[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6552319,"mediaKeyId","5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473","parentId",5119690,"title","Santa Cruz introduces ordinance to prohibit sale of filtered tobacco products; council directs countywide outreach","audioSeconds",4346,"startMs",6058000,"endMs",10404000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473&start=6058&end=10404","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473/thumbnail_6058000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6552319/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Santa-Cruz-introduces-ordinance-to-prohibit-sale-of-filtered-tobacco-products-council-directs-countywide-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552319-4a83a7abf43a7d6c4204504cc9c7a6d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179002&Signature=W~lDsao7eCxhyVMSB-WBrMJHGJQpBvItrddG80TkZFkzwO9F5qTaVPphIR1jt1tCofz~hKvWU7zG4dCetbBsRZR4PdiQ8a1mrDVCvWKb61XJlfYhREGyEAtJvrC0cLKCo8ucUAs81M4naiyZ0rcqVbO8pVKwJMGzirI3u3IYvro0HPx4NsgCOckjy~b-V0INC1hJJgclT1FQVQIAlbd9LWtsLBZ-aAy94GHdjZ1JFa-J~U2HbyegnZIAD46BXOjwos6AAQMicNJtk0f4~6FAQArTmlI4WdgxhKECiG4xYFU2r0~uNh-sICFqZjkwMhPhPNaY0DK~7eD0g5CGMDvUNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-01T01:58:41Z","article","The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday voted to introduce an ordinance that would prohibit the sale of filtered tobacco products within city limits, and directed staff to coordinate education and outreach with the County of Santa Cruz and local stakeholders.

Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson — appearing remotely — and numerous public health, conservation and community groups urged adoption, citing Save Our Shores, Surfrider Foundation and local public‑health staff who told the council that cigarette filters are the most commonly littered item on local beaches and that filters are non‑biodegradable plastic that leaches toxic chemicals into marine waters. Save Our Shores and other groups presented volunteer cleanup data showing cigarette butts outnumber other items collected at local beach cleanups.

City staff described revisions to Chapter 6.07 (Tobacco Retailer Licenses) to add definitions for partially consumable cigarettes / cigars (filters) and to make it unlawful for a tobacco retailer to sell those products. The proposed local ordinance is structured to take effect only after the county and at least one other jurisdiction in the county adopt similar ordinances, with a target effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, to give retailers time to transition.

Retailer representatives urged the council to consider alternatives — a litter abatement fee or expanded receptacles and enforcement — and raised concerns about cross‑jurisdiction purchases, lost local sales tax and impacts on small retailers. Supporters countered that outreach and coordination with the county are part of the plan and cited other jurisdictions’ experience where outreach accompanied the policy.

Council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance for publication, direct staff to collaborate with the county and stakeholders on retailer outreach and education, and to approve the CEQA notice of exemption cited in the staff report. Council members added a pair of staff directions — to develop and publish an annual performance review once implemented (metrics such as litter counts, retailer compliance, youth tobacco use trends) and to refer a possible broader ban on all tobacco product sales to the Health & All Policies Committee for evaluation and recommendations by May 2026.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Santa Cruz City Council 6/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council introduced an ordinance that would ban the sale of filtered tobacco products in Santa Cruz, and directed staff to coordinate outreach with the county and local partners; the prohibition would take effect only after neighboring jurisdictions adopt similar measures.","taxTitle","Santa Cruz County, California","taxId",4172,"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},6552323,"Council approves steps to speed storefront openings and funds downtown activation",787,4788000,5575000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473&start=4788&end=5575","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473/thumbnail_4788000.jpg","/articles/6552323/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Council-approves-steps-to-speed-storefront-openings-and-funds-downtown-activation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552323-39b52dfd7d7eb9502e98b808695d3ed1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179002&Signature=NmtUA2R0LpdwtoLqfkxJkeMQrdHJJQ59NXkaKyjgeY3jcsnAjePzU4NpQbcpKDtVrdPQSbKw29fTrx8E1VtJtnRrF0b4gAENkFX8Of6Ei0siOztBBEggkjcj69oF2z~xoFGbvWrA9t-QCLXJo-md3HD3rfXWWX36RYeLFjUGb2h6d7AdVSC8xj8b9gW-GezNpJIJaqeAAIrcQN8iZsaHmhakaO5KrZTfKIPswHdGmqR4ycZfxsAKc4bKsBjrN1sgk7JKrEoiN-1L1kY1E-NTiFQF7CdJd9BWtWGSlKxYPmUsgLMfvGAuWOeenfb8cSu4h8uuJ1fAmkuyhRcI1YBVSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Cruz City Council approved a package of economic development measures on Tuesday aimed at activating vacant storefronts and accelerating business openings.

