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In This Issue...
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Opinions
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Celebrating the County's Investment in Live Oak and Soquel
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Celebrating the County's Investment in Live Oak and Soquel
By Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. the Board of Supervisors will hold an historic first meeting at Live Oak Elementary when the board will hear the community's input on the five-year plan for the County's Redevelopment Agency (RDA). This meeting is a public hearing where the board will review the agency's plan, based on suggestions by local residents, to invest millions of dollars into the community.
Redevelopment funds are different from the county's general fund. RDA funds come from a portion of property taxes in the redevelopment district (Live Oak, Soquel and Santa Cruz Gardens) that stay in Santa Cruz County, instead of going to Sacramento.
Our local community then gets to decide how to spend these funds to reduce physical and economic blight in the project area.
For the last 20 years the Redevelopment Agency has made critical investments in roads, sidewalks, and drainage projects. The Agency also built the Simpkins Swim Center, Anna Jean Cummings Park in Soquel and the Live Oak library.
New Plan in the Works
Every five years the state asks the RDA to develop an implementation plan that covers the next five-year spending period. Last May the RDA began a public process to learn how the community thinks $8 million to $10 million a year should be spent in Live Oak and Soquel. Local residents came out in the hundreds to share their ideas and chart the course for the agency.
A series of workshops were held to identify the top issues that the community wants the RDA to address. Workshops were held in various locations, on different days and at different times to ensure that anyone who wanted to could participate. Particular attention was paid to our local business community, young people and under-represented community members to ensure that all voices were heard.
More than 500 people turned out for the workshops and engaged in an interactive process whereby county staff listened to the community's ideas.
In a remarkable change of pace from the debate of national issues, local residents suggested ideas and engaged in a conversation about how to improve our community. This dialogue among neighbors was in sharp contrast to national discourse, as it was conducted in a respectful exchange instead of hyperbolic shouting matches.
During the workshops participants embraced the responsibilities of leadership as they thought about big ideas that affect the whole community rather than just their blocks. The RDA also built a web site, www.buildastrongersoquelandliveoak.com, to create an avenue for the community to share their ideas electronically if they couldn't make it to the workshops.
Public Looks to Five Key Areas
After listening to participants, RDA staff compiled the responses.
Five key areas consistently came up: public safety, facilities for youth, economic vitality, safe walking and biking routes, and affordable housing. Community members shared their ideas including building a youth center, moving the Sheriff's Office to Live Oak, and creating economic development that benefits the neighborhoods.
The Five-Year Plan is now ready to be shared with the community with the hope that it captures the broad range of goals identified through this process.
Copies of the plan can be found on the web site, www.buildastrongersoquelandliveoak.com. We are now inviting the Live Oak and Soquel communities to come and tell the Board of Supervisors if your goals are included and what issues are most important to you. Hearing your priorities for investing your tax dollars in our community is critical to the success of this plan. You need not have come to the workshops to participate in this public hearing.
A Historic Night – The Board Comes to You
Tuesday night, Nov. 10, will be historic. The Board of Supervisors has never met in Live Oak to make such important decisions that will affect our community for years to come. Please take this opportunity not just to watch history being made but also to participate in it.
Far too often we read or listen to the news and wonder why some arm of the government doesn't make the kind of choices that we would make if in charge. This hearing is an excellent opportunity to be part of how the decisions are made to invest millions of dollars into our community.
Come out and help us build for the future. This is your chance to incorporate your vision into the Five-Year Plan. Your participation will ensure that the community's voice is strong in setting the direction for the Redevelopment Agency.
I hope to see you next Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium at Live Oak Elementary School, 1916 Capitola Road, at 17th Avenue. n
[Editor's Note: John Leopold is the First District County Supervisor representing Live Oak, Soquel, Santa Cruz Gardens, the Summit Area, Carbonera and Pasatiempo.]
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