MINUTES
City of Guadalupe
Regular Meeting of the Guadalupe City Council
Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers, 918 Obispo Street, Guadalupe, CA 93434
1. 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 Council Members were present
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. MOMENT OF THANKS, APPRECIATION OR CONDOLENCES
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.
Public Comment:
1. Al Nunez
2. George Alvarez
3. Amelia Villegas
4. Frances Romero
6. CONSENT CALENDAR (A-F)
July 28, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 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. Ratify payment of warrants for the period ending July 3, 2026 and July 10, 2026.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council regular meeting of July 14, 2026.
D. Adopt, on second reading, Ordinance No. 2026-530, amending Title 18 (Zoning Ordinance) of the Guadalupe Municipal Code, including amendments to Chapter 18.32 (R-3 High-Density Residential Zoning District), Chapter 18.52 (Design and Development Standards), Chapter
18.60 (Off-Street Parking), and Chapter 18.64 (Landscape Standards).
E. Approve the filing of a Notice of Completion for the Guadalupe Jr. High School Sidewalk Project and authorize the release of the five percent contract retention to ADA General Engineering following the statutory 35-day lien period, provided no liens are filed.
Accept report of clerical corrections to Ordinance No. 2026-528, adding Chapter 3.34 to Title 3 of the Guadalupe Municipal Code establishing a Cannabis Business Tax.
Public Comment:
1. Frances Romero spoke on item 6B.
Motion was made by Council Member Furness and seconded by Council Member Hernandez to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed 5-0.
MANAGEMENT REPORTS
7. CITY ADMINISTRATOR: (Information Only)
A. City Administrator's report for July 28, 2026
8. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY: (Information Only)
A. Director of Public Safety report for July 28, 2026
B. Police Department report for June 2026
C. Fire Department report for June 2026
D. Code Compliance report for June 2026
Public Comment:
July 28, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 Frances Romero spoke on item 8A.
9. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER: (Information Only)
A. Human Resources report for the month of July 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
10. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Guadalupe Adding Chapter 15.17 to the Guadalupe Municipal Code regarding Hydrogen Fueling Stations and amending various sections of Title 12.
Written report: Larry Appel, Contract Planning Director Recommendation: That the City Council:
a. Receive a presentation from staff; and
b. Conduct a public hearing and 1) approve a Notice of Exemption from CEQA for Ordinance No. 2026-531; and 2) introduce, by title only, and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-531, adding Chapter 15.17 to the Guadalupe Municipal Code and amending various sections of Title 12; and
c. Continue Ordinance No. 2026-531 to the August 11, 2026, City Council meeting for second reading and adoption.
Public Comment was opened by Mayor Julian at 6:34 p.m. and closed at 6:35 p.m.
Council Member Villegas made a motion and Council Member Furness seconded to introduce, by title only, and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-531, adding Chapter 15.17 to the Guadalupe Municipal Code and amending various sections of Title 12; and Continue Ordinance No. 2026-531 to August 11, 2026, City Council meeting for second reading and adoption.
Motion passed 5-0.
REGULAR BUSINESS
11. Discussion of Available Alternatives for the Royal Theatre Project.
Written Report: David Trujillo, City Administrator
Recommendation: That the City Council:
a. Receive the Fiscal Year 2026-27 cash flow projection presentation; and b. Discuss the projected cash flow effects of continuing versus stopping construction of the Royal Theatre Project and provide direction to staff.
Public Comment:
George Alvarez
2. Mira Ramirez
Frances Romero
4. Melanie Baker
The City Council received a financial update on the Royal Theatre Project. Staff presented cash flow projections and advised that, based on current financial conditions, the City cannot sustain continued July 28, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 construction without significantly impacting the General Fund and essential City services. Staff also outlined the potential costs and requirements associated with terminating the project and preserving the building.
Motion was made by Council Member Furness to terminate the project but consider options to preserve the building. (Prior to a second Council Member Costa asked for confirmation that the action did not include Enterprise funds. David Trujillo, City Administrator, confirmed that no Enterprise funds were included. Council Member Costa seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 5-0 vote.
12. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
All About Youth Presentation for the Santa Maria Valley and Guadalupe Policy on Staff Travel
Purchase Order Policy
Updated Purchasing Policy
Cardona Club in America Proclamation
13. ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL ACTIVITY/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Council Member Villegas:
Meeting on Pesticides
• CCWA Meeting
• Ron Estabillo Guadalupe 5K Memorial Run
• Medicare Panel at the Senior Center
• Escalante One Year Anniversary July 30th
Council Member Furnes:
• Gave presentation regarding her job at NASA for Mary Buren Elementary Fun in the Sun Program Council Member Hernandez:
Ron Estabillo Guadalupe 5K Memorial Run
• CPR Meeting
• One Community Action Meeting
• Council Member Costa:
Will attend Junior Giants Game
14. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Council Member Costa and seconded by Council Member Villegas to adjourn the meeting. 5-0 Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:46 p.m.
Approve
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Judy Wilson, City Clerk Ariston Julian, Mayor
July 28, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4