[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6543370,"mediaKeyId","3614778-c0b128b73c7be732a8d2b8779a7e837c","parentId",3614778,"title","Independent police auditor says Santa Cruz PD has improved; urges better case tracking and data systems","audioSeconds",1427,"startMs",2561000,"endMs",3988000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614778-c0b128b73c7be732a8d2b8779a7e837c&start=2561&end=3988","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614778-c0b128b73c7be732a8d2b8779a7e837c/thumbnail_2561000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6543370/Santa-Cruz-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Independent-police-auditor-says-Santa-Cruz-PD-has-improved-urges-better-case-tracking-and-data-systems","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543370-22858473e16a228256da982e1aa32ca7/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=UYtTq8B2eXt1BMwiJgNt7yoEz8LjkZwAdIfCti4uAl6U5kLPUGzLsyXXpFVEShPgLKoNQDLt~BE15VODPwI2xmbv39slSxBG-nyR9XuESu~TiemefwtrfQ9MDrhj-vi3avsEMKkKNhTNvBDLaW-M5hJCfHL2A7F-xOkG7NZU0hzia3TT0y7Wduh5KhDVNMumjrYoLwj1hHfVyx7PYQFbkVilvv5ifh2wUFrxxq-p1tJZiKb5povKRB7BlGAW89BZYaumaT4w0M5n3-6O6KnHs~FN2sO6AP4VtaxB2Ltbf7HJUNA8nK5UC3htOOHYyxc6tFL2wx5aL7T1a6Fx2Wwx~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-29T21:27:31Z","article","The City Council on May 27 received the fifth annual report from the independent police auditor (IPA), which described progress at the Santa Cruz Police Department while urging new case‑tracking practices, faster investigation timelines and sustained policy and training changes.

The auditor’s team, which began reviewing Santa Cruz cases in 2020, said the department has moved “beyond 101” oversight and is ready for more advanced review systems. “We’re no longer looking at cases through the lens of an introductory course in oversight,” the team said during the presentation, urging the city to adopt more systematic, multi‑year analysis of complaints and use‑of‑force data.

The IPA’s report summarized 63 closed cases reviewed during the reporting period and presented several case studies showing where the department’s current classifications and investigative depth can miss systemic issues. The auditors recommended: (1) closer review of cases now labeled “informational” to see if deeper system issues are present; (2) implementation and operational use of a case‑management platform (BlueTeam or similar) so patterns can be identified in real time; (3) clearer tracking of repeated supervisor‑level performance problems and an expansion of supervisor field training; and (4) improved property‑handling documentation and public guidance on retrieving property.

Why it matters: the IPA’s recommendations seek to move oversight from reactive inspection of single cases toward proactive, pattern‑based intervention. Auditors and the Police Department said better tracking would make it easier to spot recurring problems before they escalate and to measure reforms over time.

What staff and the chief said

Emily Nguyen, principal management analyst for the city manager’s office, introduced the auditors and described the office’s role in providing independent review of internal investigations and use‑of‑force incidents.

Michael Gianoco, who led the presentation with colleagues from the OIR Group, said the department has improved substantially since the auditors began reviewing cases in 2020 but still needs better classification and tracking so supervisors can see trends across years. The auditors praised the collaborative relationship with the department and said the city is now working at a more advanced oversight level.

Chief Bernie Escalante said the department has found the auditor relationship “fruitful,” adding, “They challenge me. I think I challenge them sometimes as well,” and that ongoing dialogue has helped the department adapt policies and training.

Council reaction and direction

Council members pressed for more longitudinal trend data and clearer status updates on auditor recommendations. Council member O’Hara moved, and the council approved, a directive asking the IPA to include, in future annual reports, (a) a summary of trends visible in the appendices (multi‑year where possible) and (b) a clearer summary of how recommendations related to policy, training and oversight will be advanced and monitored. The motion passed on a roll call vote with all members voting aye.

Public comment and community input

Representatives of local oversight and civil‑liberties organizations addressed the council during the public comment period. Lee Brokaw, chair of the Police Accountability and Transparency Committee for the ACLU’s local chapter, emphasized the stakes of supervisor performance and pushed for monitoring that prevents poorly performing supervisors from simply moving between agencies. Other speakers praised the department’s compassionate front‑line staff and urged continued emphasis on de‑escalation and community engagement.

What the report changed or reinforced

The IPA noted that the department has already adopted several recommendations from prior years, including new policies on recording public interactions, an updated pursuit policy and changes to the use‑of‑force policy. The auditors provided a recommendation tracker in the report showing the status of 73 recommendations made over five years; the auditors reported more than 90% of those recommendations were agreed to and are at various stages of implementation.

Next steps

Council’s motion directs the IPA to add trend summaries and an implementation monitoring outline to future reports. The department and auditors said they will work on operationalizing BlueTeam or an equivalent case‑management solution and on supervisor field‑training recommendations. The council will receive the auditor’s next annual report in roughly one year.

