Members Present:
City Council of the City of Hollister
Minutes of the Special Meeting
June 8, 2026, 5:00 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
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stephens called the special meeting of the City Council of the City of Hollister to order at 5:01 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Picha led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. ROLL CALL
Acting City Clerk Angie Gonzalez called the roll.
4. CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Cortez read the closed session item titles.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 5:02 p.m.
Jacob Gomer spoke regarding water operations and the potential impacts of staff reductions in this department.
Christina Camarillo spoke regarding the proposed budget and staff cuts. She asked that the public be prioritized and asked the council to focus on charging appropriate rates to the public so that they are paying for the services that are being provided to offset the cost of operations.
Frank Garcia spoke regarding city operations and regulations as it relates to stormwater. He asked what the city's plan is before positions are cut in this department.
There being no further requests to speak, public comment closed. 1 Mayor Stephens convened the meeting into closed session at 5:11 p.m.
Mayor Stephens reconvened the special meeting at 6:07 p.m.
Mayor Stephens stated no reportable action was taken in closed session.
4.1 CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6
Agency designated representatives: City Manager Ana Cortez and City Attorney Rob Lomeli
Employee Organizations: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 521; Hollister Firefighters Union (HFFU), Local 3395; Hollister Peace Officer Association (HPOA); and un-represented employees
5. COUNCIL BUSINESS
5.1 FY2026-2027 BUDGET - GENERAL FUND INTRODUCTION, TEN-
YEAR FORECAST, GENERAL FUND RESERVES
City Manager Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 6:26 p.m.
Carolynne spoke on behalf of SEIU and stated that they have not received the data on the deficit yet and asked the Council to ask the hard questions so that they can work together.
Rodrigo Aguilera spoke regarding position eliminations and the impact of losing institutional knowledge. He asked the Council to take two actions:
no layoffs and no contracting out.
BiII Avera spoke regarding the projections presented and spoke about Measure W, which was adopted in 2016. It was a 20 -year tax extension that expires in 2037. He suggested that if the City went through a 218 process with water, they should also go through the same process with sewer rates.
There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Stephens closed public comment.
Dr. Resendiz shared that he is proud to have stood with the people of Hollister. He shared that he will not seek re-election and hopes to continue to support the people of Hollister. He expressed that he is not in support of laying off a unionized city employee.
Council Member Picha asked how long it took to get to our current financial situation. City Manager Cortez stated that it took about 30 years to get to this situation. He asked how many funds we have that do not perform like enterprise funds.
2 Finance Director O'Connell stated that some grant funds are in a negative status until we receive the reimbursement. She shared that these types of funds ok to have as long as they are properly maintained. City Manager Cortez stated that she will address all the funds at the next meeting on June 15, 2026.
Council Member Morales asked for a timeline for when the audits would be completed. She shared that it is hard to give direction without the numbers. She stated that a short-term decision with the option to re- evaluate is easier to focus on than a 10 -year decision.
Vice Mayor de Anda expressed that she shares staffs concerns. She stated that this should not fall on staff and asked what would happen if the Council does not approve the recommendation.
City Manager Cortez shared that they will be ready to bring the budget on the 15th and offer incentives to those who choose to voluntarily separate from the city.
Dr. Resendiz shared his frustrations and said that he is willing to talk to the people of Hollister about current issues. He asked for more time to figure things out.
Mayor Stephens agreed that a 0% reserve is not a good financial practice.
She stated that a decision on how to approach reserves is not a permanent decision; they plan on adjusting over time. She asked if it is ok to start at 0% for now, then build from there.
City Manager Cortez shared that once the budget is approved, they will then start negotiations with the unions.
Dr. Resendiz reminded the public that the City Council is the only one that holds the power to make these decisions.
Finance Director O'Connell stated that the budget is a measuring tool. We are in a financial emergency and have a policy that states we need a 20% reserve. We have already dipped into the reserves; in order to stay afloat, there are not many other options.
Council Member Picha stated that the council does give policy direction to the City Manager, however, they are accountable to their constituents, the residents of Hollister.
By consensus, the council unanimously directed staff to move forward with the proposed 0% reserve.
Provide direction on General Fund Reserve goals.
6. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 7:10 P
.m.
3 Angie Gonzalez, l ctin City,. Jerk
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