Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival, which starts Saturday, Aug. 17, see page 11.
Nikki Hiltz and Dom Parrish
By Jondi Gumz
Editor’s Note: Allegations in a lawsuit filed by a Boulder Creek homeowner in the wake of the 2020 CZU wildfire that rendered her home uninhabitable reveal the challenges for those filing claims with the insurer of last resort, the California FAIR Plan, operated by well-known insurers State Farm, Farmers, Allstate and others. Full Story page 4
Locals who watch the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris can keep an eye out for Aptos High School alum Nikki Hiltz, competing in the 1500 meter race. Full Story page 5 CZU Fire Lawsuit: Did FAIR Plan Fail?
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Jondi Gumz, Risa D’Angeles, Randy Johnson, Tom Decker
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By Jondi Gumz
Editor’s Note: Allegations in a lawsuit filed by a Boulder Creek homeowner in the wake of the 2020 CZU wildfire that rendered her home uninhabitable reveal the challenges for those filing claims with the insurer of last resort, the California FAIR Plan, operated by well-known insurers State Farm, Farmers, Allstate and others.
The following article contains information from the lawsuit.
I called the California FAIR Plan on its 800 line but was left on hold, listening to a neverending series of messages, but not reaching anyone in communications. I emailed the California Department of Insurance, citing my deadline for Aug. 1 but I have not heard back.
So, there could be another side to this story, but insurance officials have not shared it with me.
Sarah Mapel owned a 1,730-square foot home (3 bedrooms, 1 bath) at 300 Wooded Way.
Her FAIR Plan policy covered perils including fire.
FAIR stands for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements.
Coverage limits were $336,000 for repairs to the dwelling, personal property, $100,000, and fair rental value, $60,000.
She bought the policy in July 2017.
New Policy
Unbeknownst to her, the FAIR Plan had filed with the state Department of Insurance in October 2016 for a new policy with a new definition of “direct physical loss,” coverage for “smoke damage,” and mandatory dispute resolution for “smoke damage” claims.
At the time the new policy was approved by the state, the insurance commissioner was Dave Jones. He was succeeded by Ricardo Lara in January 2019.
Attorney Dylan Schaffer, who represents Mapel, alleges the FAIR plan told the state:
“The changes in the policy will either provide no change in coverage or will provide some broadening of coverage.”
In April 2017, the FAIR plan told agents that the new policy amounted to a reduction in coverage and would result in denials of claim that would have been paid under the prior policy, Schaffer alleges.
The lawsuit reads: “From July 2017 to the present, consistent with its warnings to its customers, brokers and training of its adjusters, CFP had denied or partially denied at least hundreds of covered fire claims” — including one filed by Sarah Mapel.
Schaffer cites Jan. 4, 2021 correspondence from the state Department of Insurance to CFP during Mapel’s claim that “the Policy is illegal and that approval for the Policy was obtained by CFP in reliance on misrepresentations to CDI regarding coverage implications.”
After a year-long investigation, the state
Department of Insurance concluded the FAIR Plan failed to provide coverage for all loss by fire as required, and its new definition of direct physical damage now was interpreted as requiring permanent physical damage, omitting coverage for smoke damage, which is a violation of state law.
The FAIR Plan rejected these findings.
“This is an unresolved issue that may result in administrative action,” the lawsuit states.
Mapel’s Claim
Mapel’s home and contents were damaged or destroyed by the CZU fire on Aug. 17, 2020.
She timely reported the loss of her home, its contents, and the need for fair rental value payments.
Here is a timeline of the response: Aug 26, 2020: CFP terms the loss as “fair rental value,” omitting the actual loss of the home, repair and replacement of the dwelling and contents.
CFP hires outside adjuster E.A. Renfroe of Birmingham, Alabama, which uses Xactimate software to generate cost estimates. The appointed adjuster is Anthony Morris out of San Diego. He does not have a California contractor’s license, but he has guidance from Renfroe.
Sept 11: Morris visits the property, and stays two hours, using a flashlight to inspect, because power was out and it was near dark. He tells Mapel that all of the insulation in the house, including inside interior walls, would have to be removed and replaced, and the interior wall cavities inspected and damage repaired. He calls the damage severe. The lawsuit says he had a condition impacting his ability to see and had eye surgery afterward.
Sept. 30: CFP says the fair rental value is $5,173.97 per month and issued a check for $1,207.29 to cover seven days of rent. Later,
without explanation, CFP cut the payment to $3,607.98, even though short-term rentals were essentially unavailable after the fire and thousands of residents were homeless, putting pressure on the rental market.
Oct. 15: Morris informs Mapel he has not yet prepared an estimate.
Nov. 5: Morris informs Mapel that he submitted his report. The estimate called for ozone odor treatment of the home for $3,650.79. The estimate did not provide for repairs to the home or replacement of contents. In Schaffer’s view, the estimate ignored actual loss and physical damage to the property and its contents.
Nov. 6: CFP adjuster Randy Hatcher wrote Mapel that after the $2,500 deductible, CFP would pay $1,150.79, enclosed the check and closed the file.
Nov. 10: Pride Public Adjusters, of Torrance, representing Mapel, writes to CFP citing inadequacies such as failure to address damaged insulation, failure to comply with professional guidelines and the state’s regulations, and includes a preliminary estimate for structure repair at $50,000.
Nov. 18: Hatcher with approval of CFP vice president of claims Estee Natale denies the claim.
The lawsuit says that mandatory dispute resolution in the CFP policy does not apply to a government-declared emergency, such as the CZU wildfire.
Dec. 14: Mapel submits preliminary estimate for contents remediation for $50,000.
Dec. 19: Kaizen Safety Solutions, which specializes in industrial hygiene and has experience inspecting fire-damaged homes, inspects Mapel’s home at her request.
Jan. 5, 2021: Hatcher sends another denial, approved by Natalee.
Then Mapel files a complaint with the state Department of Insurance.
At this time, more than a year (more than 5 months?) after the fire and smoke damage, the fully furnished home was still uninhabitable.
CFP did say it uses Zillow to determine fair rental value.
Jan. 29: Kaizen reports all major components of the property were damaged by wildfire , rending it uninhabitable.
Feb. 8: Mapel delivers Kaizen’s invoice for $26,738.74 for its inspection to CFP, seeking reimbursement, and demanding CFP reinvestigate the scope of the loss. She also delivers a complete inventory of contents she believe could be salvaged by cleaning and which she believed had to be replaced, seeking policy benefits.
Hatcher declines to reopen the file or make further payments.
Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Danielle Paul
Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti
Michael Oppenheimer website photography
The home in Boulder Creek rendered uninhabitable by the CZU wildfire; the owner sued the FAIR Plan over how her claim was handled.
Olympic Athletes to Watch: Nikki Hiltz and Dom Parrish
By Jondi Gumz
Locals who watch the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris can keep an eye out for Aptos High School alum Nikki Hiltz, competing in the 1500 meter race.
Teammates are Emily Mckay and Elle St. Pierre.
The rules allow 45 athletes to qualify.
Heats begin Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 10:05 a.m. Paris time with the repechage round Aug. 7 at 12:35 p.m., semi-finals Aug. 8 at 7:25 p.m. and final Saturday, Aug. 10 at 8:25 p.m.
Faith Kipyegon of Kenya has a world record in this event: 3:49:04.
Hiltz’ best time: 3:55.33 in the Olympic trials in June, becoming he U.S champion.
At Aptos High, Hiltz’ best time — as a sophomore — was 4:26.13. Tom Hiltz, Nikki’s father, frequently posts updates on Facebook.
Aptos Times has not yet heard of any Olympics watch parties for Nikki Hiltz, but if we do, we will let our readers know.
Hiltz is not the only athlete from Santa Cruz County participating.
Scotts Valley High School alum Dom Parrish, who won a gold medal in the 2022 World Championships, will compete for the U.S. at 53 kilograms.
She is one of 16 wrestlers representing the U.S. Qualification rounds and repechage rounds in her weight class are scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 7, starting at 11:30 a.m. with another repechage round and medal matches on Thursday, Aug. 8.
Parrish has been training at Beaver Dam RTC in Corvallis, Oregon.
Keep in mind Paris is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time and 9 hours ahead of Pacfic time. n
For more times, see https://olympics.com/en/ paris-2024/schedule
Panetta Salutes Local Olympians
United States Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) applauded the six athletes from California’s 19th Congressional District representing Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
California’s 19th Congressional District includes South San Jose, parts of Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and Northern San Luis Obispo County.
The opening ceremony for the Olympic games was Friday, July 26.
“Our country consistently sends athletes to the Olympics that embody the best of America in athleticism and patriotism,” said Panetta. “In our local athletes on Team USA, we see those qualities and look forward to watching them represent what we stand for on the world stage. All of us in California’s 19th Congressional District will be cheering them on during the Games and we look to celebrating their incredible achievements when they return home.”
Olympians from California’s 19th Congressional District include:
• Nikki Hiltz, Santa Cruz — Track and Field
• Dominique Parrish, Scotts Valley — Wrestling
• Natalia Grossman, Santa Cruz — Sport Climbing
• Matai Leuta, Monterey — Rugby
• Naomi Girma, San Jose — Soccer
• Kelsey Robinson, Santa Cruz — Volleyball Rep. Panetta serves as the co-chair of the Physical Activity Caucus in Congress. Team USA includes 592 elite athletes, including 140 Californians, competing in 34 sports. The United States will host the next summer Olympic games in Los Angeles, California in 2028. n
Student Athletes
Dom Parrish
Nikki Hiltz
Photos by Jondi Gumz
San Lorenzo Valley Band: Musical interlude
Gals with Jazzercise: Looking like mushrooms that dance!
Two girls who just want to have fun do handstands
Marchers with Little People’s Repertory Theatre are a vision in pink for “The Wizard of tOyZ”
The Fourth of July parade in Boulder Creek starts with sirens, which explains why Amaris, 6, is covering her ears. Brother Matthew, 7, is unfazed.
Celebrating the 4th of July: Scotts Valley
Photos by Jondi Gumz
Baymonte School’s float: A pirate ship.
This means: Hang loose.
