O
Santa Cruz
← All officials
SO

District 5 Council Member· 2024-2028

Susie O'Hara

Santa Cruz

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Dec 31, 2028.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
15
Total speaking time
3:27:06
Avg per meeting
13:48
Segments
2003

Want every word O'Hara has said?

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

Filtered to General

Top issues during term (20)(General)

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↓Feb 2026[10]

2025 Police Department Accountability and Staffing Report

Salary and benefit increases totaling 16 percent over three years for police officers.

high↑Feb 2026[6]

Bathroom and Water Access for Unhoused Residents

Up to $409,115 reallocated from existing homelessness-response funds — not new money.

high↓Feb 2026[6]

Sidewalk safety and 'sidewalk upon sale' ordinance

Sidewalks are expensive — a recent $3.9 million paving project on Escalona included only ten sidewalk frontages and 50 curb ramps — and the city currently spends far more on bike paths than sidewalks.

high↓Mar 2026[6]

Downtown Plan Expansion

This could mean new development and economic opportunities, but also potential costs for infrastructure upgrades.

medium↑May 2026[5]

local news roundup

Your tax dollars are being discussed for county budgets and transit, so pay attention!

medium↓Apr 2026[3]

Police Military Equipment Reporting (AB 481)

Drones cost $29,177 each over five years, paid from asset forfeiture funds.

medium↓Jan 2026[2]

surveillance technology contract

Canceling the contract could save the city money, but keeping it means ongoing costs for surveillance.

medium↓Feb 2026[2]

surveillance cameras

No major cost changes are expected either way, but the city might save money if they turn them off.

high↓Mar 2026[1]

Homelessness and safety in parks

This policy failure could end up costing the city more in the long run.

high↓Jan 2026[1]

Flock ALPR contract termination

The city is cutting ties, so they'll stop paying Flock, but there might be some costs to remove the cameras.

high↓Feb 2026[1]

ADU Regulation Updates and Short-Term Rental Policy

No direct cost to residents; the short-term rental change could add transient occupancy tax revenue if adopted later.

high↓Mar 2026[1]

Lighthouse Point Hazard and Engineering Analysis

$387,032 for the study, with future protection costs still unknown.

medium↓Apr 2026[1]

data privacy

The city might save money by not paying for a service that could be illegal.

medium↓May 2026[0]

battery storage facility approval

This could mean higher energy costs down the line if the project gets delayed further, or potentially lower costs if it speeds up renewable energy integration.

medium↓Dec 2024[0]

infrastructure damage

Repairing the wharf is gonna cost a pretty penny, impacting city funds and potentially tourism.

medium↓May 2026[0]

historic preservation ballot initiative

Developers might be a little annoyed they can't just tear down old music spots as easily, but the city avoids any new costs for now.

medium↓Feb 2024[0]

homeless deaths

This crisis likely means more strain on emergency services and healthcare, costing the city more.

medium↓Jul 2025[0]

rental market

Renting here will continue to drain your wallet faster than anywhere else in the country.

medium↓Sep 2025[0]

public health ordinance

Expect fewer cigarette options on store shelves, potentially impacting sales for tobacco retailers.

Decisions during term (6)

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

Voting record (1)(General)

1 yes0 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.