Members Present:
City Council of the City of Hollister
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
May 4, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber, City HaII
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
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stephens called the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hollister to order at 6:32 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Acting City Clerk Angie Gonzalez called the roll.
Vice Mayor de Anda participated remotely under Just Cause Section 54953.8.3 (c)(2). Vice Mayor de Anda announced there was no one in the room with her over the age of eighteen.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Picha led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
4.1 OLDER AMERICANS' MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Stephens presented the proclamation.
4.2 POPPY MONTH PROCLAMATION
Mayor Stephens presented the proclamation.
5. PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 6:42 p.m.
Robin Pollard spoke regarding the public elevator at the parking garage for the 400 building. There is a safety issue because the elevator and cameras are not
operational at all times. She also asked the city to address the pigeon issue at the parking garage.
Judy Ganson spoke regarding kids playing on the top floor of the parking garage.
There was a police call on Friday, and the elevator stopped working after the call.
Residents believe the kids may be causing the elevator to malfunction. She shared that she contacted public works at least 4 times per month regarding her concerns.
Andres expressed his concerns about the actions taken in the past few months.
He shared his concerns with current staffing and management practices.
Tami Aviles shared that the Friends of the San Benito Free Library will be hosting a book sale behind the library on Saturday from 9-11:30.
Darin DelCurto shared his concerns about the parking garage on the 400 block and its safety and security issues.
Maxwell Neff spoke in support of City Manager Ana Cortez.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Stephens closed public comment.
6. CONSENT ITEMS
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 6:52 p.m.
There being no speakers, Mayor Stephens closed public comment.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Approving the consent calendar as presented.
Ayes (5): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Carried via roll call vote (5 to 0)
6.1 APRIL 20, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
6.2 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING THE EXISTING CITY OF HOLLISTER
ZONING MAP AND REPLACING WITH A NEW ZONING MAP
CONSISTENT WITH THE 2040 GENERAL PLAN (ZOA 2026-2)
Adopt an ordinance to repeal and replace the Zoning Map consistent with the 2040 General Plan.
6.3 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING
ORDINANCE RELATED TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOALS AND
POLICIES OF THE CITY'S 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT (ZOA
2026-1)
2 Adopt an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to implement the goals and policies of the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element.
6.4 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING PHASE 3 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS RELATED TO PERMITS AND
PROCEDURES (ZOA 2025-4)
Adopt an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance approving the new permitting Chapters of the Zoning Ordinance and related minor modifications.
6.5 A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO LEVY
AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
DISTRICT NO. 93-1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 AND SETTING THE
PUBLIC HEARING
Adopt a resolution declaring the intention to levy and collect assessments for Landscape and Lighting District No. 93-1 for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and setting the public hearing by the City Council for the levy and collection of assessments for Landscape and Lighting District No. 93-1 for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 for May 18, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the City of Hollister's Council Chambers, 375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95203.
6.1 APRIL 20, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
6.2 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING THE EXISTING CITY OF HOLLISTER
ZONING MAP AND REPLACING WITH A NEW ZONING MAP
CONSISTENT WITH THE 2040 GENERAL PLAN (ZOA 2026-2)
Adopt an ordinance to repeal and replace the Zoning Map consistent with the 2040 General Plan.
6.3 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING
ORDINANCE RELATED TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GOALS AND
POLICIES OF THE CITY'S 6TH CYCLE HOUSING ELEMENT (ZOA
2026-1)
Adopt an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to implement the goals and policies of the City's 6th Cycle Housing Element.
6.4 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING PHASE 3 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE
ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS RELATED TO PERMITS AND
PROCEDURES (ZOA 2025-4)
Adopt an ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance approving the new permitting Chapters of the Zoning Ordinance and related minor modifications.
6.5 A RESOLUTION OF INTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO LEVY
AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS FOR LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
DISTRICT NO. 93-1 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027 AND SETTING THE
PUBLIC HEARING
3 Adopt a resolution declaring the intention to levy and collect assessments for Landscape and Lighting District No. 93-1 for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and setting the public hearing by the City Council for the levy and collection of assessments for Landscape and Lighting District No. 93-1 for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 for May 18, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the City of Hollister's Council Chambers, 375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95203.
7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 A RESOLUTION FOR THE 2026 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
Fire Chief Goulding presented the report and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 6:58 p.m.
