CAPITOLA — To leash, or not to leash.
That is the question … that the Capitola City Council will consider at its meeting this week as it takes a look at policies around the canine companions within the city’s open space areas.
The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday within the council chambers at 420 Capitola Ave., will include a detailed rundown of current dog regulations at Capitola parks and beaches with a recommendation that the council decide to either make no adjustments or draw up preferred changes and ask its staff to return with proposed updates to the municipal code.
According to the staff report, of the 12 city-controlled parks and beaches, only one — Ozzi Dog Park at McGregor Park at 1560 McGregor Drive — currently allows off-leash dogs to frolic around in the open air. Leashes — no longer than 6 feet in length — are required at seven other parks in the city and three others do not allow dogs at all. By contrast, the city of Santa Cruz has banned dogs on some beaches, such as Main Beach, but has other dedicated dog beaches nearby.
City staff write that if the council wants to make some changes, they have flagged Noble Gulch Park, which sits at the intersection of Monterey and Bay avenues, as a solid “test” location for another off-leash dog park because of the lack of conflict with current park uses and layout.
Council compensation
The council will also consider giving itself a raise for the third time in five years.
The local legislators will weigh a proposal to increase their compensation to $950 per month, or $11,400 annually. The figure is the maximum amount allowable for a jurisdiction of Capitola’s size in accordance with a state law passed last summer aimed at rebalancing salaries for elected officials in cities where it has not kept up with the pace of inflation.
Councilmembers currently receive a $660 monthly salary, meaning the proposal represents almost a 44% increase. The current rate was established in 2022 and was increased by $60 per month from the previous rate set in 2019.
According to the staff report, the state law that created these new rules, Senate Bill 329, was passed with an intention to ensure diversity among city councils by allowing people from across different income levels to serve in public office while supporting their families.
Should the council decide to move forward with the increase, it would not take effect until the beginning of a new term, which is in December.
Other items
• A recommendation to approve plans, specifications and a construction estimate for the Capitola Community Center Renovation Project.
• A proposal to authorize the city manager to enlist the city in a national opioid settlement with The Kroger Co., which will ultimately allow the city to receive a portion of the settlement funds through the state with distribution responsibility held by the county.
If you go
What: Capitola City Council meeting.
When: 6 p.m. Thursday.
Where: Council chambers at 420 Capitola Ave., Capitola. To watch online, visit cityofcapitola.org/meetings.
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