May 17, 2024

Share the Road and Look Out for One Another During Bicycle Safety Month

May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Santa Cruz Police Department is encouraging everyone to practice safe riding while reminding drivers to be on the lookout for more people biking and walking.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 1,105 people killed while riding a bike in 2022, and an estimated 46,195 bicyclists were injured. In 2021, 976 bicyclists were killed (a 1.9% increase from 2020), and an estimated 41,615 bicyclists were injured (a 7% increase from 2020).

To help keep people safe while biking or walking, the Santa Cruz Police will conduct a traffic safety operation throughout the month, focusing on driver behaviors that put bicyclists and pedestrians at risk, such as speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield the right of way, and running stop signs or red lights.

Santa Cruz Police suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:

Drivers

• Slow down and follow the speed limit. Be careful traveling through intersections.
• Look for bicyclists and pedestrians before making turns or opening car doors near streets or bike paths.
• Be patient when traveling behind a bicyclist, and give them space when passing. California law requires drivers to change lanes when possible to pass bicyclists and always pass with at least three feet of space.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

• Use lights at night.
• Although not required for riders 18 and older, always wear a properly secured helmet. In crashes, helmets significantly reduce the chances of head injuries.
• Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.
• Yield to pedestrians, just as drivers do. Pedestrians have the right-of-way within marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

A grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration funds this program.

The 50-year Community Vision represents the community's aspirations for what West Cliff will look like in 50 years and how the community wants to use West Cliff in the future. It allows the City to allocate resources to projects which may take decades to plan, fund, and complete. 

This also gives the City time to build disaster resilience along West Cliff to weather future extreme storms and ongoing stressors and protect the community from the impacts of climate change. By doing so, the City aims to ensure the protection and well-being of the community for generations to come.

Spring Birding at Loch Lomond: A Guided Walk with Ornithologist Jeff Smith

Experience the natural wonders of Loch Lomond through our Water Department’s Loch Walks.

The next Loch Walk is TOMORROW Saturday, May 18, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. Ornithologist Jeff Smith will lead the walk, which will highlight the diversity of bird species thriving in the Newell Creek watershed.

Attendance is limited to 25 people. While you can sign up at the park store on the day of the event, we recommend you make a reservation ahead of time by calling Loch Lomond at 831-335-7424. Entry fees to the park will be waived for walk attendees.

More details about Loch Lomond and the full Loch Walk schedule are available on the Water Department’s website.

Emergency Shelters are Key to Long-Term Solutions for Santa Cruz’s Unhoused

Editorial Note: The unhoused crisis in Santa Cruz often feels insurmountable, but Larry Imwalle, the city’s homeless response manager, has some good news: We are making progress. Here, he outlines successes the city has had in the past 18 months and explains why shelters are the first step to long-term help. Imwalle's essay was published on March 7, 2024 in "Community Voices" in the Lookout Santa Cruz.

_______________________________________________

The homelessness crisis in Santa Cruz did not happen overnight and it is going to take time to meet our goals of ending homelessness. But, we are making incremental progress, even if some of the milestones are not immediately visible. 

Let me explain. 

Responding to homelessness takes time. 

Over the past 18 months, the City of Santa Cruz’s Homelessness Response Team has reflected on the implementation of our three-year action plan. We have been meeting with stakeholders, including the unhoused community, neighbors, nonprofit partners and business leaders to get feedback on how to improve our services. And while we have made significant strides during this short period of time, we know the work we have to do in our community is not done.

In Santa Cruz, we embrace a “housing first” approach. But “housing first” does not mean “housing only.” The system necessitates emergency and interim housing options in addition to permanent housing solutions (that can’t be built soon enough), as well as the wraparound services needed to support people’s health and well-being and housing stability.

Addressing homelessness in our region requires new and expanded solutions and the implementation of multiple strategies simultaneously. We need to champion short-term solutions that can help people today, while we work toward long-term goals of building more affordable housing and providing more homelessness-related services in our community.

Public Works Touch-a-Truck Event is May 22!

Come one, come all to our Public Works Touch-a-Truck Event!



