Santa Cruz County Local News: Local Governments

A new overhead rail line near the Boardwalk and a bridge or tunnel crossing Highway 1 at Cabrillo College are amongst two new proposals that the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission revealed last week at its Watsonville and Live Oak community meetings.

Santa Cruz city leaders on Tuesday suggested a priority list of potential projects to help shore up West Cliff Drive, none of which involved converting the street to one-way traffic.
The city has been gathering residents’ input as it creates a 5-Year Roadmap for West Cliff. A public comment period will run to mid-January, and a final version of the 5-year plan is expected to be considered by the Santa Cruz City Council in March.

Some nonprofit programs that have long relied on grants from the county and the city of Santa Cruz, including Meals on Wheels and the Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center, haven’t been recommended for new grants this year — potentially leading to major program cuts, nonprofit leaders said.

Four projects on Mission Street in Santa Cruz moved forward in November.

The rail-trail project could include an elevated track at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, more than 11 stations and a paved path that detours from the rail line in Live Oak, Capitola, Rio Del Mar and South County, authorities said this week.

When Monica Martinez is sworn in to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in January, she will be one of two women to take seats on the dais in more than a decade.

Scotts Valley City Council has taken the next step in addressing a $700,000 deficit in recreation funding by approving new facility rental and special-event fees.