Ending

The council accepted the auditor’s report and passed the directive to expand trend reporting and implementation tracking. Staff said the auditors and police department will continue to collaborate on policy updates and software deployment to improve oversight transparency and timeliness.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Santa Cruz City Council 05/28/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council on May 27 received the fifth annual report from the independent police auditor, which said the Santa Cruz Police Department has advanced since 2020 but needs more systematic case‑tracking and supervisory training to identify patterns of problematic conduct.","taxTitle","Santa Cruz City, Santa Cruz County, California","taxId",4734,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6543362,"City releases FY 2025–26 budget proposal: general fund ~ $159M, $3M returned to CIP; council to review before June adoption",865,5855000,6720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614778-c0b128b73c7be732a8d2b8779a7e837c&start=5855&end=6720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614778-c0b128b73c7be732a8d2b8779a7e837c/thumbnail_5855000.jpg","/articles/6543362/Santa-Cruz-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/City-releases-FY-202526-budget-proposal-general-fund-159M-3M-returned-to-CIP-council-to-review-before-June-adoption","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543362-921e525978a1a763e8a4ca9451786531/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=Y1ZFVsV-AO1rlILcJ6Xn~f2N1zNc~JU6EFnylT1RvNp3ixPF~GPJyReRqw6NLax8jzgrUyrWisJmitlrspxeqN0I2P8ddw-KM4gHkwTdfyaXUa65JeU75Xbgbb2IfhjJqJyBqdJt-QQHPhjxIN5g7u9AT9R6GcUCCY50bXKCcvj~qELdHqnXaDSWdbTMeJfFt1L3U1SWL0vDL5zp6m4XlsnicR89bxkk0CygevT5IEazb-tEDq2zhwLM3MTyOm1DQAwR1LzPDT7BVejSoiE-FOSe7atv8q6uYmMzYuBXJCJxQNkM5-FMBPsWCDc9e6IzPROQP3RRr0eG0kyzQpU~YQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City finance staff on May 27 presented the proposed fiscal year 2025–26 budget, describing a cautious approach that restores limited capital investments while maintaining operating reserves. The presentation focused on the operating general fund (about $159 million), planned transfers to capital programs, and steps the city is taking to improve transparency and budgeting tools.

Top‑line figures and revenue context

Finance Director Elizabeth Cavill and Budget Manager Emily Burton told the council the proposed operating general fund is roughly $159 million. Citywide capital investment program (CIP) spending for the period is shown at about $108 million. Staff proposed reinstating limited transfers to ongoing capital needs — a roughly $3 million general‑fund transfer to the CIP plus smaller transfers to the Economic Development Trust Fund and the streets fund — after two years of pulling back because of uncertain revenue.

Staff emphasized the budget remains conservative on revenue assumptions. It includes new, voter‑approved and local revenue items that were assumed during development: Measure L (0.5% sales‑tax increase, passed March 2024), the Measure Z sugar‑sweetened beverage tax and the city’s updated fee schedule. Staff said sales‑tax receipts have softened in recent months and the budget uses conservative projections for FY 2026.

Reserves and one‑time funds

The presentation noted the city retains a multi‑part reserve strategy: an operating reserve (set at 5% of operating expenditures), an unassigned fund balance and a pension/emergency stabilization fund. The staff said federal one‑time funds received in 2022 allowed the city to build reserves and temporarily restore transfers to capital. The proposed reinstatement of transfers uses a portion of that one‑time money to seed critical capital projects this year; staff said the intent is to avoid structural reliance on one‑time funds in future years.

Capital priorities and examples

Using the strategic plan as a filter, staff described capital investments prioritized for FY 2026. A partial list of projects receiving general‑fund CIP support includes steps and repairs at Westcliff stairs, a fire‑engine lease/purchase program, traffic‑calming pilot funds, upgrades at city facilities and initial predevelopment funding for the Progenitor/Progonip clubhouse project. Staff said the city’s CIP program targets projects that reduce asset‑failure risk or are ready to proceed.

Grant‑related action taken the same day

Separately on the consent agenda the council approved a grant‑anticipation notice (item 16) that allows the city to preserve cash flow while awaiting $22,000,000 in anticipated Federal Highway Administration emergency‑opening reimbursements for Westcliff damage repairs. Public works director Nathan Nguyen explained the city is confident of the reimbursements but that the federal reimbursement timeline has been slow; the grant anticipation will be used to maintain cash flow for construction.

Budget transparency and process

Staff said the FY 2026 budget adds public‑facing features: an interactive OpenGov budget portal, a shorter “popular annual financial report,” enhanced public webinars and a recommendation tracker for programs and capital projects. The budget calls for continued modernization (ERP implementation), negotiated employee compensation steps and sustained funding for homelessness response programs, which the budget documents show at approximately $9.7–10.4 million depending on funding sources.

Public comment on services

Representatives of Monarch Services urged the council to consider direct city funding for survivor‑support therapy and motel‑voucher assistance, noting Santa Cruz residents comprise about 25% of Monarch’s clients and that several therapeutic and housing supports are at risk without local support. Monarch staff asked the council to restore local funding for trauma therapy and safety‑net services.

Next steps

Staff requested direction and said adoption of the FY 2026 budget is scheduled for the June 10 council meeting. The council can request revisions or provide direction before final adoption; staff also noted the city will monitor revenues and report updates at midyear if material changes occur.