Economic Development Manager Rebecca Unit presented a multi‑part approach staff developed following council direction. Key elements include: (1) ordinance language to extend the validity of commercial use permits issued between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2026 through Jan. 1, 2030 so eligible businesses can reopen under an administrative zoning clearance rather than reapplying for a new use permit; (2) a deeper interdepartmental permit streamlining review targeting high‑frequency desired uses (artist studios, galleries, fitness studios, certain restaurants/tasting rooms, sidewalk dining and entertainment); (3) a proposed fee waiver for up to the first $14,000 in planning and building plan‑check and permit fees for the first 20 qualifying ground‑floor tenant improvement projects citywide; and (4) adoption of a vacant storefront registry administration fee tied to the recently adopted Vibrancy Ordinance ($1,621.90 per qualifying storefront).

Unit said staff would begin the detailed zoning and code amendments needed for streamlining, return to the Planning Commission for review and ultimately seek Coastal Commission concurrence where required. She noted an appropriation of $50,000 from the Economic Development Trust Fund to support downtown activation events over the next 6–12 months.

Council member Newsom moved to approve the staff recommendations (with a clarified condition that the fee incentives target ground‑floor commercial businesses citywide); the motion was seconded and passed on roll call. Council members asked staff to prioritize downtown needs and to ensure the outreach to small business owners, and Vice Mayor Kalantari Johnson asked that any changes related to alcohol sales be balanced with concerns about youth access.

The ordinance changes and streamlining proposals will proceed through Planning Commission review and require Coastal Commission approval for coastal‑zone amendments. The fee waiver resolution, if adopted, would take effect immediately; the use‑permit extensions and code amendments have a projected fall/winter timeline for hearings and review.","Council approved staff recommendations to streamline permits for desired commercial uses, extend certain commercial use permits through 2030, set a vacant‑storefront registry fee, and appropriate $50,000 for downtown activation events.",{"_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},6552328,"Santa Cruz adopts state wildfire hazard maps; most city falls in ‘moderate’ zone",734,4013000,4747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473&start=4013&end=4747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473/thumbnail_4013000.jpg","/articles/6552328/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Santa-Cruz-adopts-state-wildfire-hazard-maps-most-city-falls-in-moderate-zone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552328-c7dbe49841aa45b82d5d6499c1d34654/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179002&Signature=HStYQPAZQsVEYBRAaDQp1TW6jEDxvcXINRJQXJY9OZ9IYppsauGbPB9eCRUkbcbwSAq8D5MJwQrhij9Wla7sX3cLEyTUlUYTCMc8gvSHZ2wqWOKAx5s43KBAwAKAeaTYWbZuK3z81c3IZUrraVkOGJmwx3ktx4W2dGuEFzalDtiBkSsNG4XpS-TmA7XJQZuowQqwmJEdlv9cyM7De4MhrlLZ1KVrYIjxheKPHqNF8aa-IBuESTGGreUOK7gAK7G8oQeJK1-Wrjj717rgZrG~65cAU8swIPCWvqVFKMeoh7xiZlLszDVYVwekzPrTOwol~54Ht5JvM9jcPmKkmnOK6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Cruz City Council voted Tuesday to adopt the state’s wildfire hazard severity maps for local responsibility areas, a change mandated by state law that assigns areas into moderate, high or very high hazard levels.

