Fri Nov 21 2008
City Council of Santa Cruz Applies to Extend City Services to UCSC's Upper Campus
The City Council of Santa Cruz has applied to extend city services to the currently undeveloped UCSC Upper Campus. This is a key step in preparing this unique ecosystem for destruction under UCSC environmentally irresponsible Long Range Development Plan. The City Council's attempt to aid the University in this process is in direct contradiction to the expressed will of the people of Santa Cruz and it violates the city's existing municipal code.
On July 13, 2008, the City of Santa Cruz adopted Ordinance No. 2008-18 pertaining to expansion of water and sewer service areas. This ordinance was adopted to replace the Measure J ballot initiative which amended the City Charter and passed with an 80% vote of the electorate in 2006, but was invalidated on a technicality by a local judge after UCSC sued the City. The City promised the public to put the measure on the ballot again, but instead merely adopted it as an ordinance. This has the severe disadvantage that it can be changed at any time by any future council, unlike City Charter provisions which can only be changed by a majority vote of the people. Read More

