Santa Cruz · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Santa Cruz public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Vibrancy Ordinance – Commercial Building Vacancies
Downtown is rebounding — 20 new businesses since the ordinance took effect, vacancies down to 9 on Pacific Avenue. Council raised the vacancy registry fee to $4,000/year, sped up window-covering deadlines, and funded a $76,000 grant program.
Biarritz AI coalition invitation
Biarritz, France is developing a coalition on the use of artificial intelligence and asked Santa Cruz to adopt it. The Committee will discuss a possible recommendation to the City Council at a future meeting.
Board vacancies and recruitment
The board has lost its Capitola and Watsonville representatives and is struggling to recruit members. It will discuss desired skill sets and possibly form a recruitment subcommittee, and is exploring remote-attendance legislation to ease travel burdens.