The Watsonville City Council deferred a decision this week on a contentious plan to update its labor agreements with construction trade groups. Local workers are pushing to preserve workplace protections, while city officials are raising concerns over construction delays and rising costs.
Watsonville City Council
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Watsonville council is betraying the community by approving Flock surveillance cameras
Watsonville leaders betrayed the community by approving 17 more Flock Safety surveillance cameras, writes a countywide grassroots coalition that opposes the cameras. The vote means Watsonville will have more than any other city in Santa Cruz County even as critics warn the devices erode privacy.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville City Council approves city’s first homelessness strategic plan
The Watsonville City Council voted to adopt the city’s first homelessness strategic plan at its meeting Tuesday night. The plan outlines the city’s approach to reducing homelessness and connecting unhoused residents to social services.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville leaders say controversial plan to expand license plate readers won’t undermine city’s sanctuary status
Watsonville officials are defending their city’s immigration sanctuary reputation amid an outcry from residents over a plan to nearly double the use of Flock Safety’s license plate surveillance cameras.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville votes to expand use of controversial Flock license plate readers despite immigration fears
The Watsonville City Council voted Tuesday night to renew a two-year contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers and add 17 more cameras throughout the city. Nearly 50 community members filled the council chambers to voice concerns over immigration enforcement risks.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Former PVUSD trustee’s contentious past prevents appointment to Watsonville planning commission
Watsonville’s city council delayed a vote on appointing former Pajaro Valley Unified School District trustee Georgia Acosta to the planning commission this week, after a councilmember raised concerns about Acosta’s tumultuous history on the school board.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville City Council to weigh job cuts, fee hikes to balance budget
The Watsonville City Council is set to vote Tuesday on a two-year plan to cut 14 vacant city jobs and hike fees at some public facilities to narrowly avoid a deficit in its $309 million budget.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Watsonville approves $12 million in bonds for Ramsay Park, city plaza renovation projects
The Watsonville City Council voted to authorize a lease revenue bond to help address funding gaps for the city’s Ramsay Park and downtown plaza renovation projects. The $12 million bond will be split between the two.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville weighs hotel tax-sharing plan to spur economic growth
Watsonville officials are exploring tax-sharing agreements and other incentives to attract more three- and four-star hotels to the area in hopes of boosting tourism, jobs and increasing the city’s $1.6 million annual hotel tax revenue.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
Revitalizing downtown, homelessness and roadwork: Watsonville leaders talk 2025 priorities
It’s a list that doesn’t surprise. Watsonville elected officials want more services and housing for the homeless, initiatives to bring more retail and boost local business and upgrades to roads and water/sewer systems in 2025.