The Kiwanis Club promoted Music at Skypark in August & September. Flags for waving were distributed by the Exchange Club.
The Scotts Valley Fourth of July parade is a well-attended tradition.
It starts with a flyover, planes piloted with precision.
Then Anjali Kumar, a talented student of Bobbe Hosfeldt-Ward & Performance Vocals, graced us with song.
FEATURED COLUMNIST
‘Tis the Season
Like a garden full of spring flowers, tax measures are sprouting up all throughout the county this cycle. And who can blame the cities and county, as the inflation pressures and the unfunded mandates imposed by the state of California are stark reminders that services provided by local government are revenue-dependent and it’s a little bleak and gloomy for many budgets out there.
And it’s not just cities that are turning to their communities for relief. School districts are facing challenges to attract and retain teachers in a housing market that is unrelenting in its cost. And facilities bonds are not just a cause du jour. Schools need renovation and constrained annual budgets often let facilities fall into a”let’s fix that next year” limbo and students suffer.
The Scotts Valley Unified School District is going out for a bond this fall to maintain and improve their facilities. This will include:
• Construction of a multi-purpose room at each elementary school, which can serve as a cafeteria so students don’t have to eat outside in the cold winter months;
• Increasing student access to modern technology through infrastructure improvements;
• Building an all-weather track, field, and spectator seating at the high school for our athletes and for safer P.E. classes;
• Modernizing/renovating outdated classrooms, locker rooms, and restrooms;
• Installing solar panels and HVAC systems;
I know, it sounds like an ambitious list of projects, but when you think of all the benefits that excellent schools bring to a community,
By Randy Johnson, Mayor, City of Scotts Valley
it’s a bargain. And an even more compelling argument is that our students deserve a comfortable and stable environment in which to learn. Plus, am I going to absorb all the benefits and financial windfall of rising property values that excellent schools bring and not give back? Nah.
Scotts Valley is also bringing a measure to its citizens this fall. Our Business License Tax has not been revised since 1992 and needs to be updated. The Council listened to the business community and the public and we are moving forward with a plan that is both equitable and simple for business to calculate and pay and simple for the city to administer. The increased revenues that will be generated are rather modest, but will help in our goal to keep Scotts Valley as a safe and wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.
Cities and school districts provide services and rely on adequate revenue to provide those services. Not every tax is progressive and proportional and often is regressive. Not perfect, but certainly needed.
I was disappointed recently when a group of anti-tax leaders gathered enough signatures to place the Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act proposition on the fall ballot. It was recently struck down by the California Supreme Court and will not be voted on this year. That is a relief.
The proposition would have required all local tax measures to pass by a two-thirds vote. That raises the bar to unacceptable heights and could decimate the financial health of small cities and lead to their decertification.
Tax safeguards are already in place. Virtually every tax measure requires a vote by
Taxes on Nov. 5 Ballot
The Santa Cruz County Elections Department posted this list, in alphabetical order, of tax measures that will appear on ballots in Santa Cruz County in the Nov. 5 election:
Aromas-San Juan School District Bond
Bonny Doon Elementary School District Bond
City of Capitola Sales Tax
Central Fire District of Santa Cruz County Bond
Live Oak School District Bond
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Bond
City of Santa Cruz Beverage Tax
San Lorenzo Water District Rate Initiative
Soquel Elementary School District Bond
City of Watsonville Charter Amendments
Zayante Fire Protection District Tax
the people and many already need a supermajority to pass.
I don’t understand the punitive mentality that would strip away local cities’ autonomy and force them to become tacit financial vassals of the state.
Fair opposition should always be welcomed, as it makes tax measures more fair and efficient, but vindictive and punishing laws have no place in our communities and should be rejected. n
Show Me the Money
NBy Tom Decker
ow that I’m no longer trying to win friends and influence people in order to get votes, I’m free to speak the truth when I see it.
To that end, I’ve been watching with interest as our Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors puts together our county’s 2024-2025 budget.
that, all of the other expenses, costs and overhead of running our county will paid.
At this point, four out of our five county supervisors have agreed upon a proposed budget. Some time in September, this proposed budget will be voted on by our supervisors
They told us this going to be a “bare bones” budget. The pensions of the retired county employees will be paid first. After
Because the proposed budget is so lean, there is almost no money for allocated for “new projects.” A “new project” might be something like maintaining and improving our county roads.
In order to balance the budget in times of rising inflation and decreasing tax revenues, our county needs to live within its means. That is good advice for an individual, a family and for a county government. The county’s proposed budget is being carefully put together to meet the needs of the county. Based upon the projected tax revenues and projected expenses, our county will have a balanced budget in 2024-2025.
Although there was an item in the proposed 2024-2025 budget that puzzled me.
I’ve always understood that a “balanced budget” meant expenses are balanced by tax revenues and reserves.
After reading over the 2024-2025 budget, it appears this may not be the case. The supervisors are balancing the budget by including an IOU from the Federal government for $100,000,000.
This is money our county spent during COVID-19 business shutdowns, the CZU Fire expenses and many other areas.
The Feds encouraged our county supervisors to spend the money. They were told the county would be reimbursed by the Feds.
“County Budget” page 10
Tom Decker
Giant Dipper Memories
Two readers responded to our call for memories of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Giant Dipper, which is 100 years old this year. •••
Joanne Chamberlin writes from Scotts Valley: It was the summer of 1976. I had just hitchhiked to California from Toronto after university, and landed in Santa Cruz.
My new church friends took me to the Boardwalk and I ended up on the Giant Dipper with an ex gang member from San Jose.
He shared with me what his initiation rites had been; I had never heard of such despicable things and should have been terrified of the guy- he sure looked tough!
But as we slowly approached the top of the ride, he suddenly started crying and screaming blue murder: Mama! Mama! and was determined to climb out of his seat!
I had to use all my strength to pull him back down and hold him there as best I could for the very long rest of the ride.
“County Budget” from page 8
Our supervisors needed little encouragement to spend the money. And why not? Uncle Sam, with his endless deep pockets, had promised to repay all the county’s bills. That’s what rich uncles do.
September 2024 will mark four years since the CZU Fire destroyed 911 homes in Santa Cruz County.
As of today, Uncle Sam hasn’t reimbursed the county the $100 million they promised. No worries. Our county has been holding an IOU from the Feds as an asset on their books for years. We all hope the Feds are good for it. So does everyone else who is still waiting for reimbursement from FEMA or their SBA loan for their CZU Fire losses.
After waiting almost four years, many of these people are beginning to lose hope of ever seeing their money.
If the Feds can’t (or won’t) reimburse our friends, our neighbors and our community members, should we perhaps wonder when they might pay their $100 million IOU to our county?
I’ve never gone back on the Giant Dipper in 48 years of living in Santa Cruz County. That was more than enough!
•••
Bruce Holloway of Boulder Creek writes: I like the fried artichokes better than the Giant Dipper, but my memory is that in one of the opening scenes of The Lost Boys (1986), the vampires swoop down and carry off a couple of kids in the back seat of the roller coaster as it goes over the top between the Bear Flag and the Stars and Stripes. There’s another scene in which the vampires rip the roof off an old Dodge and grab a couple of kids making out in the back seat. The movie currently includes only the scene with the Dodge and not the one where the kids get plucked off the Giant Dipper. n
If we can’t depend upon when the Feds will pay their $100 million IOU to our county, is our 2024-2025 county budget really balanced?
If our county’s budget can be balanced as easily as slipping in a $100 million IOU, why stop there? What if the county could get a $400 million IOU from the Feds?
Then the county would have a huge budget surplus. With a surplus as large as that, the county would have lots of money to spend on all kinds of new programs.
If an IOU from the Feds is good enough to balance our county budget, then perhaps the county doesn’t really need to be concerned about having money enough. They just need an IOU big enough. It’s worked so well for the past four years.
Although, I do wonder what might happen when an angry unpaid creditor demands from our county supervisors, “Show me the money.” n
Tom Decker builds homes for CZU Fire victims. Earlier this year he ran for Santa Cruz County Supervisor for the 5th District.
Joanne Chamberlin
Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival Celebrates 25 Years
August 17th - 18th at Skypark
The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the return of our signature summer event, The Scotts Valley Art, Wine & Beer Festival. It will take place in the beautiful park setting of Skypark in Scotts Valley. The premier summer festival in the Santa Cruz Mountains has something fun for everyone!
18 from 10 am to 5
August 16th at 5pm. Pre-sale tasting kits can be picked up at the festival at the will-call window.
The festival is a two-day event and is always held on the third weekend in August. The 2024 dates are: Saturday, August 17 from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, August
goers can purchase their tasting kits early to receive significant savings offered online only. The online tasting kit sales will end the day before the festival on Friday,
Online sales for tasting kits will be available soon, visit the festival website at SVArtFestival.com for updates.
There will be over 130 fabulous artists, and the area’s most prestigious wineries and breweries will be there pouring their best. Additionally, there will be culinary creations from 18 different food vendors.
The festival also includes the Cops ‘N Rodders Car Show on Saturday benefitting the Scotts Valley Police Department, as well as the popular Dog Day Sunday with contests in the following categories: Best Costume, Best Trick, Best Look-A-Like, Best Pooch Smooch, Smallest Dog, Largest Dog, Best Voice — Sing-Talk-Bark, and Fastest Fetcher. Well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome on both festival days.
This year’s live music entertainment schedule is as follows: Saturday, August 17
10:00 – Bobbie Ward Performance Vocal
11:45 – Fishhook
2:00 – The Shady Rest Band
4:15 – James Durbin and the Lost Boys Sunday, August 18
10:00 – Scotts Valley Talent Show
11:00 – International Academy of Dance
1:00 – Lyin Eyes (Eagles Tribute Band)
3:15 – The Joint Chiefs
Saturday & Sunday
August 17-18
25th Annual Scotts Valley Art Wine & Beer Festival
10am-5pm — Sky Park 361 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley
Thursday Sept. 19
Grand Opening & Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
5:30-7pm — Flex Education
5300 Butler Lane #130, Scotts Valley
Thursday Sept. 26
Grand Opening & Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
5:30-7:00pm — Within Your Reach Physical Therapy & Fitness
5403 Scotts Valley Drive Suites E-F, Scotts Valley
Thursday October 17
Grand Opening & Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
5:30-7pm — Scotts Valley Wellness Center 5321 Scotts Valley Drive Suite 102, Scotts Valley
Thursday October 24
Grand Opening & Red Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
5:30-7pm — Sol Hot Yoga –New Location! 230-D Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley
Scotts Valley Chamber News
Town Center Update: Open House August 22
At the August 7 City Council Meeting, the City Council will consider approving a purchase sale agreement to acquire the 8 acres of land in the Town Center Core that is owned by the City of Santa Cruz.
