Our community faces important decisions that will shape our coast, our neighborhoods, and our collective well-being. From protecting Monterey Bay and ensuring strong local safety standards for energy projects, to strengthening public health and creating opportunities for neighbors to connect and be heard, your voice matters more than ever. This update highlights how you can stay informed, get involved, and help guide the future of District 2 and Santa Cruz County.
This newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Robley Levy, former District 2 Supervisor who passed away last month. I was very fortunate to meet with her in October, where she regaled me with stories and provided mentorship and wisdom. Thank you for your service, Madame Supervisor. A celebration of her life will be held in the Spring.
Warmly, |
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Kimberly De Serpa
Second District Supervisor
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Robley Levy and Kim De Serpa last fall |
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Our coastline and marine environment remain under real threat from offshore oil and gas drilling proposals, and this is a critical moment to make our voices heard. I have joined Supervisor Justin Cummings and his office in actively lobbying and fighting to protect Monterey Bay from offshore drilling, but public input is essential to this effort.
Public comments on offshore oil and gas drilling are open only until January 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST, which is 8:59 pm our time. This is a firm deadline, and every comment matters. Strong public opposition helps demonstrate that our community will not accept new drilling that puts our coast, wildlife, and local economy at risk.
Please take a few minutes today to submit a comment and help protect our coast for future generations.
You can share your thoughts at:
www.SaveMyCoast.org. |
Travelers should plan for a long-term, full closure of the southbound Highway 1 State Park Drive off-ramp beginning Monday, January 26, at 9:00 p.m.
This closure is required to allow crews to construct the wood and metal framework that will support a new soundwall along the southbound off-ramp. The work includes masonry block installation and concrete pours and is expected to take approximately three weeks. Once construction is complete, the ramp will reopen to traffic.
Closure Dates: Monday, January 26 to February 10, 2026
Detour Information
During the closure, travelers will be directed to: Exit at the Park Avenue off-ramp Turn left onto Park Avenue Turn right onto southbound Soquel Drive Follow Soquel Drive to rejoin State Park Drive
Project Overview This work is part of a $78 million Highway 1 improvement project being completed by Granite Construction of Watsonville, CA, with overall project completion anticipated in Fall 2026.
Stay Informed Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission:
https://sccrtc.org/projects/streets-highways/hwy1/bayporter-statepark/ |
At our first Board of Supervisors meeting of the year on January 13, we selected a new Board Chair. I was proud to support Supervisor Monica Martinez of the Fifth District. It has been many years since a woman last led our Board, making this an important milestone for Santa Cruz County. Monica brings a thoughtful, steady, and collaborative approach, and I look forward to working closely with her in this leadership role. |
The Board voted unanimously to take the next step toward developing a countywide ordinance to regulate large-scale battery energy storage facilities in unincorporated Santa Cruz County.
As California transitions away from fossil fuels, we are generating more renewable energy, but we still lack sufficient battery storage to ensure reliability and stability in our power system. The state has made clear that battery storage is a critical part of this transition and has created pathways for projects to move forward even in the absence of strong local regulations.
That is why the Board acted. We did not approve any specific project or site. Instead, we took steps to ensure that Santa Cruz County, not Sacramento, sets clear, local safety and siting standards. Without a county ordinance in place, projects could move forward with fewer protections, less transparency, and limited opportunities for meaningful community input.
I have heard many concerns from residents about fire risk, water and groundwater impacts, farmland preservation, proximity to homes, and potential effects on working families and vulnerable communities. These concerns are valid, and they are exactly why we are taking a careful, deliberate approach. The draft ordinance includes some of the strongest safety, monitoring, and emergency response requirements in California and will undergo full environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
There will be multiple public meetings and opportunities for community input. I remain committed to listening, asking tough questions, and keeping public safety, fairness, and environmental protection front and center throughout this process. |
The Board also reviewed the Future of Public Health Initiative Annual Report, which provides an update on state grant funding through the Department of Health Care Services. The findings confirm what I have seen throughout my career in health care and social work: too many people in our community are struggling, and too many lives are being lost far too soon.
Drug overdoses and traffic fatalities remain leading causes of premature death in Santa Cruz County, followed by alcohol-related illness, suicide, and heart disease. These are not just numbers on a page—they represent neighbors, families, and futures cut short. Young men, in particular, are being disproportionately affected. In light of these statistics, if you have a young man in your life, please consider providing extra support around areas of health and wellness.
What I value most about this report is its strong emphasis on prevention and early support—reaching people before they reach a point of crisis. It highlights the critical role of mental health care, substance use treatment, and community-based services in keeping people connected, stable, and safe. Public health work may not always be visible, but it is essential, and it saves lives every day. Read the report here. |
The Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) is a free tool from the California Privacy Protection Agency that lets you ask data brokers to stop selling or sharing your personal information. It gives you one simple way to send this request instead of contacting many companies one by one.
Benefits - More control over your personal information
- Using DROP helps you limit what data brokers collect and sell about you. Data brokers can gather many types of personal details, such as your Social Security number, information about your children, and your online activity.
- Fewer spam messages and scam attempts
- When your information is no longer being sold, you may see fewer unwanted calls, texts, and emails.
- Better protection for your identity
- Reducing how widely your information is shared can lower the risk of identity theft, fraud, or your data being misused or exposed.
Good to know
If your information is removed from data broker lists, some online services may feel less “personalized.” For example, you might see fewer ads or recommendations tailored to you. You can learn more by visiting the page titled “Personal Information and Data Brokers” on the California Privacy Protection Agency website at: https://privacy.ca.gov/drop/.
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District 2 Office Hours
Thursday, January 29, 6:00 pm
Aptos Library, Betty Leonard Community Room, Aptos
An informal, drop-in meeting to ask questions or get assistance. First Come, First Served - all are welcome. _________________________
Impact of Social Isolation on Emotional Health with Supervisor Kim De Serpa, LCSW Saturday, February 7, 3 pm Aptos Library, Betty Leonard Community Room, Aptos
Part II of "Social Isolation: How Health and Friendships Are Affected” workshops, presented by Friends of the Aptos Library. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and event begins at 3. _________________________
District 2 Strategic Plan Town Hall
Thursday, February 26, 6:30 pm
Aptos Library, Betty Leonard Community Room
Santa Cruz County wants to hear from you about your priorities,
your goals and your ideas about the direction our community should take.
Here is the chance to shape our policy and vision moving forward - this is for everyone in District 2 from Capitola to Pajaro Dunes, Rio Del Mar to the Summit. |
The annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026. The PIT Count is vital to secure funding and support the development of policies that will help resolve homelessness in Santa Cruz County.
The Count will take place county-wide with the help of volunteers, including community members, those experiencing homelessness and staff from multiple city and county departments. Using an app-based data collection tool, volunteers will cover the entire county in one morning from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
The County is seeking volunteers who will work in teams. All teams are led by a trained guide. To sign up, visit bit.ly/SantaCruzPIT2026. |
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