Hello Watsonville, as this is my last column as your mayor. I want to start by stating that it has been my absolute privilege to serve as your mayor. Working with a great City Council, we tackled
many issues this past year.
Our emergency response during the floods saw our dedicated employees and countless members of our community step up to provide aid without hesitation to residents in time of need. While this was challenging, working with both counties, the state, our school district, the federal government, and countless local agencies we were able to get through the emergency and support residents recovery efforts after the flood.
This year saw us move the community forward on several fronts. In March, we re-launched the
Youth Job Training program, “Opportunity to Work” that allows residents to gain essential work
skills and earn industry certifications and licenses to help them be job ready. Along with three other councilmembers and executive staff we traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with our state’s federal delegation to discuss important infrastructure investments, including the Pajaro River levee restoration project.
Working with the council we were able to allocate $270,000 in Social and Community Services
Grants to 23 local community based organizations. Continuing our effort for transparency, the
library launched its mobile app in May and our police department established the chief’s
Advisory Board in June, bringing together a diverse group of community members who can
provide advice to our organization and help the police chief better understand the concerns of the
community.
We adopted the 2023-2025 strategic plan in July, which aligns council priorities and community
needs with the budget and sets forth a forward-looking vision for the city and the services we
offer to the community. The plan reflects seven priorities: economic development; infrastructure
& environment; housing; fiscal health; public safety; community engagement & well-being; and
efficient & well-performing government. As it pertains to economic development, your Council
is committed to standing up a renewed and intentional effort to bring the jobs and opportunities
necessary for our community to prosper.
Honoring the community support for Measure R, earlier this summer, the council approved the
Measure R Spending Plan recommended by the Oversight Committee for fiscal years 2023-2024
and 2024-2025 and authorized funding for park and library improvements, streets and funded
four additional Parks and Community Services Department positions to support and implement
the new proposed programs.
As it pertains to streets, 2023 saw a lot of action and investment. For example, the Freedom
Boulevard Reconstruction Project completed in September, included pavement replacement, striping, pedestrian walkway, and curb ramp improvements, and the installation of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Sydney Avenue and Freedom Boulevard. More than 3 miles of roads where improved, with five road improvement projects being completed over the summer. These projects varied from repairing damaged roads and preventative maintenance to upgrading road and sidewalk features. Striping has also occurred citywide with significant investment in improving visibility and pedestrian safety at 160 intersections.
In addition, 2023 saw the start of a community focus general plan update. As I have written
several times throughout the past year, I continue to encourage your participation, input,
thoughts and aspiration on the future of your community. Concurrently, we are also working
hard on our new Housing Element that when adopted will include a detailed analysis of the
City’s demographic, economic, and housing characteristics, a comprehensive analysis of
constraints and resources to producing and preserving housing, a review of the city’s progress in
implementing housing policies and programs, identification of goals, policies and programs to
implement the Housing Element, and perhaps more importantly an identification of sites to
accommodate housing growth need. Similar to the general plan, it is important for you to
participate and provide your input as we plan to build the housing needed.
Another major milestone was the approval of the Downtown Specific Plan, which provides clear
policies, development standards, and a vision to developers, property owners, city staff, and
decision-makers to guide land use decisions, infrastructure improvements, design, and economic
development activities in the project area. This plan would bring many benefits to help revitalize
downtown, including housing, retail entertainment, higher-density mixed-use residential projects,
increased civic and cultural activities, pedestrian safety and comfort, and enhanced bicycle
infrastructure.
To kick off and prepare for the rainy season, two emergency preparedness community events
were held in October. In November, the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency and the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially signed the agreement to begin repairs to the Pajaro
River levee next year. The $461 million project will provide 100-year flood protection to our
city, the town of Pajaro, and surrounding agricultural areas. This project has been in the works
for decades but was fast-tracked following last year’s flooding.
This holiday season, the city has partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz for a
fundraising campaign to make a positive impact in the lives of those facing food insecurity.
Every $1 donated provides three healthy meals for children, families, seniors and veterans in our
community who need a little extra support during the holidays.
As we finish the year, I’m proud to welcome two new women leaders the Mayor Vanessa
Quiroz-Carter, and Mayor Pro-Tempore Maria Orozco that this past Tuesday were sworn into
their new positions to lead our city. The City Council looks forward to working with
them to continue to move our community forward.
It has been my honor to have represented our community as your mayor this past year and I look
forward to continuing to work with all of you for the betterment of Watsonville in the years
ahead.
Wishing all of you a great and safe holiday season.
Eduardo Montesino is the mayor of Watsonville.
