MINUTES
City of Guadalupe
Regular Meeting of the Guadalupe City Council
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 6:00 pm
City Hall, Council Chambers, 918 Obispo Street, Guadalupe CA 93434 ROLL CALL:
Council Member Eugene Costa Jr.
Council Member Whitney Furness
Council Member Amelia M. Villegas
Mayor Pro Tempore Christina Hernandez
Mayor Ariston Julian
Mayor Julian called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. All members were present.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
MOMENT OF THANKS, APPRECIATION OR CONDOLENCES
Council Member Villegas wanted to mention that long-time resident of Guadalupe Vera Rodriguez passed away last week. Many may remember her as waitress and bartender at La Simpatia. Mayor Julian added she was a strong member of the Comite Civico Mexicano de Guadalupe and gave condolences to her family.
4. AGENDA REVIEW
At this time the City Council will review the order of business to be conducted and receive requests for, or make announcements regarding, any change(s) in the order of business.
No changes were made to the agenda.
5. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FORUM
Each person will be limited to a discussion of three (3) minutes or as directed by the Mayor. Pursuant to the provisions of the Brown Act, no action may be taken on these matters unless they are listed on the agenda, or unless certain emergency or special circumstances exist. City Council may direct staff to investigate and/or schedule certain matters for consideration at a future City Council meeting.
1. Deek Seqovia represented American Legion Post 371 and spoke on the topic of a lawsuit with the city that was started in 2022. Mr. Segovia also stated there was never any truth about the City of Guadalupe being anti-veteran. The community is invited to an open house on the second Saturday of October.
2. Deborah Sykes spoke about the loose dogs on Tognazzini Ave that bit a young girl riding her bike and the mail carrier has also been bitten which may result in the loss of their door-to-door service.
September 9, 2025 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4
3. Jazmine Moreno spoke about the recently installed speed bumps and the safety of the children near the school in Guadalupe's Pasadera neighborhood. Ms. Moreno stated the residents want a balance of safety for the students as well as the daily transportation needs of residents, which include emergency services. And the residents are bearing the burden of vehicle repairs, fuel and wear and tear to their vehicles.
4. Derrick Ruiz spoke on the excessive amount of speed bumps in the Pasadera home subdivision. Mr. Ruiz stated the speed bumps will increase the response time of emergency vehicles and driving over the raised bumps could result in a cracked engine or broken axle which was confirmed by the Guadalupe Fire Captain and the fire truck driver.
5. Yadria Ruiz spoke on the speed bumps in Pasadera homes. Mrs. Ruiz stated during her 26 years of being an educator and working in several school districts she has never come across there being so many and the wrong kind of speed bumps these are for parking lots not residential areas.
6. Meredith Valenzuela spoke on the speed bumps in the Pasadera Community. Ms. Valenzuela stated studies from organizations like the Institute of Transportation Engineers suggest that while speed bumps can reduce speeds by 20 to 25% overuse leads to frustration and increased emissions from constant breaking and accelerating.
7. Richard Polichetti spoke on the speed bumps in Pasadera homes. Mr. Polichetti stated the speed bumps cause a headache as he has scoliosis of the spine. He is concerned about other people with disabilities and the pain this may cause them.
8. Tina Moreno sent her comments via email. Mrs. Moreno stated speed bumps are not generally allowed on roadways and if they are, they are not permitted on primary attack routes for emergency vehicles.
First responders are unable to access roads without having to stop completely before passing over each bump losing precious time in the event of an emergency. There is only currently one entry into Pasadera's neighborhood that is now being impeded due to speed bumps. *Fire Prevention Division of SB county. Chapter 11 article 2.2 At no time shall speed control devices be installed on roadways considered as primary attack routes for emergency equipment.
CONSENT CALENDAR (A-C)
The following items are presented for City Council approval without discussion as a single agenda item in order to expedite the meeting. Should a Council Member wish to discuss or disapprove an item, it must be dropped from the blanket motion of approval and considered as a separate item.
A. Waive the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Ordinances on the Consent Calendar will be adopted by the same vote cast as the first meeting unless City Council indicates otherwise.
B. Approve payment of warrants for the period ending August 29, 2025.
C. Approve the Minutes of the City Council regular meeting of August 26, 2025.
September 9, 2025 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Motion was made by Council Member Costa Jr., seconded by Council Member Furness to approve the consent calendar. Motion Passed. 5-0.
MANAGEMENT REPORTS
7. CITY ADMINISTRATOR: (Information Only)
A. City Administrator's report for September 9, 2025
B. Planning Department report for August 2025
C. Building Department report for August 2025
8. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY: (Information Only)
A. Director of Public Safety report for September 9, 2025
9. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: (Information Only)
A. Public Works/Engineering report for August 2025
REGULAR BUSINESS
10. Consider dissolution of Capital Campaign Committee and establishment of Oversight Committee.
Written report: Philip F. Sinco, City Attorney
Recommendation: That the City Council consider rescinding its creation of the Royal Theater Capital Campaign Committee and consider instead the creation of a citizen oversight committee that would focus on an advisory role for the City Council concerning the capital campaign and other matters related to the Royal Theater project.
Council Member Furness commented that City Attorney Philip Sinco mentioned that part of the oversight committee's purpose was to provide more community involvement. Attorney Sinco encouraged people to come to attend the meetings, but she didn't think that's the intention of the GCAC and the possibly formal capital campaign committees by requesting oversight committee. The intent is to ensure greater transparency and access to information that we have been unable to get still. This isn't about increasing community participation, it's about addressing the lack of information and establishing a better, more reliable process for receiving it.
Council Member Villegas asked who right now on staff is performing an oversight function or task.
Council Member Hernandez stated she believes a committee would be great to oversee this. We see that a lot of individuals have comments. She also asked City Administrator Todd Bodem if there is any way Council Member Furness' questions could be answered.
Mayor Julian agreed with forming the committee outlined on page two, noting its tasks of reviewing for projects ensuring alignment, advising on design, facilitating the process, and confirming appropriate membership.
September 9, 2025 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Motion was made by Council Member Villegas and seconded by Council Member Furness to move to rescind its prior action creating the capital campaign committee. Motion passed. 5-0.
Motion was made by Council Member Furness and second by Council Member Hernandez to create an oversight committee that would serve as an advisory body, the temporary jurisdiction over the Royal Theatre project including the project details like timelines budgets, fundraising objections, facilitating communication with stakeholders and city staff and to clarify the members would be appointed at a future meeting. Motion passed. 4-1
Ayes: 4
Noes: 1 Villegas
11. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
12. ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL ACTIVITY/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Hernandez attended Hancock Honors, Bull Dogs game and an art exhibit at Hanock College.
There will be a Bulldog Gala at the end of the month and Cosecha Farmers Market event at the Social Club on the 21st.
Council Member Villegas attended a United Way function for literacy.
Mayor Julian stated the food bank had 173 families and wished good health to Harry Masatani.
13. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Villegas and seconded by Costa Jr., to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. 5-0.
Prepared by: Approved by:
Judy wilson, city Clerk Ariston Julian, Mayor
September 9, 2025 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4