Santa Cruz began its municipal life as a town in 1866, and then received its first city charter in 1876. In 1907, the citizens voted for a new charter with the mayor as chief executive and a seven-member city council. In 1948, Santa Cruz established a council-manager form of government, with a mayor and six councilmembers setting policy for the city and a city manager serving as the chief administrator. In 2022, the city went through another major shift, changing to by-district representation and a direct mayoral election.

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City Council

The Santa Cruz City Council is switching from at-large to district-based council elections.
Given that past councils have been dominated by westsiders, it will be interesting to see what changes occur once city residents are represented according to geographically set districts.

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Planning Commission

The Santa Cruz Planning Commission meets on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. Details on how the public can watch, listen and comment online are available on the commission’s web page.

Recent Announcements

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City Opening Special Public Event Grant Applications

City Opening Special Public Event Grant Applications Santa Cruz, CA March 6, 2024 - The City of Santa Cruz is pleased to announce the opening of the Special Public Events Grant Application in coordination with the Health in All...
03/05/2024

Santa Cruz Transportation and Public Works Commission Hosts ‘Project Open House’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 4, 2024 Contact: Amanda Rodriguez, Community Relations Specialist, arodriguez@santacruzca.gov SANTA CRUZ, Calif. The City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department and the Transportation and Public Works Commission will...
03/04/2024

Over $760,000 in Grant Funding for Community Organizations Helping Santa Cruz Youth

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 16, 2024 Contact: Amanda Rodriguez, Community Relations Specialist, arodriguez@santacruzca.gov Santa Cruz, California - The City of Santa Cruz Children's Fund Oversight Committee is thrilled to offer grant funding to...
02/16/2024

Related News

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Good Times logo From Good Times...

04/24/2024
Image for display with article titled How Tall Will We Go?

When the Town Clock was dedicated in 1976, it represented Santa Cruzans’ hopes for the future and recalled memories of turn-of-the-century Pacific Avenue when trolleys lumbered by and the clock sat atop the Odd Fellows Building.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/20/2024
In its April 18 meeting, the City of Santa Cruz Planning Commission agreed to postpone a decision on rule changes to restaurant outdoor seating for 60 days.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/17/2024
The City of Santa Cruz is set to begin a pilot program of neighborhood street sweeping, including a provision to tow vehicles not complying with posted parking limits.

California Local Pin Marker From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

04/16/2024
Laura Schmidt is resigning from her position as assistant city manager for the City of Santa Cruz, effective August, to consult in the private sector.

California Local Pin Marker From Lookout Local...

04/15/2024
An initial review of body cam footage indicated no violations of department policy or the law in the arrest by multiple officers of a lone Black cyclist on the Santa Cruz Westside, according to the police chief.
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