Politics & Government

Residents Debate Sales Tax Increase; Council Gets Good News

A benchmark study showed excellent scores for Capitola compared to other similar cities at the Thursday's meeting of the Capitola City Council.

The City of Capitola got a huge pat on the back Thursday evening at the meeting of the Capitola City Council when findings of a benchmark study were presented, which showed that compared to similar cities, Capitola functions at a very high level.

In addition, environmentally-friendly buildings were discussed as well as Measure O and a weekend workshop at Jade Street Park. 

Below are the top five moments of the meeting:

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1. Capitola residents Duncan and Judith Scollon (5040 Garden St.) and TJ and Connie Welch (410 Escalona Dr.) were given this year's Green Building Award for their exceptionally environmentally-friendly homes.

"I know it was extra expensive and extra effort [to modify your homes] and I appreciate it," Mayor Mike Termini told the winners. 

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The prize winners will receive an ornamental green starfish and plaque as their award. 

2. Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Anna Marie Gotti spoke during the public comment section of the meeting and announced a free workshop called Engaging the Bystander that will be held this Saturday, 1-3 p.m., at Jade Street Park.

The workshop is for men and women at least 18 years of age to learn "what to do and not to do when they witness something bad happening," Gotti said. The workshop is hosted by the City of Capitola and the Commission for the Prevention of Violence against Women, and was organized by Gotti.

3. Capitola resident Sandy Erickson spoke against Measure O, which would increase sales tax in Capitola by 0.25 percent. The council has been unanimous in its support for Measure O, which Erickson is not pleased about.

"It would be a good thing if one of you said 'The City takes enough of our money,'" she said.

, spoke after Erickson in support of Measure O.

"Supporting Measure O puts money back into the Gereal Fund," he said. "Yes on Measure O makes good sense and is good for Capitola."

4. Mayor Mike Termini announced Come join us to eat free appetizers and watch the debate!

5. Bill Statler from Municipal Finance Consulting and Training presented a benchmark study to the council, which compares Capitola to six other comparable cities. The cities were selected by population, and attributes (coastal, tourist-oriented, police department, no fire department, etc.) that make them similar to Capitola. The six cities selected were Carmel, Carpinteria, Laguna Beach, Pismo Beach, Sausalito and Scotts Valley.

In comparison to the six cities, Capitola tested very well. Compared to the average, Capitola posted low operating costs, low city staffing levels, low debt and low administrative support costs. Unlike any other city, Capitola has an advantage in that it has caps on retirement costs for city employees, which puts the city at an ecomonic advantage.

The largest area of needed improvement for Capitola compared to the other six cities is the condition of pavement in the city. In other words, our roads and sidewalks did not test well. The Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is a 1-100 scale, 100 being a perfect, brand new sidewalk. Capitola as a whole was given a PCI score of 68. Only Sausalito scored worse. However, 68 is also the state average, and Santa Cruz County as a whole has a PCI of just 48. Additionally, Capitola's PCI was 57 in 2006, showing an 11-point improvement over the last six years. 

What do you think? Are you surprised Capitola tested so well? Do you support Measure O? Tell us in the comments!

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