Lifeguard Study Finds No Reason to Reorganize, but Council Wants Options
City Council • CapitolaOctober 23, 2026
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A consultant told the Capitola City Council on Oct. 22, 2026, that the city's beach lifeguard structure has no compelling reason to change. Councilmembers pushed back anyway and directed police and recreation leaders to design a joint plan, a decision the next council will inherit. The same meeting brought a 4-1 split on Stockton Avenue Bridge repairs, a five-year outdoor dining renewal at higher rents, and a two-year pause on free Village holiday parking.
- Lifeguard study backs the status quo, but council wants a joint police-recreation plan by around June
- Stockton Avenue Bridge design goes to Moffett & Nichol, 4-1, with Councilmember Orbach calling it a "band-aid"
- Outdoor dining renewed five years, with rent rising from $19.08 to $26.54 per square foot
- Free Village holiday parking suspended for 2026 and 2027, 5-0, with savings steered toward trash cans
- Police shift to enforcement as e-bike collisions rise, with code changes and tiered penalties coming
Lifeguards: Consultant Says Stay Put, Council Wants More
Why it matters: The council received the study and deferred any structural change to the next council. A follow-up report is expected around June.
Where things stand: Rick Gould of the California Surf Lifesaving Association presented a review of how lifeguard services are organized across California.
"We didn't see a compelling reason to suggest an organizational change in Capitola," said Gould. He pointed to one benefit of the current setup: lifeguards also serve as junior lifeguard instructors.
The other side: Vice Mayor Gerry Jensen and Councilmember Susan Westman said the report did not include the police-versus-recreation scenarios they had expected. Police Chief Ryan said any shift would require a discussion of logistics and staffing.
"I think that those three people need to come together and come back to this council and explain how they would put together a program that works for the community …" said Westman.
Councilmember Joe Clarke widened the conversation. "Maybe special events should live with Parks and Recs," he said. Councilmember Melinda Orbach ruled out a costlier model: "With our tight budget, we're not going to develop a marine safety division for almost half a million dollars."
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: No vote was taken. Westman directed the recreation director and police chief to develop a joint lifeguard and junior lifeguard plan, working with human resources under the city manager's office. Central Fire will also be considered. Westman later said she intended this as direction, not a formal motion. For the police department, the recreation program and junior lifeguard families, the current arrangement stays in place for now.
What's next: Staff will report back around June.
Bridge Fix Splits Council Over 'Band-Aid' Spending
Why it matters: The council committed restricted road money to a short-term repair on the Stockton Avenue Bridge. Critics say the repair delays the comprehensive assessment needed to compete for Caltrans funding.
The basics: A polyester concrete overlay is a protective surface layer. Here, it would limit water seeping into the bridge's box girder structure.
Where things stand: Caltrans inspections flagged maintenance needs on the bridge deck. The overlay would not address scour (erosion around the bridge foundations) or seismic issues.
The deal breaks down this way:
- Engineering costs $146,000.
- Construction is estimated at about $280,000.
- Both would be funded from Measure D and SB 1 balances.
Public Works Director Kong said "currently there's nothing budgeted for construction of this project." Asked whether the overlay improves earthquake resilience, Kong said: "Likely not, but I would have to have someone else evaluate that."
Staff ranked Moffett & Nichol highest for its historic bridge and Caltrans program experience. A cheaper proposal from Mark Thomas finished behind it.
The other side: "Overspending on a band-aid is not the solution," said Orbach. She urged colleagues to "do the responsible thing by not wasting taxpayer dollars on this really expensive Band-Aid" and move to the comprehensive evaluation.
Jensen countered: "What's irresponsible is that we don't take action tonight to move forward in the right direction." Clarke argued the council had already decided to proceed. "We already voted on what we were asking staff to do. So the question today is, who are we going to use?" he said.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Clarke moved and Westman seconded the selection of Moffett & Nichol. The staff recommendation also included a budget amendment. The motion passed: For: 4 (Clarke, Westman, Jensen, Mayor Margaux Morgan), Against: 1 (Orbach), Absent: 0. Long-term scour and seismic work will proceed on a separate track.
Outdoor Dining Stays, but Rent Follows the Meter
Why it matters: Tying parklet and sidewalk rent to parking rates makes the city whole for lost meter revenue. It ends the lower rate set in 2022.
Where things stand: The program required review within three years and recertification by November 2026. Staff found the three active sites in general compliance.
