Members Present:
City Council of the City of Hollister
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
February 2, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber, City Hall
375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95023
Roxanne Stephens, Mayor
Rudy Picha, District 1
Rolan Resendiz, District 2
Priscilla de Anda, District 4
Members Absent: Dolores Morales, District 3
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stephens called the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hollister to order at 5:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
3. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Jennifer Thompson read the closed session item titles.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 5:34 p.m.
There were no speakers for the closed session agenda items.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 5:34 p.m.
The City Council convened into closed session at 5:34 p.m.
3.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -ANTICIPATED LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9
Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9 of the Government Code (Deciding Whether to Initiate Litigation): 1 case
3.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: Vincent Grewohl v. City of Hollister Unfair Practice Charge No. SF -CE -2294-M
1 3.3 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9 of the Government Code (1 case)
3.4 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: Interim City Manager Jim Pia and City Attorney Jennifer Thompson
Employee Organizations: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 521, Hollister Firefighters Union (HFFU) , Hollister Peace Officer Association (HPOA), and un-represented employees.
The City Council adjourned the closed session at 6:21 p.m.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember de Anda led the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Jennifer Thompson reported in closed session on Item 3.1, the City Council voted unanimously to initiate litigation to enforce an affordable housing agreement for 204 Hawkins. No other reportable action was taken.
6. PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Robin Pollard spoke in support of the Hollister Community Garden and spoke against the City's plot fees. Ms. Pollard stated she is resigning from the Community Garden.
Jason Noble expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's permitting process.
Scott McPhail expressed concern regarding delays in the City's permitting process in order to remove red tags from his property.
Chris Peto expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's permitting process and requested the project he represents be allowed to move forward separate from the Housing Element and General Plan Amendment.
Mike Nino expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's building permitting process for replacement of facades at his property on Airline Highway.
Carlos Rivera expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's building permitting process.
Graham Mackie, Executive Director with San Business Council, expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's permitting process and offered to help the City resolve the issues.
2 Delia Gutierrez expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's building permitting process.
Rob Bernosky thanked the City's fire department for their response to a recent and incident. Mr. Bernosky expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's planning permitting process.
Jon Coulter expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's building permitting process.
Jose Villalpando expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's building permitting process, expiration of building permits for a project, and delays to his commercial building project.
Peter Hernandez commented on the need to update and improve the City's permitting procedures.
Yolanda Leon expressed concern regarding the City not meeting its legal obligations to eliminate unnecessary delays.
Art Correa expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's permitting process.
Joe Tonascia expressed frustration regarding inconsistences in the City's permitting process and delays to his project requiring a General Plan Amendment.
Julio Noriega expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's building permitting process.
Bertha Reyes expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's permitting process for her home that had a fire.
Alfred Valenzuela spoke regarding water access on his property.
Myriam Castillo expressed frustration regarding delays in the City's building permitting process.
7. CONSENT ITEMS
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:31 p.m.
There were no speakers for the consent agenda items.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:31 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
The consent calendar items are approved as presented.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member de Anda
3 Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
7.1 APPROVE JANUARY 20, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
7.2 WARRANT REGISTER FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Ratify and approve the Warrant Registers for the General -Special - Enterprise -Assessments funds attached.
Carried
7.3 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND AEROPLEX GROUP
PARTNERS LLC TO PERFORM AN AIRPORT RATES AND FEES
STUDY
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving the First Amendment to City of Hollister General Services Agreement between the City and Aeroplex Group Partners LLC to perform an Airport Rates and Fees Study.
Carried
7.4 RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THIRD AMENDMENTS TO LANDSCAPE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH SMITH & ENRIGHT,
BRIGHTVIEW, N. RAMIREZ
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Approve third amendments to Landscape Professional Services Agreements for, Smith and Enright, Brightview, and N. Ramirez and authorizing the City Manager to sign the amendments.
Carried
7.5 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY STAFF TO CHANGE DIRECTION
IN BRINGING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO SUPPORT PERMIT
ISSUING DEPARTMENTS
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
4 Adopt a resolution authorizing City staff to change direction in bringing helpful technology to assist permit issuing departments.
Carried
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 UPDATE SEWER/RECLAMATION FACILITY ODOR ISSUE
Public Works Director Javier Hernandez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:54 p.m.
Joe Tonascia reported that the City's reclaimed water cannot be used and stated the sewer plant needs upgrades to properly function.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:57 p.m.
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to provide updates at each City Council meeting to include the following: challenges and progress in addressing the sewer plant odor, including actions underway, success of any action taken, update on the odor, additional information on the health standards being measured and test results, updates on the sewer system master plan, information regarding the City's sewer impact fees, seasonal sewer issues, and current inability to use reclaimed water.
8.2 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH KIMLEY HORN
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SAFETY ACTION PLAN AND GRANT
ADMINISTRATION FOR THE SAFE STREETS FOR ALL (SS4A)
GRANT
Management Analyst Cassandra Orozco provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:12 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 8:12 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Picha
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Adopt a resolution approving an agreement with Kimley Horn to develop a Safety Action Plan and provide grant administration for the SS4A Grant.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
5 8.3 SPECIAL EVENT AND BANNER PERMIT FEES
City Clerk Jennifer Woodworth provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:18 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 8:18 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Adopt a resolution to update the City's fee schedule to include reimbursement of actual costs related to special event and banner permit fees with a 50% discount for non-profit organizations and governmental agencies to be implemented in a phased approach with a 10% increase per year in addition to CPI increases until the fee reaches the City's actual costs.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
9. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
9.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Councilmember Picha reported the Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Hollister Redevelopment Agency met.
Mayor Stephens reported the San Benito County Tourism Advisory Committee met and discussed the County's Home of the Pinnacles National Park branding.
9.2 COUNCIL REPORTS
1. CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
1. Informational Presentation on SHIELD and RIMS Programs - Mayor Stephens
2. Sewer Update - Councilmember Resendiz
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to return with an informational presentation on the SHIELD and RMS programs.
9.3 CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Ana Cortez thanked everyone for the warm welcome she has received in the Hollister community and stated she is eager to listen 6 and learn from the community. Ms. Cortez shared her desire to respond to the concerns expressed by members of the public regarding the permitting process and desire to improve the process.
1. UPDATED CITY COUNCIL PROJECTS
10. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
oodworth, City Cler
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