O
Santa Cruz
← All officials
RG

District 6 Council Member· 2022-2026

Renee Golder

Santa Cruz

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
1

Term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
13
Total speaking time
55:03
Avg per meeting
4:14
Segments
648

Want every word Golder has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Golder said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

critical↑Aug 2026[29]

Adoption of the City Road Safety Action Plan

Funded through the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program; contract amount to be set at award.

high→Feb 2026[21]

Housing Rules Updated for State Law; Lot Consolidation Fee Deferred

About $2,000 per qualifying lot consolidation deferred (not waived) — no general fund hit under the amended motion.

high↑Mar 2026[21]

Residential Permit Parking Cost Increase and Vision Zero Update

The program loses money today; tiered or higher permit fees could bring it to break-even or better.

medium↑Oct 2026[20]

Sewer Rates and Charges Ordinance

No direct cost to the City; future developers connecting to improved mains would pay fees that reimburse the original investor.

high↑Mar 2026[18]

Citywide Permit Parking Restrictions for Developments

Permit fees currently recover only 63-77% of program costs, subsidized by the general fund; council supports fuller cost recovery.

high↑Jan 2026[17]

Use of Measure Z sugar-sweetened beverage tax revenue

About $3.5 million in tax revenue is collected and earning interest but likely won't be spent for a year to 18 months while the appeal plays out.

high↑Mar 2026[17]

Objective Design Standards and Heritage Tree Regulations

Developer will voluntarily chip in $250,000 for downtown public infrastructure.

high↓Jan 2026[16]

General Plan alignment with Climate Adaptation Plan

Planning work now; actual adaptation projects will carry future costs.

critical↑May 2026[15]

Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant Improvements

$57 million operating budget, up 7 percent, funded 98 percent by rates.

medium↑Sep 2026[15]

Commercial Permit Life Extension

Saves existing commercial permit holders the cost and hassle of reapplying.

medium↑Jul 2025[15]

public health services

While the program itself doesn't cost much, it could save the city big bucks down the line by preventing costly disease outbreaks.

medium↑Oct 2026[15]

housing goals

Includes an amendment to the fee schedule for boundary adjustments.

low↑Oct 2026[13]

Alternative TDM compliance for school district housing

high↓Aug 2026[13]

900 High Street Housing Project (47 Units)

No public subsidy; the developer says construction cost increases made the original 40-unit design infeasible.

medium↑Mar 2026[13]

Beltz Well 9 Aquifer Storage and Recovery Design

$468,000 for design services, part of a larger water supply project.

medium↑Oct 2026[13]

Vibrancy Ordinance – Commercial Building Vacancies

$76,000 from the Economic Development Trust Fund for window coverings; $4,000/year vacancy registry fee on owners.

high↓Mar 2026[12]

Wildfire Resiliency and Preparedness

Funded by Measure Q, philanthropic donations, and grants; specific amounts not stated.

high↓Apr 2026[12]

West Cliff Drive bluff erosion and path realignment

State grant-funded through the Westcliff Resiliency program; construction fast-tracked to finish by end of year.

high↑Feb 2026[11]

FY 2026 Year-End Budget Adjustment and FY 2027 Budget Restatement

$24,669,730 in expenditure adjustments across all city funds, with a $2.7 million General Fund increase.

high↓Mar 2026[11]

Calypso Affordable Housing Bond Financing

No city funds committed; conduit financing of up to $42 million.

Decisions during term (270)

Recorded while Golder was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 27, 2026

Consent Agenda (Items 4–8)

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 27, 2026

Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-17 (TDM for School District Housing) and Ordinance No. 2026-18 (Sewer Rates)

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 27, 2026

Transportation, Parking, Accessibility and Plan Lines Package; Permit Parking Fee Increase; Vision Zero Update (Item 12)

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 27, 2026

Housing Element Municipal Code and General Plan Amendments; Lot Consolidation Fee Deferred (Item 13)

