By Bruce McPherson, Supervisor, Fifth District
As we approach the one-year mark of combatting COVID-19, the pandemic continues to dominate County activities as we administer vaccines, manage shelter programs for the most vulnerable, and maintain other vital services such as public safety, road repairs and fire recovery.
On Feb. 23, the Board of Supervisors voted to join the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which is expected to provide $16.8 million to help tenants and their property owners in Santa Cruz County with COVID-19 hardships. Part of the state’s COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act, the program is designed to address past unpaid rent as well as future payments that tenants may struggle to make. The legislation also extended eviction protection to June 30.
Meanwhile, vaccination eligibility is expanding to certain occupations, such as educators and agricultural workers, even if supplies continue to be slow to arrive. Santa Cruz County ranks seventh out of 61 California jurisdictions for per capita vaccination rates and second for counties with populations greater than 250,000. More than 71,000 people have received the vaccine so far in our County, with more than half of our residents over 65 having received at least one dose. This is good progress, but we have a long way to go as a state toward ensuring that everyone who wants a vaccine has access to it.
Our local workforce had already suffered tremendously as a result of the virus before the CZU Lightning Complex fire erupted last summer, putting even more residents into economic jeopardy. But there is a bright spot for workers impacted by the fire. In partnership with the Santa Cruz County Workforce Development Board and Goodwill Central Coast, the County Parks Department has been awarded a $1.5 million Department of Labor grant through the state Employment Development Department to help those unemployed or underemployed as a result of the fire.
Through the program, up to 75 displaced workers will be hired for up to one year to conduct recovery and resiliency activities, including projects to replant vegetation and mitigate debris flow. Approved work sites include Big Basin Redwoods State Park, the Fall Creek Unit of Henry Cowell State Park, and Quail Hollow Ranch. Email info@workforcescc.com for more information.
In other fire recovery news, nearly 60 percent of properties destroyed have completed debris removal operations. Our new Recovery Permit Center continues to be busy working with residents to lay plans for rebuilding even as we continue to monitor the potential for debris flows in the burn scar. So far, we have been fortunate to largely avoid the intense rains that can trigger these dangerous slides, but the dry weather can also produce other challenges for water supply and fish habitat.
That brings me to a topic that has garnered a great deal of attention in recent weeks: a discussion within the San Lorenzo Valley and Scotts Valley water districts about a possible merger. I have appreciated how well the two districts have collaborated the past several years as partners with the County and private well-owners in the Santa Margarita Groundwater Management Agency’s efforts to draft a groundwater sustainability plan.
While some ratepayers have expressed opposition, others support exploring the economic and environmental aspects of a merger. Because the County is not a decisionmaker in this process, I see my role as simply to listen to all constituents and understand the arguments. Ultimately, the elected leaders of the districts will choose the next steps, and I really encourage a respectful dialogue among their customers.
Lastly, I want to announce that the Board of Supervisors is set to hear several affordable housing items March 9, including initiatives brought by my office with my new colleague, First District Supervisor Manu Koenig, to develop a tiny homes ordinance and accept pre-approved plans for building accessory dwelling units.
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Board agendas are posted at santacruzcounty.us and, as always, please contact me at bruce.mcpherson@santacruzcounty.us or 831-454-2200 if my office can be of help.