The Town Center Core is the vacant land between the Hanger and the Post Office, stretching from Mount Hermon Road to Skypark.
Scotts Valley already owns 6 of the 14
acres, but owning the whole site is a historic step forward.
To assist with the purchase, the city was awarded a $1 million federal grant, thanks to Congressman Jimmy Panetta.
At a second event from 6-8 p.m. on August 22, an Open House will be held at the Community Center for interested residents to review and provide feedback
Von three potential layouts for the new Town Center.
The layouts, designed by architects from Urban Field Studio, include streets, commercial areas, residential areas, and community gathering places.
The three options aim to connect the new development seamlessly to the neighboring amenities such as Target, the Hanger, Nob Hill, Library, Skypark and more.
After the community weighs in, the architectural team will create a preferred layout with high level requirements to include in the Town Center Specific Plan update. Then, private developers will be invited to submit proposals to partner with the City to develop the Town Center based on the preferred layout.
To stay informed on the future of the Town Center, visit www.ScottsValley.gov/TownCenter
Valley Churches United Seeks Donations & Volunteers
alley Churches United is in need of some food donations for their year-round food pantry. The middle of summer is when the food pantry shelves can get a bit empty. Currently the food pantry is out of soup, cereal, mac and cheese, tuna and jelly.
These basic food items are missing from the food bags given to the food pantry clients. All food donations are taxdeductible and accepted at 9400 Highway 9 in Ben Lomond. Hours for donations are Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm. Valley Churches United is also looking for a few volunteers to help with food sorting and lifting boxes of food to fill the food pantry. The volunteer opportunity can be very flexible during the weekday between 9am and 4pm. The volunteer shift can be a few hours a week or more.
•••
For more information regarding food donations and volunteer opportunities please contact Lynn Robinson at 831-336-8258 x229.
Celebrating 43 Years of Managing & Selling Homes throughout Santa Cruz County — 1981 – 2024
$5800/mo 4BR/3BA 3-story Updated Home on Siri Lane in Scotts Valley. A/C. Office. Open-floor concept. W/D included. Small patio. Pets considered AVAIL NOW
$5650/mo 4BR/3.5BA Solar Townhome on the 300 block of Skyforest Way in Scotts Valley. Great commute location. W/D included. 2-car garage. 1 small pet considered AVAIL EARLY AUG
$3400/mo 2BR/1BA Upstairs Unit in a Duplex on the 200 block of El Camino in Scotts Valley. Shared laundry. Large yard. No pets AVAIL MID AUG
$2800/mo 1BR/1BA Apartment on the 100 block of S. Morrissey in Santa Cruz. W/D. New flooring, paint & blinds. Small yard ................................................................................................................................................ AVAIL NOW
$2250/mo 1BR/1BA Apartment in a Duplex at 889 Hillcrest in Felton. Yard. No laundry onsite. 1 pet ok. AVAIL NOW
$2200/mo Studio Apartment on 100 block of Glen Lomond in Ben Lomond. Bonus loft & storage available. Deck. 1 off-street parking space.................................................................................................................... AVAIL EARLY AUG
$1850/mo Brand new Studios on Redwood Avenue in Boulder Creek. Small patio. No laundry AVAIL NOW $1850/mo 1BR/1BA in a House on the 23000 block of Glenwood Drive in Los Gatos. Shared common areas. Onsite laundry. Deck. No pets AVAIL NOW
Music at Skypark Returns
The FREE community-wide outdoor
“MUSIC AT SKYPARK” concert series returns for its 15th season on the last Sundays of August and September (Aug. 25 and Sept. 29) at Skypark in Scotts Valley.
Sunday August 25
Sunday Sept. 29
The August 25 concert day starts with a Vintage Motorcycle Show from 8:00 – 2pm. American Underdog (original material, classic rock, Blues, folk rock and Americana) plays 1:30 to 3, followed by headliner Jive Machine (fusing old-school funk, progressive rock, blues, and soul) from 3:30 to 5:00. These bands both promise upbeat danceable music.
The Sept. 29 concert features The Shady Rest Band (playing “rock ‘n blues with strings attached”, complete with female lead vocals, violin, congas, guitar, bass and drums) from 1:30 to 3:00, and headliner Extra Large (funky grooves rooted in blends of classic rock, funk gyrations, Blues, reggae riffs and Latin beats) from 3:30 to 5:00. Bursting with horns, strings, drums and bass, Extra Large has repeatedly headlined Music at Skypark.
The all-volunteer Kiwanis Club of Scotts Valley will once again put on these concerts and dedicate all profits to the music programs at local schools (concert profits over the years now
top $200,000). Kiwanis and local businesses will offer food, wine, beer and other concessions for sale. Volunteer opportunities and sponsorships are available. Visit svkiwanis.org for details or contact Mike Stewart at (831) 334-8899 or Jim Melehan at jimbofx@msn.com.
“Music at Skypark continues to be the main source of funding for our District’s music program,” remarked Beth Hollenbeck, the former music director of Scotts Valley Unified School District. “On behalf of our students, staff and administration please know how deeply grateful we are for your support of this growing program. It’s no wonder the NAMM Foundation repeatedly awards Scotts Valley the ‘Best Community for Music Education’!”
SV Fire Board Approves Fire & Life Safety Investment Ballot Measure
At the July 10 Board Meeting, the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District Board of Directors unanimously approved Resolution 2024-8 that will place a fire and life safety investment ballot measure on the November general election. The 60-yearold fire station at Erba Lane does not meet essential services needs or building and safety standards, putting the community of Scotts Valley at risk in the event of a disaster.
The ballot measure’s purpose is raising money to improve 911 response times, maintain lifesaving emergency medical services, strengthen wildfire protection and prevention, by constructing a strategically located fire station and administrative support building to ensure operations during a disaster.
The proposed fire station and support building will replace the outdated Erba Lane facility, and staff working at the Erba Lane Station will be relocated to the new fire station at 6000 La Madrona Drive once it is built. The Erba Lane Station will be sold and the proceeds from the sale will offset the cost of the new facility.
The District asked voters in November 2023 to fund a similar plan but missed the passage requirement by 12 votes. Since the failure of last year’s measure, the District has evaluated all of its funding options, considered alternative plans, and is proposing the revised plan to protect the firefighters and community.
Scotts Valley is a growing city, far exceeding the growth expected in 1964 when the Erba Lane station was built. Relocating the fire station to a more southern part of the Fire District places the Firefighters in a more strategic location that will better serve the entire community. In 2002, the Fire District purchased the lot at 6000 La Madrona Drive for a future fire station location. This location decreases the overlap in fire station response areas,
allows for better coverage, and places the station closer to most of the incidents in the Community.
Modern fire stations are designed and constructed to allow for optimal and quick deployment of life-saving resources to ensure efficiency when responding to 911 calls for medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, vehicle accidents, and fires and other life-safety events. The new location and facilities will allow the District to be best prepared for unpredictable wildfires and emergency medical incidents by allowing for a rapid response to the thousands of acres of improved and unimproved property and open space within the District and surrounding communities. The scope and scale of the fire station and administrative support facility
financial needs far exceed the District’s current operating budget.
This measure will ask voters to fund $24.5 million in bonds and will have an average tax rate of $17 per $100,000 of the taxable assessed valuation – costing the average property owner $109 per year. The cost of the new fire station and support building is estimated to be $26.3 million – an increase of 9% from 2023. The sale of the Erba Lane site, and a contribution from the District’s Reserves will offset the difference. This bond measure will include the newest Fire District residents from the Branciforte Community who will also benefit from the relocation of the Erba Lane Station.
More information about the ballot measure and proposed facilities can be found at https://www.scottsvalleyfire.com/ scottsvalleyfirebond2024/
The Scotts Valley Fire District serves over 20 square miles including the City of Scotts Valley, Pasatiempo, Branciforte, and other unincorporated areas immediately around the City.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Jobs in Santa Cruz County
Sector June 2024 Change from June 2023
Count is on the 12th of the month
*Includes commuters out of the county
Source: California Employment Development Department
Unemployment in Santa Cruz County rose to 5.6% in June from 5.1% in May as the labor force shrank by 2,000 compared to two years ago. The biggest job losses are in retail trade, wholesale trade and business and professional services.
Unemployment has topped 5% for the past three months, compared to 17+% in 2020 fueled by pandemic restrictions.
Santa Cruz Toyota in Capitola is looking for a rental car agent, paying $17-$19 per hour.
Dairy Queen in Capitola has an opening for a crew member to work 30 hours a week, Monday-Friday. Pay is
Quality Inn of Capitola is recruiting a part-time front desk agent. Pay is $17-$19 per hour.
In Shape in Capitola has an opening for a part-time custodian, weekends as needed, paying $16.25 per hour.
New Leaf Community Market, which plans to move to the former Lucky grocery location on Bay Avenue in Capitola, needs a fulltime produce clerk, paying $17.55 to $22.20 per hour. n
“FAIR Plan” from page 4
July 19: Mapel writes to Natale, demanding her claim be reopened.
July 22: Natale declines to reopen the case.
The lawsuit, filed in August 2022, names the FAIR Plan’s officers: Annalise Jivan, president, retired, Victoria Roach, current president, John Boeder, vice president, underwriting, Estee Natale, vice president claims, Tammy Schwartz, vice president operations and underwriting, Elise Klein, general counsel, adjuster Randy
Hatcher, and each member of the governing committee.
Mapel seeks general, special, economic and consequential damages, fees for attorneys, public adjuster and experts to recover policy benefits, prejudgment interest, cost of the lawsuit, and exemplary damages for fraud, oppression and malice.
