As part of ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk, my free yard waste disposal program begins this Saturday (August 2) for District 5 residents, which includes the San Lorenzo Valley and unincorporated areas of Scotts Valley. 

Every Saturday during the month of August from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. eligible residents will be able to dispose of yard waste at no cost at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station. You don’t need an appointment! If you are hauling your own yard waste, just be prepared to show proof of residency (such as driver’s license or utility bill) when you arrive at the Ben Lomond Transfer Station.

If someone else will be delivering your yard waste, you'll need to provide a signed affidavit confirming they are hauling on your behalf. Transfer Station staff will collect and verify affidavits at the gate. A separate affidavit is required for each load. An affidavit is available for download here or you can request a printed version from my office.

Each load is limited to two tons. Standard yard waste size and material restrictions apply. For more details on program requirements, please visit the program webpage and check out the FAQs. This program is offered in collaboration with Santa Cruz County Community Development & Infrastructure.

I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to safely and affordably dispose of yard waste while helping reduce wildfire fuel in your neighborhood. If you have any questions, please reach out to my office at fifth.district@santacruzcountyca.gov.

On July 4, the federal budget reconciliation bill (H.R.1) was signed into law making deep cuts to health insurance (Medicaid/Medi-Cal) and food assistance (SNAP/CalFresh) programs, which provide essential safety net services to a third of Santa Cruz County residents. See the County’s press statement.

We are already seeing the impact of these budget cuts with the abrupt closure of Planned Parenthood in downtown Santa Cruz last week. The Santa Cruz Planned Parenthood was one of five clinics that closed in California due to the restructuring of Medicaid reimbursements in the federal budget bill.

Planned Parenthood has long provided essential health care—including primary care, mental health services, prenatal care, and cancer screenings—for those facing barriers to care, especially low-income individuals, people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, immigrants, and the uninsured. Its closure is a tragic loss for our community, leaving many without access to the basic health and reproductive services they rely on.

Patients are now being directed to the Planned Parenthood in Watsonville. In North County, services are available at the Santa Cruz Health Center at 1080 Emeline Avenue. For more information and additional resources, visit the County’s Sanctuary City website.

This closure is likely the first of many reductions in essential health services for those most in need due to the federal budget reconciliation bill. The County is currently analyzing the potential local impacts of H.R 1 and coordinating with local partners who work alongside us in service to the community. See the May 20 Board Meeting (Item 20) for a presentation from the County Executive Office on federal budget concerns, detailing the anticipated state and local impacts of the federal bill.

Please stay tuned for future updates on this issue. I remain committed to doing all I can to protect and preserve access to essential safety net services in these hard times.

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the CZU Fire in mid-August, I wanted to share a few events hosted by the Felton and Boulder Creek Public Libraries that reflect on the fire and honor our community and its resilience.

August 6: The CZU Fire In Their Own Words – Fighting Fires, Losing Homes, and Rebuilding Community. 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Felton Public Library)
This moving and powerful film by local filmmaker Peter Gelblum will be screened to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the CZU Fire.

August 12: Big Basin Redwoods State Park Update. 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Boulder Creek Public Library)
Get an update from State Parks staff on the status of Big Basin Redwoods State Park and plans to rebuild the park after it burned in the CZU Fire almost five years ago. 

August 16: Healing Through Art & Community: CZU Fire Fifth Anniversary Event. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Felton Public Library)
Join an all-ages event remembering the 5th anniversary of the CZU Fire, honoring our community and its resilience through art, story, music, and more.

Date: August 23

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Place: Zayante Fire House (7700 East Zayante Road, Felton)  

More information? See my event flyer.

To reduce wait time, we are now utilizing a reservation system. Click here to reserve a 15 minute time-slot in advance. Drop-in visitors are still welcome, and will be seen in order of arrival as time allows between or after reservations.

• August 12, 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Highlands Park Senior and Community Center, 8500 Highway 9, Ben Lomond)
  
  
• August 25, 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Scotts Valley Library Community Room, 251 Kings Village Road, Scotts Valley)
  
  
• September 16, 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (Felton Office, 6062 Graham Hill Road, Suite A & B, Felton)

The purpose of In-District Office Hours is to provide a convenient way for me to hear from you. However, if you have a problem that will require more than 15 minutes to discuss, or you cannot come during the times listed above, my office is happy to work with you to schedule another time meet. Contact my staff at fifth.district@santacruzcountyca.gov or by calling 831-454-2200.

Read meeting agendas here as they become available. 

Upcoming meetings will take place at 9 a.m. until their conclusion on:

August 5 
August 19

The District 5 Team
Supervisor Monica Martinez
Rae Spencer-Hill, Staff Analyst
J.M. Brown, Staff Analyst
Megan Renfrew, Staff Analyst

Contact us: fifth.district@santacruzcountyca.gov
or (831) 454-2200