Capitola City Council 04/09/2026

The Capitola City Council meeting on April 9, 2026, focused heavily on infrastructure and capital improvement projects, particularly the Stockton Avenue Bridge and the Grand Avenue Pathway. The council received a detailed structural evaluation of the 93-year-old Stockton Avenue Bridge, revealing widespread deterioration and seismic vulnerabilities, with an estimated remaining service life of 5 to 10 years. The discussion emphasized the need to begin design and funding processes for either repair or replacement, with estimated replacement costs between $15 million and $18 million, excluding design costs. Council members debated the timing and scope of moving forward, stressing the importance of community involvement and phased decision-making. A motion passed directing staff to propose a contract for preliminary plans and analyses of multiple bridge replacement and repair options, including cost estimates, environmental considerations, and traffic flow plans. Additionally, the council reviewed a conceptual design and cost estimate for the Grand Avenue Pathway, an interim erosion mitigation project estimated at $250,000 to $275,000, with limited grant eligibility and reliance on local funding. Public comments and council deliberations highlighted concerns about funding, community impact, and coordination with other ongoing projects. No new tax measures or contract awards were made, but the meeting set the stage for future procurement and capital planning efforts related to critical infrastructure.