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The Arts Commission meets 7-8 times a year on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Summer and winter recesses occur and may vary year to year. The City Calendar has the most current schedule of meeting.
The seven-member Arts Commission was established in 1977 to advise City Council on policies which enhance the aesthetic and cultural quality of life in the City of Santa Cruz. Appointed by the City Council, commissioners are volunteers who share a strong commitment to the arts. The Arts Commission provides policy guidance to the City Arts program.
Contact Information
Kathryn Mintz
Development Manager
337 Locust Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831-420-5146
kmintz@santacruzca.gov
The Board of Building and Fire Appeals meets annually to appoint the Chair and Vice-Chair, and then as-needed if appeals are received.
Children’s Fund Oversight Committee
In November 2021, the City of Santa Cruz voters approved Measure A, which codified the 2017 City Council-adopted Children’s Fund in the City’s Charter. With Measure A passage, 20 percent of audited Cannabis Tax is allocated to the fund to support the enhancement and expansion of evidenced-based programs that prioritize access to early childhood development, prevention, and vulnerable youth programs. The Parks and Recreation Department will support the Children’s Fund Oversight Committee in tracking and allocation of these funds.
Clean River, Beaches and Ocean Fund Citizen Oversight Committee
As directed in Santa Cruz Municipal Code (SCMC) Section 3.14.080, the Committee is charged with reviewing the use of the Clean River, Beaches and Ocean special parcel tax proceeds. The Committee members are appointed by the City Council.
Commission for the Prevention of Violence Against Women
Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the months of February, March, May, August, September, and November at 6:45 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA. The Commission consists of seven members who are appointed by the City Council.
- To end sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence in the City of Santa Cruz through prevention, programs, and public policy.
- To collaborate with local stakeholder partners and law enforcement to ensure best practices to respond to and prosecute violent crimes against women.
- To make ending violence against women the highest priority in the City of Santa Cruz.
- To ensure collaboration with other public and private agencies to support existing programs and support the development of new programs as needed
- To facilitate meaningful citizen participation in the work of the Commission
- To continue to work with law enforcement to develop strategies for the successful prosecution and conviction of the crimes of violence against women
The Community Programs Committee does not have a regular schedule and meets as needed.
The City Council’s Community Programs (CP) Committee makes recommendations to the City Council regarding programs that receive City of Santa Cruz (City) funding through the annual CP grant process as well as the Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnerships Program programs.
Meetings are normally held on the fourth Thursday of the month, in January, March, May, July, September and November at 8:30 a.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Public comment can be submitted to the Commission via email, if submitted by noon on the meeting date, or live via phone during a meeting.
The Downtown Commission advises Council on all matters pertaining to the maintenance and management of Parking District No. 1, and the Central Business and Improvement District. The Downtown Commission was consolidated from two former City Council advisory bodies. One advisory body was established to manage the off-street public parking in the Parking District. The second advisory body was established to promote the Central Business District. The Downtown Commission united these two advisory bodies.
The Downtown Commission develops long-range plans and implementation programs to provide downtown public parking. The Commission may study traffic problems in the Districts. The Commission makes recommendations regarding the allocation of funds derived from revenues collected on behalf of these Districts. The Commission evaluates public and private activities in the Districts and recommends policies and programs to preserve, enhance, and advance the viability and attractiveness of the downtown. The Commission may also perform other functions and duties as directed by Council or prescribed or authorized by any City ordinance.
Equal Employment Opportunity Committee
The Equal Employment Opportunity Committee meets quarterly, on the first Thursday of March, June, September and December, at 1:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber
City of Santa Cruz maintains and promotes a working environment free from discrimination and harassment; and provides all current and prospective employees with equal opportunity in employment regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, medical condition, sex, gender, physical characteristics, marital status, age, sexual orientation, organizational affiliation or veteran status.
The City is committed to take action against any harasser which will end the discriminating or harassing conduct. The City Manager fully accepts and supports the City’s commitment to prevent discrimination and harassment as a means to assure full equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees. The Equal Employment Opportunity Committee (EEOC) acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in all matters EEO and be responsible for serving as a communication channel between City employees, the community, the City Manager and the EEO Coordinator on any EEO activities and concerns.
Historic Preservation Commission
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz.
Parks and Recreation Commission
Meetings are held on the first Monday every other month (January, March, May, July, September and November) from 4:00-6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 809 Center St., Santa Cruz, California.
The Commission advises the City Council on all matters concerning public recreation, including playgrounds, music, and entertainment. The Commission makes recommendations on the annual budget for the Parks and Recreation Department. It also assists in planning recreation programs and accepts donations of money and property subject to the approval of the City Council.
The Commission consists of seven members. Appointments to the Commission are made by the City Council from the qualified electors of the City of Santa Cruz.
Staff Contact:
Tremain Hedden-Jones
323 Church Street, Santa Cruz, CA. 95060
831-420-5270
Planning Commission meetings are held on the first and third Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA.
The Planning Commission will advise City Council on matters pertaining to land use after receiving public input. The Planning Commission will be final decision maker for certain land use actions unless appealed to the City Council.
The Commission consists of seven members. Membership, term of office, and procedures for removal of members and the filling of vacancies shall be as established by City Ordinance or by the City Council. Members will be qualified electors of the City of Santa Cruz pursuant to 2.40.011 of the Municipal Code and City Council Policy, Section 5.
The Sister Cities Committee meets monthly as needed at 7:00 pm.
Transportation and Public Works Commission
Meetings are normally held on the third Monday of every month, excluding July and December, at 6:00 p.m in the City Council Chambers located at 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Public comment can be submitted to the Commission via email, if submitted by noon on the meeting date, or live via phone during a meeting.
Established in 2010 by Ordinance No. 2010-05, the Transportation and Public Works Commission (TPWC) is generally responsible for advising Council in matters pertaining to transportation and public works as defined in the Ordinance (Section 2.40.081). Its duties include advising Council on planning, design, construction, reconstruction, installation, operation and maintenance of transportation and public works. It makes recommendations to Council concerning the capital improvement program and the annual budget of the Public Works Department.
Meetings are normally held on the third Monday of every month, excluding July and December, at 6:00 p.m in the City Council Chambers located at 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Public comment can be submitted to the Commission via email, if submitted by noon on the meeting date, or live via phone during a meeting.
The Water Commission meets in the Santa Cruz City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, on the first Monday of each month, at 7:00 p.m. For more information on meeting procedures and how to participate, see: Meeting Information
Established by Resolution No. NS-22 in 1948, and reestablished by Ordinance No. 87-10 in 1987, the Water Commission advises the Council in all matters pertaining to the Santa Cruz Water System and its maintenance and management. The Commission also makes studies of long-range plans for securing sources of domestic water supply for the city and reports to the City Council its conclusions and recommendations for the improvement and extension of water systems, including sources, storage, transmission and distribution of water to consumers.
Regular meetings are held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10 a.m. in the City Council Chambers, 809 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA. There are some Special Meetings and Substitution Meetings that may occur.
The Zoning Administrator conducts public hearings and renders decisions on various land use applications including Coastal Permits, Design Permits, Administrative Use Permits, Conditional Fence Permits, Slope Modifications, Variances and related environmental findings.
The Zoning Administrator is responsible for ensuring that all hearings are conducted in accordance with the local and State open meeting laws; and considers the findings of fact and public testimony before rendering a final decision on an application request. Any decision of the Zoning Administrator can be appealed to the Planning Commission within 10 days of final action.
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