City Manager's Weekly Update

Week Ending December 7, 2018

According to History Magazine, the collection of written knowledge is a practice as old as civilization itself. About 30,000 clay tablets found in ancient Mesopotamia date back more than 5,000 years and archaeologists have uncovered papyrus scrolls from 1300-1200 BC in ancient Egyptian cities. This practice influenced what we know as a library today, a lifeline to the world and beyond.

While Santa Cruz's public library (SCPL) system wasn't around during the time of ancient Mesopotamia, the downtown library was built in 1868 and is celebrating its sesquicentennial birthday (December 7, 2018). That's something pretty special; not every community can claim its library has been around for 150 years!

As gateways to knowledge and culture, libraries play a fundamental role in society - they create opportunities for learning, support literacy and education, and help shape new ideas and perspectives that are central to a creative and innovative society. We are fortunate to have had this institution in our community for 150 years and look forward to how it will evolve the Santa Cruz area over the next 150! Happy Birthday SCPL!

Jenny Haruyama, City Manager

Council Meeting Broadcast - Technical Difficulties

Due to technical difficulties, the Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Scotts Valley City Council meeting did not broadcast live. We are working with our service provider (Comcast) to determine the cause of the problem and hope to have it resolved by the next City Council Meeting. Additionally, we do archive the Council meeting audio files online, which are available on our website: http://www.scottsvalley.org/DocumentCenter/Index/202.

The City is also working with Community Television to include the rebroadcast of SV Council meetings as part of its scheduled programming on Channel 25. The meetings would also be available online. We expect this service to be available sometime after the first of the year.

December 5, 2018 Council Meeting Update

The main discussion item at the Wednesday, December 5, 2018 City Council meeting included an overview of progress to date regarding the Update of the General Plan. The General Plan Update does not include the Town Center. The Town Center project has it is own Specific Plan which is like a small version of a General Plan.

The update covered the work that the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) has completed to date, which includes reviewing and making recommendations regarding the General Plan Elements. Once completed, the GPAC's recommendations will be presented to the Council for consideration and adoption. This will probably occur in Fall 2019.

Between now and then, there will be several opportunities for the community to provide feedback. You can review the Wednesday, December 5, 2018 GPU/GPAC Presentation or visit the General Plan Update website for more information.

Santa Cruz Public Libraries Celebrates its Sesquicentennial Birthday

SCPL is celebrating its Sesquicentennial Birthday on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Downtown Library Branch in the upstairs meeting room from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. There will be art, live music, cider and cake!

Four Points Sheraton Hotel

The City's Building Division has issued a temporary occupancy permit to the Four Points Sheraton Hotel on Scotts Valley Drive. They have a few minor items still to complete, but are able to open their doors when ready.

Gateway South Mixed Use Development: Community Meeting Next Week

Just a reminder that developer Brent Lee will be holding a community meeting on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 7 pm - 8 pm to discuss his proposed project, which includes a free-standing restaurant, 180-room hotel, senior housing community, and luxury rental apartment homes— with extensive landscaping and open space. This is a proposed project. It is under review and has NOT been approved.

The developer meeting will be held at the Scotts Valley Water District, located at 2 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley Santa Margarita Room (in rear, next to parking lot). If you have any questions, please contact the developer's representative, Kathy Thibodeaux: kathy@kmthibodeaux.com; 408-482-3910.

Upcoming Planning Commission Meeting

A planning commission agenda packet has been posted for the Thursday, December 13, 2018 meeting. Agenda items include:

75 Mount Hermon Rd: Use Permit and Environmental Assessment. Project Description: Consideration of a recommendation to the Scotts Valley Planning Commission for a Use Permit to allow for a 1,300 square foot, indoor only, wine tasting room in an existing building, to operate Friday through Sunday.

22 Blake Lane: Planned Development, Minor Land Division, and Design Review. Project Description: Project proposes to subdivide an existing 0.42-acre site into four lots and one common parcel, and construct two duet-style single family homes (4 units total). Project requires a Mitigated Negative Declaration, Planned Development, Minor Subdivision and Design Review. The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing, review the application, hear public comment, and make a recommendation to the City Council for final action at a future public hearing to be scheduled.