City Council Minutes
February 24, 2026
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CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MEETING OF FEBRUARY 24, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor White called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Mayor White, Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez, Councilmembers Moreno-Mares and Garcia
Councilmember Ortiz arrived at 6:03 p.m.
ABSENT: None
STAFF: City Manager Wood, Chief Mixer, IT Director Espinosa, Science Workshop Director Sanchez, Community Engagement Coordinator Chavez, Captain Gage, City Attorney Thompson, City Clerk Rathbun
GUESTS: Gail Stewart White, Kathy Franscioni, Karina Ramires, Cyntha Zavala, Rigo Avila, Aurelio Lopez
MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
There was a moment of silent prayer.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
AGENDA REVIEW
None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE REGARDING ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA Rigo Avila, Avila Victory Boxing, stated that he was requesting to be included in funding and support for prevention so that our kids could go the distance. He stated that if the Police Officers Association or the City had funds some of the money should be to sponsor students in their program. He stated that support should not start after the badge or when they were on probation or when they go to a court room. He stated that they had many students that were doing good and then became at risk. He asked that the City help them protect the children at all costs.
Cynthia Zavala announced that the Heart of the Valley Chamber would be hosting its first event, a membership drive, this Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. She stated that it would be held at the Greenfield Cultural Arts Center and that there would be a moment of remembrance for Paul Mugan at the event as well.
Aurelio Lopez stated that he was a software engineer, a Triqui interpreter and the founder of Aprentech Cultural and Technology. He stated that Aprentech was created to empower youth and families through technology innovation and cultural preservation. He stated that they focus on three main areas: youth technology education; culture and language technology; and indigenous interpreter access. He stated that he was here tonight to introduce Aprentech and express his interest in collaborating with the City of Greenfield.
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COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Garcia announced that the unveiling of the mural at Patriot Park would be on March 10th at 4 p.m. She stated that she was very bothered about the fight that involved over a dozen Greenfield students on Friday She stated that she was grateful for having the first responders and officers present to assist in getting medical attention and to investigate what occurred. She stated that it was her understanding that some headway was already being made with identifying the students that were there and what happened. She stated that they needed to help the kids and it was too late to help these kids when they have been arrested; they need to start before the kids turn 5 years old. She stated that she wanted to find a way to support our City and help our students.
Councilmember Ortiz stated that she was notified by some of the landlords that there were a lot of apartments available in Greenfield right now so if someone was looking for housing they could contact her. She stated that she lived in District 3 and right now one of the biggest problems was rats and asked if the City could figure out something about why it was happening. She also wanted to know if staff could bring back the trailer parking that had been extended an additional 6 months. She stated that October was domestic violence month but recently in the City of Gonzales a woman lost her life due to domestic violence. She stated that she wanted to make everyone aware that this happened every day and wanted to know what the City offered when it came to domestic violence. She also addressed youth violence that occurred last Friday and stated that the City needed to do more for its kids and their parents. She stated that the parents need to be educated as well.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez stated that she would be attending the second annual state legislative days at the capital to receive an update from Speaker Rivas, members of our state delegation and assembly committee chairs and was looking forward to learning more about the legislative work that was taking place this year. She also announced that the Market at the Gazebo would be starting again on March 7th.
She also wanted to say Happy National Women’s Day.
Mayor White stated that he attended the Senior Social on the 11th and there were over 100 people in attendance. He announced that there were community walks on Fridays at 9:30 and the walks leaves from the gazebo. He also congratulated the Greenfield High School winners of the Academic WorldQuest. He stated that the students demonstrated skills and knowledge on philosophy, world affairs, economics and politics. He stated that all the high schools in the County were in attendance and Greenfield was the winner. He stated that these students would now be going to Washington DC to compete in a national competition.
CONSENT ITEMS
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez to approve the consent items including Warrants #326551 through #326632 and Bank Drafts #7124 through #7143 in the amount of $582,361.01, approve Minutes of the February 10, 2026 City Council Meeting, and Receive and File Monthly Departmental Reports – Finance / Science Workshop, Deny Claims Against the City – Martin Perez, Jr./ John Cuong Thich; and adopt Resolution #2026-08, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Approving Entering into an Agreement with Rincon Consultants for the Preparation of the 2025 Annual Progress Report”. All in favor. Motion carried.
MAYOR’S PRESENTATIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, COMMUNICATIONS, RESOLUTIONS PRESENTATION – GREENFIELD YOUTH COUNCIL
Power point presentation was given by Giselle Ibarra, Sarah Perea, Rosalinda Hernandez and Francisco Acosta.
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PRESENTATION – FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 MID-YEAR BUDGET REVIEW Presentation was given by City Manager Wood.
PRESENTATION – CITY OF GREENFIELD MONTEREY BAY AREA SELF INSURANCE AUTHORITY LOSS CONTROL EFFORTS – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Presentation was given by City Manager Wood.
PUBLIC HEARING
INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GREENFIELD AMENDING CHAPTER 5.08 (SOLICITORS-PEDDLERS-TRANSIENT VENDORS)
OF THE GREENFIELD MUNICIPAL CODE
Staff report was given by City Attorney Thompson.
A MOTION by Councilmember Ortiz, seconded by Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez to introduce and read by title only, first reading, of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Greenfield Amending Chapter
5.08 (Solicitors-Peddlers-Transient Vendors) of the Greenfield Municipal Code. All in favor. Motion carried.
BRIEF REPORTS ON CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, AND MEETINGS ATTENDED BY MAYOR AND
CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Garcia reported on the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority. She stated that there would be a minimum increase in rates. She stated that there would no longer be plastic grocery bags and they would all now be paper; however, this does not include restaurants and other food establishments. She stated that the plastic bags for vegetables should be put in the trash and not in the recycling container. She gave kudos to the Science Workshop for their bike repair program and stated that this was not only making an impact in Greenfield but the County and the State.
Mayor Pro-tem Rodriguez reported on the MST meeting of February 9th. She stated that they received the annual report for 2025 and 2024; re-appointed members to the Measure Oversight Committee and approved the purchase of 13 electric buses.
Councilmember Moreno Mares reported on the Broadband Authority meeting and stated that they received the 2023-2024 audited financials, approved a resolution of replacing annual audits with bi-annual audits covering a two-year period: adopted the 2026 meeting calendar and approved the appointment of Jose Luis Barajas as the Executive Director and Clerk of the Board.
Mayor White reported on the Monterey County Mayors’ meeting. He stated that they received the state budget projections and the amounts were very conservative.
Mayor White reported on the Salinas Valley City Managers/Mayor meeting. He stated that City Manager Wood gave a presentation on Greenfield and stated that the group would be inviting a representative from Rancho Ceilo to a future meeting. City Manager Wood stated that they also spoke about the sales tax allocation for warehouses such as the big warehouse in Salinas. 22 City Council Minutes
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CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
No report.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
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Mayor of the City of Greenfield
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City Clerk of the City of Greenfield
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