Capitola council adopts new strategic plan after public review; agrees to 1‑year check‑in

City staff presented a new city strategic plan and the Capitola City Council voted unanimously to adopt it during the March 27 meeting.

A staff presenter described a months‑long outreach process that included a bilingual postcard mailed to all city residents, in‑person workshops and an online portal that drew “more than 2,000 visits to the site during that 1 month and about 200 people completed the survey,” the presenter said. The draft plan includes a mission, vision, values and six strategic priorities: accountable government; attainable housing; community safety; economic opportunity; healthy families, community and environment; and sustainable infrastructure.

Council members praised the presentation while urging continued public engagement. Councilmember Jensen said he supported the plan but urged more outreach to seniors and youth and recommended a quicker refresh cycle; several councilmembers agreed the plan should be reviewed again after one year. The council recorded a roll call vote adopting the plan with all members voting in the affirmative (Councilmember Jensen — aye; Councilmember Morgan — aye; Councilmember Orbach — aye; Vice Mayor Peterson — aye; Mayor Clark — aye).

Staff said adoption will guide budgeting and that an implementation plan with specific projects and performance measures will be prepared and brought to the council. The presenter said the implementation plan would be available “within the next month or so,” and that the council could decide how often to formally review the plan going forward.

No amendments to the plan text were adopted at the meeting; the council’s discussion and the official record include an agreement to revisit the plan in one year.