MINUTES
JOINT MEETING OF THE
GONZALES CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, AND
GONZALES PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Jose L. Rios.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Orozco led the flag salute.
1. ROLL CALL
Attendee Name Title Status
Jose L. Rios Mayor/Chair/President Present
Liz Silva Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair/Vice President Present Scott Funk Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Lorraine Worthy Council/Agency/Board Member Present
Maria Orozco Council/Agency/Board Member Present
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Orlando Rodriguez.
STAFF PRESENT
City Manager Carmen Gil, City Attorney Michael F. Rodriquez, Community Development Director Taven Kinison Brown, Finance Director Mike Howard, Executive Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy City Clerk Mary Villegas, Administrative Assistant II Marisol Gomez, and Police Chief Keith Wise. * Successor Agency Item
PUBLIC NOTICE
This meeting is being conducted consistent with State of California Executive Order N-29-20 dated March 17, 2020, regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The public may participate in person or online via zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87020263943 or call 1 (669) 900-6833 and use Meeting ID: 870 2026 3943. If you wish to make either a general public comment or to comment on a specific agenda item, please use the Raise Hand function. You will be allowed two minutes for your comments.
If you choose not to attend the City Council meeting but wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item, please submit your comment limited to 250 words or less by 12:00p.m. on the day of the meeting to the City Clerk at [email protected]
PRESENTATIONS
2. Certificates of Recognition to the Gonzales High School Girls Soccer Team Deputy City Clerk Villegas read the certificates and Mayor Rios presented them to the students and coaches.
Coach Jose Tejeda thanked the City for recognizing the hard work and dedication of the Lady Spartans and how their support meant to the team. He told the girls to remember that being champions is never easy as it takes a lot of discipline, sacrifice, and heart but becoming back-toback champions, was even greater. He also thanked his Assistant Coaches, and the families.
3. Boys & Girls Club Programming at the Community Center Jose Moran, Boys and Girls Club Director, gave an update on the Boys and Girls Club Program staff members, outreach strategy overview, current numbers and metrics to date, current programming, and future planned programming and offerings at the new Community Center.
Youth Program Coordinator Douglas and Recreation Coordinator Olmedo went over the programs and services offered by the City at the new Community Center.
Andrew Brown, Gonzales Resident, commented about the Community Center bathrooms saying men and women and not boys and girls, and how they were going to be regulated if people tend to overflow into the library; ideas of gaming competitions and 3D printing at the Library; and congratulated the City on getting the grant.
BUSINESS FROM THE PUBLIC
4. Business from the Public not on the Agenda; any member of the Public may address the Council for a period not to exceed three minutes on any subject not on the Agenda. The Council will listen to all communications, but may take no action.
Henry Martinez Jr. commented about a letter he received from the Police Department denying accusations against the officers from July 4th of 2025 and shared his disagreement on that letter.
He elaborated on that incident and said he has been circulating that video since then.
Henry Martinez Sr. commented about a drone flying at night, a raid on Center and 9th Streets and elaborated on and the number of officers responding to the incident. He said that was payroll fraud and told the Council to show them they were willing to save money if they want people to pass the fireman tax.
Roman Barba commented about dwelling units being built behind a house on 2nd Street, and complained about the current issues with no parking spaces and not being notified about it.
CONSENT AGENDA
5. Approve the Joint City Council & Successor Agency - Regular Meeting - February 17, 2026 Minutes
6. Approve Accounts Payable Warrants #53416-53488
7. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-09, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Honoring Daniel Baldwin Upon His Selection as the Recipient of the 2025 Community Impact Award
8. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-11, A Resolution of the Council of the City of Gonzales Approving Six (6) Community Action Grants for FY 2025-2026 with Funding Allocations to Implement a Variety of Qualified Civic-Minded Community Activities
9. Consider Approval of Resolution No. 2026-12, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Honoring Baker’s Bacon Upon its Selection as the Recipient of the 2025 Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS] Consent Agenda Items 5-9
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
REGULAR AGENDA
10. Consider Approval of:
1) Resolution No. 2026-10, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the Amendment to the Indenture in Connection with the Gonzales Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2024A, Approving the Execution and Delivery of Such Amendment and Authorizing the Execution of Necessary Documents and Certificates and Related Actions; and Staff Report: City Manager Gil presented the staff report and mentioned the Bond Counsel was attending via zoom if there were any questions.
Public Comment: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco 2) Resolution No. FA-2026-01, A Resolution of the Gonzales Public Financing Authority Authorizing the Amendment to the Indenture in Connection with the Gonzales Public Financing Authority Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2024A, Approving the Execution and Delivery of such Amendment and Authorizing the Execution of Necessary Documents and Certificates and Related Actions
Staff Report: Executive Director Gil presented the staff report and mentioned the Bond Counsel was attending via zoom if there were any questions.
