By Zach Friend, County Supervisor 2nd District
As I begin my third year as your County Supervisor, I wanted to reflect on a portion of the things we’ve done this past year. Nearly all of these accomplishments are due to your partnership and communication of your priorities. Here is a small overview of the work our office did in 2014:
Community Meetings: In 2014, I’ve held 77 open office hours in Aptos, Corralitos and Watsonville and over three dozen community meetings in Seacliff, La Selva Beach, Aptos, Watsonville, Capitola, Corralitos and Pajaro Dunes. In addition, I’ve written over four-dozen columns in local papers and neighborhood newsletters and sent another twelve e-newsletters from our office to communicate with our district about county happenings.
Economic Vitality and Stability: This past year the Board of Supervisors took additional steps toward improving the long-term economic viability of our area. Building on last year’s work on the Economic Vitality Strategy, the Board adopted key elements to help streamline the county planning process, modernize County Code to improve business retention and expansion, improve our technology infrastructure and assist our small business, agricultural and visitor-serving sectors.
The strategy includes policies that improve broadband access and expansion (high-speed Internet), encourages satellite locations for Silicon Valley tech companies to reduce the number of commuters over the hill, improves small business training and retention programs, encourages more pedestrian friendly and environmentally friendly development, improves affordable housing and much more. The strategy is extensive and a significant improvement in the County’s approach to job creation, economic improvement and sustainable land use policies
Local Roads: There is no doubt that local roads continue to be a major problem in our district. Over the last year we were able to resurface and stripe McGregor Drive from Searidge to Capitola city limits. In addition, in partnership with PVUSD, we funded in this year’s budget safety and road improvements around Mar Vista Elementary (new radar speed sign, new protected crosswalk across Soquel) and new sidewalk connections and crosswalks in Seascape and immediately adjacent to Rio Del Mar Elementary. In addition, new crosswalks were installed in Rio Del Mar on Spreckels and the long-planned Rio Del Mar Roundabout is nearing completion.
An additional radar speed sign and a number of speed limit signs were put in this year’s budget for Sumner including new speed limit signs on the Seascape Blvd. section of Sumner. Road repairs were made to W. Beach Rd. in the southern portion of our district and culverts were cleaned and repaired and brush removed along the length of San Andreas Rd. Lastly, nearly five years ago a storm-caused slipout of the embankment near Vienna Drive and Mesa Drive a new walkway, drainage facility and hillside protections were installed to reconnect the oft-used walkway from Vienna Woods to Soquel. More projects are planned, including allocating funding for a significant road resurfacing on Freedom Blvd, but most of that work will commence in the next fiscal year.
Quality of Life: This year, with the community’s help, we took some great strides to improve the local quality of life. The final hurdles were overcome to begin construction on two new parks in the area – one in Seacliff (the new Seacliff Village Park) and the other up the street on McGregor in Capitola. The McGregor Park will have a bike pump track, skate park, children’s play area and dog park.
Ground was broken in September with completion of the park expected in the New Year. The new Seacliff Village Park will begin construction in May and will have a children’s play area, small amphitheater, public art, restrooms, shade structure with seating, a small skate feature and walkways throughout the park that lead to ADA accessible parking.
Moving Forward: I know there is a lot more to do on all of these issues in 2015. In 2014 we addressed over 500 direct requests for service to our office on neighborhood road issues, public safety concerns, environmental degradation, infrastructure concerns and more – all from your emails and calls to us. We’d love to continue to hear from you to prioritize what we do. Call us at 454-2200 and have a great New Year!