Members Present:
City Council of the City of Hollister
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
March 16, 2026, 6:30 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 6:30 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Picha led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Manager Ana Cortez stated no reportable action was taken in closed session on March 2, 2026.
5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
5.1 AMERICAN RED CROSS MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Stephens presented a proclamation honoring March as American Red Cross Month.
5.2 GOVERNMENT FINANCE PROFESSIONALS WEEK PROCLAMATION
Mayor Stephens presented a proclamation honoring Government Finance Professionals Week.
6. PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Tami Aviles with the Friends of the San Benito County Free Library who invited the public to attend a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on March 17 related to a grant 1 application for expansion of the library and provided an update on the Senior Council Master Plan.
7. CONSENT ITEMS
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 6:45 p.m.
There were no speakers for the consent agenda items.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 6:45 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
Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
7.1 APPROVE MARCH 2, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
7.2 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC
RIGHT-OF-WAY AND OTHER AREAS DESIGNATED FOR PUBLIC USE
WITHIN THE ANNOTTI LANDING SUBDIVISION, TRACT NO. 316,
ACCEPTING OFFERS OF DEDICATION, AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ENGINEER TO FILE A NOTICE OF ACCEPTANCE
Adopt a resolution accepting the improvements in the public right-of-way and other areas designated for public use within the Annotti Landing Subdivision, and the offers of dedication shown in the Final Map for, or separately recorded against, the property, as required by the Subdivision Improvement Agreement.
7.3 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FULL SERVICE ODOR CONTROL
AGREEMENT WITH EVOQUA WATER TECHNOLOGY LLC.
Adopt a resolution approving a sole source agreement for professional services with Evoqua Water Technologies LLC.
7.4 A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE CONDITION OF CERTAIN
PROPERTIES TO CONSTITUTE A PUBLIC NUISANCE, ORDERING
THE ABATEMENT OF WEEDS, AND NOTICING A HEARING FOR THE
RECEIPT OF OBJECTIONS
Adopt a resolution declaring the condition of certain properties to constitute a public nuisance, ordering the abatement of weeds thereon, and noticing a public hearing for the receipt of objections to the proposed abatement.
2 7.5 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A FIRE SERVICES AGREEMENT
BETWEEN THE CITY OF HOLLISTER AND HAZEL HAWKINS
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Adopt a resolution approving the Fire Services Agreement between the City of Hollister and Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
7.6 A RESOLUTION AWARDING A CONTRACT IN THE AMOUNT OF
$901,909.39 TO RAPID SERVICES LLC DBA RAPID GRADING
SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE
THE CONTRACT AND ANY RELATED DOCUMENTS FOR THE
SECTION 2 GRIND AND OVERLAY PROJECT, CIP C2212
Adopt a resolution accepting the bids and award the contract to Rapid Services LLC dba Rapid Grading Services for the Section 2 Grind and Overlay Project, CIP C2212.
7.7 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND KIMLEY-HORN AND
ASSOCIATES, INC. TO PERFORM AN ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY
FOR THE HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Adopt a resolution approving the First Amendment to City of Hollister General Services Agreement between the City and Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to perform an Economic Impact Study for the Hollister Municipal Airport.
7.8 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ENGAGEMENT LETTER WITH
CHAVAN & ASSOCIATES LLP FOR INDEPENDENT FINANCIAL
AUDITING SERVICES AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE
THE ENGAGEMENT LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE CITY
Adopt a resolution approving the engagement letter with Chavan & Associates LLP to provide independent financial auditing services for the City of Hollister and authorize the Mayor to sign the engagement letter on behalf of the City.
7.9 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ADDITION OF TWO (2) ADMIN ANALYST POSITIONS AND REMOVAL OF ONE (1) EXECUTIVE
ASSISTANT TO THE CITY MANAGER POSITION IN THE CITY
MANAGER'S OFFICE AND ADDITION OF ONE (1) POLICE SERVICES
OFFICER POSITION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Adopt a resolution approving the addition of two (2) Administrative Analyst positions and removal of one (1) Executive Assistant to the City Manager position in the City Manager's office and the addition of one (1) Police Services Officer position to the Police Department.
