Santa Cruz adopts 2026–29 Health and All Policies work plan to integrate equity, health and resilience

The City Council approved a three-year Health and All Policies (HIAP) work plan intended to integrate equity, public health and sustainability into city operations and budgets.

Tiffany Wise West, the city’s Sustainability and Resiliency Officer, presented the 2025 progress update and the proposed 2026–29 work plan. She said the program has six recurring activities and identified six new items for the upcoming plan, including an Equitable Engagement Policy, the first-year implementation report for the gas-powered leaf blower ban, work on equitable and sustainable housing policies, a citywide accessibility transition, implementation of the Tobacco Waste Ordinance (anticipated in 2027) and continued focus on homelessness and the navigation center.

“We began to develop 3 year work plans in 2021,” Wise West told the council, and she described the plan’s emphasis on internal change management so departments integrate health, equity and sustainability into everyday practices. She also noted the HIAP committee will meet bimonthly and that the next public committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.

Councilmember Bruner moved to adopt the work plan and Councilmember Triguero seconded. After public comment, including a critical online speaker, the clerk called the roll and the motion passed with councilmembers voting 'aye.' The adoption authorizes the plan and schedules midyear progress check-ins with departments; staff will provide ongoing updates and return with an annual report in January 2027.