DRAFT MINUTES
SALINAS CITY COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 31, 2022
2:00 P.M.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Kimbley Craig, Councilmember Orlando Osornio, and Councilmember Anthony Rocha.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Steve Carrigan, Director of Finance Mark Roberts, Senior Economic Development Manager Andy Myrick, Economic Development Analyst Michael Gomez, Library and Community Services Director Kristan Lundquist, Community Safety Administrator Jose Arreola, Public Works Director David Jacobs, Management Analyst Tonya Erickson, and Finance Management Analyst Abe Pedroza.
Mayor Kimbley Craig called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
2. MINUTES
The minutes of the May 3, 2022 meeting were unanimously approved by motion of Committee Member Osornio, second by Committee Member Rocha.
3. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Identifying Prevention and Intervention Partnership Programs and Funding a Pilot Prevention & Wellness Project
Community Safety Administrator Jose Arreola delivered the presentation, noting that City Council identified $300K for prevention and intervention program funding on 12/12/21. Mr. Arreola then discussed the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace (CASP), managed by City of Salinas staff, and their involvement in the pilot program. After detailing a broad design of the program, staff recommended that an organization must be a Salinas area non-profit to qualify, and 10 grants of $30,000 each could be distributed. Mr. Arreola further detailed important grant program considerations and the next steps, culminating with contracts in place and funds available by Fall of 2022.
Councilmember Orlando Osornio expressed his support of the pilot program but recommended increasing the amount to $50K -$60K per grantee, with a reduced number of awards issued. Councilmember Anthony Rocha detailed his experience with non -profit work, supported the project, and asked that the total pilot funding be increased to $500K. Mayor Kimbley Craig inquired upon specifics regarding quarterly reporting and maintained the funds should be disbursed to organizations where they will ultimately benefit City of Salinas residents.
B. Salinas Plan Recommendation MC03 – Sherwood Hall
Senior Economic Development Manager Andy Myrick presented on Sherwood Hall, explaining that the facility was losing upwards of $150K annually, subsidized by the General Fund. The facility includes the Sherwood Hall building, adjacent community center, parking lot, grass area, and driveway. Mr. Myrick presented 3 options : 1) continuing to operate the facility and make it self -sufficient, 2) sell or lease the facility to an outside entity who would operate it, or 3) maintain the status quo and accept it as a City program dependent on the general fund.
Councilmember Anthony Rocha asked if the property could be converted to affordable housing and if the office spaces could be leased. Mayor Kimbley Craig commented on the expensive art sculptures (hats) in the park and if a portion of the facility could be converted in to an Emergency Operations Center (EOC). All three committee members were against selling the property and supported moving forward with an RFP to maintain and improve the facility as an event center for continued community benefit.
C. Salinas Plan “Refresh”
Senior Economic Development Manager Andy Myrick stated that $125K was allocated in the FY 22-23 proposed budget for the purpose of refreshing the current Salinas Plan, which was brought to Council in December of 2018.
City Manager Steve Carrigan noted that the document did not take into account a global pandemic and could benefit from a revised drafting. Mr. Myrick, prompted by Councilmember Anthony Rocha, explained that a new consultant would have to perform the refresh of the original Salinas Plan. All three committee members supported the idea , with Councilmember Rocha advocating for labor partner involvement in the process.
D. Committee Member Reports
Mayor Kimbley Craig requested the Twin Creeks Golf Course debt be reviewed at a future Finance Committee meeting.
4. NEXT MEETING
Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 5, 2022.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:33 p.m.
SUBMITTED BY: ________
Abe Pedroza, Finance Management Analyst