted the first property-tax distributions will arrive in December 2025 and the county may appropriate expected revenues in its FY 2025–26 budget so projects can be launched as soon as funds are available.

The board asked staff to coordinate appointments and asked for a one-page summary of nominations and candidate expertise ahead of the appointment meetings so supervisors can confirm the COAB will have a balanced mix of technical knowledge and community representation. Staff agreed to return to the board with recommended administrative staffing, grant criteria and draft vision-plan engagement goals.","After voters approved Measure Q in November, county staff briefed the Board of Supervisors on near-term steps: assemble a nine-member Citizens Oversight Advisory Board, draft a vision/implementation plan, and stand up grant and county program elements to begin spending when tax revenue starts in late 2025.",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":44,"_45":88,"_46":89,"_48":49,"_50":90,"_52":91,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":92,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":93,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6319678,"Board approves limited on-site cannabis consumption at existing retailers, sets 1% tax on lounge sales",698,5025000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1&start=4327&end=5025","/articles/6319678/Santa-Cruz-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Board-approves-limited-on-site-cannabis-consumption-at-existing-retailers-sets-1-tax-on-lounge-sales","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319678-91b9ab93a16dfb2dba92fbfe513f8d8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165705&Signature=md6qhhY3pioBXiqJMoUQNxVKFVgF2Wlsr13Az3wen1EsSX4y5QhV0ts6NnQtk6Wv1DG0qaaM-HSlbdAyZ~wBcfLtxy1VVQ9zavC87pahwaP2maTguKpV1j-9hTyTqB8~jo3pz8yCAgUjuurXoIW-CM9UneEJwwI9TbQEXNadT3J7ms3KyEwAChAjMXj1NSfVQdCKXCfrTWzqyLHub5f8yIlUDThmmyqoMLKFsp-Jv~XcX9c8egk3Vf8Uy~BPdiwD6t5HMfIDOLQRG66HSrbe6BBG75xtnai8Y1DfdKAlge7iqrZcZjJcxE4BeqmqqxLXtS5LeYsvaTceNdOXP13b2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors narrowly approved a framework to allow on-site cannabis consumption at existing licensed retail locations and set a reduced county cannabis business tax rate for lounge sales. The board voted 3–2 to pursue the conservative \"option 1\" model — permitting consumption lounges only at existing dispensary sites or immediately adjacent commercial spaces — and to define ancillary non-cannabis items separately so they can be exempt from the cannabis business tax. The board also set a 1% county tax rate for cannabis sales that occur at lounges.

The item followed months of outreach and four public listening sessions. Cannabis Licensing Manager Samuel Laforte and Deputy County Administrative Officer Melody Serino presented three location options and two tax-policy options. Option 1 — the approach the board approved — allows retailers to add a licensed consumption area inside their existing footprint or in an adjoining commercial space. Proponents said that model protects worker safety and limits the number of new consumption points while giving existing regulated businesses an opportunity to compete with the black market. Opponents warned about normalizing use, potential public-health risks to youth, and secondhand smoke.

County health officials urged caution. Public Health Division Director Emily Chung and County Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez presented research and evidence that greater retail density and advertising correlate with higher adolescent cannabis use and advised the board to adopt protective conditions, including limits on hours, serving sizes for edibles and beverages, ventilation requirements and limits on proximity to schools.

The board's motion directs staff to draft implementing ordinance language reflecting Option 1, allows the county to define \"ancillary products\" (non-cannabis merchandise) as exempt from the cannabis business tax, and sets a 1% tax on cannabis products sold specifically for on-site consumption. The motion also asks the Health Services Agency to provide guidance on licensing conditions and on strategies to reduce underage cannabis consumption that will be considered in the ordinance development.