Tim Shields, division chief for prevention and the city fire marshal, told the council the updated maps incorporate new modeling inputs added by the state in 2021 — burn probability, slope, proximity to urban development and localized fire weather — and that almost all of the city falls into the moderate hazard zone. He said only small pockets such as parts of Dimeo Lane and Moore Creek Preserve are mapped as high; very high hazard areas are not within the city limits.

Shields explained the legal effect of the maps: the state prescribes a set of actions for each zone, including building standards for wildland‑urban interface construction, defensible‑space vegetation rules, water and access requirements and natural hazard real estate disclosures at sale. The city’s adoption formally makes the maps enforceable for local planning and permitting.

Council members asked staff for context on surrounding jurisdictions and proximity to higher hazard areas; Shields said the CAL FIRE interactive maps cover the region and staff will post links on the city website for broader context. Council member O'Hara said the maps are one component of a larger wildfire‑preparedness strategy the council and staff are developing.

On the motion to adopt, the council voted unanimously in favor. Staff said the action is required by state law and that additional local measures — such as defensible‑space enforcement and education, and infrastructure planning — remain the city’s responsibility where applicable.","Council adopted state‑mapped fire hazard severity zones for local responsibility areas, which places most of the city in the ‘moderate’ category; state mapping triggers specified building, defensible‑space and disclosure rules for higher hazard zones.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6552333,"Santa Cruz council adopts multi‑year wastewater rate increases and updates sewer connection fees",924,2711000,3635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473&start=2711&end=3635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473/thumbnail_2711000.jpg","/articles/6552333/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Santa-Cruz-council-adopts-multiyear-wastewater-rate-increases-and-updates-sewer-connection-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552333-01154ec1f93ea8d3554213d1b3f7e162/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179002&Signature=YJ97TtbIFM6N8Wd9a6I40~wcqDH8v7ynoe6H4DrxZIIs5YwcOuSTuV3mM7eNV2Wp6Rhy~1PiLMBSpTrCrtFyHKbaEkvbq-4nBpu0AuYcjSEMM0XXE946HVgO3IsIk6OCu1OSmWkdcz0XtBcxlUCz3KzcFq25k388kDXfyKtxljblGcjs2~Zap7uPS1nzcK8DpGFDU2z6ynNXA2yhe4t~3iTvYYTlhyP0KjNgeUN30Ig2sdCk6yMyQcj70Abbw8I5YrCEfHHIHzIKSS291xCBRL96zadS6bE9VZwP9t7YimF2USeZxD~A~7wXof8aWHE6XHA1nqmEJIM4xAxSAHyHiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Cruz City Council on Tuesday adopted revised wastewater user charges and updated sewer connection fees after receiving a public presentation from the Public Works Department and consultants.

Council members voted to adopt a five‑year rate plan that staff and Bartle Wells & Associates recommended to fund system operations, meet reserve targets and pay for a multi‑million dollar capital program at the city's regional wastewater treatment plant. The plan calls for average increases of about 8% in each of the first three years and roughly 7% in the final two years of the five‑year schedule.

City Assistant Public Works Director Kevin Crosley told the council the utility faces more than $50 million in capital needs over the next five years — including a $20 million project underway at the plant and major electrical upgrades — and historically lower average annual spending. Crosley said the department will combine pay‑as‑you‑go funding with debt financing to carry out the program and noted the utility treats wastewater for the city and roughly 50,000 county residents.

Crosley also described outreach steps: a mailer to more than 31,000 property owners and renters, Spanish translation of the mailer, public open house and review by the Public Works Commission. He noted an existing customer assistance program that provides a $25 monthly credit for qualifying customers and that staff plans to expand assistance to multifamily customers in 2026.

