By GREG CAPUT, Santa Cruz County Supervisor
As the year comes to end, I want to take a moment to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. I also want to share some of the county’s major initiatives we’ve been working on during the past year.
January 2017 began with tremendous downpour of rain which continued until March, causing significant road and bridge damage due to landslides, slip outs and washouts. Extraordinary damage from water saturation and rain was recorded on more than 250 road sites. Yet, County Public Works has been able to work toward replacing the Casserly Bridge and restoring circulation in this major connector. The county was also very successful in applying for Federal and State disaster funding and anticipates that all repairs needed will be completed in the near future.
The winter storms also brought concerns of flooding in many parts of the Pajaro Valley. We are grateful for the tremendous response, to all the emergencies that arose as a result of the rains, by the county office of emergency services, public safety and public works. Fortunately, our bench excavation work and our quick responses from the County Public Works, we were able to avert major disaster last year. Currently, work will take place on at least 11 different spots, along the Salsipuedes Creek, to shore up the existing infrastructure with about $4 million in money that the county has been able to procure.
In addressing future plans for the river, the advocacy by the county, along with the partner agencies and Congressman Panetta, have made a major headway in gaining traction on the Pajaro River repairs and long-term flood protection. We have made strides with the Pajaro River Flood Improvement Project; we have gotten past the “National Economic Development” phase, and are currently in the draft feasibility and environmental assessment phase. If it all goes as planned, we can move on to the initial phases of project design, possibly followed by project construction. The long-term improved flood protection should result in lower flood insurance rates for the residents that live in the current flood plain.
As a community, we have a deep connection to our land and agriculture. Pajaro Valley residents enjoy incredible vistas, rich soil and bountiful crops. Agriculture has been a key part of our history and will be a key to our future success; these lands are precious and valuable! As such we aim to protect our lands, our resources and make them and our community prosper. That is why we have worked for so many years to reorganize our County Code in order to allow for “farm stays,” “farm stands,” “signage,” “barn use” and look at a host of other options that will support agriculture, such as agri-tourism.
As always, we remain committed to community programs to better serve the residents of the 4th District. As part of the County Budget in June 2017, the county increased the funding of community programs in the Pajaro Valley.
After 27 years of service to Santa Cruz County, in July 2017, County Administrative Officer Susan Mauriello retired. In June 2017, after an exhaustive nationwide search, the Board hired Carlos Palacios as the new County Administrative Officer (CAO). Palacios is the first Latino CAO in the history of Santa Cruz County and lives in South County.
We started a new visioning process to develop a strategic plan; the goal is to involve the community in the long-term vision of the county and get input to guide the county in setting budget priorities and improving the delivery of county services for the general public.
Our current population requires space for children to play and for the public to use as recreation. Park space is a vital part of our community and correlates directly with the quality of life we enjoy. Park lands have a direct impact on improving our society. Our challenge is to find sites for new park facilities and open space activities. The county is working toward finding solutions to this problem by pursuing multiple strategies; including surveying and cataloging available space, joint use agreements, partnerships, and other program substitutes to meet the needs of our community.
Our efforts toward housing is an ongoing mission; it is becoming increasingly difficult for many residents to purchase a home or even rent a house in our community. We need to continue developing government, private, and nonprofit partnerships to address the housing needs of our community. The county has developed a first-time home buyer’s loan program with the assistance of a state grant. Additionally, in partnership with Mid-Peninsula Housing, The Housing Authority, State of California, the City of Watsonville, and Union Bank, in the summer, construction of affordable housing began at Pippin Orchards. Finally, we have been working toward making sure every veteran has a home by administering the local Veterans Housing Program, including HUD/VASH.
I’m proud of the accomplishments in 2017 and look forward to the continued partnership in 2018. Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
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Greg Caput is the 4th District Supervisor for the County of Santa Cruz. His opinions are his own and not necessarily those of the Pajaronian.