She does not identify an amount but asks for relief “the Court finds just and proper.”
On Nov. 18, 2021, Mapel sold her home in Boulder Creek for $766,000.
Her attorney says she has moved on from the litigation. n
Construction of La Bahia Hotel & Conference Center in Santa Cruz boosts jobs.
COMMUNITY NEWS
Grand Jury: Affordable Housing for Who? No Data
Editor’s note: The Santa Cruz County Grand Jury investigated affordable housing mandated to be built in the city of Santa Cruz for low income residents, preferably city workers, and found the city does not track to see who is living in this affordable housing.
Inclusionary Housing refers to the percentage of units in a development project required by City Code to be set aside for below market rate rent or sale. This type of housing is a critical source of affordable housing in the City of Santa Cruz.
The number is small while the demand is high.
The City Municipal Code requires that local residents and workers in the City of Santa Cruz who meet income eligibility requirements are given preference (priority) for Inclusionary Housing. But is this happening? The Grand Jury investigation determined that the City keeps no records, does no tracking, gathers no data, and has no evidence to determine if preference is being given to local residents and local workers when renting Inclusionary Housing units.
The City has conflicting and contradictory policies on whether Inclusionary Housing applies to low, very low and extremely low income earners only, or whether moderate income earners are also eligible. The City cannot state what percentage of the City’s affordable housing is occupied by incomeverified UCSC students.
The Grand Jury recommends that the disparity in the City’s legal documents regarding income eligibility levels for Inclusionary Housing be resolved; that the City develop publicly available metrics to ensure Inclusionary Housing preferences are being followed and to document the percentage of Inclusionary Housing units rented to UCSC students.
Measure O
Since 1980, the City of Santa Cruz has required housing project developers to provide a percentage of the project units at “below market” rates. This percentage is called the Inclusionary rate. It was part of Measure O approved by voters in 1979.
Long Commutes
Since the adoption of the Inclusionary Ordinance, housing costs both for sale and rent have risen dramatically in Santa Cruz and elsewhere in the Bay Area. Santa Cruz has been designated as the most expensive rental market in the US. Many workers earn too little to afford the ever-increasing rents. Much of the local workforce, whether police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers, restaurant workers, cooks, cleaners, janitors, teachers, mechanics…the list is long… commutes long distances from other lessexpensive towns to work in Santa Cruz.
UCSC Students
UC Santa Cruz students have a big impact on the City’s rental housing supply. Since the adoption of the Inclusionary Ordinance in 1980, the student population at
UCSC has increased from 6,000 students to the current 19,000 students.
Anticipated growth through 2040 is planned for 28,000 thousand students plus additional staff and faculty.
Student population growth accounts for approximately half the population growth of the City of Santa Cruz since 1980.
Methodology
The Grand Jury reviewed available documents and conducted interviews to determine if there is Ordinance-related tracking by the City of Santa Cruz. In particular, the Grand Jury investigated whether Inclusionary Housing is occupied by local residents and local workers as mandated by the City’s Municipal Code 24.16.045.
The Grand Jury also sought data on UCSC student occupancy of Inclusionary and 100% Affordable Housing.
The report focuses on Inclusionary Housing units in projects built since 2007. That is the year that Preference (priority) for local residents and local workers was adopted in the Ordinance and the Municipal Code.
The report includes:
• How many Inclusionary units exist in the City
• The numbers of Inclusionary units at each income level Housing for Whom?
• The methods used by the City to track and document that local resident and local worker preferences are being implemented
• The percentage of Inclusionary units occupied by students and non-students. The methodology included:
the City-required Inclusionary Housing units in mixed-use and in 100% Affordable Projects are being offered to and occupied by local residents and local workers at the appropriate income levels as required.
Assumptions
Members of the Santa Cruz community assume that Inclusionary Housing is intended for our local essential workers. Both proponents and opponents of the 2024 ballot Measure M (which included increasing the Inclusionary rate from 20% to 25%) made such statements during the campaign. Similar statements are voiced by members of the public as well as by the City Planning Commission and City Council when speaking in support of proposed mixed-use housing projects with Inclusionary units.
Speakers claim that providing such affordable housing will enable workers to live near their workplace rather than having to commute long distances to their jobs in Santa Cruz.
However, essential workers, as such, are not called out in the Inclusionary Housing preference categories.
The City has no data on whether any essential workers are being housed in Inclusionary or other Affordable Housing. Inclusionary Evolution
Since it was passed in 1979, Measure O / Inclusionary Housing Resolutions have been updated:
• Interviews with City and County agency staff and housing providers
• Statutes and Guidelines: City Ordinances related to Inclusionary Housing
° Resolutions related to Inclusionary Housing
° Municipal Codes related to Inclusionary Housing ° Housing and Community Development (HCD) income levels applied to Inclusionary Housing
° Conditions of Approval for Mixed-Use Housing projects
• Process Documents: Affordable Housing Agreements between developers and the City ° Documents for applying for an Inclusionary/Measure O unit
• Tracking: ° Annual monitoring documents required of property managers
• Other: Newspaper articles ° Public hearings for City Mixed-use Housing projects
Where Is The Data?
The Grand Jury addressed this issue in 2022-2023 with “Housing Our Workers: Essential Workers Need Affordable Housing! “ and recommended the City adopt “clear, measurable guidelines.”
Given the magnitude of the need for more affordable housing, the long commutes by low-income local workers and the growing UCSC student population, it is imperative that existing and future Inclusionary Housing be occupied by those for whom it is intended. Whether this requirement is being achieved should be based on metrics, not assumptions or hearsay.
This investigation was done to determine whether the City of Santa Cruz has verifiable documentation to ensure the following: that
• Eight City Council Resolutions passed between 1985 and 2018 requiring all Inclusionary Housing to be rented or sold to extremely low, very low and low income households as defined by the State Housing and Community Development department.
• In January 2007, preferences for local residents and local workers to rent or buy Inclusionary Housing units added to the Ordinance.
• In 2020, the rate of Inclusionary units raised from 15% to 20%.
• The Inclusionary designation of the units is now in perpetuity and will not convert to market rate should a tenant leave.
Local Preferences
Since 2007, the City has required that preferences be applied when property managers choose tenants for Inclusionary Housing. These preferences are codified in Municipal Code 24.16.045 (6) as follows: As consistent with state and federal law, preferences for rental Inclusionary units shall be given in the following priority order: a. Residents of the city of Santa Cruz for at least one year. b. Those employed in the city of Santa Cruz. c. Residents of the county of Santa Cruz for at least one year. d. Those employed in the county of Santa Cruz. The same order is repeated for Inclusionary sale units.
The Grand Jury learned that UCSC students can apply for Inclusionary and Affordable Housing if they are income-verified by the Housing Authority.
“Affordable Housing” page 18
Photo Credit: Natalia Rodriguez
Calvary Episcopal Church repurposed a parking lot at 525 Cedar St., Santa Cruz, for 65 affordable rentals plus commercial space, which was completed in February.
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Leo’s Creative Gifts & the Magic Star Regulus
“Affordable
Esoteric Astrology • August 2024 • By Risa D’Angeles
We rejoice when the Sun enters Leo, sign of the heart of all that matters, sign of the intelligent heart and the heart of intelligence. Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac, the 2nd fire sign (after Aries). Concerning the heart chakra — in Leo, the energy that has been in the solar plexus (emotional upheaval, separative thinking) has the opportunity to lift itself up to the heart.
This reorients the energy in the body from a downward spiral into more and more matter to an upward spiral of balance, harmony and equilibrium.
The heart is the central balancing point in the body, in between the lower instincts and the higher intuition. When we are focused in the heart, we are able to step upon the Evolutionary Arc which is the path that leads back to heaven, to spirit.
There is a royal star in Leo called Regulus, the Star of the Magi, the star of Magic called Magha. It is the star of the White Magician whose task is to anchor into the world new rhythms and archetypes that lead humanity to the new era of love, knowledge and freedom.
ARIES
The last full moon Cancer solar festival light created a challenge between home and profession, bringing that duality to light. It calls you to unify and synthesize how you value both realms. Because there are opposite tasks involved for each, one can feel the difficulty of being pulled in two different directions. However, this doesn’t need to be. Things visualized and planned for eventually emerge into a synthesis and integration. Both then seem like a splendid harvest. As you lead, do it with love, or leadership fails.
TAURUS
You’re emerging as a great and important teacher, (Last week’s) Cancer/Capricorn full moon is said to be a time when the true teacher is recognized and thus gratitude is given. The Dalai Lama has said we are to rejoice in the Teacher (and the Teachings). A question — What teachers blessed you with their knowledge, wisdom, love and goodness? Thank them (even if it’s internally). You are to become greater than they. The student is always to surpass the teacher - one of the student’s spiritual tasks.
GEMINI
You are to be sensitive to impressions from higher cosmic realms so you can be introduced to and begin to understand more and more the ancient mysteries. They are embedded in these astrological and esoteric writings. What concerned you prior to the Cancer full moon is now forgotten. Venus, your Soul ruler asks you to list all that you value (things, events, people, behaviors, facts, experiences, etc.). As you see your values in words a greater identity comes forth. Tend to your money and resources with intelligence.
CANCER
To figure out what’s truly important to us, we often have to observe our daily routines. This takes great observational skills. When one is training to be a Montessori teacher, the first task ix observation — in a zoo, on a park bench, in a nursery with babies. Observation is the first level of training for everything. Questions. What are you doing that’s routine each day, this week and month? How do you decide what you accomplish each day? Are your days and nights nurturing for you? Do you provide yourself with the same nurturance, safety and security you provide for others? Careful with communication. You may not be able to hear yourself.
There is a task for humanity during Leo. We are to focus on our talents, abilities, gifts and aspiration, recognize them and further cultivate them. They are part of our creative identity (“I know myself by recognizing my talents and gifts and what I create.”) and they are and will be needed and called forth to build the new Aquarian culture and civilization. The questions for each of us during Leo are: 1. What is in my heart? 2. What are my talents, gifts and abilities? 3. How can I cultivate them further? And during Leo, the identity of “I am a creator and I identify myself as one. I am regal, I am noble, I am creative!”
