Santa Cruz Local

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a raft of bills in the past week aimed at solving the housing crisis in California. Several of the new laws try to streamline new housing projects and make it harder for cities to block new development. Santa Cruz Local looks at how the new laws might play out in the City of Santa Cruz. Editor's note: This episode has been updated to correct a description of the types of housing to which AB1482 applies. AB1482's just-cause eviction rules do not apply to the majority of single-family homes.

We start with what you need to know about planned power outages in Santa Cruz County. Then we update you on Tuesday's Santa Cruz City Council and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meetings. The council rejects a censure of Councilmembers Chris Krohn and Drew Glover for violating a city respectful conduct policy. We update you on plans for a new Kaiser Permanente medical clinic downtown. Plus, an idea for a point-of-sale real estate report dies. We share why the city punted on changes to rental inspection requirements. Meanwhile, the county board of supervisors takes on homelessness. The board also delays a decision on erosion protection for coastal properties. LINKS: www.pgecurrents.com , www.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/Departments/EmergencyServices.aspx

The Community Advisory Committee on Homelessness is a group that will advise the Santa Cruz City Council on its homeless policies. It's focusing on health, transitional campgrounds and public outreach. We report on its Tuesday meeting and potential solutions. Plus, an update on the push toward district elections in Santa Cruz.

An effort failed Tuesday to formally reprimand Councilmembers Chris Krohn and Drew Glover for workplace misconduct. In an emotional meeting, the council took steps toward a new ethics policy and mediation among councilmembers. The council also took on new rules for marijuana dispensaries and syringe waste bins. Editor's note: The title of this episode has been updated. The previous title, 'Santa Cruz City Council censure vote fails,' was misleading.

Santa Cruz Local co-founders Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter recap the launch party and the membership drive. We share some feedback from members. Then we take you behind the scenes, as we discuss the direction of our company.

Two state housing bills, AB411 and SB330, are poised to impact Santa Cruz. AB411 would bring $16 million to the city to fund affordable housing projects. SB330 may foil the city council's effort to prevent higher density on Soquel Avenue, Mission Street and Ocean Street. The two bills are on the governor's desk, awaiting his decision. We break down what you need to know about these and other noteworthy state housing bills.

In the past few weeks, a homeless camp has grown to about 30 tents on Santa Cruz's Main Beach. But it's not good for tourism. The beach, between the boardwalk and the wharf, is a big tourist draw for the city, and tourism is a lifeblood of the local economy. The Santa Cruz City Council was compelled to install a curfew. But no one is satisfied. The curfew doesn't begin to provide a long-term solution for Santa Cruz's homeless people. Also: We share what you need to know about the council's decisions (or lack of) on the DeLaveaga Golf Course and the Harvey West Pool.

Santa Cruz is one of dozens of cities across California that's received a threat of a lawsuit if it doesn't shift its city council to district elections. We break down the pros and cons of district elections. We talk with a state group that’s behind this push for district elections. We hear about the Santa Cruz City school board that just went through the process. And we hear about some maps of how Santa Cruz has voted in the last two city council elections. Visit santacruzlocal.org and click on this episode to see the maps.

There are six major development projects in early stages of planning in downtown Santa Cruz. If they're built, it would mark the biggest boom of housing development in downtown Santa Cruz in decades. Where did this surge come from? We talk to developers, shop owners and city leaders about affordable housing and smart planning. (Interviews include: Jessie Bristow and Jon Lee of Swenson, Santa Cruz Planning Director Lee Butler, Santa Cruz Bookshop owner Casey Coonerty-Protti, Andy's Auto owner Michael Mekis and Santa Cruz City Councilmember Chris Krohn)

The Santa Cruz City Council keeps the Louden Nelson Community Center's bathrooms locked to outsiders. Staff say it's safer and cleaner. Hear why some say it's unfair to homeless people. Also, the "Corridor Plan," which would allow denser housing along major roads in the city, is killed on Tuesday. It was on hold because it was too controversial. Hear why some councilmembers object. Warning: This episode contains graphic content.

We explain the results of an unprecedented workplace misconduct investigation involving four Santa Cruz City Council members: two accusers and two accused. We talk to Councilmembers Drew Glover, Donna Meyers, Chris Krohn and Mayor Martine Watkins. We also correct some misinformation that's been spread on social media.

It's the eve of Santa Cruz Local's first membership drive. We share with you the survey results on what our listeners like and what they think we could improve about Santa Cruz Local. We hear from one of our few younger listeners about why he wants to get involved in local civics. Finally, we answer your questions about how membership works and how you can join. For more info, visit www.santacruzlocal.org

A controversial development at 190 West Cliff Drive advances. We hear from some of the 200-plus people who packed Santa Cruz City Hall on Thursday for the planning commission meeting. We update you on plans for the intersection of Bay Street and West Cliff Drive. And we get into the nitty-gritty of state and local policy that shapes the balance of affordable and market rate housing development.

The City of Santa Cruz wants to create an online survey of landlords and tenants. It's an attempt to get reliable data on rents, evictions, housing types and other elements of the city's rental market. The city council majority wants to make the survey mandatory. We share with with you what landlords and tenants make of it. Plus: an update on the city's corridor plan, a push toward district elections, what's up with 5G cell towers and the status of a state bill that would bring $16 million of affordable housing funding to Santa Cruz.

California is getting into the heart of wildfire season. We learn that parts of the Santa Cruz Mountains have a higher potential of wildfire than did Paradise, where last year we saw the deadliest wildfire in state history. We want to draw on some lessons from the Camp Fire. We talk to several people who live in Bonny Doon and San Lorenzo Valley. We hear what they’ve been doing to prepare for a potential catastrophic wildfire. Lastly, we give you tips on how you can prepare.

Why is Santa Cruz Local a private company? Why did we leave the Sentinel? How are we approaching the City of Santa Cruz HR investigation into two city council members? Santa Cruz Local co-hosts Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter discuss these questions and more. It's the second episode of 'Meet Santa Cruz Local,' a miniseries giving a behind-the-scenes look at how and why we give you local news. We share with you our mission and motivation, our decision making and ethics, and our feedback from listeners.

A formal investigation, launched by the City of Santa Cruz's Human Resources Department, has looked into possible workplace misconduct by council members Chris Krohn and Drew Glover. An initial document shows that most of the allegations against Krohn have not been substantiated. However, the final report is not yet complete. We share with you what we know so far.

Who are we and why are we making a podcast on Santa Cruz's public institutions? How are we funded? What is the state of local media in Santa Cruz? Co-hosts Kara Meyberg Guzman and Stephen Baxter talk about their motives behind creating Santa Cruz Local. We share the results of our listener survey on what local news you'd like to see more of. And we meet one Santa Cruz Local listener and hear her constructive criticism. This is part one of a miniseries on our relationship with you, our listeners. Sign up for our newsletter at santacruzlocal.org to participate in our new survey and learn how you can join our growing community of civically-engaged Santa Cruz locals.

We talk with Santa Cruz City Councilmembers Chris Krohn and Drew Glover about a recall campaign that has been mounted against them. They respond to allegations of bullying and petitioners' concerns about how they handled a homeless camp closure.

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, whose district includes Davenport, the North Coast and the San Lorenzo Valley, held a town hall meeting Saturday. Her constituents were pushing her to the left. We break down where she stands on impeachment, Medicare for All and border policy.