Dear Community, As I close out my term as your Mayor, I’ve been reflecting on the journey we’ve taken together this year.
When I stepped into this role, I made a commitment, not to titles or recognition, but on making a real difference that families could feel in their daily lives.
Throughout the year, I carried with me the same values I was raised with here in Watsonville: work hard, listen closely, stay grounded and never forget who you serve. Every improvement we made, every streetlight, sidewalk, housing initiative, arts program, and safety investment, comes back to one thing: our people.
The families who wake up early for work, the seniors who rely on safe sidewalks, the youth who deserve opportunity, and the parents who want a strong, vibrant future for their children. And because of our collective effort, this year has been one of the most collaborative and productive in recent memory. Below is a look at what we set out to do, and what we accomplished together.
“Delivering Safer, More Connected Neighborhoods,” my first column, highlighted the city’s commitment to improving infrastructure, lighting, and street safety across our community. This year, we delivered in measurable, visible ways:
• Road improvements and traffic-calming projects were completed across multiple districts, driven directly by resident petitions and our Pavement Management Plan.
• A total of $82 million in road and infrastructure improvements advanced this year, reflecting one of the largest investments in recent Watsonville history.
• Green Valley Road now features upgraded signals, smoother pavement, ADA improvements, and safer crossings for seniors, students, and workers.
• School zones received new striping, signage, and safety enhancements based on resident feedback.
• More than 3,000 streetlights are being upgraded citywide, increasing safety for families walking home from school, night-shift workers, and residents across all neighborhoods.
• We advanced the Green Valley Pedestrian Bridge, a long-awaited safety improvement for Pajaro Valley High School families, moving it significantly closer to construction.
We also followed through on park-related commitments, including expanded janitorial services to reduce vandalism, restroom improvements, and major progress on Ramsay Park’s renovation and the City Plaza remodel, which will move to bid this month.
Expanding Housing Stability and Homelessness Response
Last year, we set out to strengthen our Affordable Housing Program, explore workforce housing partnerships, and improve support for residents facing the greatest hardships.
This year we:
• Adopted Watsonville’s first-ever Homelessness Plan, a milestone that guides outreach, sheltering, and pathways to permanent housing.
• Expanded our Homeless Outreach Program, pairing a police outreach specialist with a social services navigator to provide connection, not just enforcement.
• Made major progress on affordable housing developments, resulting in hundreds of new affordable units completed or under construction.
• Strengthened our Affordable Housing Program Ordinance, increasing opportunities for local families and local workers to become homeowners.
• Continued regional discussions with Cabrillo College, PVUSD, UCSC, and the County on workforce housing, advancing long-term solutions.
Housing stability is not just about construction; it’s about making sure families can stay in the community they call home. This year, we moved that work forward. Strengthening Public Safety and Community Trust Ensuring safety for every resident remained a top priority, and this year, important progress was made:
• Watsonville saw a significant decrease in violent crime and property crime, and an 8% decrease in overall crime.
• We expanded the Connector Program, allowing Officers to focus on urgent calls while trained connectors respond to non-criminal situations.
• We continued investing in firefighter and police recruitment, focusing on building a strong organizational culture and attracting qualified professionals committed to serving Watsonville.
• Resources were allocated to ensure our public safety departments have the tools they need to respond to emergencies and protect our community. Public safety is foundational, and this year we strengthened it.
Supporting Youth, Families, and Community Wellness and Engagement
Family-centered programming, literacy initiatives, and stronger community engagement continued to guide our work. This year, we delivered:
• Districtwide Read Across America Bookmobile Tours in every district, bringing books and literacy programs directly to families.
• Expanded library outreach to increase access to books, safe spaces, and learning opportunities.
• Secured funding for the volunteers who power our Parks & Community Services Department, strengthening youth sports, afterschool programs, and community events.
• Strengthened partnerships with community organizations to support families, seniors, and youth.
• Conducted a citywide, district-based survey to inform our Strategic Plan and city priorities, ensuring that residents across all districts had their voices represented.
• A full slate of family-focused events including National Night Out, Earth Day, community clean-ups, Summer in the City, Watsonville Academy, and the airport fireworks celebration.
• We launched a brand-new holiday celebration, Noche de Brillo/A Night of Sparkle, on Dec. 14, bringing Santa, snow, light displays, train rides, performances and community unity to our historic downtown. These programs strengthen our shared identity and ensure every family feels connected to their city. Arts, Culture, and Downtown Vitality
This year marked a turning point for arts and culture in Watsonville.
• We adopted the Arts Master Plan, creating a roadmap for expanding public art, murals, and creative opportunities for local artists.
• New mural locations and artist programs were identified, and several communitybased art projects were commissioned.
• Downtown Watsonville came alive with year-round tree lighting, adding warmth, vibrancy, and presence every night of the year.
• Watsonville became a candidate for state designation as a Cultural District, a recognition that would bring new opportunities and visibility to our arts ecosystem. We are building a downtown that reflects the creativity and cultural richness of our community. Strong Fiscal Stewardship and Modernized Government
A well-functioning city government remained at the forefront of our efforts. This year, we:
• Adopted a balanced two-year budget of more than $309 million. • Continued securing grants to invest in key infrastructure, technology, and public safety improvements.
• Began work with a financial advisor to strengthen long-term investment strategies.
• Continued major efforts to hire engineers and other technical staff, ensuring we have the workforce needed to execute complex capital projects.
• Advanced our city website modernization, improving accessibility and user experience.
• Implemented our new Resident Access Program, a universal login that allows residents to pay, register, and reserve all City services through a single portal, significantly improving customer service and ease of access.
• Expanded IT security and stormwater mapping efforts to enhance efficiency and resilience.
• Held a successful State of the City to celebrate collective accomplishments with residents, businesses, and community organizations. Good governance is the backbone of everything else and this year we continued strengthening it.
Supporting Local Business and Economic Development
Economic Development continues to be a top priority of our Council. Last year, efforts focused on uplifting local businesses, expanding family-friendly entertainment, and improving support for new and existing entrepreneurs. This year, we:
• Launched “Mayor on the Move” social media video series, highlighting dozens of local businesses.
• Advanced citywide retail strategies to support new business growth, fill vacancies, and strengthen economic corridors.
• Progressed the creation of a business support hub to help streamline permit processes and make it easier for small businesses and developers to invest in Watsonville. Economic development is essential to a healthy city, and this year, we laid strong groundwork for continued growth.
A Year of Commitment, Collaboration, and Community Strength
As I look back on 2025, I feel deeply grateful. Grateful for the trust you placed in me, grateful for a City Council that worked collaboratively, and grateful for a staff that shows up every day with heart and commitment. The progress we made this year belongs to all of us, to a community that speaks up, shows up, and pushes us to do better. Watsonville is resilient. Watsonville is creative. Watsonville is strong because of the people who call it home. I am proud of what we accomplished together and honored to have served as your Mayor. Wishing every family a joyful, safe holiday season. I look forward to continuing to serve and support our community in the years ahead.
