City of Santa Cruz
Home Menu
Government
| The City of Santa Cruz was incorporated as a town in 1866 and received its first charter as a city in 1876. In 1948, the city adopted a new City Charter. This charter established a council/manager form of government, with the Mayor and six Councilmembers setting policy for the city, and city manager serving as chief administrator of those policies. The Council is divided into six Districts and an at-large Mayor. All members of the Council are elected for four-year terms. However, this prohibition shall not bar (1) a Councilmember elected by-district from running for Mayor immediately after two terms as a Councilmember, or (2) the Mayor from running as a by-district Councilmember immediately after two terms as Mayor. With that said, in no event may any person serve on the Council (as either a Councilmember or the Mayor) for more than sixteen (16) consecutive years. Service on the Council is limited to two consecutive terms. Each year in November, the Council elects one of its members as Mayor and another as Vice Mayor. |
City Council
The City Council meets regularly on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month and may schedule other special meetings. Council meetings are cablecast LIVE on Community Television of Santa Cruz County, Comcast channel 25 and Charter channel 71.
City Council Meeting Agendas
Councilmember Profiles
Advisory Bodies
Ordinances
Elections Information
City Manager
The City Manager is responsible for the overall administration of the City and for seeing that the City Council policies are carried out.
City Clerk
The City Clerk is responsible for Council meeting process and functions, information and records management programs, advisory bodies matters, public bid openings and liability claims processing. The City Clerk is also the City's election official.
City Charter and Municipal Code
The on-line Municipal Code may not be current with all adopted ordinances.
Independent Police Auditor
The Independent Police Auditor is responsible for reviewing citizen complaint reports against the Police Department.