MINUTES
City of Guadalupe
Regular Meeting of the Guadalupe City Council
Tuesday, August 25, 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.
Council Member Eugene Costa Jr. - Present
Council Member Whitney Furness - Present
Council Member Amelia M. Villegas - Present
Mayor Pro Tempore Christina Hernandez - Present
Staff Present: City Administrator, City Clerk, City Attorney, Department Heads
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. MOMENT OF THANKS, APPRECIATION OR CONDOLENCES
Mayor Julian offered condolences for Dolly Parton, and Council Member Villegas offered condolences for Amy Velasquez, a longtime resident.
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.
August 25, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 Public comment was opened at 6:16 p.m. and closed at 7:24 p.m.
1. Virginia Navarro - Announced the Day of Hope event.
2. Mikle Rocklin - Provided comments in Spanish.
3. Mira Beyeler - Spoke on financial transparency, Royal Theatre project status, and department reporting.
6. CEREMONIAL CALENDAR
A. Proclamation recognizing the Centennial Celebration of the Cardona Club in America.
Recognition of Fernando Copado for his contributions to the 2026 Junior Giants League.
Council Member Villegas presented the Proclamation honoring the 100-year history of the Cardona Club of America and its cultural contributions to Gilbert Panda, Sonia, Julian Vea and Edgar Santana. Mayor Julian and Council Member Villegas' fathers were both founders of the club.
Mayor Julian presented Fernando Copado with the certificate of appreciation for his service as a liaison to the Little Giants youth program.
7. PRESENTATIONS
A. Hear Youth Voices, a presentation of results from the Santa Maria Youth Listening Roundtables.
Ivy Cochran Murti and Lata Murti presented findings during the youth listening sessions. Council engaged in Q&A regarding potential Guadalupe-based sessions.
8. 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 at the first reading unless City Council indicates otherwise.
в. Ratify payment of warrants for the period ending July 31, 2026, and August 7, 2026.
Approve the Minutes of the City Council regular meeting of August 11, 2026.
Motion made by Council Member Costa Jr. and seconded by Council Member Furness to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed. 5-0.
MANAGEMENT REPORTS
9. CITY ADMINISTRATOR: (Information Only)
August 25, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 5 A. City Administrator's report for August 25, 2026
David Trujillo, City Administrator, briefly provided updates on key projects:
1. Las Mujeres Park nearing completion; ribbon cutting set for September 4, 2026
2. School-partnership mural project
3. Continued construction at the Amtrak station
4. Royal Theatre stabilization and remaining CAC fund use
5. Odor mitigation sealing work at Central Coast processing
6. Developer interest in fast-food, grocery, and hotel projects Council Requests:
1. Written report at next meeting
2. Future agenda item to focus solely on Royal Theatre updates
10. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY: (Information Only)
A. Director of Public Safety report for August 25, 2026 B. Police Department report for July 2026
C. Fire Department report for July 2026
D. Code Compliance report for July 2026
Chief Cash gave updates on:
1. Police mentorship/internship program participation.
2. Residential mental-health support coordination.
3. Insurance letters and ISO rating clarification.
4. Fireworks enforcement.
5. Anticipated donation of a fire engine from Santa Maria.
6. Emergency preparedness training for youth and seniors.
11. HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER: (Information Only)
A. Human Resources report for the month of July 2026
David Trujillo, City Administrator, gave a brief update on hiring and open enrollment.
REGULAR BUSINESS
12. Appointment to fill a vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission.
Written report: David Trujillo, City Administrator
Recommendation: That the City Council consider the appointment of Juan C. Pliego-Gijon to fill the current vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission.
Applicant Juan Pliego-Gijon addressed the City Council regarding his interest in serving on the Commission and discussed his background.
August 25, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 5 Motion was made by Mayor Pro Tempore Christina Hernandez, and Council Member Villegas seconded, to appoint Juan Pliego - Gijon to fill the current vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission.
Motion passed. 5-0
13. Amendment to Section 8.80.030 of the Guadalupe Municipal Code (GMC) Chapter 8.80 (Vacant Commercial Property Registration and Property Maintenance Ordinance).
Written report: Philip F. Sinco, City Attorney
Recommendation: That the City Council:
a. Introduce by title only and waive the first reading of Ordinance No. 2026-532 amending Section
8.80.030 of Guadalupe Municipal Code Chapter 8.80 (the Vacant Commercial Property Registration and Property Maintenance Ordinance) to remove the requirement to use gross square footage as the basis for establishing the annual registration fee; and b. Continue Ordinance No. 2026-532 for a second reading and adoption to the City Council meeting of September 8, 2026.
The City Council received a staff presentation introducing an amendment to Section 8.80.030 of the Vacant Commercial Property Registration and Property Maintenance Ordinance. Staff explained that the current ordinance bases the annual registration fee on gross square footage, a method that raises legal and practical issues, as noted in the staff report. Calculating fees by square footage requires determining the total vacant building area and recalculating annually, which becomes problematic as vacancies change.
Staff recommended revising the ordinance to base the fee instead on the reasonable cost of administering and enforcing the program, including staff time wages, benefits, inspection costs, supplies, and related expenses. Staff clarified that protections for owners actively attempting to lease or sell the property remain unchanged. The ordinance is intended to address long-term vacant buildings where no leasing, selling, or improvement activity is occurring.
Council asked questions regarding prior enforcement, timing of fee adoption, and the process for establishing a justified fee. Staff noted that the fee resolution will be brought forward once the ordinance amendment takes effect, and that the council may set the fee at or below the recommended cost - recovery amount.
Motion was made by Council Member Furness and Council Member Villegas seconded to introduce the ordinance by title only and continue Ordinance No. 2026-532 to second reading and adoption at the September 8, 2026, City Council meeting.
Motion passed. 5-0.
14. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Ongoing Royal Theatre Update
Phil Sinco, City Attorney asked if the social host ordinance item could be dropped from future agenda items or just leave it there so his name could be removed. The ordinance is primarily a law enforcement matter and does not appear to be needed at this time. The City Council discussed whether to retain or remove the item and agreed to remove the social host ordinance from the future agenda item list with the understanding that it may be brought forward in the future if needed. During the discussion, two Council August 25, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 5 Members expressed support for keeping the item, two expressed support for removing it and one Council Member abstained resulting in a 2 to 2 split with one abstention.
No formal action was taken
15. ANNOUNCEMENTS - COUNCIL ACTIVITY/COMMITTEE REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Christina Hernandez:
Attended APCD
Attended SBCAG on behalf of the Mayor
Council Member Villegas:
Library packet for the month is Youth World Travel for kids 8-12 years September is National Library Card Month
Mayor Julian:
Senior Nutrition Services: The Area Agency on Aging in Santa Maria will no longer be the agency for Santa Maria. The Family Services Agency will take over in October.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Council Member Costa Jr. and seconded by Council Member Villegas to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed. 5-0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
Prepared by: Approverby
Judy Wilson,
August 25, 2026 City of Guadalupe Council Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5