Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Coastal Resilience topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Capitola council approves $13,000 conceptual study for Grand Avenue pathway
Summary
Council authorized a $13,000 topographic and conceptual realignment study for the Grand Avenue pedestrian pathway to evaluate inland relocation and drainage after coastal erosion; council approved funding for phase 1 by a 4–1 vote and instructed staff to pursue Coastal Conservancy grant options.
The City of Capitola approved a phase‑1 conceptual design and topographic survey for the Grand Avenue pathway, a coastal pedestrian route that has been partially closed by bluff erosion. Staff recommended engaging SSA Landscape Architects to prepare a base map, grading feasibility, drainage plans and a cost estimate; the conceptual study was estimated at about $13,000 with a full design contract through construction estimated at roughly $47,000.
Staff said the pathway has multiple damaged sections — notably the Saxon to Oakland portion closed most recently and another down‑coast section closed for about five years — and cited a Pacific Crest Engineering review that recommended moving the path inland where feasible to preserve it two to ten years. Staff also outlined funding constraints: available CIP funds, potential Coastal Conservancy grant consideration in February, remaining balances in the employee down payment assistance program, and low contingency and general fund targets.
Council debate focused on tradeoffs between this study and other resiliency investments, especially Cliff Drive work. Councilor 5 said it is difficult to invest in infrastructure that may be lost to the sea; Councilor 14 said the $13,000 study is necessary to understand options and suggested using a small remaining balance in the employee first‑time homebuyer fund as the funding source with a commitment to restore funds if a budget surplus appears. The motion to proceed with the phase‑1 study passed by roll call 4–1 (Councilor Johnson Aye; Councilor Orbach No; Councilor Westman Aye; Vice Mayor Morgan Aye; Mayor Joe Clark Aye).
Staff said the conceptual plan will inform whether to prepare construction documents and will be returned to council with next steps and volunteer ad hoc committee input.
Next steps: Staff will contract SSA Landscape Architects for the topographic survey and conceptual plan and return with findings and funding recommendations in 2026.
