Members Present:
City Council of the City of Hollister
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
June 15, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber, City Hall
375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95023
Roxanne Stephens, Mayor
Rudy Picha, District 1
Dolores Morales, District 3
Priscilla de Anda, District 4
Members Absent: Rolan Resendiz, District 2
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Stephens called the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hollister to order at 5:31 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Acting City Clerk Gonzalez called the roll.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember de Anda fed the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 5:32 p.m.
John Casey spoke regarding the City's code of conduct and his public records request for the signed acknowledgements by the elected officials. He stated that process matters and asked for transparency, consistency, and accountability.
There being no further requests to speak, public comment closed.
5. CONSENT ITEMS
Item 5.3 was pulled off consent and heard under Public Hearings.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 5:37 p.m.
There were no speakers for the consent agenda items.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 5:37 p.m.
1 Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Approving the consent calendar with the exception of item 5.3.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
5.1 JUNE 1, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
5.2 JUNE 8, 2026 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
5.4 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT #2 ANNUAL LEVY
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution authorizing the annual levy for Community Facilities District #2.
Carried
5.5 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT #4 ANNUAL LEVY
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution authorizing the annual levy for Community Facilities District #4.
Carried
5.6 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/2027
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT #5 ANNUAL LEVY
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution authorizing the annual levy for Community Facilities District #5.
Carried
2 5.7 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AIRPORT USE AGREEMENT WITH HIDDEN LEVEL, INC. OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK FOR TWO
INSTALLATIONS TO DEPLOY ADVANCED AIRSPACE AWARENESS
SENSORS AT THE HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving an Airport Use Agreement with Hidden Level, Inc. of Syracuse, New York for two installations to deploy advanced airspace awareness sensors at the Hollister Municipal Airport and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Carried
5.8 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN AIRPORT USE AGREEMENT WITH PIERCE AEROSPACE, INC. OF FISHERS, INDIANATO DEPLOY
REMOTE ID AND AVIATION SITUATIONAL AWARENESS SENSORS
AT THE HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving an Airport Use Agreement with Pierce Aerospace, Inc. of Fishers, Indiana to deploy remote id and aviation situational sensors at the Hollister Municipal Airport and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Carried
5.3 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2025 SAN BENITO URBAN WATER
MANAGEMENT PLAN
Item pulled from consent and to hold a public hearing.
City Manager Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 5:38 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed the public hearing at 5:39 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Picha
Seconded by: Council Member Morales
Adopt a resolution adopting the 2025 San Benito Urban Water Management Plan.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
3 Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A TWO-YEAR RENEWAL OF A
CANNABIS REGULATORY PERMIT, CONCURRENT CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT, AND WAIVER OF FEES FOR MONTEREY BAY
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE HOLLISTER, INC.
Administrative Analyst Calderon provided the staff presentation.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 6:00 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens closed the public hearing at 6:00 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member de Anda
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving a two-year renewal of the cannabis regulatory permit issued to Monterey Bay Alternative Medicine Hollister, Inc, subject to continued compliance with all applicable state and local laws, operational requirements, permit conditions, and City regulations.
This request includes concurrent consideration of a conditional use permit, subject to all applicable conditions of approval & compliance requirements.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
6.2 STATUS OF VACANT POSITIONS AS REQUIRED BY AB 2561
Human Resource Officer Brown provided the staff presentation.
Council Member Morales requested a quarterly report on vacancies for groups that are near the 20% vacancy rate.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 6:19 p.m.
Frank Garcia spoke regarding the numbers on the staffing list. He questioned what the positions listed at 0.00 means and what the changes mean for the future.
Mayor Stephens closed the public hearing at 6:22 p.m.
4 6.3 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOLLISTER ADOPTING THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 FEE SCHEDULE AND
DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE CITY MANAGER TO MAKE MINOR
MODIFICATIONS TO THE FEE SCHEDULE, AS NECESSARY,
THROUGHOUT THE FISCAL YEAR.
City Manager Cortez and Consultant White provided the staff presentation.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 6:42 p.m.
Jon Coulter spoke regarding the current fees and the experience of one of his friends with the permit process.
Mayor Stephens closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m.
Council Member Morales requested modifications to the resolution and asked for it to be brought back at the next City Council meeting.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Fee Schedule and directing staff to bring back an updated resolution at the next City Council meeting.
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried (4 to 0)
6.4 A PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF THE FY2026-2027
RECOMMENDED BUDGET, THE FY2026-2027 AUTHORIZED
POSITION SUMMARY, AND THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-27
APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT
City Manager Cortez provided the staff presentation.
Council Member Morales asked for specific data on layoffs, positions, and cost -saving measures.
