City of Watsonville Government News

Homelessness Land Use & Development City of Watsonville

Watsonville Proceeding With Homeless Camp Removal

04/10/2024
In its April 9 meeting, the Watsonville City Council voted to seek contractor bids to clear out a homeless camp from the nearly 2-acre lot on Airport Boulevard.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Public Safety City of Watsonville

SeeClickFix Comes to Watsonville

04/01/2024
The City of Watsonville announced a partnership with a Connecticut based software company to utilize the SeeClickFix mobile app for citizens to report non-emergency issues.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Land Use & Development Parks & Recreation City of Watsonville

Watsonville City Plaza Remodel Designs to Go Before Parks and Rec Commission

01/29/2024
One of Watsonville’s most recognizable and historic community hubs could be getting a new look as the city plans a comprehensive revitalization of its downtown City Plaza.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Land Use & Development Housing City of Watsonville

Watsonville Draft Housing Element Available for Public Review

12/27/2023
A draft of the city’s housing plans for the next eight years, which includes the construction of 2,053 new units, is available for the public to view at the Watsonville Public Library, Old City Hall and online.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Elections & Politics City of Watsonville

Quiroz-Carter, Orozco Sworn in as Watsonville’s New Leaders

12/13/2023
For only the second time in Watsonville’s history, the City Council will be led by two women, and for the first time by two millennial Latina women: Vanessa Quiroz-Carter, 37, and Maria Orozco, 35.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Transportation Sustainability City of Watsonville

Watsonville Municipal Airport to Receive $83K in Federal Funding

10/03/2023
The Watsonville Municipal Airport could be looking at a greener future. The airport recently received $83,575 through the Federal Aviation Administration for a zero-emissions vehicle and infrastructure project.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Land Use & Development City of Watsonville

Watsonville Planning Commission Clears Way for Council Vote on Downtown Plan

09/06/2023
Planning commissioners unanimously approved city staff's recommendation for the council to adopt the Downtown Watsonville Specific Plan.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Homelessness Land Use & Development County of Santa Cruz City of Watsonville

Watsonville Eyed for Homeless Micro-Village with $8M State Award

06/16/2023
Early this year, a cross-county working group developed a plan to provide shelter for those living along the Pajaro River's bed.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Sustainability City of Watsonville

Watsonville Council Gets Update on Climate Goals

05/10/2023
As far back as the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, California has set a target date of 2030 to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to those lower than they were prior to 1990. The legislation prompted other municipalities to adopt their own climate action plans, including Watsonville.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Housing City of Watsonville City of Watsonville Planning Commission

Watsonville Planning Commission to Hold Special Meeting on Housing Element

04/03/2023
As Watsonville approaches a new Housing Element six-year cycle, a special meeting will be held Tuesday to review where things stand with the current cycle as the city presents its annual progress report.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Transportation City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Council

Watsonville Council Approves Future Discussions on Traffic, Potholes

03/16/2023
Coming soon to a Watsonville City Council agenda near you: improvements to traffic on Green Valley Road as well as the city's striping and potholes program.

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Resilience City of Watsonville Eduardo Montesino

Year Gets Off to Wet, Windy Start

02/11/2023
Watsonville Mayor Eduardo Montesino writes, “The start of 2023 was far from what anyone expected it to be.”

From Santa Cruz Sentinel...

Elections & Politics City of Watsonville Ari Parker

Mayor’s Message: Watsonville Experiences a Wonderful Year

12/09/2022
“Serving as Watsonville's mayor for the past year has been a great honor,” writes Ari Parker.

From Lookout Local...

City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Council Ari Parker

Watsonville City Council Challenger Responds to Questions

11/01/2022
Four seats on the Watsonville City Council are up for election this November, but only one, District 7, is contested. Mayor Ari Parker, the incumbent, faces veteran politician Nancy A. Bilicich. Lookout asked each candidate two questions; only Bilicich responded.

From Santa Cruz County Sentinel...

City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Council Land Use & Development Housing

Watsonville Council Approves Hillcrest Estates Development Agreement

04/26/2022
Future residents of Hillcrest Estates—a 144-unit development set to be built in Watsonville—will need to pay fees to maintain and improve a pit of contaminated soil, after the Watsonville City Council approved an unusual development agreement.

From Santa Cruz County Sentinel...

Government City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Clerk's Office

Irwin Ortiz Appointed Watsonville City Clerk

03/22/2022
Lifelong Watsonville resident Irwin Ortiz is Watsonville’s newest city clerk, after city councilmembers unanimously voted for his appointment. Ortiz worked under Beatriz Flores, who held the clerk position before she retired in March.

