Good morning, friends and neighbors. It is Wednesday, Aug. 27 – looking like another pleasant one indeed around Santa Cruz County, with (eventually) sunny skies and highs from the upper 80s in the mountains to upper 60s at our beaches.
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The Santa Cruz City Council approved plans Tuesday to explore sweeping relief measures for businesses hobbled by the ongoing closure of the Murray Street Bridge, Max Chun reports. Plans include 13 possible types of financial assistance and infrastructure improvements, from free parking to small business loans and opening the adjacent rail line to cyclists and pedestrians.
The council also moved to get ahead of a looming parking crunch, Christopher Neely reports, brought on by the city’s housing boom. With state law prohibiting local governments from requiring parking on new housing developments, city staff will look to come up with policy ideas aimed at managing what lawmakers worry could be an influx of cars with nowhere to put them.
A new 5% surcharge at Verve Coffee Roasters’ cafés aims to help cover health benefits for full-time employees, but, baristas tell Lily Belli, most coffeehouse workers don’t qualify. While Verve says it’s trying to be transparent, employees say the situation is hurting morale and frustrating customers.
Jessica M. Pasko is back with her report on Santa Cruz County business, this week looking ahead to the imminent opening of the luxury beachfront La Bahia Hotel & Spa and spotlighting a grant program to help downtown storefronts spruce up their facades.
Wednesday headlines straight ahead.
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City council OKs relief plan for Seabright, harbor businesses hurt by Murray Street Bridge closure
Santa Cruz city officials approved a plan to explore multiple aid measures for businesses affected by the three-year Murray Street Bridge construction, from free parking and business loans to a new bus route and a possible bike path on the nearby rail line. Max Chun has the latest.
‘We don’t see those benefits’: Verve faces employee pushback over 5% health benefits fee
Verve Coffee Roasters has added a 5% surcharge at its cafés to help cover health benefits for full-time employees, but baristas say the majority of coffeehouse workers don’t qualify. The fee confuses or frustrates customers, and workers report strained interactions at the register, declining tips and low morale, while Verve defends the charge as a transparent way to support benefits amid rising costs. Lily Belli reports.
DAILY DIGEST
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Be good out there – I’ll see you next time.
Will McCahill