Supervisors described the action as a cautious pilot approach. Supporters said licensed lounges create opportunities for education, worker training and safer consumption in controlled, ventilated spaces; critics said even tightly regulated lounges will increase visibility of cannabis and urged a pause to seek more health data. The board did not adopt a fixed pilot sunset in the final motion but asked for continued health-agency input as ordinance language is drafted. The ordinance, along with proposed tax-code changes, will return to the board for formal adoption following public hearings and staff drafting.","After a lengthy public discussion that included health experts and retailers, the Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 to allow on-site cannabis consumption at existing licensed retail locations (option 1) and to treat ancillary non-cannabis goods separately, setting a 1% county business tax rate on cannabis sold for on-site consumption.",{"_33":95,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":96,"_41":97,"_43":98,"_45":99,"_46":100,"_48":101,"_50":102,"_52":103,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":104,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":105,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6319684,"Santa Cruz supervisors press for independent probe and local testing after Moss Landing battery fire",1241,6439000,7680000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1&start=6439&end=7680","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2360694-ef4b18437a87c254a798b76dca36a5b1/thumbnail_6439000.jpg","/articles/6319684/Santa-Cruz-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Santa-Cruz-supervisors-press-for-independent-probe-and-local-testing-after-Moss-Landing-battery-fire","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6319684-a9af95bee23fce785b19eaf49cd1ac65/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165705&Signature=k0QbAKk587aVZuVhm0jg9MA8T3A4Qq~Tv-mIEvCfjtwadka2vOWqatZ7SnXLTdq8wEwDmT3l5soMyzW8nfvQmkvdXcj~AdJwSTsVLBuPO0Iq5CZwK~fwQsgaa84-MM7LXw6wfltY1TvKJJsVKL8o63mbrr~eW9uSMZvAby3N-NMzefRHO5koPA5Vs2RM4X6V9R309mszj~6yyCi2YVnDwxYPuctzV-B9QjvUOs2bbWsRpjnJ9y4J~KIaJhiDYhdYepnLC4exJ4pW0QHneA4Tv3h1VLN8oRdmwQIprNIdnsHfAS3IUHItTg9p~ywRR1bcfvUCur6HNYnqABi~9Ca90A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors heard an update on the Jan. 16 fire at the Vistra Energy battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing and unanimously directed the chair to request independent state-level reviews and to arrange for local testing and public reporting. The board acted after a presentation by Monterey County and statements from Vistra, county staff and air-quality officials.

Monterey County Emergency Management Director Kelsey Scanlon described the incident timeline, early evacuations and the activation of the county's Emergency Operations Center. Scanlon said air monitoring by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and an independent contractor, CTEH, so far has not recorded off-site hydrogen fluoride releases above health thresholds and that particulate measurements have generally been within expected local ranges. She told supervisors the state mobilized a health assessment team to evaluate water, soil and dust samples.

Vistra senior director Brad Watson told the board the company is working with the EPA, independent consultants and local agencies on monitoring and site stabilization. Watson said Vistra has posted monitoring results on a company response website and is partnering with the Community Foundation of Monterey County to provide immediate assistance to evacuated households and a separate program for affected businesses.

Richard Steadman, air pollution control officer for the Monterey Bay Air Resources District, said the district's network of monitors showed usual seasonal particulate concentrations in most locations and that EPA readings to date indicate no detectable hydrogen fluoride beyond the facility perimeter. But Steadman warned that heavy metals from battery fires are persistent and can bioaccumulate, and he said a fuller picture requires coordinated surface and soil testing beyond just air monitoring.

Public commenters from Santa Cruz and neighboring communities urged more aggressive sampling of soils, water and seafood, raised concerns about heavy metals reported by marine researchers, and asked the board to press for independent investigations. Several speakers said they experienced symptoms during and after the fire and asked the county to publicize testing and monitoring results.

Supervisor John Koenig moved — and the board approved unanimously — that the chair write to state regulators requesting independent investigations, that the county coordinate with Monterey County and state agencies on further testing, and that the county monitor and publicize sampling and health findings as they become available. County staff said they will work with Monterey County and state partners to consolidate results and report back.

The supervisors were careful to note that the Moss Landing plant is outside Santa Cruz County and that the county's immediate role is coordination and information-sharing. County staff said there is one pending battery-storage application in Santa Cruz County and reiterated that any local permitting decisions will require zoning changes, environmental review and public hearings over the next 18–24 months.

The board said it wants ongoing, transparent reporting of monitoring and investigation results and expects to revisit permitting and siting policies for battery storage facilities once the Moss Landing after-action reports and the state investigations provide clearer findings.","Following the Jan. 16 fire at the Vistra battery energy storage facility in Moss Landing, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors heard a briefing from Monterey County and company representatives, called for independent investigations and directed county staff to help arrange additional testing within the county.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board unanimously reaffirms county support for LGBTQ+ individuals and women's reproductive and bodily autonomy

Measure Q implementation begins: board staff to seat oversight panel, draft vision plan and start grants program design

Board approves limited on-site cannabis consumption at existing retailers, sets 1% tax on lounge sales

Santa Cruz supervisors press for independent probe and local testing after Moss Landing battery fire