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 27, 2026

Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant Facility Improvements Project (Item 14)

approvedVoted yes6-0Oct 27, 2026

Vibrancy Ordinance Amendments and Window Covering Grant Program (Item 15)

approved7-0Oct 27, 2026

Minutes of the October 13, 2026 City Council Meeting (CC)

approved7-0Oct 27, 2026

Resolution Setting the Regular Meeting Schedule of the City Council for the 2027 Calendar Year (CC)

approvedOct 15, 2026

Approval of October 1, 2026 Minutes

approved4-0Oct 15, 2026

2000 Soquel Avenue Wireless Monopole Extension (CP26-0070)

approved7-0Oct 13, 2026

Industrial Development Authority — Election of Officers

approved7-0Oct 13, 2026

Industrial Development Authority — Minutes of October 28, 2025

approved7-0Oct 13, 2026

SCPIFC — Election of Officers

approved7-0Oct 13, 2026

SCPIFC — Minutes of October 28, 2025

approved7-0Oct 13, 2026

Consent Agenda (Items 8–18)

approved7-0Oct 13, 2026

Second Reading and Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-16 — Citywide Permit Parking Eligibility

approved7-0Oct 13, 2026

Introduction of Ordinance No. 2026-17 — TDM Alternative Compliance for School District Residential Projects

approved6-0Oct 13, 2026

Introduction of Ordinance No. 2026-18 — Sewer Rates and Charges Amendments

approved6-0Oct 13, 2026

County Library Advisory Commission Appointment

approvedVoted yes7-0Oct 13, 2026

Road Safety Action Plan

Voting record (124)

122 yes2 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Consent Agenda (Items 4–8)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Final Adoption of Ordinance No. 2026-17 (TDM for School District Housing) and Ordinance No. 2026-18 (Sewer Rates)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Transportation, Parking, Accessibility and Plan Lines Package; Permit Parking Fee Increase; Vision Zero Update (Item 12)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Housing Element Municipal Code and General Plan Amendments; Lot Consolidation Fee Deferred (Item 13)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Graham Hill Water Treatment Plant Facility Improvements Project (Item 14)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Vibrancy Ordinance Amendments and Window Covering Grant Program (Item 15)

Voted yesOct 27, 2026

Multifamily Housing Design Guidelines — Progress Report and Policy Direction (Item 16)

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

elect new officers as set forth in Section 3.02 of the Industrial Development Authority bylaws as follows: Executive Director: City Manager M. Huffaker Treasurer: Director of Finance E. Cabell Chair:

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

approve as submitted

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

elect new officers as set forth in Section 3.02 of the Santa Cruz Public Improvement Financing Corporation bylaws as follows: Chief Executive Officer: City Manager M. Huffaker Chief Financial Officer:

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-18 amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 16.12 “Sewer Rates and Charges” by amending Section 16.12.010 Definitions and Section 16.12.130 Sewer

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

approve as submitted

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

adopt Ordinance No. 2026-16 to amend Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Chapter 10.41 – Citywide Permit Parking to restrict preferential permit parking program participation for certain residential deve

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-17 amending Section 10.46.040 of the City of Santa Cruz Municipal Code to provide an alternative Transportation Demand Management compliance option for res

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

appoint Alex Ow to the County Library Advisory Commission with a term ending April 19, 2028.

Voted yesOct 13, 2026

Adopt the City of Santa Cruz Road Safety Action Plan (SAP) with added direction to include a 65% reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on City streets by 2040.; Direct staff to conduct

Voted yesSep 22, 2026

Consent Agenda (Items 6-9)

Voted yesSep 22, 2026

Consent Public Hearing Agenda (Items 10-12)

Voted yesSep 22, 2026

Resilient Coast Santa Cruz 2.0 Update (Item 13)

Voted noSep 22, 2026

Motion to amend Item 14 — comprehensive parking program evaluation (FAILED)

Believed the amendment erased prior work and targeted exactly the affordable projects the restriction aimed at.