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
3 8.1 ADOPT AN URGENCY ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A FIRE AND BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS; APPOINTMENT OF
MEMBERS TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS; AND ADOPTION OF
RULES OF PROCEDURES
City Manager Ana Cortez provided the staff presentation.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed the public hearing at 6:47 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
1) Adopt an Urgency Ordinance establishing the City of Hollister Fire and Building Code Board of Appeals pursuant to the California Fire Code and California Building Code; and
2) Adopt a resolution appointing members and alternates to the Fire and Building Code Board of Appeals; and
3) Adopt a resolution approving the Rules of Procedure for the Fire and Building Code Board of Appeals.
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. COUNCIL BUSINESS
9.1 STORMWATER INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION
Public Works Director Javier Hernandez and Associate Engineer Marco Martinez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:02 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:02 p.m.
9.2 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE HOLLISTER SUCCESSOR AGENCY LOW
AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING ASSET FUND FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2024-2025
Assistant City Manager Rod Powell provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:06 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
4 Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:06 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Accept the annual report on the Low Moderate Income Housing Asset Fund (LMIHAF) and direct staff to submit to Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and post the report on the City's website.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
9.3 A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE 2025 GENERAL PLAN AND
HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Assistant City Manager Rod Powell provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:22 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:22 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution accepting the 2025 Annual General Plan and Housing Element Progress Report and direct staff to submit to the State Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD)
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
9.4 AN ORDINANCE ADDING CHAPTER 1.06 TO THE CITY OF
HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL CODE TO DELEGATE AUTHORITY TO THE
CITY MANAGER TO SIGN CITY CONTRACTS, CONVEYANCES, AND
INSTRUMENTS REQUIRING THE CITY SEAL
City Manager Ana Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:36 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
5 Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:36 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Introduce an ordinance adding Chapter 1.06 to the City Municipal Code to delegate authority to the City Manager to sign City contracts, conveyances, and instruments requiring the City seal.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
9.5 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3.06.210 OF THE CITY OF
HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL CODE TO INCREASE THE CITY MANAGER'S
PURCHASING AUTHORITY FOR SERVICES, MATERIALS,
EQUIPMENT, OR SUPPLIES TO $220,000.00
City Manager Ana Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:41 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:41 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Picha
Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz
Introduce an ordinance amending section 3.06.210 of the City Municipal Code to increase the City Manager's purchasing authority for services, materials, equipment, or supplies to Two Hundred Twenty Thousand Dollars ($220,000.00).
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Morales
Carried (4 to 0)
10. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
10.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Councilmember Picha reported on a meeting of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments where the 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan & the Sustainable Communities Strategy and REAP grants.
6 Councilmember de Anda reported she and Mayor Stephens will be attending a meeting of the Animal Services ad hoc meeting on Thursday.
Mayor Stephens reported on a LAFCO meeting where website accessibility was addressed and announced a vacancy for the alternate public member position. Mayor Stephens reported on a workshop the City Council held with the Planning Commission on March 12, 2026.
10.2 COUNCIL REPORTS
1. CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
10.3 CITY MANAGER REPORT
• March 12, 2026 Joint City Council and Planning Commission Town Hall Report
• Sewer Update
• Water Update
City Manager Ana Cortez reported on the March 12, 2026 public workshop; introduced Craig Tole with 4LEAF which supports the Hollister planning and building divisions; and provided an update on procurement of online permitting software.
Public Works Director Javier Hernandez provided an update on the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant and implementation of water rates effective on April 17, 2026. Mr. Hernandez reported the City is holding a Capital Improvement Plan Public Workshop on March 25, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
1. UPDATED CITY COUNCIL PROJECTS
11. CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Ana Cortez read the closed session item titles.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:08 p.m.
There were no speakers for the closed session agenda items.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 8:08 p.m.
11.1 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):
People of the State of California; California Department of Housing and Community Development v. City of Hollister
11.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54956.9
7 Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) or (3) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9 of the Government Code (1 case)
11.3 PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957
Title: City Manager
Mayor Stephens convened the meeting into closed session at 8:08 p.m.
The City Council reconvened into open session at 9:24 p.m.
City Manager Ana Cortez reported in closed session, the City Council voted 4-0 (Councilmember Morales absent) to enter into a stipulated judgement with the California Department of Housing & Community Development.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m.
ennif,.r2 oodworth, City Clerk
8