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Capitola approves one-year summer beach shuttle contract with Community Bridges
Summary
The city authorized a one-year contract with Watsonville-based nonprofit Community Bridges to run the free summer beach shuttle, at an estimated seasonal cost of about $89,100; the service is required by the Coastal Commission to retain neighborhood permit parking.
The Capitola City Council authorized the city manager to execute a one-year contract with Community Bridges to operate the 2025 free summer beach shuttle, city staff said May 8. The shuttle runs weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through Labor Day between the village, the lower parking lot and Capitola Beach; the program is required by the Coastal Commission to maintain the city’s neighborhood permit parking program.
Public works staff told the council Community Bridges, a Watsonville-based nonprofit with a countywide transportation program, was the successful proposer after the previous contractor ended service. The city estimated the seasonal cost at about $89,000, based on a rate of $198 per shuttle hour and approximately 390 hours of standard service plus 60 hours for special events.
Why it matters: The shuttle allows Capitola to limit permit parking in certain neighborhood areas during shuttle hours, a condition of the Coastal Commission agreement. Staff said the contract includes required removable signage and that Community Bridges operates accessible vehicles used for county senior and disability transportation.
Key details: Staff said the prior vendor charged roughly $186 per shuttle hour; the new contract represents a modest cost increase. Funding for the contract is included in the public works operating budget for the remainder of FY 2024–25 and is proposed in the FY 2026–27 budget. Staff also discussed an option to extend the contract next year with a CPI adjustment.
Council and public input: A resident asked that the shuttle schedule and hours be posted on the city website for public convenience; staff agreed to publish the hours. Councilmembers asked staff to notify event organizers (for example, the Art & Wine Festival) about any budget changes tied to the higher hourly rate.
Council action: The motion to authorize the contract was moved and seconded at the May 8 meeting and passed after the council voted "Aye." The motion passed with no recorded objections in the meeting transcript.