Upcoming Aquarian Salon - The next Aquarian Salon, with the summer signs (Cancer, Leo, Virgo), is this Sunday, July 27, 2024 10am (Pacific time). The Theme is The Mother. Everyone is invited. It’s an international conversation on art, astrology, the wisdom teachings, with a gallery and a salon. n
Info: https://good-will.ch/pdf/aquariansalon.pdf
Telegram: https://t.me/aquariansalon
LEO
Happy Birthday, Leo. It’s the beginning of Sun in Leo. You above all should have a month-long birthday party. Will you have a birthday party this year? Do allow yourself time away from work and responsibilities. Allow yourself interesting study that increases your imagination. You must have time for free play (which you like and need). It creates a soothing respite, offers a sense of comfort and care that sometimes you seek from others (which they are unable to provide). Work in several weeks becomes quite intense. Prepare yourself now with a time of rest and relaxation. Nurture and nourish yourself. Don’t become weary.
VIRGO
So much functions internally within you, and to most this is an unknown factor of Virgo. And so much about you is creative. Perhaps you also don’t quite recognize this. Virgo’s ability to order, organize and tend to things in detail are really fine creative talents. Virgos have great discernment, too. They hold within themselves so many gifts, but they are so often veiled by a sense of subtle expectations, criticisms and that everything must be perfect. Here is a secret. Everything already IS perfect. It’s a state of magic to believe that. Ponder on this statement. Let it permeate your heart and mind. More magic then happens!
LIBRA
So much is in flux, shifting about, changing as you stand with less and less knowable direction. What is shifting is a new state of self-identity, one that calls you to nourish yourself and others more As you change and merge into a new self-awareness, as your home life transforms (perhaps into greater beauty, order, organization?), the structure of your mind, beliefs, and thinking will change, too. What seemed like obstacles appearing in daily life slowly dissipate and melt away Whatever you justify doing, if kindness is not involved, this too will dissolve and melt away. Question. Who loves you the most?
SCORPIO
Are there subtle and ongoing questions on inner levels concerning resources, money and finances and what is available now and in the future? This, at times, causes deep anxiety. It’s good to communicate about these things to those who can listen. Communicating expands our awareness and calms reactions to what seems like continual change. Soon you will feel the need for travel which always offers a hopeful philosophy of life. Plan now for that travel. Not in August (Mercury retro!) but before or after. In the meantime paring down all expenses allows for emerging new and unusual resources to appear.
SAGITTARIUS
It’s good to follow the advice about communication and finances given to Scorpio. This is an important time when you think deeply on how you would want to improve or expand upon any (perhaps all) aspects of how you are in relationships. At times you’re very dedicated, often open and enthusiastic. At other times you can drop down to a middlin’ and static state of being. From heights of achievement and authority to a lack of confidence. These are normal behaviors for everyone. An ebb and flow occurring. Do not pressure yourself in any way. Balance always comes in time.
CAPRICORN
Careful driving, communicating and doing things that demand a clear and focused mind. You are entering a state where your mind and thinking are being refined. At first and at times, veils seem to drop over your eyes. Then your mind feels confused and in other worlds. These are symptoms of mental and emotional refinement. However, you also need to care for yourself, health-wise with a planned regimen of scheduled eating (always breakfast with protein), vitamins and minerals, hydrogenated water, and a diet that is mostly gluten and sugar free. Make this type of food for the entire family. It’s easy to do. These are your new directions.
AQUARIUS
All things cultural call out the best in you, they capture your creative spirit, provide new confidence and realizations and true identity that you are an artist. All that you do brings forth for others new and different perspectives. Many of us don’t realize or understand our great gifts or how we influence others by simply following our hopes, dreams and visions, likes, wants and wishes. Question: What are all of yours? On a practical level, begin and continue to be very disciplined with money, resources and finances. A mantram to help you sleep — “I have all that I need. Everything I need comes to me in right timing. I am grateful.”
PISCES
Home is the best place to concentrate on health and well-being. Focus on preparing the correct foods your body needs, tend to your body’s comforts and accomplish the daily tasks of nourishment and nurturance. Over time, these protect the body. With Saturn and Neptune both in Pisces, your nervous system needs routine, rhythm and structure, as well as a specific and well- defined enclosed space. If sensitive to sounds, take extra magnesium and calcium. Pisces need the deepest care of all the signs. You may be going home again. Learn this time about your
Overview: 240 Units
There are currently 240 built and occupied Inclusionary units of housing in the City of Santa Cruz, 93 ownership units and 147 rentals.
Income limits for Inclusionary Housing are set by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the State Housing and Community Development Department.
The limits are tied to the County’s Area Median Income and are expressed as a percentage of that figure which varies by County and by year.
In the course of this investigation, the City updated its website for the Housing Division with a revamped Housing Assistance Information page. This update was celebrated in Mayor Keeley’s monthly column in the Santa Cruz Sentinel on March 10.
The new website includes the local resident and local worker preferences and information on upcoming affordable projects. Future projects, either approved or in the pipeline, are estimated to provide at least an additional 600 Inclusionary/ Affordable units.
Income Level & Rents
In 2023 the Area Median Income in Santa Cruz County for an individual wage earner was $92,950. The maximum annual income limit for the Low Income earner was $74,360. The maximum monthly rent for a one-person studio for a Low Income individual was $2,169 a month based on 80% of the Area Median Income. For the Very Low Income category of wage earners the percentage is 50% of Area Median Income with the maximum rent of $1,162 a month for a one-person studio.
The Area Median Income in Santa Cruz is rapidly rising due to the influx of higher wage earners. This rise can be seen in the comparison between 2020 and 2023. The AMI in 2020 for Santa Cruz County was $77,000. Three years later in 2023 it was $92,950. For comparison, the 2023 Area Median Income in Monterey County was $70,300.
The increase is significant because the maximum allowable incomes and rents for low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income earners are calculated as a percentage of the Area Median Income. The higher the Area Median Income, the higher the qualifying allowable wages and rents for all income levels of Inclusionary units. These tables were extracted from the complete tables.
2023
Conflicting Information
The City website on Housing Assistance Information and Resources / Measure O has conflicting statements regarding allowable income levels for Inclusionary Housing. One entry states that Measure O units are restricted to Very Low and Low Income households, or those households having a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8).
Another entry states that Measure O units are available to Moderate, Low or Very Low income households.
The City’s website for the Measure O Rents and Incomes page does not include the Moderate income category and references only Low Income and Very Low income categories. However, the city’s website referencing Measure O Inclusionary Housing does include Moderate Income.
As stated earlier, all eight City Council Resolutions on Inclusionary Housing from 1985 through 2018 require Inclusionary units to be rented or sold only to Low, Very Low and Extremely Low income levels. The most recent Resolution No. NS-29, 463 Exhibit A includes: Inclusionary Units: All affordable units shall be rented or sold to extremelylow, very-low, or low income households.
In practice it appears the City is allowing the Moderate income level to be included for Inclusionary Housing projects. A currently proposed Inclusionary Housing project that includes the Moderate income category is the development for 831 Almar Ave. Under the heading Affordable Units, it references 9 Very Low income and 9 Moderate Income units.
Moderate Income levels and allowable rents are higher. The 2023 HCD annual allowable income for one person in the Moderate category in Santa Cruz County is $111,550.
Requests were made to the City for the numbers of Inclusionary units occupied at the various income levels.
The Grand Jury learned that the city does not track those metrics and no data is available.
Inclusionary Housing Process
The City requires a project developer to sign an Affordable Housing Development Agreement before the developer begins the process of seeking a Building Permit. Page 34 of the 40-page Development Agreement document includes the local resident and local worker preferences section.
Once a project is built and ready for occupancy, the property manager is required to alert the City when a Measure O unit is available for rent. This availability is then listed on the City’s website.
The property manager retains discretion over the choice of tenants but is expected to follow the preferences. Once a property manager selects a prospective tenant for a specific unit, the property manager signs a Letter of Referral. This letter contains no information regarding residence or current workplace of the prospective tenant but it does allow a prospective tenant to complete a Measure O Eligibility Application for submission to the Housing Authority.
The Measure O Eligibility Application
includes the applicant’s residence and workplace information. It also has boxes for the applicant to check off yes or no to the questions of living or working in the City of Santa Cruz.
The Housing Authority does not verify the residence or workplace entries. It checks and verifies only the income eligibility based on the information supplied.
If the prospective tenant is determined to be income-qualified for the specific unit, the Housing Authority sends a Measure O Eligibility Certificate to the tenant, the property owner, and the City. Are Preferences Checked?
The short answer is nobody knows. There are no checks, no tracking, and no records kept.
The following are descriptions of documents involved in the process. None of the documents requires a submitted statement of compliance with the required City Code preferences.
Annual Compliance Form: The City requires property managers to submit an Annual Compliance Form regarding Inclusionary Housing units. This form checks income level compliance only. It contains no reference to and requires no data for checking if the City Code preferences for local residents and local workers are being followed. The Housing Authority verifies income for Inclusionary units on first application. There is no annual verification of income. It is not clear how the city verifies and tracks ongoing income eligibility.
Development Agreement: Although the City’s Affordable Housing Development Agreement cites that the City requires a “Maintenance of records to demonstrate compliance with this chapter” and the chapter includes the City Code preferences, the City has no evidence of such records being available or checked.
Housing Choice Vouchers: Of the 147 inclusionary rental units in the City, 48% are occupied by Housing Choice Voucher holders (formerly Section 8). Such tenants are not required to be City locals nor work in the City. There are limited resident/worker preferences under the Housing Authority, but they are County-wide preferences, not City based. Property managers receive full market rate rents for units occupied by Voucher holders with the difference subsidized by the Federal Government
Other Affordable Projects
The 100% Affordable projects in the City have their own preferences (priorities) for renting units based on the requirements of the funding sources used by developers to build the projects. For example, if there is a priority for people with disabilities, people at risk of homelessness or people with a Housing Voucher, those priorities do not necessarily include local resident or local worker preferences. There is no documentation or data available from the City showing how many of these units are occupied by local residents or local workers.
