City holds first public hearing on proposed charter amendments, sets May 26 follow-up

The Santa Cruz City Council held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the City Charter on April 1, where staff outlined administrative edits and several substantive changes and the council voted to schedule a second required hearing for May 26.

City Clerk staff presented tracked changes to the charter, saying the packet includes administrative reformatting, gender-neutral language and clarifying edits to sections on council terms, residency, vacancies, and publication. Staff said the government code requires three public meetings and the timeline would aim to call an election by June 23 if the council proceeds; the deadline to place measures on the November ballot was described as August 7, with a tight schedule because of a July recess.

The presentation listed specific edits: moving the start of council terms to the meeting following the November general election; clarifying residency rules so members with two years or less left may finish a term even if they move within the city; removing a fixed salary amount from the charter (placing salary setting in the municipal code); requiring roll-call votes in light of hybrid meetings; and adjusting the minimum number of regular meetings to one per month to allow flexibility.

City Attorney staff said some proposed language (for example, a requirement that certain employees live in the city and a flat ban on relatives of the city manager working for the city) raised legal concerns and recommended removing or narrowing those lines to comply with state law.

Councilmembers asked procedural and substantive questions about how voters would be informed and how the changes would be summarized in plain language. Councilmember O'Hara said she wanted to ensure voters understood the impact of the edits; other members praised the move to gender-neutral language and the summary table in the packet.

During the public comment period, several residents spoke. James Ewing Whitman offered general comments on civic engagement and technology. Garrett urged repeal and revision of a 2005 franchise tax code provision and recommended rulemaking for nepotism and related employment policies. Sameer Ghosh asked the council to direct Parks and Rec to work with community representatives to restore permits for Salsa by the Sea. Speakers also raised concerns about water rates and bathroom access for people experiencing homelessness.

After discussion, Councilmember O'Hara moved and Councilmember Triguero seconded a motion to set the second public hearing for May 26. The clerk called the roll; councilmembers recorded "Aye" and the motion passed.

Next steps: staff will return the charter package for a second public hearing on May 26, and if the council moves forward the council could call the election at a June meeting to place amendments on the November ballot.