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In this issue:

COVID update: ‘Growing optimism’ county could return to red tier in March

Santa Cruz County’s recently decreased COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations and intensive care stays has led to “growing optimism” that the state could move the county to the less restrictive “red tier” for economic reopening in March, County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel said Thursday.

  • A move to the red tier could come as early as Tuesday but more likely in the second or third week of March, Newel said.
  • In the red tier, seventh through 12th grade classrooms can reopen with a COVID safety plan. Indoor dining and movie theaters can open to 25% capacity and gyms to 10% capacity.
  • Santa Cruz County residents who work in education, child care, emergency services, food or agriculture are now eligible for a vaccine. Businesses in those industries are invited to fill out a county survey to be contacted about scheduling availability for employees. Individuals can register on the state’s MyTurn website to get notified about vaccination clinic availability.  
  • Starting March 15, residents aged 16 to 64 who are at high risk for severe illness can contact their doctor to get a referral to receive the vaccine.
  • Sutter Health/Palo Alto Medical Foundation has administered the most doses in Santa Cruz County — about 25,000 doses as of this week, said County Deputy Health Officer Dr. David Ghilarducci on Thursday. Dominican Hospital has administered about 10,000 doses, followed by vaccination clinics run by the county at 9,000 doses.
  • More than 60% of county residents 65 and older have received their first dose, Ghilarducci said. How to sign up for a vaccine.
—Kara Meyberg Guzman
(Source: California Department of Public Health | Graphic: Stephen Baxter -- Santa Cruz Local)

Classrooms scheduled to reopen in March


In a school reopening town hall hosted by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education on Thursday, school leaders shared plans to reopen transitional kindergarten through sixth grade classrooms in March. All 10 public school districts in the county will participate.
  • Planned reopening dates vary by district and classroom. See a timeline.
  • When the county moves to the red tier, many schools plan to reopen middle and high school classrooms, leaders said. “I believe every district in the county is committed to that,” said San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District Superintendent Laurie Bruton. “We all have a reopening plan that includes in-person services for students as well as an online option.” Leaders will release more information soon, she said. 
  • Public schools plan for students to have a mix of in-person and online classes, largely due to the state’s distance requirements which limit classroom capacity, said Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah. Some districts plan for half the students to attend in person in the mornings, and the other half in the afternoons. Some districts plan to assign students to a Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday in-person schedule.
  • Many school districts have planned summer programs to help students who have fallen behind and address some social and emotional needs, leaders said. School district leaders will detail plans in March. Read a rough transcript of Thursday’s town hall.
—Kara Meyberg Guzman
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Capitola council selects budget priorities, considers youth sports partnerships


The Capitola City Council on Thursday chose budget priorities for the coming year and expressed interest in potential youth sports partnerships with the city of Scotts Valley and Soquel Union Elementary School District. 

Budget cuts in Scotts Valley have minimized youth programs in that city. The programs could be more efficient under one administrative team, the Capitola city manager said.

Separately, Soquel Union Elementary School District leaders are interested in a city partnership to build a regulation-size soccer field with a track and softball field at Monterey Avenue Park near New Brighton Middle School in Capitola. Funding and play field configuration could be challenges, Capitola City Manager Jamie Goldstein said. 

Other budget priorities included:

  • Consider installing picnic tables in Monterey Avenue Park
  • Explore implicit bias training for city staff
  • Expand emergency response planning including at city hall
  • Have city council set priorities for community grants
  • Make free feminine hygiene products available in all public city restrooms
  • Explore grant opportunities for public safety, a generator for city hall, Community Development Block Grants and programs in capital improvement, outreach and environmental policies
  • Prioritize affordable housing and relationships with housing providers. 📰 Read Stephen Baxter’s story

Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission
9 a.m. Thursday, March 4
Online or by phone

The commission will discuss Caltrans project updates in Santa Cruz County as well as goals, policies and targets for the 2045 Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Plan. 

  • At its April 1 meeting, staff is expected to present a business plan on passenger rail as the Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis locally preferred alternative.
👉 To participate: Join on Zoom or call 669-900-6833, meeting ID 856 5338 1847. Email comments to info@sccrtc.org by noon Wednesday for distribution to commissioners.

 

Five workshops tackle insurance, taxes for CZU Fire victims

United Policyholders, a nonprofit consumer organization, will hold five workshops in March for survivors of the CZU Lightning Complex Fire. 

  • 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 16: Trained volunteers with personal experience in wildfire loss share practical tips for loss recovery and coping with insurance claims.
  • 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4: United Policyholders straff answer pre-submitted insurance questions
  • 4:30 p.m. March 10: Three certified public accountants with extensive experience in natural disasters share tips on tax strategies for the underinsured, casualty loss tax filing options and taxable insurance proceeds. 
  • 5:30 p.m. March 25: Questions and answers on financial decision making and tax implications after a wildfire. Register for all events here

Scotts Valley City Council
6 p.m. Wednesday, March 3
Online or by phone

Progress report on housing development

Scotts Valley’s annual Housing Element progress report showed the following permits issued in 2020:

  • Zero units for people with extremely low or very low incomes (0-50% of area median income)
  • One unit deed-restricted as affordable for people with low incomes (50-80% of area median income)
  • One unit deed-restricted as affordable for people with moderate incomes (80-120% of area median income
  • Eight market-rate units

The state has called for Scotts Valley to permit a certain number of units at each affordability level by the end of 2023. 

Since the start of 2015, the city has permitted:

  • Zero of 34 required units for people with very low incomes
  • Four of 22 required units for people with low incomes
  • Eight of 26 required units for people moderate incomes
  • 135 market-rate units, which surpasses the required 58 units.

The city council is expected to approve the report on its consent agenda Wednesday.

Strategic goals for the city

Wednesday, the council is scheduled to discuss the city’s strategic goals and work plan, which help inform city budgeting.

The draft goals and projects include:

  • “Refine options” for hotel and utility taxes
  • Update annual fees for recreation, development impact
  • Complete environmental review of city’s General Plan
  • “Develop a grounded vision and actionable development plan for the Town Center and complementary land uses”
  • Support local business community with pandemic recovery
  • Train staff to increase skills and enhance the city’s efforts in diversity, equity and inclusion

👉 To participate: Join on Zoom or dial 301-715-8592, meeting ID 847 1783 6184. To comment ahead of the meeting, email cityhall@scottsvalley.org by 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

And a note from our staff

Will you take our 5-minute survey? Your feedback helps us understand Santa Cruz Local’s impact and tell our story to potential supporters. Respond by noon March 1 to be entered to win $50 in Downtown Dollars. Downtown Dollars are accepted at participating stores in Downtown Santa Cruz.
 
Thank you for supporting local news with your Santa Cruz Local membership!

Kara Meyberg Guzman, Stephen Baxter & Natalya Dreszer
Santa Cruz Local
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