Anecdotal Beliefs
The Grand Jury learned from city officials that there is an assumption that Inclusionary units are occupied by locals
and local workers based on conversations and anecdotes. There is no data available to support the assumptions.
Temporary Certificate
During the course of this investigation, the City initiated a “brand new” Temporary Certificate of Occupancy or TCO Projects Compliance Form. This new form defines local resident and local worker preferences to remind the property manager of said preferences to follow the rules. The manager of the new Cedar Street project is the first to receive this form.
Rental Housing & UCSC Students
The impact of UCSC students on the local rental market is an ongoing issue. The 2022-23 Grand Jury Report stated: “F2. With the planned growth of UCSC to 28,000 students, the potential demand for off campus housing for students, faculty and staff has the potential to make the affordable housing problem even worse.”
First-year UCSC students live on-campus
with guaranteed housing. When they move off campus into rental housing for the rest of their UCSC education, income-eligible students qualify for Inclusionary Housing as City local residents, which is the top priority or preference for Inclusionary Housing. Each year, approximately 50% of students seek rental housing off-campus.
The provision of more rental housing on Campus is a key issue in legal negotiations between UCSC and the City of Santa Cruz. The Grand Jury believes it would be helpful for the City to know how much of its affordable housing supply is rented to UCSC students.
The City could provide no data or documentation on the percentage of Inclusionary Housing units occupied by income-qualifying UCSC students. The Grand Jury learned that anecdotes and impressions substitute for data.
“Affordable Housing” page 22
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
ANNOUNCEMENTS
NOV. 5 ELECTION: IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Three Scotts Valley City Council seats are up. Incumbents are Jack Dilles, Randy Johnson and Donna Lind. So far, John Lewis has returned nomination papers to run, and Brock Clyburn, Krista Jett, Corky Roberson and Alex Titus have taken out papers to run.
Aug. 9: Deadline for candidates to file.
Aug. 9: Deadline for filing tax rate statement for bond measures.
Aug. 14: Deadline to file if incumbent does not run.
Aug. 16: Deadline for filing arguments for or against local ballot measures
Aug. 23: Deadline for filing rebuttals.
Sept. 26: First day to mail County Voter Information Guides.
Oct. 7: First day to mail ballots to all Santa Cruz County registered voters. In-person voting open at two locations.
Oct. 21: Last day to register to vote for the November 2024 election and receive a ballot and voter guide in the mail.
Oct. 26: Three more in-person voting locations open.
Nov. 2: Thirteen more in-person voting locations open.
Nov. 5: Election Day – polls open at 7am and close at 8pm.
Nov. 12: Vote by mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day and received by Nov. 12 will be counted.
Dec. 3: Last day to certify election results.
BACK TO SCHOOL & 25 YEARS IN SCOTTS VALLEY
Students in the Scotts Valley Unified School District are going back to school on Thursday, Aug. 8.
This includes Brook Knoll Elementary, Vine Hill Elementary, Scotts Valley Middle School and Scotts Valley High School.
This year, Scotts Valley High School will celebrate its 25th anniversary, having opened in 1999.
Superintendent Tanya Krause alerted the community in June that an extra special homecoming celebration is in the works this fall (Oct. 19) with possibly a gala in the spring.
A planning committee, which includes representatives from SVHS, SVUSD, Falcon Club, and Parent Club, is seeking input about how best to commemorate this milestone.
Give your feedback at https://tinyurl.com/SVHS-25yearideas.
For questions or more information, email SVHS25thAnniversary@gmail.com.
Holidays include Labor Day Sept. 2, Columbus Day/ Indigenous People’s Day Oct. 14, Veterans Day Nov. 11, Thanksgiving break Nov. 25-29, winter break Dec. 23 through Jan. 6, classes resuming Jan. 7.
On Sept. 27, teachers have professional development, so there are no classes, and Nov. 1, the day after Halloween, there are no classes and it’s a non-staff day.
SANTA CRUZ SHAKESPEARE
Santa Cruz Shakespeare, a nationally recognized professional repertory theater, will offer Shakespeare’s As You Like It & Hamlet, Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest and Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie through Sept. 28 under the trees and stars in the Audrey Stanley Grove (The Grove) at Santa Cruz’s DeLaveaga Park. Showtime is 8 p.m. Hamlet, directed by Susan Dalian opens at 8 p.m. Aug. 2. The Glass Menagerie directed by Charles Pasternak opens at 8 p.m. Sept. 13.
Have a virtual or live event you want to promote? E-mail info (no PDFs please) to info@cyber-times.com For beginning of the month, due the 15th • For mid-month, due the 1st
Tiles range from $700 to $2,000. Proceeds support Second Harvest and will be viewed by visitors to the food bank for years to come.
The Wall of Hope is located on the patio, just outside Second Harvest’s main entrance. The tiles will be previewed at the Party in the Parking Lot event. For more information, contact Michele Bassi at (831) 288-3002 or e-mail michele@thefoodbank.org
Tiles can be purchased at https://give.thefoodbank.org/ campaigns/32191-wall-of-hope.
USED EV INCENTIVES
On July 1, the Monterey Bay Air Resources District launched the FY 2024-25 Electric Vehicle In-centive Program offering incentives to the public to buy used fully electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles tend to cost more than gas-powered vehicles, so by including used vehicles, the hope is to make the purchase or lease more affordable.
The incentives for new vehicles:
• $2500 for Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles
• $1500 for Battery Electric Vehicles
• $750 for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
• $750 for Electric Motorcycles
Incentives for used vehicles:
• $1000 for Battery Electric Vehicles
• $500 for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles
• $500 for Electric Motorcycles
Richard Stedman, Air Pollution Control Officer for the Monterey Bay Air Resources District, said, “Over 60% of the total emission of NOx (oxides of nitrogen) in the Monterey Bay area comes from motor vehicles. Fully electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions. By encour-aging and incentivizing their use, significant long term air quality benefits can be achieved.”
Incentive amounts are double for qualifying low-income applicants such as those households of four with earnings below $106,240.
Purchase or lease date must be after July 1. Details and applications are at: https://www.mbard.org/electric-vehicleincentive-program
LIVE YOUR DREAM
Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea will launch its search for applicants for its 2025 “Live Your Dream” awards on Aug 15.
Women who are enrolled in or have been accepted into a bachelor’s or a technical training program, are heads of their households and have a demonstrated need are eligible to apply.
PHOTOS AT FELTON LIBRARY
Each winner will receive a cash award that may be used to pay for anything they need to help them complete their educational program such as food, rent, car repairs, child care and health care. The Club typically gives five awards to local women.
Deadline to apply is Nov. 15. Applications will be at www. soroptimist.org, click on the “Live Your Dream” logo and review the eligibility requirements and application instructions. Winners will be announced in January 2025 and an awards ceremony will be in March.
Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to education and training to achieve economic empowerment.
See www.best4women.org.
SCLERODERMA SUPPORT GROUP
The Scleroderma Foundation of California announces a new support group for people living in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties.
The Monterey Bay Support Group will bring together individuals with scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and thickening of the skin and other areas of the body.
The support group will be led by volunteers Cheri O’Neil of Live Oak and Annette Rahn of Carmel. The mission of the Scleroderma Foundation of California is to empower patients to live better lives through programs dedicated to support, education, and research.
The support group will start by offering virtual meetings, with the goal of meeting monthly in person at a location convenient for members.
To learn more, email mbsclero@gmail.com. The foundation’s website is www.myscleroderma.org.
MUSIC AT SKYPARK
The “Music at Skypark” concert series in Scotts Valley returns for its 15th season on the last Sundays of August and September!
Kiwanis and local businesses will offer food, wine, beer and other concessions for sale. Concerts run from 2:30 to 6 p.m. on the grass at Skypark, Scotts Valley.
• Sunday, Aug. 25: American Underdog (1:30-3pm); Jive Machine (3:30-5pm)
• Sunday, Sept. 29: The Shady Rest Band (1:30-3pm); Extra Large (3:30-5pm)
Ticket prices range from $20 to $70 at www.santacruzshakespeare.org.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK WALL OF HOPE
The Wall of Hope is designed to support Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County’s mission of alleviating hunger in our community.
Michael Lopes stunning photography is on display in the Felton library on Gushee St. until Sept. 30.
Michael started feeding hummingbirds in his Ben Lomond yard, and soon became fascinated with capturing images of them.
See more of his award-winning work at hummingbirdphotos.com.
SECOND HARVEST NEEDS VOLUNTEERS ASAP
While many enjoy summer vacations, the need for food assistance in the community does not take a break. Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County urgently seeks volunteers to come every Saturday during the summer to help sort and pack food for the next week’s distributions for 65,000 local residents.
About 20 volunteers are needed for each shift every Saturday (so 40 every Saturday) at the food bank’s Watsonville warehouse. The two shifts are:
• Early Bird Shift: 7:45 – 11 am
• Late Riser Shift: 11:15 am - 2:30 pm
No experience is needed, and volunteers can sign up for one or multiple shifts. The minimum age to volunteer is 13. Remaining Dates: Aug. 3, 10 and 17.
To sign up, visit thefoodbank.org or https://tinyurl.com/ SHFB-volunteer, or call (831) 232-8141.
BEGINNING BRIDGE CLASSES
Starts Wednesday, Aug. 7
9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Santa Cruz Bridge Center, 2450 17th Ave.
Do you know someone who wants to learn the greatest card game ever?
Bette Harken will instruct Beginning Bridge Classes at the Santa Cruz Bridge Center beginning Aug. 7. First class is free. Following classes $10 each. To sign up: Contact Bette Harken at: bdharken@comcast.net
NEW
BRIGHTON VISITOR CENTER OPEN
The New Brighton State Beach Visitor Center and ParkStore is open for the season!
The Pacific Migrations Visitor Center at New Brighton State Beach in Capitola highlights the history of Pacific Rim migrations and how they influenced the Monterey Bay area.
The exhibits explore the contributions of Chinese fishers, who established fishing camps on the Monterey Bay coastline in the 1850s. China Beach, as New Brighton was known, lasted until the mid1880s.
