Updates from City Hall
Current Update
October 24, 2016
This column is intended to provide the community with updates about City of Capitola projects and activities of interest. If you have any suggestions for future topics, or feedback, please let me know at jgoldstein@ci.capitola.ca.us or by phone at 475-7300.
Water in Capitola
As we approach the rainy season, let's not forget that water is a precious resource. Water service in the City of Capitola is provided by two separate public agencies. The east side of town is served by the Soquel Creek Water District and the west side of town by the City of Santa Cruz Water Department. The dividing line is roughly 41st Avenue.
Both of these public agencies are challenged with water supply issues: short-term drought conditions as well as long-term shortfalls due to a critically overdrafted groundwater supply that has seawater contamination at the coastline.
The two agencies have been evaluating new supply options including a pilot project to transfer excess winter river water from Santa Cruz to the Soquel Creek Water District. The District has been getting ready for this potential new supply by flushing water mains in the Capitola and Soquel areas to help prepare for a switch from groundwater to surface water, acquiring a new permit from the State's Division of Drinking Water, and setting up monitoring to ensure that water quality standards are met.
The District is also working on developing an important groundwater replenishment project that would take recycled water, purify it, and inject it into the ground to provide a seawater barrier and restore groundwater levels. Officials from Soquel Creek Water District will be presenting that groundwater replenishment project to the Capitola City Council on November 10 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
It can be easy to take water for granted - a product we expect to be delivered when we turn on the faucet. Developing new sources of water is critical for Capitola and supports our recent General Plan. That plan emphasizes maintaining our small town feel, supporting a vibrant local economy, and protecting our environmental resources for future generations.
Zoning Code Update
The City of Capitola initiated work on a comprehensive update to its 1975 Zoning Code in August 2014. A city’s Zoning Code contains the specific rules that govern the allowed uses, shape, and size of new building projects. Capitola’s 1975 code is outdated, and contains sections that are inconsistent with State zoning laws.
In an effort to engage the community in the code update process, the City has held 38 public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council, completed focus group meetings with stakeholders, and conducted a public survey.
Earlier this month, the City Council completed its initial review of the draft Zoning Code. City staff plans to post an updated version of the code, including all proposed changes, on the City website in December.
Public hearings regarding the Zoning Code will resume in January 2017, when the Planning Commission and City Council will continue review of the draft document.
Additional information can be obtained from the City’s Zoning Code update webpage.
Introduction of New Capitola Police Officers
The Capitola Police Department is proud to announce that Aron Quolas and Scott Newton were sworn in as a new police officers n October.
Officer Quolas was born and raised in Santa Cruz. He graduated from Soquel High School and is currently attending Cabrillo College. Officer Quolas recently graduated from the South Bay Police Academy and is starting his first phase of Capitola’s Field Training Program. Officer Quolas lives in Live Oak and his hobbies are playing and coaching hockey for a youth AAA team called the Silicon Valley Quakes and spending time with his family.
Officer Newton was born and raised in Stockton, California. He spent a majority of his summers growing up in Capitola. Officer Newton graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University and completed the South Bay Police Academy in December 2015. Officer Newton has completed his orientation week of training and has begun the first phase of Capitola’s Field Training Program. He lives in Aptos and his hobbies are reading and spending time on the beach, at the gym and with family and friends.
City Construction Project Updates
Jade Street Tennis Court Reconstruction. Resurfacing of the tennis courts at Jade Street park is 50 percent complete. Work was recently delayed due to rain, but we remain on track for a mid-November opening, assuming no additional weather delays. Until the project is complete, the courts are closed.
Rispin Pathway Improvements. The bike path from Wharf Road to the pedestrian bridge is reopened. The pathway behind the wall remains closed for another four to six weeks while it is constructed.
Fall Road Paving. As a first step in rebuilding Park Avenue, Kennedy Drive, and Monterey Avenue, the contractor is focused on rebuilding the curb ramps, drainage and retaining walls. Once that work is complete the new pavement will be installed. If the good weather continues we will begin paving on Oct. 31.
Early Voting at City Hall
Voters may drop off their ballots for the November 8 General Election in the 24-hour ballot drop box in the City Hall parking lot adjacent to the Police Station at 420 Capitola Ave. up until 8 p.m. on Election Day, or in the Capitola City Hall lobby during business hours. As a reminder, no postage is required for the November 8 General Election absentee ballots if you want to mail in your ballot.
City Committees and Commissions
Each year the City Council appoints individuals to serve on various City Committees and commissions. Right now the City is advertising the opportunity to serve on the following committees and commissions for 2017:
- Architectural and Site Review Committee
- Art & Cultural Commission
- Commission on the Environment
- Finance Advisory Committee
- Library Advisory Committee
- Planning Commission
- Traffic & Parking Commission
Visit the City’s website, or stop by City Hall to pick up an application to volunteer for one of these committees.
Jamie Goldstein
City Manager
