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SANTA CRUZ — Months after it passed resolutions in support of local immigrant and LGBTQ communities, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors will consider steps to back up the largely symbolic gestures with tangible resource allocations.At its meeting scheduled for 9 a.m.
Tuesday, the board will consider a recommendation to appropriate $200,000 from its general fund contingency to be used to support and defend local communities targeted by President Donald Trump’s administration. The funding will be split in half, with $100,000 going to undocumented immigrant legal services and the other $100,000 for LGBTQ support services.If approved, County Administrative Officer Carlos Palacios, who put the recommendation forward, will work alongside leadership in the county’s Health Services Agency and Human Services Department to identify community-based organizations that can use the reallocated money to deliver services to these residents.
The board unanimously declared the county a sanctuary county for local immigrant communities at a meeting last December, that was accompanied by a directive for Palacios to engage with community-based organizations to identify supportive actions and programs. Similarly, the board reaffirmed its commitment to protect the rights of the LGBTQ community and women with another unanimously-supported resolution at its Jan. 28 meeting.
Last month’s resolution also asked Palacios to take action by collaborating with local nonprofits already engaged with these communities.The action item comes less than a month after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that amended the state’s budget to bolster civil legal services and immigration-related support.
According to the staff report, that redistribution included $15 million for legal services and $10 million for social services. While the bill has already taken effect, it remains to be seen how the funds will be allocated and distributed, but Palacios plans to return to the board June 10 to provide an update.The county has established a website with information and resources about basic legal rights that are guaranteed to all community members, including those from the immigrant and LGBTQ communities.
The resources are online at santacruzcountyca.gov/Sanctuary.Juvenile camp programAs part of an effort to enhance rehabilitation efforts for local youth, the board will consider moving forward with establishing a camp program at the county Juvenile Hall in Felton.
Benefits of the potential program, known as the Redwoods Coastal Academy at Juvenile Hall, include a better continuity of care for the youth who will avoid temporary displacement in order to participate in the camp, closer proximity to family which can improve reentry outcomes and increased financial efficiency.Because youth in juvenile hall currently participate in camp programs outside of the county, establishing one locally is estimated to save about $300,000 annually by county staff.Mattison LaneThe board will also hold a public hearing and consider a proposal to subdivide a property at 2450 Mattison Lane near Capitola, that will allow for construction of as many as 25 residential units.
According to the staff summary, the application, which was approved by the county Planning Commission in December, seeks to demolish the two existing homes on the property and subdivide it into 25 residential parcels with common areas for access, parking and landscaping. The proposed dwellings would be two stories high and range from 1,900 square feet to 2,380 square feet in size. The project would be accompanied by 94 parking spaces, according to the report.
IF YOU GOWhat: Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors meetingWhen: 9 a.m., TuesdayHow: 701 Ocean St.
Room 525, Santa Cruz or Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/j/81732202363.
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