Santa Cruz Local newsletter briefs for the week of Nov. 5:
ELECTIONS
Scotts Valley ballots due Nov. 7
Measure W asks Scotts Valley voters whether bonds should be sold and taxes collected from property owners to build a new, earthquake-safe fire station in Scotts Valley. The new station would replace the fire station at 7 Erba Lane. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local file)
Ballots are due Tuesday, Nov. 7 for Measure W in Scotts Valley. Measure W asks voters whether bonds can be sold and money collected from property owners to help pay for a new, earthquake-safe fire station for the Scotts Valley Fire Protection District.
The measure needs more than 66% of the vote to be adopted. Ballots were mailed in early October.
Separately, election results on Oct. 31 showed a likely approval of Measure V to benefit Scotts Valley schools. Election day for Measure V was Oct. 24. It needs more than 66% of the vote to be adopted.
- Yes: 3,241 votes (72.6%)
- No: 1,223 (27.4%)
The only Measure V ballots left to handle have mismatched or missing signatures, according to the Santa Cruz County Clerk’s Office. Election results are expected to be certified Nov. 10.
Measure V asked Scotts Valley voters whether property owners should pay a $168 annual parcel tax for seven years to raise nearly $1 million annually for Scotts Valley Unified School District. The new tax would start in July 2024 and replace a similar parcel tax set to expire in June.
—Stephen Baxter
View election results
HOUSING
Landlords invited to housing voucher event
Elaine Johnson, the executive director of Housing Santa Cruz County, discusses the need to include more residents in conversations about affordable housing. She spoke at an Oct. 14 event at the London Nelson Community Center in Santa Cruz. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local file)
4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 / Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building, 846 Front St., Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz County landlords are invited to a Nov. 9 event about housing vouchers and related incentives and support for landlords. The event takes place 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Veterans Memorial Building at 846 Front St. in Santa Cruz.
Abode Services and Safety in Santa Cruz will host the free, informational session.
“The goal is to educate property owners as to the benefits of working with housing vouchers,” said Kaelin Wagnermarsh, a real estate agent and co-founder of Safety in Santa Cruz. Housing vouchers are an important part of solving homelessness and can be “stepping stones” for people with housing insecurity, Wagnermarsh said.
Panelists are expected to speak about their experiences connecting renters to landlords. Two representatives of the Housing Authority of Santa Cruz County and a landlord with voucher experience also plan to speak at the event.
Event participants are asked to register at SafetyinSantaCruz.com.
—Nik Altenberg
ENVIRONMENT
Meeting Tuesday on West Cliff vision
Storm repair work is expected to continue on West Cliff in Santa Cruz this month. Separately, city leaders and consultants are collecting input on a 50-year vision for West Cliff. (Nik Altenberg — Santa Cruz Local)
5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7 / Online
Santa Cruz city leaders are asking for residents’ input on a 50-year vision for West Cliff at an online meeting Nov. 7. The visioning document is expected to be considered by the Santa Cruz City Council in March 2024.
Watsonville-based Granite Construction Inc. began repairs on four storm-damaged West Cliff Drive sites in September. Excavation at 1016 West Cliff Drive is complete, and further work at that site will continue later, city officials said.
Public Works staff expect work on concrete retaining walls to begin Monday, Nov. 6 at 932 and 920 West Cliff Drive. Temporary detours and closures along West Cliff Drive and adjacent streets are expected throughout construction.
Read more about West Cliff:
- Input wanted on 50-year vision for West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz – Aug. 18, 2023
- West Cliff Drive adaptation and management plans from the City of Santa Cruz
To participate: Join on Zoom at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.
A map shows recent work sites along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz. (City of Santa Cruz)
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.
Stephen Baxter is a co-founder and editor of Santa Cruz Local. He covers Santa Cruz County government.
Nik Altenberg is a copy editor and fact checker for Santa Cruz Local. Altenberg holds a bachelor’s degree in Latin American and Latinx Studies from UC Santa Cruz.
