November 15, 2023
Mayor Wood reported that she and Manager Robinson had attended a lunch recently with a visiting group from The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Santa Cruz County Supervisor Bruce Bracker, and representatives from South32, whose Hermosa Project the TNC group had toured. The intention of the lunch meeting was to open pathways of communication among those involved.
Councilor Finch reported that the fiber optic company, Rocky Mountain Telecom and Data, has started doing survey work to connect from their existing cable to Patagonia Union High School to the homes of residential customers. Their employees, vehicles, and markings are beginning to be seen on the town’s streets.
Council approved a 12.5% lease increase at the Patagonia Garden Apartments, beginning Jan. 1, 2024. The new base amounts for a one-bedroom unit is $360/mo, and for the studio, $320/mo. With the Town’s three Enterprise Funds contributing $82.00/mo,, the costs to the lessees will be $278.00 and $238.00, respectively.
The Town’s Letter of Engagement with Town Engineer Bill O’Brien was amended to update his current business affiliation as an employee of EPS Group Inc.
The Town Resolution 23-12 was adopted, appointing Summer Smith as a paid intern to assist Town Manager/Clerk Robinson in his duties. Councilor Stabile recused himself from the vote. Ms. Smith’s assistance to the Manager’s large workload was approved with no dissent. In Call to Public, she had briefly introduced herself and explained her experience with schools and other community organizations.