Voted yesSep 22, 2026

Introduction of Ordinance No. 2026-16 — Citywide Permit Parking Eligibility (Item 14)

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

approve the remaining Consent Agenda

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

Authorize the Mayor to submit responses to the Santa Cruz Civil Grand Jury on behalf of the Santa Cruz City Council for the Walking in the County of Santa Cruz Grand Jury Report; and Direct staff to r

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

Adopt the 2026 Water Department Long-Range Financial Plan; Receive the 2026 Water Rate Study dated August 18, 2026; Accept the proposed schedule of water rate increases for CY 2027 – CY 2031 and the p

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

Consent Agenda (items 6, 8-14)

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury Response (item 7)

Voted yesSep 8, 2026

2026 Water Rate Plan and Proposition 218 Process (item 15)

Voted yesAug 25, 2026

Consent Agenda (Items 6-11)

Voted yesAug 25, 2026

West Cliff Drive Path Realignment – Plans and Specifications (m400819)

Voted yesAug 25, 2026

Bay Drive Protected Bike Lanes Project – Escalona Pilot Plan and Trail Easement

Voted yesAug 25, 2026

to approve the Consent Agenda.

Voted yesAug 25, 2026

to: Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,693 to approve the design, Plans and Specifications for the West Cliff Drive Path Realignment Project (m400819); Authorize staff to advertise for bids and award the cont

Voted yesAug 25, 2026

to: Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,694 to approve the design and plans for the Bay Street at Escalona Drive Pilot Plan, and direct staff to implement the approved pilot plan, which restricts through movem

Voted yesAug 11, 2026

Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to approve the Consent Public Hearing Agenda.

Voted yesAug 11, 2026

Councilmember Trigueiro moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, to approve the Consent Agenda.

Voted yesAug 11, 2026

Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Councilmember Brunner, to: • Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,688 declaring the City Council’s intention to approve an amendment to the City’s contract with the Calif

Voted yesAug 11, 2026

Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson moved, seconded by Councilmember Newsome, to accept the LHM-CAP Year 1 Implementation Progress Report.

Voted yesAug 11, 2026

Councilmember O’Hara moved, seconded by Vice Mayor Kalantari-Johnson, to: • Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,689 acknowledging the environmental determination (Statutory Exemption pursuant to Public Resourc

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

to:  Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,681 to apply for a new Prohousing Designation from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD); and  Authorize the Director of Community De

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

to:  Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-14 to adjust the salaries of the Mayor and Councilmembers; and  Direct staff to annually, at or around the same time as the City Council’s budget

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

to:  Accept the 2025 annual report from the City’s Independent Police Auditor, OIR Group; and  Direct Santa Cruz Police to prioritize use of the BlueTeam system and ensure the timely and complete

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

to adopt Resolution No. NS-30,683 acknowledging the environmental determination (Statutory Exemption pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.66) and approval of the Nonresidential Demolition A

Voted yesJun 23, 2026

to:  Not adopt the proposed resolution ordering an election to be held on November 3, 2026 for the purpose of submitting to the voters four measures to amend the City Charter; and  Adopt Resolutio

Voted yesJun 9, 2026

Adopt Ordinance No. 2026-11 amending Santa Cruz Municipal Code Section 24.16.045 and adding a new Part 5 to Chapter 24.16 “Local Preference Policy;” Direct staff to incorporate the following language

Voted yesJun 9, 2026

Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,671 adopting the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and authorizing the Water Director to file a copy of the plan with the California Department of Water Resources; Adopt Reso

Voted yesJun 9, 2026

receive the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan

Voted yesJun 9, 2026

Introduce for publication Ordinance No. 2026-12 adding Section 24.06.093 to Chapter 24.06 – Zoning Map and Text Amendments and amending Sections 24.06.090 and 24.10.1620 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Co

Voted yesJun 9, 2026

Adopt Resolution No. NS-30,673 adopting the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Budget, including the Capital Investment Program (CIP), effective July 1, 2026; authorize the City Manager to allocate within the appl

Voted yesJun 9, 2026

Consent Agenda (Items 9–28)

Voted yesJun 9, 2026

Downtown Association Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessments FY 2027 (Item 30)

In the news (1)