Community and Economic Development Director Katie Herlihy said staff recommended recertifying "the blanket coastal CDP for the outdoor dining program" and extending permits for active businesses for five years. A coastal development permit, or CDP, is required for development in California's coastal zone.
Because the parking meter rate is rising to $2.50, rent would climb from $19.08 to $26.54 per square foot. The Business Improvement Area (BIA) had suggested limiting increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) instead.
The other side: Public commenter Nels Westman urged the council to charge current parking rates, stop subsidizing parklets and approve no new additions. A second public commenter argued that sidewalk leases generate new revenue, unlike parking spaces, and that the offset should be considered.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: "I'm definitely in favor of keeping the outdoor dining program," said Westman, who made the motion; Clarke seconded. The motion includes:
- Five-year extensions for existing permits.
- Rent at the current parking rate, plus annual CPI increases and further increases when meter rates rise.
- Minimum open days: five days a week from April through October, and three days a week from November through March.
It passed 5-0. Restaurants keep their space but face higher costs. The city will notify businesses whenever parking rates come before the council.
Free Holiday Parking Paused; Savings Go to the Village
Why it matters: The city keeps about $30,000 each December, setting a precedent for using parking revenue to fund Village upkeep.
Where things stand: The BIA itself proposed pausing free holiday parking for 2026 and 2027 and reinvesting the money in the Village. Trash can replacement would cost about $65,000, and only $25,000 is budgeted.
A 2019 resolution requires the BIA to reinvest 25% of its share of transient occupancy tax (TOT), Capitola's hotel tax. Westman objected that the Capitola Chamber of Commerce faces no similar requirement.
Anthony, representing the BIA, said beautification and public maintenance have blurred. He called trash cans a public maintenance issue and asked for earmarked funds in exchange for the BIA's cooperation on holiday parking and rate increases.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Jensen moved, and Clarke seconded, an option to suspend the program while directing staff to return with several follow-ups:
- Repealing the BIA's 25% reinvestment resolution.
- Putting the savings toward trash cans. Jensen pressed "to give the $30,000 towards the trash can project."
- Exploring a parking revenue carve-out for Village enhancements.
- Splitting a $15,000 lighting cost.
- Clarke's request to review sidewalk cleaning.
Exact amounts will be finalized later. The motion passed 5-0 on a roll-call vote.
Police Pivot to Enforcement on E-Bikes
Why it matters: New police data show e-bike crashes climbing, but the grant-funded overtime now paying for enforcement is temporary.
Where things stand: A new call-for-service code now tracks e-bike collisions. "Our collisions and our injury collisions are on the rise," said Police Chief Ryan.
The department's response so far:
- A registration and education pilot launched at New Brighton Middle School in April.
- Grant-funded directed enforcement operations beginning Oct. 1.
- A focus on problem areas: the New Brighton corridor, the Dairy Queen area, Bay Avenue, the Village and 41st Avenue.
The chief plans to propose changes to municipal code 10.44. These could include a tiered approach and fines for violations. "There are some changes that we could make to have some local control," she said.
Officer Sharon of the traffic unit explained how police handle young riders: warnings, contact with parents, impounds and fix-it citations for helmet violations.
Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Clarke urged extending outreach to Soquel High with the CHP and the school resource officer. Jensen called enforcement the most direct tool. "The best thing to do is enforce the laws we have," he said.
Councilmembers also asked about adult riders and vehicle speeds, requested ticket data, and asked what direction the council would need to give for staff to prioritize the work. The chief wants dedicated officer time in the regular budget. No vote was taken.
Minor Items
- Police grants: The chief reported three grants totaling about $316,000. They include a $55,378 tobacco grant, more than $200,000 in cannabis tax funds for DUI patrols and a fleet vehicle, and an Office of Traffic Safety grant.
- Corp Yard upgrades: During staff reports and council comments, the council noted a $200,000 air district grant for electrical upgrades at the Corp Yard.
- Battery storage: Public commenter Cheryl Bann asked the council to add battery storage limits to the planned update of the city's deep seabed mining ordinance, citing the Moss Landing fire and a proposed Watsonville facility. Jensen, Clarke and Morgan backed inviting Save Our Shores to give a presentation.
- Consent calendar: Items 8A through 8E passed unanimously on a voice vote.
Looking Ahead
The lifeguard plan is due around June. E-bike code changes are expected next year. Staff will return with the BIA, trash can and lighting follow-ups. Construction on the Stockton Avenue Bridge overlay remains unbudgeted.