Sooty shearwaters — small, dark seabirds — arrive by the tens of thousands in the summer and fall while gray and humpback whales mi-grate through the region twice a year. Offshore, leatherback sea turtles spend the summer in the Monterey Bay before swimming thousands of miles back to beaches in Indonesia and the Solomon Islands to lay their eggs.
The Visitor Center — supported by Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks — is open from 12-5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Friends ParkStore offers nature and history-themed merchandise and exclusive New Brighton State Beach apparel for sale in-person and on the ParkStore Online. All proceeds benefit local parks and beaches. Parking is $10 and helps Friends support the park.
SOROPTIMISTS RENT CHAIRS AT SHAKESPEARE
Soroptimist International of Capitola-by-the-Sea is renting cushions, beach chairs and blankets on cold nights at all 67 Santa Cruz Shakespeare shows in the Audrey Stanley Grove in Delaveaga Park, 501 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz, which runs through Sept. 28.
Potential members or others interested in learning more about the Club’s work and activities are invited to visit the rental booth and talk to a member.
Proceeds from the booth are the Club’s major fundraiser and a portion is shared with SCS. Email sicapitola.by.the.sea@gmail.com
NATIONAL ROLLER COASTER DAY
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Wednesday, Aug. 7, is the final day for visitors to enjoy the Dipper for the retro price of $1 per ride. Then, visit on Saturday, Aug. 17, National Roller Coaster Day, and if
Jive Machine
Photo Credit: Rachel Harper
you’re one of the first 100 riders of the day you will receive a Boardwalk souvenir cup!
ANIMAL SHELTER SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is seeking volunteers for a clinic hosted by Planned Pethood and Animal Balance to provide 200 animals with low-cost spay/neuter surgeries and other services Aug. 16-18 and Nov. 15-17 at the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter’s “annex” at 2260 7th Ave.
The Animal Shelter needs 10-12 volunteers each day of the event from 8 a.m. until 5-6 p.m. Half-day shifts may be available.
The Shelter needs agile, active folks comfortable working with animals and who can focus well in a busy environment. A positive attitude and teamwork skills are a must.
Bilingual volunteers and those with veterinary or animal experience are especially encouraged to sign up, but all will be provided necessary training.
Volunteers who are not already shelter volunteers should sign up by contacting the Animal Shelter’s Volunteer Coordinator Megan Carroll, at 831-454-7209 or megan. carroll@santacruzcountyca.gov.
Ideally, volunteers would sign up for the same position multiple days in a row to minimize training needs, but this is not a requirement.
Volunteers must provide their own transportation and parking will be limited.
COLOR
ME WITH JOY
Maggie Renner Hellman is thrilled that her oil painting, “Color Me with Joy,” is juried into the prestigious 93rd Annual Statewide Landscape Show July 17 through Sept. 15 at the Santa Cruz Art League, 525 Broadway, Santa Cruz. Master juror was Calvin Liang.
This Landscape Exhibition showcases the work of artists who depict California’s foothills, mountains, seashores, and deserts of the interior and coastal regions.
A reception for the artists will be 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, First Friday.
WOMENCARE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
WomenCare, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free support services to women diagnosed with cancer in Santa Cruz County, needs volunteers. Ways to help:
Transportation Assistance (greatest need!): Drive clients to and from their medical appointments, locally and throughout the Bay Area.
Errand Running: Assist with everyday tasks, such as grocery shopping and picking up prescriptions.
Office Assistance (4 hour shift per week): Support clients on the telephone, resource referral for clients, work on special projects, and help with general maintenance of services.
Friends Committee: Help organize the annual Strike Out Against Cancer bowling fundraiser, create annual appeals, assist in other community fundraisers that benefit WomenCare, and help with community outreach.
A cancer diagnosis often results in transportation and logistical challenges. By volunteering, you help alleviate these burdens, allowing local women to focus on their treatment and recovery. Your support ensures that no woman faces cancer alone.
Learn more and fill out an application at https://fsa-cc. org/womencare/volunteer/ Reach out by calling the office 831-457-2273 or email sims.p@ fsa-cc.org
COUNTY FAIR BOARD MEETINGS
The Santa Cruz County Fair Board will meet each month in 2024 except September and November. Remaining dates are Aug. 27, Oct. 22, and Dec. 3. There is no meeting in September or November. Meetings typically begin at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday in the Heritage Building at the fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Blvd., Watsonville.
For agendas, posted 10 days in advance, see santacruzcountyfair.com
ONGOING EVENTS
Ongoing thru September 29
EXHIBIT: TIES THAT BIND
M.K. Contemporary Art, 703 Front St., Santa Cruz
M.K. Contemporary Art presents Ties that Bind featuring the work of 26 talented local Santa Cruz artists. Each artist is part of a creative couple, united in both their art and their lives.
Exhibiting: Wendy Aikin, Jody Alexander, IB Bayo, Rachel Clark, Tim Craighead, Linda Craighead, Marc D’Estout, Ian Everard, r.r. Jones, Robin Kandel, Bo Kvenild, Terrie Kvenild, Claire Lerner, Jasper Marino, Will Marino, Ann Morhauser, Gayle Ortiz, Joe Ortiz, Beverly Rayner, Taylor Reinhold, Paul Roehl, Beth Shields, Judy Stabile, Lynne Todaro, Margitta Dietrick Welsh, and Stan Welsh.
Artist Reception: 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10 with First Friday Receptions Aug. 2 & Sept. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. and an artist talk Sunday, Sept. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m.
First Wednesdays SONS IN RETIREMENT
Time TBD, Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell St., Santa Cruz SIR (Sons In Retirement) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical public benefit organization of senior men. The organization’s mission is to enhance the lives of its members through social events while making friends.
The Twin Valleys, Santa Cruz Branch welcomes new members and meets the first Wednesday of each month. Contact Ray Disperati at 831-588-8876 for information.
Fridays
MIDTOWN SUMMER BLOCK PARTY
5-8:30 p.m., Midtown Square, 1111 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz Come to the Midtown Summer Block Party every Friday through Aug. 30.
Enjoy food, artists, live music, and vendors at Midtown Square.
Here is the lineup for the rest of the summer.
Aug. 2: Anthony Arya – Opener: TBA
Aug. 9: Cowboys After Dark – Opener: Shawn Yanez Aug. 16: Ribsy’s Nickel – Opener: The Rayburn Brothers
Aug. 23: Spun – Opener: Dave Miller (Nomad) Aug. 30: Alex Lucero Band – Opener: Honey Disposition
Saturdays until Thanksgiving.
SATURDAY FARMERS MARKET
9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Joe and Linda Alberti Boys & Girls Club, 5060 Scotts Valley Drive.
The Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market hosts a pepper party Saturday, Aug. 24 from at the Joe and Linda Alberti Boys & Girls Club, at 5060 Scotts Valley Drive.
Vendors will sell fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, artisanal bread, brunch, flowers, seafood and of course peppers.
Besides Market Match for EBT, tables and chairs, a grass pad and kids zone, there will be a market hunt and prizes, preservation workshops with Mountain Feed and Farm Supply, art making, & face painting.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
CHRIS CAIN AT JAZZ ON THE PLAZZ
Wednesday August 7
6:30-8:30 p.m., Los Gatos Town Plaza, Montebello Way
Blues master Chris Cain will celebrate the July 19 release of his new Alligator Records album, Good Intentions Gone Bad, with a free performance as part of the Jazz on the Plazz concert series at the Los Gatos Town Plaza, Main Street and Santa Cruz Avenue.
“Chris Cain,” the great B.B. King declared years ago, “now that boy can play the guitar.”
With more than three decades of touring and 15 previous albums under his belt, Cain, once known as “one of the greatest guitarists you’ve never heard,” is now celebrated by fans and fellow musicians alike as being among the blues’ most talented and exciting players.
Cain calls this album his best-ever, thanks to producer Christoffer “Kid” Andersen of Greaseland USA studio in San Jose. Cain delivers 13 lyrically fresh original songs, seven of which add a swinging horn section to the mix. Listen for Waiting For The Sun To Rise and the Memphis soul-inspired Thankful.
See: www.jazzontheplazz.com
DATED EVENTS
Tuesday August 6
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office will host National Night Out at 3 locations around the county for some community fun.
National Night Out is a yearly campaign that promotes law enforcement-community partnerships. Enjoy interactive games, food, music and the chance to chat with your local law enforcement in a fun setting. Locations are:
Boulder Creek Fire Station, 13210 Central Ave., 4-7 p.m.
757 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, 3-7 p.m Canterbury Apartments, 151 Canterbury Drive, Aptos, 4-6 p.m.
Friday August 9
PHENOMENON BRUNO GROENING DOCUMENTARY
6:30 p.m., London Nelson Community Center (Room 4), 301 Center St., Santa Cruz
A documentary film, “The Phenomenon Bruno Groening” will be shown at no charge at the London Nelson Community Center. The film features 50 eyewitnesses, many photos, docu-ments and some film footage from 1949.
Bruno Groening gained fame in Germany in the late 1940s as a miracle healer. Prior to this, he was a member of the Nazi Party, and spent several months in a prisoner of war camp. At age 52, he died of cancer.
He devoted his life to reconnecting people with God and ending people’s suffering. Some viewers report feeling a power, a tingling or current in their bodies while watching the film and some have reported the disappearance of pain and other forms of suffering. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. The presentation is organized by Bruno Groening Circle of Friends and Circle for Spiritual Aid for Life, Inc. For information, call Lisa Lemucchi at 831-227-0954.
Image: Chris Cain • Photo Credit: Marilyn Stringer
Tuesday August 13
DEMS: NOVEMBER ELECTION BALLOT MEASURES
6:30 p.m., Bruno’s Bar and Grill, 230 Mount Hermon Road in the Kings Village Shopping Center, Scotts Valley What will be on your Nov. 5 ballot? Come to the meeting of the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County to find out!
