Residents press council on water rates, bathroom access for unhoused people and permits for long-running Wharf events

During oral communications at the April 1 Santa Cruz City Council meeting, several residents raised concerns about water policy, homelessness services and community events.

A speaker criticized the city’s water rate structure and the “rate stabilization” fee, alleging large reserves and transfers he described as opaque and “greedy and abusive.” The commenter urged transparency in water accounting, claiming transfers dating from about 2018 and criticizing use of fund balances.

Athena, a community member who works with people experiencing homelessness, urged the council to increase access to clean drinking water and safe bathroom facilities in parks and public spaces, warning of disease risks such as shigella and dysentery and saying the city had delayed implementation of prior commitments on bathroom access.

Sameer Ghosh, a nearby resident and UC Santa Cruz PhD candidate, asked the council to direct Parks and Recreation to meet with community representatives to restore summer permits for the 24-year-old Salsa by the Sea event on the Wharf, arguing the event has cultural and economic benefits and should be allowed to continue in a sustainable way.

Other commenters raised concerns about artificial intelligence, phased-array antennas and franchise taxes; several speakers asked the city to provide clearer public information on agenda items. The council received these public comments and proceeded with the consent agenda and subsequent items.