Nikki Bryant

The meeting included closed session discussions regarding liability claims and anticipated litigation. Key regular session topics included staff updates on additional materials distributed after the agenda publication, and public comments. Council Member Westman provided updates on AMBAG and Zoning Code objectives related to the Capitola Mall development. Vice Mayor Jensen discussed extensive outreach efforts concerning State housing mandates and expressed concern over a state-level complaint that bypassed local engagement. Council Member Orbach requested a proclamation recognizing January as Human Trafficking Month. The consent calendar addressed approvals for meeting minutes from January 8, 2026, check registers, Local Coastal Program Amendments for Cliff Drive Resiliency (Ordinance No. 1074), denial of a liability claim from Celeste Baylor, approval of the FY 2026-27 Budget Calendar, and a Use Agreement for the City Hall Community Room. General government items included authorization for the Mayor to submit a letter opposing the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's oil and gas leasing program, adoption of a resolution supporting the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission's direction on Coastal Rail Trail Segments 10-11, a report on the Discover Capitola Civic Engagement Program, and adoption of a resolution concerning the temporary/hourly employee pay schedule, which included retroactively adjusting pay dates.

Key discussion points for the meeting include the acceptance of funds for the Treasure Cove Playground at Jade Street Park. Consent items involve the approval of minutes from the January 22, 2026, meeting, authorizing the execution of the Fifth Amendment to the Library Joint Powers Agreement extending the term through June 30, 2032, receiving a report and revoking Administrative Policies V-2 (Government Access Channel 8) and V-3 (Use of Display Cases on the Municipal Wharf Entrance Gate), and renaming City-owned parking lots near City Hall from "Beach and Village Parking Lots 1 & 2" to "City Upper Lot" and "City Lower Lot" due to ongoing visitor confusion. General government items include approving plans and a budget of $1,700,000 for the 41st Avenue Pavement Rehabilitation and Multimodal Improvements Project, receiving an update on Measure Y Sales Tax, authorizing a Measure Q Grant application for invasive species removal near Rispin Mansion, appointing a representative to the Housing for Health Partnership Board, and reviewing appointments to the Finance Advisory Committee.

The meeting was primarily focused on setting goals for the upcoming fiscal year (FY 26/27). Key discussion items included recommending goals for Cultural Events, specifically reviewing and recommending the continuation of existing programs like the Twilight Concert Series, Makers Market, New Music Sundays, Dueling Pianos, Movies at the Beach, and Capitola Plein Air, as staff proposed maintaining the status quo. The Commission also discussed and recommended goals for Public Art Projects, continuing progress on the Monterey Railing Project, the Bandstand Weathervane Project, and the Rispin Reflecting Pool Mosaic Project, while also exploring feasibility for new projects like utilizing the former Wharf Arch and art at the new Community Center. Furthermore, goals were established for Public Art Maintenance, including proposing annual maintenance for the remaining four signal box murals that were not repainted in FY 24/25, with a recommended budget not to exceed $5,000.

The meeting agenda included calls to order and roll call, staff comments, and general business. Key discussion points in the general business included discussing and approving the list of goals for the 2026 Commission on the Environment (COE) Workplan. The agenda also listed items for future discussion, including goal setting for the 2026 calendar year.

The General Business section included the selection of officers for 2026, with Chair Cahalen nominated to continue as Chair and Commissioner Anderson nominated as Vice Chair, both of which were approved. The Commission discussed the development of public art ad hoc committees, voting to approve the development of three committees for current public art projects: Monterey Railing Project, Bandstand Weathervane Project, and Rispin Reflecting Pool Project. Commissioner Holmberg was approved to remain the Arts Council Santa Cruz Liaison. The Commission discussed the Depot Hill Wharf Arch and ultimately moved to approve staff to explore the feasibility of including the former arch in Wharf Conceptual designs and a possible location in Park at Rispin. The final action involved approving the release of the Call to Artist for the Rispin Reflecting Pool Public Art once staff incorporated feedback regarding budget levels and site description details.