*
Public Comment: There was none.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Vice President
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Board Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
11. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Audited Financial Statements and Management Report Staff Report: Finance Director Howard presented the staff report.
Public Comment: There was none.
Council Discussion: City Manager Gil and Finance Director Howard answered questions about one of the parks assessment districts costs.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Scott Funk, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco
GONZALES YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES
12. Oral Communications
Youth Commissioner Rodriquez reported on the South County Youth Summit meeting, the February 26th GYC meeting outcome, the meeting with Supervisor Lopez, the Library Grand Opening, announced the next GYC meeting on March 12th, and updated on the High School activities.
BUSINESS FROM CITY COUNCIL
13. City Council Board/Committee Reports
a. Transportation Agency for Monterey County
Mayor Rios reported on the Safe Routes to School project, annual awards, and AI signal installation on Highway 68.
b. Mayor Selection Committee
Mayor Rios announced the next meeting this coming Friday. c. Salinas Valley Recycles
Mayor Pro Tem Silva announced the next meeting on March 19th here in the Chambers. d. Measure K Oversight Committee
City Manager Gil announced the Council approved the Committee's recommendations regarding the community action grants and those who will receive funding will be notified tomorrow, and the Committee will be coming together to meet in the near future to prepare for the next fiscal year budget. She also announced they have a youth vacancy and regular vacancy coming up so staff will be advertising for that soon.
14. Oral Communications
Council Member Orozco thanked Finance Director Howard for his many years of service to the City of Gonzales, dedication, and well-informed reports. He wished him the best as he moves to
his new position. She also thanked staff for the grand opening of the County Library, which was a great event, and after attending the grand opening, she went right after to the Fairview Gym to the Rotary Basketball Tournament, which was also a great event.
Council Member Funk thanked Finance Director Howard for his time and expertise over the last several years, and wished him good luck on his next adventure.
Mayor Pro Tem Silva thanked Finance Director Howard for taking her calls and wished him the best in his new chapter. She also reported on the issues discussed at the February 25th Legislative Day. She added she was part of the Electronic Billboard opening ceremony and it was great to see all partners there, as well as the Library’s grand opening and she was happy to see everyone enjoying the activities. She asked all those responsible to stop all the graffiti going on in town and asked people to say something if they see something. She announced the Community Garden Day on March 28th.
Council Member Worthy shared she was proud about the Electronic Billboard, and she’s had people tell her they were excited about it. She asked the residents to help clean our community since she’s starting to notice cars piled up on people’s lawns. She agreed with Mr. Barba that we need to do something about the parking situation since it's throughout the community and said we all need to work together to come up with a solution. She mentioned she was proud of all the good things happening in Gonzales and the Youth Council for keeping us informed. She wished Finance Director Howard the best and said she learned a lot from him and appreciated his guidance.
Mayor Rios echoed the Council's comments regarding Finance Director Howard and appreciated his talent and negotiations, and said Soledad was lucky but they deserve someone like him. He asked if the City Manager has called Mr. Amaral so we don't lose that opportunity as he owns the property adjacent to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
City Manager Gil responded that Public Works Director Hurtado and she have been talking about what to do with the property as there are steps we have to go through, what we need, and what we're going to ask for, but she will be reaching out to him.
Mayor Rios mentioned he had a conversation with Mr. Barba earlier in the day about his comments on the parking issue and said he understood his rational and his frustration but State law said we had to approve ADUs and they don't require parking, and we have to go by that law.
BUSINESS FROM CITY MANAGER
15. Oral Communications
City Manager Gil announced that the car show that typically happens in April is being moved to July and staff is working with the two car clubs from last time. She informed that the City will be hosting the Coastal Commission who will be having their meeting at the new Community Center from April 14th- April 17th, and thanked Supervisor Lopez for being an advocate on brining them here. She also asked if the Council would like to entertain the term limits conversation she’s heard about, and if so, staff can bring that back or potentially do a study session on that.
The Council concurred with brining back the item.
Mayor Rios asked to adjourn the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of Wilma Bassetti and Cecilia Davila Tejeda who passed away.
A moment of silence was observed by all present.
ADJOURNMENT
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Liz Silva, Mayor Pro Tem
SECONDER: Maria Orozco, Council Member
AYES: Jose L. Rios, Liz Silva, Scott Funk, Lorraine Worthy, Maria Orozco The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 PM.
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Mary Villegas, Deputy City Clerk