From Santa Cruz County Sentinel...

Agriculture & Gardening Land Use & Development City of Watsonville

Watsonville Ranch Owner Gauges Interest in Proposed Development

03/20/2022
While Watsonville voters decide whether to extend Measure U, which would limit development of farmland, Watsonville native Stephen Rocha is working with DeBernardo Realty to convert his family’s 150 acres into a multi-use compound.

From Santa Cruz County Sentinel...

City of Watsonville

Watsonville Snags $1 Million From State for Street Revitalization

02/28/2022
As part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $1.1 billion Clean California initiative, a section of the Highway 129/152 corridor that serves as Watsonville’s “main street” will see landscaping and repaving work.

From Santa Cruz County Sentinel...

Transportation City of Watsonville

Watsonville Task Force Talks About Bike Safety Report Card

01/03/2022
Between previously scheduled agenda items, members of the Watsonville Vision Zero Task Force discussed a new evaluation of the city’s bicycle safety infrastructure and programs offered by the League of American Bicyclists.

From The Pajaronian...

City of Watsonville Economy & Jobs

Restaurant Owner and Airport Manager at Crossroads

12/02/2021
A restaurant owner of a popular airport eatery is ready to move on and pass the business to a new owner—but the airport management disagrees with her choice.

From The Pajaronian...

Elections & Politics City of Watsonville Government

Watsonville Narrows Redistricting Down to 2 Maps

12/01/2021
The city of Watsonville has narrowed its redistricting map to two options, which have been forwarded on for final selection and approval.

From The Pajaronian...

City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Manager's Office Government

Assistant City Manager to Become Chief Executive

11/25/2021
Tamara Vides has been named by the Watsonville City Council as the choice for interim city manager until a permanent replacement is confirmed. A meeting on Nov. 30 will confirm the appointment.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Elections & Politics City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Council Government

Watsonville City Council Candidates Respond to Questions

11/15/2021
Thinking ahead toward a Dec. 7 special election for District 2, the Watsonville City Council candidates took some time to answer questions from Santa Cruz Local.

From Santa Cruz Local...

Housing City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Council

Agreement Reached for Affordable Housing in Watsonville

11/09/2021
The Watsonville City Council voted in favor of an 80-unit apartment complex that will be 100 percent affordable housing. It will be located near Atkinson Lane.

From Good Times...

City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Council Sustainability

Watsonville’s CAAP Plan Sets Sights on Addressing Climate Change

11/03/2021
On Oct. 26, the Watsonville City Council unanimously approved the 2030 Climate Action & Adaptation Plan, which will make policy changes in order to cut emissions, restore natural land and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

From Good Times...

City of Watsonville City of Watsonville Police Department Crime & Justice

Police Committee Releases Recommendations

10/28/2021
The Watsonville City Council heard recommendations from the Ad-Hoc Committee on Policing and Social Equity on Oct. 26. The committee’s purpose is to improve the Watsonville Police Department and strengthen its relationship with the community.

From Santa Cruz Local...

City of Watsonville City of Watsonville City Council Elections & Politics

Watsonville Voters Share Dreams of Jobs, Youth Programs, Lower Rent

10/25/2021
A special election will be held Dec. 7 to fill Watsonville’s District 2 seat, left vacant earlier this year when Aurelio Gonzalez resigned. Santa Cruz Local hit the streets to interview locals about what they want from city government.

From The Pajaronian...

Crime & Justice City of Watsonville

Watsonville Pilots Association Sues City Over Housing Project

10/21/2021
The Watsonville Pilots Association has filed a lawsuit over a proposed 21-condo development across from Watsonville Municipal Airport. The lawsuit claims the city of Watsonville undercut CEQA guidelines, the State Aeronautics Act and a court order stemming from previous litigation.

From Lookout Local...

Housing City of Santa Cruz City of Watsonville

Two Cities, Two Affordable Housing Projects

10/12/2021
Lookout Local looks at two different housing project: The 831 Water Street project stirred controversy in Santa Cruz, while a similar development in Watsonville was quickly approved.

From The Pajaronian...

Community Service & Support City of Watsonville Jimmy Dutra

Watsonville Mayor Organizes Fundraiser to Light Up the Holidays

10/11/2021
This weekend, Watsonville Mayor Jimmy Dutra and Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services will host an evening event to raise funds for new downtown holiday decorations.

City of Watsonville Government News

Related News