As we move into fall, I want to share some important updates on issues that affect our daily lives here in District 2. From the power outages that have disrupted homes and businesses, to new steps we’re taking to protect public health and safety, to community resources and many opportunities to have your voice heard—there’s a lot happening.

I know how much these matters impact our families, our sense of security, and our ability to thrive. That’s why I’ve been working closely with county staff, state partners, and community members like you to push for solutions and ensure your concerns are heard at every level.

In this newsletter, you’ll find updates on PG&E outages, our new ordinance to ban recreational nitrous oxide, fall meeting schedules, public health initiatives, and upcoming opportunities to get involved.

Together, we’re shaping a stronger, safer, and more connected community.

County leaders and I met with PG&E representatives to address the frequent power outages you’ve been experiencing. We pressed them for real solutions and improvements, not just explanations.

I shared your stories and emails directly with their team. Together, your words painted a powerful picture of the deep disruptions these outages have caused: lost business and income, spoiled food, interrupted weekends, jeopardized medical care, physical strain, isolation for families and seniors, safety risks, ruined appliances, and lost communications. Living in a rural area myself, I’ve also endured inexplicable outages during calm, mild weather.

PG&E heard loud and clear that this situation is not acceptable.

Here’s what we learned:

• Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS): Much of our district is on EPSS-enabled lines due to wildfire risk. With EPSS active (typically May–November), power shuts off instantly when a line is triggered—by something as small as a squirrel or tree branch. Crews must then inspect the entire circuit before restoring power.
• “Downstream” impacts: Many coastal neighborhoods are not technically in high fire–risk zones but are powered by EPSS-enabled lines. That means even low-risk coastal areas, like Seascape and La Selva Beach, are impacted by upstream outages further inland.
• Rob Roy Substation upgrades: PG&E is upgrading faulty equipment at the Rob Roy substation. This means that outages—both EPSS-related and otherwise—are affecting a much larger area than usual. This explains why neighborhoods near the coast, where fire danger is low, have seen such widespread outages. Crews also inspect lines from “top to bottom” -- meaning coastal neighborhoods like Seascape and La Selva Beach are restored last.

The good news: PG&E expects the Rob Roy upgrades to be finished by October 15, which should significantly reduce the size of outage areas. While EPSS shutoffs will still occur until fire season ends, PG&E also acknowledged they are exploring ways to remove low-risk coastal communities from EPSS-enabled circuits, though this is still in early planning.

Resources for customers: PG&E has programs to help, such as backup battery options. Here’s information from PG&E: General Outage Resources | PG&E.

I’m also organizing a town hall meeting with PG&E where you’ll be able to ask questions directly—I’ll share the date and details when we have details.

While I appreciate the PG&E staff working hard on the ground, I remain disappointed in the company’s overall performance. This disruption was predictable, and more resources should have been allocated to speed up inspections, restore power faster, and keep customers informed. These challenges also highlight the urgent need for greater investment in our power grid to meet the new climate reality.

With your support, I will continue to push for those long-term improvements.

Board Chambers Renovation Underway

The County of Santa Cruz has announced that upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings will be held at alternate locations while long-planned renovations take place at the Government Center Board Chambers.

This project is designed to modernize the chambers by replacing outdated equipment, improving accessibility, and creating a more welcoming environment for residents. When complete, the updated space will feature natural light, improved seating, upgraded safety features, and a new layout to better serve the community.

State-of-the-art audiovisual and broadcasting systems will also be installed, ensuring clearer sound, more reliable streaming, and stronger opportunities for participation both in person and online.

Funding for the renovation comes from cable franchise fees, which by federal law may only be used for public, educational, and governmental access purposes.

Fall 2025 BOS Meeting Schedule

Debido a las renovaciones en las Cámaras de Supervisores, las reuniones de la Junta de Supervisores se llevan a cabo en ubicaciones rotativas. Por favor, consulte los folletos para conocer las ubicaciones de las reuniones y las direcciones.

Horario de reuniones de otoño de 2025

Find meeting dates and locations, watch meetings, read agendas and materials, comment on items, email the Board and more at the link below.

Santa Cruz County Meeting Materials

By now, you should have received a ballot in the mail about the proposed Mosquito and Vector Benefit Assessment District. Every property owner has a vote in this important decision.

This is the first proposed benefit assessment district in more than 20 years, prompted by the discovery of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in Watsonville in 2023.

