Capitola City Council Addresses Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The council chambers in Capitola City Hall were sparsely occupied at Thursday evening’s meeting, but decisions were set in motion nonetheless.

The council plugged away at an agenda that included a presentation on zoning codes, skate park discussion and more.

Below are the five most important moments of the meeting:

1. Laura Segura, executive Director of Women’s Crisis Support, made a presentation in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Mayor Dennis Norton and councilmembers asked that the domestic violence statistics presented be scheduled as a regular item for future discussion.

2. The council welcomed Susan Westman as interim director of community development, and thanked Derek Johnson for his work. Johnson . 

“Capitola is a special community and I look forward to being involved in the community, even if it's temporary,” Westman Said.

3. Terry Campion, owner of the Santa Cruz Boardroom updated the council on the fundraising and planning process of the , emphasizing his goal to create a "stepping stone park" that is safe for children. Dreamland and Grindline Skateparks Inc. are two companies helping with the design process.

On Nov. 26, a raffle fundraiser will be held at 825 41st Ave. behind the Santa Cruz Boardroom. The event will also feature food, a live band and a $1000 prize. All funds will go to building the new park.

4. It was announced that Target will pull its final building permit for the new location at the Capitola Mall Friday at 1 p.m., and it is slated to open in July, 2012.

5. Derek Johnson presented the council with a glimpse of future greenhouse gas and emissions reduction planning. Goals include shorter commutes, reduced fuel consumption, conserving farmland and habitat and increasing housing choices. Councilmember Kirby Nicol will be working on the transportation aspects.

Quote of the night:
Nicol on future green planning in Capitola 
“The urban model for the future is to, very simply, take all of the people and all of the jobs and put them all in one place, shoulder-to-shoulder. Then they won’t have to drive very far and they can walk to their jobs, walk to the grocery store and the greenhouse thing will be solved and we won’t have to get oil from overseas. ... That’s noble and that’s aspirational. ... The problem with that, particularly for Capitola, is that we are already shoulder-to-shoulder."

The meeting was far less eventful than recent, more heated gatherings. However, the council's trend of discussing eco-friendly options continued. How do you think Capitola can continue to go more green? Got ideas? Tell us in the comments!