WHEN: Wednesday, May 22, 12pm-2pm

WHERE: Center Street and Church Street (right by the Civic Auditorium)

Explore Up Close: Climb aboard and explore a wide variety of vehicles, from heavy-duty trucks to specialized equipment. We'll also have remote-controlled mini trucks you can drive! There's something for everyone.

Thrilling Road-eo: Watch skilled operators showcase their precision and finesse in our road-eo skills competition. Kids will love cheering on their favorites!

Don't miss out on this exciting, educational event. It's perfect for all ages and promises a few hours of learning and fun!

We look forward to celebrating the hard work of our Public Works employees with you!

Downtown Library Affordable Housing Project:

Highlights of Recent Progress & Next Steps

Following Council Approved Entitlements March 2023:

✗ Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Award of $33.5M

✗ Acquisition of 113 Lincoln Street

✗ CA Tax Credit Allocation Committee application submitted April 23, 2024

✗ Design teams are in construction documentation phase (final design phase)

✗ Building permit application submitted April 30, 2024 (phase 1)

Design Progress and Building Permit Next Steps:

☐ Plan check & review expected to be completed by October 2024

☐ Construction documents will be finalized during Building Permit Phase

☐ Library interiors/ TI phase 2 building permit application by September 2024

☐ Commercial interiors/ tenant improvements TBD

☐ Construction phase 1 start —First quarter of 2025

Explore Santa Cruz County History Fair on May 18!

Join us at the 2024 Santa Cruz County History Fair on May 18, 12–4 pm, at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park on School Street in Santa Cruz. Admission is free for all ages!

• Connect with local historians and organizations.
• Discover stories of neighborhoods and residents.
• Investigate genealogical resources
• Complete Passport to the Past scavenger hunt
• Learn more about your community

We will be joined by museums, groups, and individuals from around the county to bring local history to you. The History Fair is sponsored by State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, and the Capitola Historical Museum.

Parking is very limited on Mission Hill, and the lot will not be open to the public. An accessible drop-off space will be available for those who need it. We highly recommend parking in downtown Santa Cruz, using the staircase on Mission and Cedar, or using alternative transport to the park. A rack is available for bike parking. For more information, email us at santacruzmission@ports-ca.us or call 831- 425-5849.

City Council Seeks Youth Liaison

The City of Santa Cruz launched a Youth Liaison program in partnership with the Youth Action Network. The position is open to City of Santa Cruz High School students who want to increase youth voices and leadership in local government decision-making.

The Youth Liaison connects young people and the City Council, ensuring that youth perspectives are considered in decision-making. Youth Liaisons must commit 5–8 hours a month for 10 months and will earn a stipend.

Santa Cruz Garage Sale Weekend is Coming Up! 

Get ready for Santa Cruz Garage Sale Weekend on June 1–2! This community-wide celebration of sustainability and secondhand shopping fosters connections among neighbors and reduces waste. A real win-win!

Sellers: Register your garage sale (address and description) with us, and we’ll help you promote it!

Shoppers: Use our convenient Garage Sale Treasure Map to plan your route and discover hidden gems!

Remember, never leave your “junk” on the curb with a FREE sign. It’s illegal dumping and could result in a fine. Let’s keep our streets safe and clear for everyone!

Calling All Bookworms!

The Friends of the Garfield Park Branch Library will be holding their Inaugural Book Sale tomorrow!

WHEN: Saturday, May 18, from 12:00 to 4:00 pm. 

WHERE: 705 Woodrow Avenue, in the outdoor programming area. 

Mysteries, Romance, Children's books, cookbooks, CDs/DVDs, cookies, and more!!

Donations to support Adult, Teen, and Children programs at the Garfield Park Branch Library.  

Take the National Community Survey Today!

The National Community Survey, in partnership with the International City/County Management Association, is a benchmarking tool that provides a comprehensive picture of livability and resident perspectives about local government services, policies and management.

Hundreds of communities in nearly every state conduct this survey, helping us compare our community’s input to communities across the nation. Santa Cruz participates in the survey every few years, giving us important data trends.



City of Santa Cruz

City Manager's Office

809 Center Street

Santa Cruz CA 95060

santacruzca.gov

831-420-5010