Why does this matter?

The Aedes aegypti is not your typical backyard mosquito. It’s an invasive species capable of spreading serious diseases like yellow fever, Zika, and dengue. Unlike most native mosquitoes, it bites during the day, is small and black with white stripes, and can breed in the tiniest bit of standing water—even in something as small as a bottle cap. To make matters trickier, their eggs can survive dry conditions for over a year before hatching when water is reintroduced.

Here’s what you should know:

• Funding will support stronger mosquito and vector control services, including invasive species monitoring, disease tracking, and community education.

• It will help protect us from public health threats like the Egyptian mosquito, West Nile virus, Zika, dengue, and Lyme disease.

• Without this funding, some services may have to be reduced.

• The cost is minimal—less than $1 a month for the typical single-family home.

• The assessment is proportional to property size, and voting is weighted the same way.

How to return your ballot:

• Mail it back using the prepaid envelope provided.

• Drop it off in person at 640 Capitola Road, Santa Cruz (Mon–Fri, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.).

• Or deliver it directly at the Board of Supervisors meeting on November 4 at nine a.m. (The November 4th meeting is at Watsonville City Council Chambers, see above for details).

If you have questions, please call the Santa Cruz County Mosquito and Vector Control office at (831) 454-2590 or click here for their website.

Together, a small step today can help us all enjoy a safer, healthier tomorrow.

Santa Cruz County is updating its Strategic Plan, looking ahead to the year 2032. This plan will guide our priorities and actions over the next six years, building on the progress we’ve made since 2018 while learning from the challenges along the way.

Our goal is simple but powerful: a community where everyone can thrive and feel a true sense of belonging. That means creating a county that is healthy, safe, affordable, welcoming, and sustainable for all.

The updated plan will weave in new ideas, community voices, and stronger partnerships. It will also be guided by our County Equity Statement and proven approaches like Health in All Policies and Results Count—tools that keep us focused on real results that improve people’s lives.

We invite you to explore, share your voice, and stay connected as we work together to build a stronger, more equitable, and resilient future for Santa Cruz County.

More information: Strategic Plan 2032

Could you go a week without driving? That’s the challenge set for the week on Sept. 29 through Oct. 5 as the Week Without Driving campaign gets underway.

The program invites you to step outside the driver’s seat to experience what it’s like for people who rely on walking, biking, public transit or carpooling. The program gives points that can be redeemed for rewards like gift e-cards to local businesses.

The Week Without Driving Santa Cruz County is part of a national campaign to see the world differently. Whether due to age, ability, financial circumstances, nearly a third of Americans cannot drive but rely on a transportation system designed for driving.

Santa Cruz County residents are encouraged to sign up for the challenge here and then log any eligible trip (bike, walk, transit carpool/vanpool) during the challenge period for a raffle entry.

bit.ly/wwd-santacruzcounty

Plans for the long-awaited pedestrian bridge and ADA accessibility upgrades are now under review by the Division of the State Architect. Approval is anticipated in spring 2026, with construction scheduled to begin summer 2026.

The project will add elevators on both sides of Soquel Drive, making it possible for wheelchair users and others with mobility needs to access either side of campus without having to cross what we affectionally call "Highway Two."

Best of all, the full cost of construction is being covered by an insurance settlement from the responsible party’s insurer—meaning no additional cost to the community.

The Earthquake Brace + Bolt Program is now offering grants of up to $3,000 to help strengthen older homes against earthquake damage. These grants are designed for wood-framed houses built before 1980 with raised foundations—making them safer and more secure when the ground shakes.

This year, the program is expanding to include rental and other non-owner-occupied properties too—so landlords and property owners can also protect both their investments and the residents who live in them.

For income-eligible households earning $89,040 or less, there’s even more support available, with up to $7,000 in supplemental grants.

The program is offered through the California Department of Insurance and the California Earthquake Authority, and registration is open August 20 – October 1, 2025.

Learn more or sign up at EarthquakeBraceBolt.com.

SAFER website with information about power outages, traffic, weather and MORE:

SAFER LINK

EMERGENCY: 9-1-1

Road Maintenance (potholes, illegal dumping, etc.): 831-477-3999

Santa Cruz County Sheriff NON-EMERGENCY: 831-471-1121

Santa Cruz County Parks Events:

Community Events