Ending

Council heard the presentation, asked questions about reserves, revenue assumptions and homelessness funding, and signaled areas for follow‑up during budget hearings and negotiations. Staff will return with a final budget for adoption on June 10.","Finance staff presented the proposed FY 2025–26 budget to the Santa Cruz City Council, describing a $159 million operating general fund, an $108 million citywide CIP and the reinstatement of limited general‑fund transfers to capital totaling about $3 million.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6543366,"Council adopts refinements to multifamily objective design standards, adds bike and driveway rules",1159,4649000,5808000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3614778-c0b128b73c7be732a8d2b8779a7e837c&start=4649&end=5808","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3614778-c0b128b73c7be732a8d2b8779a7e837c/thumbnail_4649000.jpg","/articles/6543366/Santa-Cruz-City/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Council-adopts-refinements-to-multifamily-objective-design-standards-adds-bike-and-driveway-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6543366-f585036e69db26304c82fe20929d6e39/orig.mp4?Expires=1776424518&Signature=JepDh2A74e6a0eDkukdbtfhctxQ4rNQ4DvM9KW9qONsM0YDtYoUVjXIdJBLgV2fnMAU1Ai1x2p6HxOjZibb0TCqHFv7d8cn1StFRAp27xp73HY9v0Hkuu4rNuzrjGx5uvMCmCMfsJXB8JAn6BLjBKvAkNTJv3nWi7RsZ5MMjmUbeYcKKFHqJ2FDv6uJTtV4ME-SDjbB74Iotg1Arn9uHu~k~yIae-xuKnTIlXvZ9wqmkc5Pa4PPjmBE798nUQkSoRtJABK92xgvwJi3-430M9cp4efwBo7NbQJ1usumrCLyN9bwtckDsJ3mxGmaTf6GuL35ahGDGcB3Ft~2zE3syhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council voted to adopt a package of amendments to the city’s objective design standards for multifamily housing and related zoning and transportation code updates on May 27. The updates refine standards originally adopted in 2023 and add targeted adjustments intended to increase design variety, support active streetfronts and improve bicycle and driveway standards.

The changes were presented by planning staff including principal planner Matt Benoit and principal transportation planner Claire Glogly, with planning technician Bennett Williamson leading the design‑standards overview. Staff emphasized that the package is a refinement rather than an overhaul: it responds to community requests for more architectural variety while offering clearer, more legible diagrams for applicants and staff.

Key changes and examples

- Incentive for traditional architectural forms: The update creates an incentive route (deeper window insets and higher‑quality materials) that allows developers limited flexibilities in façade treatment while encouraging traditional forms the community favored in outreach.
- Ground‑floor activation and entry improvements: The standards add clearer rules for ‘‘dooryard’’ areas where businesses meet the sidewalk, require landscaping at entries, and revise permitted‑use lists to make it faster to open certain neighborhood‑serving businesses.
- Roof‑stepback option to reduce bulk: Buildings can satisfy roof‑form requirements by stepping back the top story by at least 4 feet along the building length. Staff said this option can reduce perceived bulk without changing height limits.
- Transportation updates: The code will require space for protected bicycle facilities on Soquel Avenue as new development proceeds, aligns local ‘‘daylighting’’ (corner red‑curb) rules with AB 413, narrows default driveway widths to 24 feet unless a public‑works director exception is granted, and removes local electric‑vehicle charging language now superseded by the California Building Code.

Why it matters

State law requires objective design standards in some zones; the city adopted the first set in 2023. These 2025 refinements aim to improve predictability for developers, reduce friction for neighborhood‑serving businesses and produce more varied, human‑scaled building forms.

Council action and outcome

After staff presentations and public comment, council voted to adopt the zoning ordinance amendments and related code updates. The roll call vote was recorded as aye by all members present. Council members praised the added clarity of diagrams and the focus on ground‑floor activity and bicycle safety.

Public and staff context

Staff said the updates followed public outreach in 2021–23 and targeted problems that arose in later project reviews — for example, how to treat building utility rooms on street‑facing facades when projects include no parking. Staff also noted the new standards include more user‑friendly illustrations and diagrams to help applicants and the public interpret the code.

Next steps

Planning staff will publish updated objective design standard documents and updated zoning code text and begin applying the new rules to incoming applications. Transportation staff will coordinate implementation details for required bicycle facility space on Soquel Avenue as development proposals appear.

Ending

Council approved the package of objective design standards and related zoning and transportation code amendments; staff will finalize publication and begin using the new rules for applicable project reviews.","The City Council adopted refinements to Santa Cruz’s objective design standards for multifamily housing and related zoning and transportation code updates on May 27, adding incentives for traditional architectural features, a roof‑stepback option to reduce bulk, clearer ground‑floor activation rules and transportation provisions including a Soquel Avenue protected bicycle facility requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Independent police auditor says Santa Cruz PD has improved; urges better case tracking and data systems

City releases FY 2025–26 budget proposal: general fund ~ $159M, $3M returned to CIP; council to review before June adoption

Council adopts refinements to multifamily objective design standards, adds bike and driveway rules