Safe Fun in the Fall

By Yvette Brooks, Mayor, City of Capitola

Fall is one of my most favorite times of the year. It is the kick-off of what I would consider some of our community’s best annual events. However, we must continue to be aware that we have not surpassed the pandemic. Please continue to follow CDC guidelines.

This also serves as a reminder that we are a resilient community impacted by disasters in all forms. We have become stronger as we have moved through natural disasters, a pandemic, and tragedies. I am grateful for our community and its support of one another.

Mayor’s Proclamation

At the Capitola City Council’s meeting on Sept. 23, I had the honor of declaring October College and Career Awareness Month.

College and Career Awareness Month is observed throughout Santa Cruz County including Cabrillo College, in
collaboration with school districts in North and South County and businesses throughout all career sectors. The purpose of the proclamation is to highlight the importance of supporting Santa Cruz County’s next generation of workers, by providing access to quality education for all students along with exceptional career development opportunities; and to bridge the gap between education and the real world by exposing them to a variety of careers.

Mayors Town Hall Series Returns

I am pleased to announce the next set of speakers in my Mayor’s Town Hall series. For more information please visit: www.cityofcapitola.org/

• Oct.: 3CE Central Coast Community Energy (https://3cenergy.org/)
• Nov.: Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Education Faris Sabbah
• Dec.: Congressman Jimmy Panetta

Capitola City Council Meetings

The Governor signed AB 361 allowing cities to continue holding virtual meetings during any emergency proclaimed by the governor.

To continue meeting virtually, every 30 days, the City must make findings that meeting in person would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees, or recommend social distancing measures.

AB 361 sunsets on Jan. 1, 2024. At this time, Capitola City Council meeting will continue to be held virtually until we see a significant decrease of new cases of COVID-19 in our community.

Excellence in Financial Reporting

Last week staff was informed that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Capitola for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year that ended June 30, 2020.

The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Capitola has received the Certificate of Achievement every year since Fiscal Year 2011-12 and prior to that received the Certificate for Outstanding Financial Reporting from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers from 1999-00 through 2010-11.

Capitola Parks and Recreation

The Fall 2021 Brochure is now available. View it at: www.cityofcapitola.org/recreation

COVID-19 Mandatory Testing and Vaccination Policy

The City of Capitola has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination and testing policy requiring all staff to show proof of vaccination, or be PCR-tested twice a week.

Outdoor Dining Update

Temporary outdoor dining permits have been extended to Jan. 3, 2022; rules are also imposed on current permit holders to maintain outdoor dining areas to certain standards.

The Capitola City Council will review the temporary permits at the Nov. 10 meeting.

COVID-19 Small Business Rental & Mortgage Assistance Grants

The city of Capitola is pleased to announce a partnership with Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center to develop a grant program that provides economic relief to small businesses that were negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Using Community Development Block Grant Cares Act funding, the program offers up to $7,500 in grants to eligible applicants for use towards reimbursement of qualified rental or mortgage costs incurred between April 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2021.

An estimated thirty to thirty-five businesses are expected to benefit. If the number of qualifying applications received exceeds the amount of funding available for disbursement, the City will implement a lottery system for all eligible applicants.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible:

• Businesses must demonstrate a financial need as a result of COVID-19.
• Legally operate as a for-profit, brick, and mortar business within the City of Capitola. Home-based businesses do not qualify.
• Business must be legally operating since January 2019.
• Business must have 25 or fewer full-time employees, or an equivalent combination of 25 full and part-time employees, including the owner.
• A complete application must be received by the Sept. 30, 2021 deadline, and supported with required documentation.
• Businesses must meet a CDBG “National Objective.”
• Applicants can be current on their rent or mortgage.

To learn more visit: www.cityofcapitola.org/communitydevelopment/webform/covid-19-small-business-rental-mortgage-assistance-cdbg-grant-program

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As always should you have any questions feel free to email me at brooksforcitycouncil@gmail.com. You can also email citycouncil@ci.capitola.ca.us and your note will automatically be sent to all five Councilmembers, the City Clerk, and the City Manager.