Members Present:
City Council of the City of Hollister
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
April 6, 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
Dolores Morales, District 3
Priscilla de Anda, District 4
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 de Anda led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Manager Ana Cortez reported in closed session, the City Council voted 4-D (Councilmember Morales absent) to enter into a stipulated judgement with the California Department of Housing & Community Development.
5. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
5.1 YOUTH'S VOICES ON IMPROVING HOLLISTER
Julia Nordstrom, an eleventh grade student at Hollister High School, provided a presentation on a survey she conducted among high school and middle school students to gather input from youth voices on how to improve Hollister, including parks and recreation, entertainment, restaurant, and event suggestions.
5.2 WATER AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Stephens presented a proclamation for Water Awareness Month. 1 Lundi Barroso-Osorio, Water Conservation Program Manager with the San Benito County Water District, provided a presentation regarding Water Awareness Month.
6. PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
No speakers present.
7. CONSENT ITEMS
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:07 p.m.
Andres opposed approving Agenda Item 7.5 and urged the City Council to wait to provide additional authority to the City Manager under her probation period has ended.
Andres opposed approving Agenda Item 7.6 and stated the proposed signature authority is too high for the City Manager stating that authority for contracts over $100,000 should remain with the City Council.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:11 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
The consent calendar items are approved as presented.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
7.1 APPROVE MARCH 16, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
7.2 APPROVE MARCH 19, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
7.3 WARRANT REGISTER APRIL 6, 2026
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Ratify and approve the Warrant Registers for the General -Special - Enterprise -Assessment Funds attached.
Carried
7.4 RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCIES ON THE
BUSINESS ADVISORY COMMISSION
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
2 Ratify the appointments of Adam Hill and Peter Lago to fill vacancies on the Business Advisory Commission.
Carried
7.5 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
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt 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.
Carried
7.6 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
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt 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).
Carried
7.7 A RESOLUTION CALLING THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL
MUNICIPAL ELECTION FOR ELECTION OF THE MAYOR, CITY
COUNCIL DISTRICTS 2 AND 3, AND THE CITY TREASURER
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution calling for the holding of a general municipal election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the laws of the State of California relating to general law cities; requesting consolidation with the statewide general election and election services from the San Benito County Board of Supervisors; and providing regulations for candidates' statements.
Carried
7.8 CITY COUNCIL POLICY OUTLINING THE PROCEDURES OF CALLING
SPECIAL MEETINGS
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving a City Council policy to govern the process of calling a special meeting of the City Council.
Carried
7.9 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH EMC PLANNING
GROUP FOR PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
REPORT FOR THE 851 SUNNYSLOPE ROAD PROJECT
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution authorizing the execution of a Professional Services Agreement with EMC Planning Group for environmental consulting services and associated technical studies for 851 Sunnyslope Road (Site and Architectural Review 2025-5 and Tentative Map 2025-4).
Carried
7.10 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE INITIATION OF PROCEEDINGS
FOR THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR
LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. 93-1 AND ORDERING
THE CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE AND FILE THE REQUIRED
REPORT WITH THE CITY CLERK
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving the initiation of proceedings for the levy and collection of the FY 2026/2027 Annual Assessment for Landscape and Lighting District No. 93-1 and order the City Engineer to prepare and file the required report.
Carried
7.11 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING VEOLIA WATER WEST OPERATING
SERVICES, INC TO PURCHASE AND REPLACE MEMBRANE
MODULES AND PARTS FOR TWO (2) MEMBRANE BIOREACTOR
TREATMENT TRAINS AT THE DOMESTIC WASTEWATER
TREATMENT PLANT
4 Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Task Authorization with Veolia Water West Operating Services, Inc. for the purchase and installation of replacement membrane modules and parts for two (2) Membrane Bioreactor treatment trains at the Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Carried
7.12 A RESOLUTION RATIFYING ADDITIONAL SEWER WORK,
APPROVING A FUND TRANSFERS, AND RELATED BUDGET
ADJUSTMENT, FOR THE WEST GATEWAY ROUNDABOUT PROJECT,
AND AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT WITH
GRANITE ROCK COMPANY
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution:
1. Ratifying additional sewer work performed within the project limits in the amount of $103,480, which was not included in the prior resolution approved by Council; and
2. Approving a transfer, and related budget adjustment, of an additional $103,480 from the Sewer Enterprise Fund (Fund 660) to Fund 275 to cover the cost of this additional sewer work; and
3. Authorizing the City Manager to amend the contract with Granite Rock Company to reflect this additional sewer work and adjust the total contract amount from $4,547,134 to $4,650,614.