Council Member Picha asked for additional funding sources like selling assets.
Mayor Stephens asked if there is a more gradual way to make the budgetary corrections needed.
Council Member Morales requested additional time to process the information before making a decision.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.
5 Mia spoke to recent claims regarding the previous council and shared findings they made that affected the deficit the City now faces.
Jon Casey spoke regarding the interfund loan agreement and stated that funds in 218 funds, like sewer, are restricted. He asked which sewer fund is being used and if it is a tentative loan.
Frank Garcia spoke regarding the four Storm Department employees and the scope of their service area. He spoke about documentation requirements and the possible impacts to the Water Department if there are staff reductions.
Rodrigo Aguilera questioned why the city is hiring new employees when it is considering layoffs to other departments. He asked if there is a contingency plan for the Prop. 218 process and requested more transparency.
Carolynne spoke regarding the authorized positions list provided and the inconsistency of the information.
Christine Camarillo spoke regarding the proposed staffing changes and the impact it would have on service. She spoke to the danger that water can pose when not properly managed.
Mayor Stephens continued the public hearing to a date certain of June 22, 2026.
7 COUNCIL BUSINESS
7.1 FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE City Manager Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:59 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
There being no requests to speak, public comment closed.
7.2 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN OUT -OF -JURISDICTION SEWER SERVICE AGREEMENT FOR THE PROPERTY AT 340 BRIDGEVALE
City Manager Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:07 p.m.
Russell Morse from Meyers Nave requested that the council approve the agreement, as it is a historic project that was approved in 2015 by resolution and with LAFCO approval. He added that this is a 100% affordable housing project by a reputable developer.
There being no further requests to speak, public comment closed. 6 Mayor Stephens clarified that the resolution states "affordable" housing, not "low income" housing. She asked for clarification on this matter.
Mayor Stephens asked to amend the resolution to specify 60% AMI (Middle affordable) and 30% AMI (most affordable), with one unit being market rate.
Vice Mayor de Anda asked how this project would benefit the City. City Manager Cortez stated it would show that the City is aggressively pursuing affordable housing.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving an out -of -jurisdiction sewer service agreement for 340 Bridgevale with the amendment to specify the units being 60% AMI (Middle affordable) and 30% AMI (most affordable), with one unit being market rate.
Ayes (3): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, and Council Member Morales
Noes (1): Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
Carried via roll call vote (3 to 1)
7.3 A RESOLUTION APPROVING A POLICY REGARDING DISRUPTION
OF TELEPHONIC OR INTERNET SERVICE DURING CITY COUNCIL
MEETINGS UNDER SENATE BILL (SB) 707
Acting City Clerk Gonzalez 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.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Adopt a resolution approving the City Council Policy "Disruption of Telephonic, AudioNisual, or Internet service during City Council Meetings" under Senate Bill 707 (SB 707)
Ayes (4): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, Council Member Morales, and Council Member de Anda
Absent (1): Council Member Resendiz
7 Carried (4 to 0)
7.4 WATER RATE DISCUSSION AND ADJUSTMENTS TO WATER RATES City Manager Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:40 p.m.
Victoria Montoya expressed concern with the difference in rates throughout the city. She spoke to the hardship imposed on those on a fixed income.
Rodrigo Aguilera asked if there is a contingency plan in case rates do not increase. He stated that SEIU is willing to help with community outreach to help get the rates passed.
Myriam stated that she is against the rate increase. She shared that she tries to conserve water as much as possible, yet her bill keeps increasing.
She asked if there is any help available for seniors.
There being no more speakers, public comment closed.
Item deferred to June 22, 2026.
7.5 CONSIDERATION OF PARTICIPATION IN AMICUS LITIGATION
OPPOSING THE PROPOSED FEDERAL DETENTION FACILITY IN
SOUTH SANTA CLARA COUNTY COMING THROUGH MONTEREY
COUNTY COUNCIL
Airport Director Crechriou provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:56 p.m.
There being no requests to speak, public comment closed.
Moved by: Council Member Morales
Seconded by: Council Member Picha
Supporting Amicus litigation.
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. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
8.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Council Member Picha attended the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG). He shared that the final 2050 Metropolitan 8 Transportation Plan and the Sustainable Communities Strategy are in their completion phase.
8.2 COUNCIL REPORTS
Receive informational reports from the City Council
None.
8.3 CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Cortez announced that Director Hernandez tendered his resignation today. She will be looking for a Director with a strong background in utilities. She shared that the new Human Resources Director will be starting on July 1st, the Interim Fire Chief is starting tomorrow, and a Public Works Director will come in the following weeks.
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.
ngib Conalez, Acting City Clerk
9