COVID-19 uptick prompts new rules ahead of expected vaccine
Santa Cruz County slid into the state’s more restrictive “red tier” Tuesday after an uptick in new COVID-19 cases, said County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel.
COVID vaccines are expected to be delivered to some patients and frontline workers in Santa Cruz County in December, Newel said.
There were 109 new cases in Santa Cruz County reported in one day this weekend, up from an average of 20 new daily cases, Newel said during a news conference Tuesday.
Restaurants, churches, movie theaters, and museums this week must drop from 50% capacity to 25% capacity. Fitness centers must drop from 25% to 10% capacity.
Amusement parks, nonessential offices and large audience sports are no longer allowed to be open. 📰 Read Stephen Baxter's story.
(Source: California Department of Public Health | Graphic: Stephen Baxter -- Santa Cruz Local)
County’s homeless plan calls for coordinated data, planning, goals and accountability
County leaders on Tuesday described an ambitious plan to coordinate the services, goals and data tracking with cities — and shelter half of the county’s hundreds of unsheltered people by 2024. “We have folks who have been homeless for a long time. We have newly homeless, we have working homeless. If we have one objective for all of them, it won’t work,” said Assistant County Administrative Officer Elissa Benson.
The Three Year Strategic Framework to Address Homelessness includes plans to:
Develop or purchase housing for the homeless
Expand and improve the effectiveness of “rapid rehousing” rental assistance programs
Develop relationships with landlords and property managers to help house the homeless
The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission launched an online open house to seek public input on transit choices for the county’s rail corridor.
The Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis evaluates public transit choices next to a planned path on the county’s rail line from Watsonville to Santa Cruz.
Through Nov. 27, residents can read about the commission’s evaluations of a short list of alternatives.
Live chats with staff also will take place 12-1:30 p.m. Thursday and 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 18.
Santa Cruz Council delays wharf plan, separate housing proposal
A threat of lawsuit prompted a delay of the Santa Cruz City Council’s decision on a plan that would guide potential expansion of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. The council on Tuesday voted to delay discussion of the Wharf Master Plan until the council’s Nov. 24 meeting.
The plan calls for an expansion of the wharf by about 2.5 acres, including:
Three new public buildings that total 15,000 square feet
A new promenade on the east side of the wharf
A new walkway on the west side of the wharf
Two new boat landings, piling repairs, more parking
City leaders have said that the plan would allow city staff to seek grant money for necessary repairs. About $11.6 million of repairs are needed, according to an engineering report. 📰 Read Kara Meyberg Guzman’s story.
Watsonville City Council approves more outdoor dining
The council on Tuesday unanimously approved zoning changes that would allow downtown businesses to replace parking spaces with bike parking, public seating and outdoor dining areas.
The council also unanimously approved a resolution that formally apologized to the Filipino-American community for riots that roiled the city in 1930. 📰 Read Matthew Renda’s story.
Follow the latest results in Santa Cruz Local’s Elections Guide
We’ll update the results as Santa Cruz County officials continue their count in the weeks ahead.
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