Carried
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT REORGANIZATION
City Manager Ana Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:33 p.m.
Andres opposed the reorganization of the Community Development Department stating it affects people's lives and potential liability to the City.
Maria Mendez opposed the reorganization of the Community Development Department and reported employees were notified of the layoffs when the agenda was publicly posted and urged the City Council to pause their decisions regarding this action.
5 Angie Marquez opposed the reorganization of the Community Development Department, spoke regarding the elimination of positions while new positions are being recruited for the City, and spoke regarding the lack of knowledge for new permit center employees.
Jaime Gutierrez inquired regarding whether unions were consulted related to the proposed reorganization, spoke regarding the ongoing need to process permits, and expressed concern regarding the lack of knowledge of employees taking on new roles. Mr. Gutierrez opposed the reorganization of the Community Development Department.
Ashley McPhail supported the reorganization of the Community Development Department and spoke regarding administrative delays in the permitting process for her cannabis business.
Scott McPhail spoke against expanding authority of the Police Chief and shared his negative experiences with the City's Code Enforcement Division.
Jon Coulter supported the reorganization of the Community Development Department.
Carol Lenoir expressed concern regarding the reorganization of the Community Development Department and whether the new departments will have the knowledge to oversee the permitting and inspection processes.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:57 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Approve the consolidation of the Community Development Department into Public Works, Police, Finance, and Parks Departments leading to the elimination of three non -represented positions.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
8.2 A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2021-106 AND
ADOPTING THE REVISED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR
NAMING AND RENAMING OF CITY ASSETS
Parks & Recreation Director Charles Wall provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:18 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
6 Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 8:18 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Adopt a resolution rescinding Resolution 2021-106 and adopting a revised naming policy for City of Hollister Assets.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
8.3 A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 2023-101 (NAMING A CITY PARK THE "CESAR CHAVEZ COMMUNITY PARK")
Parks & Recreation Director Charles Wall provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:19 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 8:19 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution rescinding Resolution 2023-101, A Resolution of the City Council naming a city park the "Cesar Chavez Community Park" Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
8.4 A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTIONS NOS. 2022-139 AND 2022-146 (RENAMED UNION ROAD TO CESAR CHAVEZ WAY AND
SUBSEQUENTLY TO AVENIDA CESAR CHAVEZ)
Public Works Director Javier Hernandez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:31 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 8:31 p.m.
7 Councilmember Morales suggested amending the resolution to remove the action to name Avenida Cesar Chavez East Union Road stating a temporary name for the street will require the City to incur costs.
Mayor Stephens requested City staff return with a future action to rename Avenida Cesar Chavez based on the revised naming policy adopted by Resolution 2026-41.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution rescinding Resolutions Nos. 2022-139 and 2022-146, which renamed a segment of Union Road to Cesar Chavez Way and subsequently to Avenida Cesar Chavez and directing City staff to return for further City Council action on a suggested roadway name based on the revised naming policy adopted by Resolution 26-41.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
9. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
9.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Councilmember Picha reported on a meeting of San Benito County Council of Governments where updates on the State Route 25 Corridor Improvement Project were provided and a public hearing was held on the Unmet Transit Needs of the Community.
Councilmember Morales reported on and invited the public to attend the Integrated Waste Management Agency's birthday celebration on April 25, 2026 in San Juan Bautista.
9.2 COUNCIL REPORTS
No reports.
1. CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
9.3 CITY MANAGER REPORT
Economic Development
• Sewer
• Water
City Manager Ana Cortez provided updates on economic development and the water and sewer programs.
8 10. CLOSED SESSION
Councilmember Resendiz arrived at 8:42 p.m.
The City Council convened into closed session at 8:43 p.m.
10.1 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).
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 9:07 p.m.
ennif r oodworth, City Clerk
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