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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.
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.
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 AnnouncementsCity Opening Special Public Event Grant Applications
03/05/2024
Santa Cruz Transportation and Public Works Commission Hosts ‘Project Open House’
03/04/2024
Over $760,000 in Grant Funding for Community Organizations Helping Santa Cruz Youth
02/16/2024
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.
Four projects on Mission Street in Santa Cruz moved forward in November.