There being no speakers, Mayor Stephens closed the public hearing.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution declaring the condition of certain properties to constitute a public nuisance and ordering the abatement of weeds thereon and conducting a hearing for the receipt of objection to the proposed abatement.
Ayes (5): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda Carried via roll call vote (5 to 0)
COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CREATION OF THE HUMAN
RESOURCES, RISK, AND TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR POSITION
City Manager Cortez presented the report and answered questions from the Council.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:07 p.m.
Andres expressed his concerns with the language in the job description for the Human Resources Director and the possible consequences for staff.
There being no further speakers, public comment closed.
Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution authorizing the creation of a new position under the title: Human Resources, Risk, and Technology Director.
4 Ayes (5): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Resendiz, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda Carried via roll call vote (5 to 0)
8.2 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN OUT -OF -JURISDICTION SEWER SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPERTY AT 340 BRIDGEVALE
City Manager Ana Cortez requested to table this item for a future meeting.
Mayor Stephens agreed that the item should be tabled until more information is available.
Dr. Resendiz requested that the item be withdrawn.
The item was tabled by the city manager to a date uncertain.
9. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
9.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
None reports.
9.2 COUNCIL REPORTS
Council Member Picha shared that on the 25th, at an Earth Day celebration in San Juan Bautista, he presented awards to some youth who created incredible artwork that will be displayed on garbage trucks. He shared that it was a great event to be a part of.
Mayor Stephens shared that she also attended the Earth Day event, which was a great celebration. She shared that there was a community meeting regarding issues related to Animal Services. There was a great discussion.
They were able to talk about concerns and will continue to have community meetings and report back.
9.3 CITY MANAGER REPORT
• Sewer
• Water
City Manager Cortez announced that the City has provided the state with the City's response to the notice of violation regarding sewer. Moving forward, they have indicated a few action points as far as management of our contractor and have also started researching other potential partners should there be a need for them. The strategy that was put in place to address the smell is working, and we continue to monitor the issues.
Regarding water, she shared that we are working on rates and there will be a survey to see if the Council would like to hold a study session on the water rates. There is a good layout as far as personnel, she stated that 5 she is looking at staffing and reserves. There is a policy, and staff will be asking Council to consider that policy, and will be presenting different options to Council at a future meeting. They will provide more transparency and clarity on water bills by including the City's rates as well as Sunnyslope Water's rates.
Dr. Resendiz asked that more information be distributed regarding the CARE discount and asked staff to make the application process more accessible.
Council Member Picha inquired regarding the water testing that was conducted and asked if it is possible to get a better mix of groundwater to surface water to improve our numbers. City Manager Cortez responded regarding the quality of water and the cost of getting water from the Central Valley Water Project (CVEP).
Dr. Resendiz asked about Chromium 6 and if we have determined where the Chromium 6 is coming from.
City Manager Cortez stated that they believe that Chromium 6 is a natural occurrence in our area. We can look into CVEP, but the cost is high.
Dr. Resendiz asked about the testing kits that were distributed to local residents.
City Manager Cortez clarified that a third -party vendor distributed them, trying to sell water products. They are not associated with the City.
Council Member Picha asked what the City's mix of groundwater/surface water is.
Public Works director Hernandez stated that our current blend is 60/40, Sunnyslope's blend is 83/17. We are incorporating a plan with the State Department of Water. We are currently testing pure groundwater; we are not allowed to test our blend until the plan is implemented.
City Manager Cortez stated that a water quality report will be presented to Council and the community in June.
Dr. Resendiz asked if we are only finding chromium 6 in half of our residents' water.
Public Works Director Hernandez stated that chromium 6 is in a specific geographical location. It was found in two of the City's locations in the first quarter testing. In the subsequent testing, it was only found in one of the City's locations and it was also found in one of Sunnyslope's locations.
10. CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Jennifer Thompson read the closed session item titles.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:33 p.m.
6 There were no speakers for the closed session agenda items.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:34 p.m.
Mayor Stephens convened the meeting into closed session at 7:34 p.m.
10.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 Ingrid G. Sywak, and Alexander Sywak vs. City of Hollister; Hollister City Council; and DOES 1-100; Case No. CU -25-00167
City Attorney Jennifer Thompson reported in closed session that the City Councilmembers present voted unanimously not to accept the Plaintiff's settlement offer.
11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Stephen adjourned the meeting at 7:49 p.m.
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