Council member O'Hara moved adoption of the revised user charges and rescission of Resolution NS29520; the motion was seconded by Council member Brunner and passed on roll call. The city clerk reported 13 protests were received on the proposed rates, one invalid, leaving 12 valid protests — well below the threshold needed to block the rate adoption.

On a separate but related item the council also adopted updated sewer connection (capacity) fees intended to recover the cost of adding capacity to the system for new or upsized service connections. Crosley said the adjustment aligns with a goal of 100% cost recovery for connection charges and reflects development activity in the community.

Council members thanked public works staff for the outreach and emphasized the need to protect public health and environmental compliance. Several members also urged continued strengthening of the low‑income assistance program.

What happens next: the rate schedule and new connection fees will take effect as set out in the staff report and are intended to fund current operations, workforce needs and the multi‑year capital program. Staff said they expect to return with additional design and delivery‑method recommendations for major projects, including the electrical upgrades, later this year.","The City Council approved a five‑year wastewater rate plan averaging 8% increases for three years and new sewer connection (capacity) fee adjustments to achieve cost recovery and support $50M+ in capital work at the wastewater treatment plant.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6552313,"Santa Cruz adopts balanced FY2025–26 budget and personnel updates",986,12390000,13376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473&start=12390&end=13376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5119690-1aaa89e7b46dceeef9911ee6585ce473/thumbnail_12390000.jpg","/articles/6552313/Santa-Cruz-County/California/Santa-Cruz-adopts-balanced-FY202526-budget-and-personnel-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6552313-9fa838c6374b9f1af75e3bf88499a3e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179002&Signature=SKD8L4EgKuloWL3Q7LX-sQf0Lfb~XbeggX7bkyts-BRelrvWZ0cV-QFaVHcsjIT1KI6MYqTZFy67KMD3-iokFq6qwrWut9HbP~GhzjEeMrIrkJGdWcVEjaCynhxcCDUhPPXnPQmUrkq3y0zuBn9sHW71U8iV4Ke0C6HjrZBHqhjid8CP6iNjT6HjdZF~bY4PSC3o8TII0gRiSzx5vdSFfSvu6cfkvLwZKOWRovdGgUCqCyMYzwAYvS257pwd9RJokXSU5uzDZYiDjFJ3b7qTANgzYgrTuwERMzOYM1teEJGlEbNiiU9Y7cWlr4xuTdY1d-Zs-T6xuFNpZol4vrIX9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget on Tuesday, approving the citywide operating and capital plan and changes to the personnel complement and classification/compensation schedules.

Finance Director Elizabeth Cavill presented the adopted budget package and highlighted that staff had adjusted the proposed plan since the manager’s original release to reflect updated revenue information and other cleanup items, resulting in a balanced general fund budget that does not rely on transfers from reserves. Cavill said the total citywide budget is roughly $534 million and that no new operating general fund positions were added for FY26; some technical staffing changes and enterprise fund positions were included in the personnel resolution.

Council had previously asked for additional analysis on cost‑recovery for fees and median beautification options; Cavill said finance will return with a comprehensive fees analysis in the mid‑year report and that the budget includes $150,000 for citywide median operations and maintenance. Staff also noted that the Ocean Street gateway beautification project will return for a concept review and cost options on the June 24 meeting.

The council voted to adopt the FY26 budget and the related personnel and classification/compensation changes. Council members thanked staff across departments for preparing the balanced budget and noted that advisory‑body input will be integrated more visibly into future budget materials.","Council adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, including the capital investment program, and approved personnel complement and classification/compensation plan changes; staff said the adopted budget is balanced without drawing on reserves.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Santa Cruz introduces ordinance to prohibit sale of filtered tobacco products; council directs countywide outreach

Council approves steps to speed storefront openings and funds downtown activation

Santa Cruz adopts state wildfire hazard maps; most city falls in ‘moderate’ zone

Santa Cruz council adopts multi‑year wastewater rate increases and updates sewer connection fees

Santa Cruz adopts balanced FY2025–26 budget and personnel updates