Club members will hear about the Santa Cruz County Land Trust’s Safe Drinking Water, Clean Beaches, Wildfire Risk Reduction, and Wildlife Protection Initiative from Sarah Newkirk; Bruce Holloway will provide information on the Fixed Charge Limitation Ordinance ballot measure for the San Lorenzo Valley Water District; and Chief Jeff Maxwell will talk about the Zayante Fire District parcel tax. Club meetings are held upstairs at Bruno’s Bar and Grill. Meetings start at 6:30 p.m. Arrive early at 6 pm to write “Get Out the Vote” letters competitive races. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
Saturday October 12
LOBSTER FEED AT STATE PARK
4:30–7:30 pm, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Picnic Area 1, Felton
Get ready for the 28th annual Lobster Feed at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Picnic Area 1. Enjoy a delicious dinner of corn-on-the-cob, fresh green salad, garlic bread, dessert, and of course 1.5 pound Maine lobster under the majestic redwoods. Local entertainment is provided by The Shady Rest Band. General admission tickets sell for $125 and include complete “buffet style” dinner and two alcohol beverages if interested.
Additional stewardship add-ons can be purchased for $25. It’s a great opportunity to win prizes and support the parks. Tickets sell fast! Get yours at https://www. mountainparks.org/lobster-feed Lobster Feed is a family-friendly event supporting the Mountain Parks Foundation, which has a mission to inspire and educate visitors about land stewardship. Proceeds go to education programs in Henry Cowell and Big Basin State Parks. n
Color Me with Joy by Maggie Renner Hellman
Watchdog Group Studies Home Insurance Fire Chief Sees Disconnect between Science & Regulations
Editor’s note: The Little Hoover Commission, an independent state watchdog agency, is studying the home insurance crisis and posted this update online.
Consistent data is key as California seeks to understand and mitigate wildfire risk and its impact on the state’s home insurance market, according to participants at a recent roundtable discussion organized by the Little Hoover Commission.
“We have an issue where insurers do not understand enough about the wildfire risk to put enough of their capital at risk as we need them to,” said roundtable participant Nancy Watkins, principal and consulting actuary at Milliman Inc., the risk management firm founded in 1947 “Generally, availability of insurance is predicated by insurers being able to manage and measure the risk.”
Wildfire risk is affected by many factors, making it difficult to measure. Some home insurance providers are pulling out of the California market entirely as the state continues to see an increasing rate of wildfires.
“Affordable Housing” from page 19
Conclusion
The main function of the Civil Grand Jury is to improve transparency and accountability in local government. If adopted, the four recommendations from the Civil Grand Jury will help the City clarify its Inclusionary Housing regulations. Doing so will provide the City and the community with clear data
“Whoever’s in charge of managing fire risk and driving it down will need access to some level of information,” said Watkins.
The June 6 roundtable followed a series of hearings held by the Commission earlier this year to learn about the state’s home insurance market and potential solutions as Californians struggle to insure their homes.
wildfire disasters. These actions are outlined in wildfire resilience guides, such as Wildfire Prepared Home created by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and the California Department of Insurance’s Safer from Wildfires program.
The meeting featured 12 panelists, including insurance industry representatives, conservation and resiliency organizations, and state and local fire agencies.
In addition to data to help inform insurance providers, participants agreed that a pool of shared data is necessary.
“Shared data is so critical to this conversation,” said Kate Gordon, CEO at California Forward. “We should be not only collecting that, having best in class, but also using it across our agencies, and industries.”
There are a number of actions that homeowners and businesses can take to help prepare for and mitigate the impact of
on which to base claims and conclusions about who occupies affordable housing in the City of Santa Cruz.
Findings
F1. The contradictory entries on the City’s website and in the City’s legal documents on whether Inclusionary Housing is restricted to Low, Very Low and Extremely Low income levels or whether it includes the Moderate income level is a major discrepancy with consequences about who is eligible for and who obtains Inclusionary Housing.
F2. The City has no data on whether Inclusionary Housing is occupied by income-verified local residents and local workers. Both groups are given preference for housing as required by Ordinance. Without data, neither the City nor the community can be assured that such housing is meeting its intended purpose.
“Part of the confusion we are seeing is created by the disconnect between the science that underlies the CDI Safer from Wildfires framework, and IIBHS Wildfire Prepared Home, and the existing regulations, some of which may be quite frankly out of date in light of the current environment,” said Dave Winnacker, fire chief of the Moraga-Orinda Fire District.
“If we can have evidence-based mitigations that prove effective, that’s how we can start getting this aligned crowdsourcing of mitigation at scale and keep our … communities resilient to the fire that we do have in our future,” said Frank Frievalt, director of the Cal Poly Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Institute.
F3. The City has no data on the percentage of units in Inclusionary and 100% Affordable Housing projects that are rented to UCSC students. This leaves the City and the public unable to assess the impact of UCSC on the local affordable housing supply. Such data is important for the City’s ongoing negotiations with UCSC to build more oncampus housing.
Recommendations
R1. The Grand Jury recommends that the Santa Cruz City Council state exactly which HCD Income Levels are covered by the City’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and Resolutions, and make that information public by Dec. 31.
R2. The Grand Jury recommends that the Santa Cruz City Council develop an ongoing system to track, document and verify within 30 days of occupancy whether a unit is occupied by an income-verified local resident or local worker as required by the Ordinance, specifying which category the renter fulfills, and have such a system in place by Jan. 31, 2025.
R3. The Grand Jury recommends that
Public education and outreach to homeowners is vital for mitigation efforts to really work.
“We are working, as an insurance industry, to educate all of the stakeholders that have a role in this, starting initially at the top,” said Karen Collins, vice president of property & environmental, American Property Casualty Insurance Association. “We’ve convened different opportunities to meet with all the different stakeholders, builders, realtors, insurers, and [are] working to disseminate that information as deeply into organizations as possible.”
The Commission expects to release a report later this year assessing the home insurance market and making recommendations for change. To be notified electronically of meetings, events, or when the review is complete, subscribe to Little Hoover Commission updates: https://bit.ly/ LittleHooverNews. n
https://lhc.ca.gov
If adopted, the four recommendations from the Civil Grand Jury will help the City clarify its Inclusionary Housing regulations. Doing so will provide the City and the community with clear data on which to base claims and conclusions about who occupies affordable housing in the City of Santa Cruz.
the Santa Cruz City Council document the percentage of the City’s Inclusionary and 100% Affordable Housing units that are rented to UCSC students, making that data public by Feb. 28, 2025 with annual updates.
R4. The Grand Jury recommends that the Santa Cruz City Council create an Inclusionary Housing public dashboard that covers the data called for in this report by Feb. 28. n
The City Council is to respond by Sept. 19.
SCCAS Featured Pet Accelerating Start-Up Business
Snow White Sweethearts!
Meet Ella (A307851) and Nova (A307852)! These two fantastically fluffy ladies are the ying to each other’s yang and would thrive in a home together. They have been at the shelter for a few months and we have learned a lot about them in that time!
Ella is more outgoing while Nova follows her lead. Both dogs are great in the car and they love a good sniffari walk where they can take in all the exciting smells of the world.
These pups have been out on adventures with volunteers and have had a great time — like most Huskies they do need daily exercise and mental stimulation.
At the shelter they love to play with toys in the yards, play fetch and race after each other. Since being at the Shelter they have come out of their shells with staff, volunteers and the public. They love baths and getting massages — who doesn’t?!
At the Shelter they met other dogs and have done well with them. Considering past observations of prey drive they are not recommended for a home with cats or other small animals. They might fit well in a home with dog savvy children. These two pups are sweeties and are looking for a home where they can run, play and get all of the love that they deserve. If you are looking for a great pair of pupscheck out Ella and Nova!
The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter is full of adoptable animals. Fostering animals is an awesome way to improve a Shelter animal’s life and fill your home with love and fun! If you are interested in fostering any kind of animal please email jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us. You can also Follow SCCAS on Instagram and/or Facebook to stay up-to-date on shelter news and where to find adoptable pets around town at breweries, stores and events. All adoptions are first come, first served.
SCCAS Main line: 831-454-7200. Animal Control: 831-454-7227. After-Hours Emergency: 831-471-1182 • After Hours: jillian.ganley@santacruzcounty.us
Santa Cruz Accelerates, the accelerator program for Central California Coast startups, announces 8 startups for its 6th cohort. They are:
• Cascarita aims to streamline recreational soccer league management with tools for registration, communication, and data management. Key features include multi-lingual support, a custom form builder, a messaging interface, and a payment service, addressing common challenges faced by league managers. Plus easy data querying and export options for efficient and effective league administration.
• Eivie is setting new standards in eVTOL technology with breakthroughs that enhance range, speed, and efficiency—50% more efficient in vertical flight than quad-copters and 30% in horizontal flight versus traditional models. Targeting private, commercial, and agricultural markets, Eivie is raising a $2 million pre-seed round to advance the technology.
• Good Talk is an app that lets users set up challenging scenarios or choose from existing ones to practice conversations with a roleplaying chatbot. It provides instant coaching focused on empathetic communication, covering topics from relationships to politics.
innovative startup created by UC Santa Cruz undergraduates, alumni, and staff, has engineered a groundbreaking method to recycle polyurethane, a significant environmental pollutant. Using fungi native to the Santa Cruz coastal range, the team has developed a solution to turn polyurethane waste into reusable material in 2-3 weeks, a stark contrast to the hundreds or even thousands of years it would otherwise persist in the environment.
• Treeswax is revolutionizing surf wax by offering an eco-friendly, high-performance alternative at a competitive price. Crafted from natural ingredients like pine resin and olive oil, this is 100% petroleumfree wax. The surfer founders are committed to a sustainable future.
• Xraise offers an AI-driven platform to streamline access to resources for startups and small businesses. It automates finding and applying for grants and loans, matches opportunities to business profiles, generates drafts, and submits applications directly.
“Each new cohort brings us inspiring new founders, fresh ideas, and helps expand our vibrant community,” said Malina Long, Santa Cruz Accelerates program director. n
Statepoint Media
• Light Links aims to revolutionize wireless technology with their pioneering Light Communication (LC) system, the Wi-OW. Following the IEEE’s endorsement of the 802.11bb standard, they’re enhancing internet connectivity by merging Wi-Fi with LC.
• Tallyrus is an AI-powered web application to revolutionize essay grading by automating the process using advanced natural language processing. Tallyrus offers uniform grading standards, minimizes bias, and offers timely and constructive feedback to help students improve.
