By Zach Friend, County Supervisor 2nd District
Community Meetings: In 2014, I’ve held 77 open office hours in Aptos, Corralitos and Watsonville and over three dozen community meetings in Seacliff, La Selva Beach, Aptos, Watsonville, Capitola, Corralitos and Pajaro Dunes. In addition, I’ve written over four-dozen columns in local papers and neighborhood newsletters and sent another twelve e-newsletters from our office to communicate with our district about county happenings.
Economic Vitality and Stability: This past year the Board of Supervisors took additional steps toward improving the long-term economic viability of our area. Building on last year’s work on the Economic Vitality Strategy, the Board adopted key elements to help streamline the county planning process, modernize County Code to improve business retention and expansion, improve our technology infrastructure and assist our small business, agricultural and visitor-serving sectors.
The strategy includes policies that improve broadband access and expansion (high-speed Internet), encourages satellite locations for Silicon Valley tech companies to reduce the number of commuters over the hill, improves small business training and retention programs, encourages more pedestrian friendly and environmentally friendly development, improves affordable housing and much more. The strategy is extensive and a significant improvement in the County’s approach to job creation, economic improvement and sustainable land use policies
An additional radar speed sign and a number of speed limit signs were put in this year’s budget for Sumner including new speed limit signs on the Seascape Blvd. section of Sumner. Road repairs were made to W. Beach Rd. in the southern portion of our district and culverts were cleaned and repaired and brush removed along the length of San Andreas Rd. Lastly, nearly five years ago a storm-caused slipout of the embankment near Vienna Drive and Mesa Drive a new walkway, drainage facility and hillside protections were installed to reconnect the oft-used walkway from Vienna Woods to Soquel. More projects are planned, including allocating funding for a significant road resurfacing on Freedom Blvd, but most of that work will commence in the next fiscal year.
Ground was broken in September with completion of the park expected in the New Year. The new Seacliff Village Park will begin construction in May and will have a children’s play area, small amphitheater, public art, restrooms, shade structure with seating, a small skate feature and walkways throughout the park that lead to ADA accessible parking.
Moving Forward: I know there is a lot more to do on all of these issues in 2015. In 2014 we addressed over 500 direct requests for service to our office on neighborhood road issues, public safety concerns, environmental degradation, infrastructure concerns and more – all from your emails and calls to us. We’d love to continue to hear from you to prioritize what we do. Call us at 454-2200 and have a great New Year!