Members Present:
City Council of the City of Hollister
Minutes of the Regular Meeting
August 17, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
City Council Chamber, City Hall
375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95023
Roxanne Stephens, Mayor
Rudy Picha, District 1
Priscilla de Anda, District 4
Members Absent: Rolan Resendiz, District 2
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 6:34 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Acting City Clerk Gonzalez called the roll.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Vice Mayor de Anda led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Manager Cortez stated that there was no reportable action from the August 3, 2026 closed session.
5. PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 6:36 p.m.
Noel Provost spoke regarding staffing at the Hollister Police Department and shared his opinion on why officers are choosing to leave the department.
Frank Garcia expressed his concern regarding the proposed use of the remaining retirement incentive pay funds.
Stacie McGrady asked when the City would release the complete financial reports from the 2025 and 2026 motorcycle rally.
There being no further requests to speak, Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 6:44 p.m.
1 6. CONSENT ITEMS
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 6:46 p.m.
There were no speakers for the consent agenda items.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 6:46 p.m.
Moved by: Council Member Picha
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Approving the consent calendar with the modification to item 6.2. Council approved appointments to the Financial Oversight Task Force for Council Member Dolores Morales, Omar Rosa, and Julie Roybal.
Ayes (3): Mayor Stephens, Council Member Picha, and Council Member de Anda Absent (2): Council Member Resendiz, and Council Member Morales Carried (3 to 0)
6.1 AUGUST 3, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
6.2 FINANCIAL OVERSIGHT TASK FORCE MEMBER APPOINTMENT
Moved by: Council Member Picha
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Approve the appointment of Councilwoman Dolores Morales, Omar Rosa, Julie Roybal, to the Financial Oversight Task Force.
Carried
6.3 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO THE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH KIMLEY-HORN AND
ASSOCIATES, INC. FOR ON -CALL AIRPORT CONSULTING
SERVICES FOR THE HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
Moved by: Council Member Picha
Seconded by: Council Member de Anda
Adopt a resolution approving Amendment No. 4 to the Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for On -Call Consulting Services for the Hollister Municipal Airport and authorizing the City Manager to execute Agreement Amendment No. 4.
Carried
2 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 RESOLUTIONS APPROVING THE INITIATION OF GENERAL PLAN
AMENDMENT AND PREZONE FOR THREE PROJECT SITES
Acting City Clerk Gonzalez shared that the approval of these items would require four (4) affirmative votes by the City Council and recommended that the hearing be continued to a future date.
Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 6:48 p.m.
There were no speakers for this item.
Mayor Stephens continued the public hearing to a date certain of September 8, 2026.
8. COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 A RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION 2023-164 AND
APPROVING THE NEW TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES REQUEST
POLICY AND PROCEDURES
City Manager Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:04 p.m.
Stacie McGrady encouraged the city to solicit input from public safety personnel on traffic calming measures.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:06 p.m.
The City Council directed staff to bring back an updated draft policy that includes language on a holistic approach, with a focus on bikers, pedestrians, and information on hot spots like school zones and the downtown.
8.2 DISCUSSION REGARDING POTENTIAL REGULATIONS FOR
SPAYING AND NEUTERING OF ANIMALS AND ANIMAL BREEDING
City Manager Ana Cortez provided the staff report.
Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:17 p.m.
Lisa Sears spoke to the success of the City of Seaside's spay/neuter program and ordinance.
Marci spoke regarding Vincent's Garden of Hope and the work they provide. She shared her concerns regarding the lack of communication with local groups.
Lora James shared about Monterey County's approach to the matter and issues agencies across California are facing.
Stacie McGrady stated that we need proactive policies and procedures to address the issue, and she is in support of an ordinance.
Susan Hilden shared her support for the microchip station and commended H.A.L.F.'s work on the matter.
Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:33 p.m.
The City Council directed staff to return with more information, including options for people who cannot afford the cost, to increase engagement with the community on the issue, and to visit the City of Seaside to see how their program works.
9. INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
9.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
None.
9.2 COUNCIL REPORTS
1. CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
1. Presentation on Tobacco Education Program at San Benito Public Health - Vice Mayor de Anda
By consensus the council directed staff to agendize the presentation.
9.3 CITY MANAGER REPORT
• Sewer
• Water
City Manager Cortez shared that there will be a bike safety meeting with the Safe Kids Coalition Meeting on August 19th. The police department will give a presentation on bike safety and share safety materials.
The City will receive $1.9 million from the sale of the 190 Maple Street building.
She attended her first 3CE meeting in Monterey and announced that they entered into a contract to conduct Energy Audits in the City of Hollister.
She also attended a meeting at the San Benito County Foundation with Speaker Riva's staff. The City of Hollister, City of San Juan Bautista, and County of San Benito committed to provide project concepts for the next round.
She announced that the El Toro Gas annexation was approved by LAFCO at their meeting on August 10, 2026.
The City is working on the Fire Chief search. The interim chief and City Manager will be screening applicants soon.
4 She and Public Works Director Tony White attended a meeting at the Water District. They received a report on the Governance Committee, gave updates on the Master Plan accomplishments, and shared an update on the ADRoP facility. The purpose of the ADRoP facility is to focus on resilience, it is not about increasing capacity.
As far as notices of violations, the City has built internal capacities which will hopefully diminish reliance on consultants.
10. CLOSED SESSION
City Manager Ana Cortez read the closed session item titles.
Mayor Stephens convened the meeting into closed session at 8:02 p.m.
10.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL —ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9 of the Government Code (Deciding Whether to Initiate Litigation): 1 case
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.
Angie Gonzalez, Acting City Clerk
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