About the City and the Project

Welcome to the community engagement web page for City of Capitola Strategic Plan. The Plan will guide the City's operations over the next five years. Once completed, it will align the City's budget and resources to strategic priorities and objectives.

As California’s oldest seaside resort town and popular beachfront tourist destination, the City is a place where multiple generations have and will visit to enjoy beautiful parks and sand beaches. Today, the City maintains those roots and has added a vibrant commercial district and several distinct residential neighborhoods. Nearly 10,000 people call Capitola home, and countless more visit to experience both its natural beauty and other attractions. Many residents and visitors express that “this little town is full of adventure and will make you feel at home immediately."

Involvement

This success of the Strategic Plan depends on input from people like you – who know and love the City of Capitola and have a vested interest in making it an even better place to live. To make the Strategic Plan work we need YOU! Below is a summary of the engagements so far. Take a survey below to give YOUR thoughts on the draft plan.

Description of the process with numbers of the representation.

Updates and News

  • Review the Strategic Plan Draft

    February 6, 2025

    City Council Reviews Draft of Strategic Plan, Community Survey Included for Feedback

    Learn more 
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Community Review Survey

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Strategic Plan Draft Community Review

Please respond to the community review survey for the strategic plan draft. You can download a copy of the draft in the documents section of this page.

Mission Statement

Background: A mission statement defines an organization's purpose and primary objectives. It answers the question "What do we do?" It is intended to be an actionable statement that guides the daily operations of the City of Capitola.
1. The draft Mission Statement is: "We are a dynamic coastal community committed to providing dependable and accessible services that enhance Capitola’s sense of connection and belonging within participatory governance." What best describes your response?
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral or neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
The mission statement answers the question “what does the City of Capitola do?”
The mission statement answers the question “what does the City of Capitola do?”
The mission statement is actionable and could guide future objectives for the City of Capitola.
The mission statement is actionable and could guide future objectives for the City of Capitola.
This proposed mission statement needs revising.
This proposed mission statement needs revising.
E.g., Edit #1: Recommend changing "dynamic" to "forward-thinking"- Skip this question if you do not have edits.

Vision Statement

Background: A vision statement answers the question "Where do we want to be in the future?" It should be inspiring, ambitious, and challenge the organization to reach its full potential.

3. The draft Vision Statement is: "The City of Capitola is a resilient and family-friendly community that balances tourism and economic opportunities with resident needs, so everyone is welcome."
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral or neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly Agree
The vision statement answers the question “What do we want Capitola to be in the future?”
The vision statement answers the question “What do we want Capitola to be in the future?”
The vision statement is inspiring, ambitious, and will help the City of Capitola reach its full potential.
The vision statement is inspiring, ambitious, and will help the City of Capitola reach its full potential.
This proposed vision statement needs revising.
This proposed vision statement needs revising.
E.g., Edit #1: Recommend changing "resilient" to "adaptable"- Skip this question if you do not have edits.

Core Values

Background: The City of Capitola should think about core values as values that shape its culture and decision-making. Core values should be clear, consistent, and aligned with the organization's mission and Vision. The City of Capitola's core values should reflect its identity and be a source of inspiration and motivation for the City of Capitola staff and the community. The draft core values are:

  • Collaborative Engagement: We collaborate with the community and partners through clear communication, fostering inclusive dialogue, and shared ethical solutions grounded in honesty and integrity.
  • Dynamic Innovation: We embrace progressive practices and continually strive for improvement and incorporating the best solutions for evolving community needs.
  • Fiscal Sustainability: We engage in responsible financial stewardship, prioritizing resources, and supporting economic development to increase revenue, maintain and deliver quality services now and into the future.
  • Resilient Community: We dedicate our time to ensuring safety across our neighborhoods, streets, and coastline, fostering a strong sense of security while preparing for emergencies, disasters, and the effects of climate change.
  • Respectful Service: We treat everyone with respect, courtesy, and dignity, fostering a welcoming, and inclusive community environment.
  • Responsible Growth: We commit to sustainable decision-making, planning for future generations while safeguarding the natural environment, resources, and history to maintain Capitola’s charm.
5. Choose your top three core values that you believe the City of Capitola should include in the Strategic Plan.
6. What core values should the City of Capitola reconsider? Choose your top three core values that you believe the City of Capitola should not include in the Strategic Plan.

Strategic Priorities

Background: Strategic priorities are the most important areas the organization needs to focus on. They are the small number of focal points, typically four to six, that are critical in achieving the mission and realizing your vision. The draft strategic priorities are:

  • Accountable Government: We maintain the trust of our community by engaging residents through collaboration and effective communication while responsibly managing City resources and finances to ensure long-term stability.
  • Attainable Housing: We will implement our Housing Element and infrastructure that balances diverse housing opportunities, supports varied income levels, and ensures thoughtful, community-focused attainable housing.
  • Community Safety: We will be a safe and resilient community, relying on the proactive training and expertise of our trusted police department to collaboratively provide public safety and emergency preparedness.
  • Economic Opportunity: We will create a thriving economy and maintain our regional shopping identity by supporting local businesses and national establishments in the Village, Bay Avenue, and 41st Avenue corridor.
  • Healthy Families, Community, and Environment: We will promote a thriving, inclusive city where families and individuals can grow together and connect in community spaces.
  • Sustainable Infrastructure: Our community will build and maintain safe streets, sidewalks, and public facilities that improve connectivity, fostering a vibrant City that is accessible and welcoming for all.


9. Choose your top three Strategic Priorities that you believe the City of Capitola should include in the Strategic Plan.
10. What strategic priorities should the City of Capitola reconsider? Choose your top three strategic priorities that you believe the City of Capitola should not include in the Strategic Plan.

Additional Considerations

Optional Demographic Questions

14. Which best describes you?
15. Do you live or work in the City of Capitola?
16. How long have you lived in the City of Capitola?
18. What is your current housing status?