200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas,
CA 93901
www.cityofsalinas.org
City of Salinas
Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
City Council
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Councilmembers:
Jose Luis Barajas, District 1 - Tony Barrera, District 2 Margaret D'Arrigo, District 3 - Gloria De La Rosa, District 4 Andrew Sandoval, District 5 - Aurelio Salazar, District 6 Rene Mendez, City Manager
Christopher A. Callihan, City Attorney
City Clerk’s Office: (831) 758-7381
4:00 PM SALINAS ROTUNDATuesday, February 11, 2025
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Jose Barajas
Councilmember Tony Barrera
Councilmember Margaret D'Arrigo
Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa
Councilmember Aurelio Salazar
Councilmember Jose Andrew Sandoval
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Present: 7 -
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Department Directors introduced and welcome new employees and promotions for the month of January. Fire Chief Klemek presented the 2024 Firefighter of the Year and Monterey County Firefighter of the Year Ryan Macoubrie.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 4:10 p.m.
ID#24-721 a. Existing Litigation - Cal. Govt. Code section 54956.9(d)(1), conference with legal counsel regarding, Higashi Farms v. City of Salinas (Monterey County Superior Court Case No. 24CV001860).
b. Anticipated Litigation - Cal. Govt. Code section 54956.9(d)(4), conference with legal counsel regarding potential initiation of litigation.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENEd IN THE ROTUNDA AT 5:00 P.M.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.1, the City Council authorized the City Attorney to join in litigation that will negatively affect the City of Salinas and its
February 11, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial residents.
PROCLAMATION
The City Council proclaimed:
National Black History Month
National Engineers Week, February 16-22, 2025
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment from members of the public in attendance and on Zoom.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#25-030 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, the minutes of January 27, 2025 were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue
7 -
ID#25-024 Financial Claims
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, the financial claims report was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue
7 -
ID#25-027 Letter of Support for California Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez): Immigration Enforcement: Schoolsites: Prohibitions on Access, Sharing Information, and Law Enforcement Collaboration
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter on behalf of the City of Salinas in support of California Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez) was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue
7 -
Enactment No: RES 23199
PUBLIC HEARINGS
February 11, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#25-021 Exception to the CalPERS 180-Day Wait Period
Received report from Patricia Penaloza, Human Resources Manager regarding the exception to the CalPERS 180-day wait period for Interim Assistant Community Development Director David Gonzalvez. Assistant Community Development Director (ACDD) David B. Gonzalves announced his retirement effective on March 12, 2025.
Pursuant to Government Code sections 7522.56 and 21221(h), the City Council may authorize an exception to the 180-day wait period for hiring a retired annuitant by Resolution. Staff recommend the Council grant the 180-day exemption to allow so that Mr. Gonzalves may temporarily perform the duties as Interim ACDD.
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Resolution authorizing an exception to the 180-day wait period for hiring retired CalPERS member David B. Gonzalves as Interim Assistant Community Development Director was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue
7 -
Enactment No: RES 23200
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#24-727 2024 Permit Center Annual Report
Received report from Community Development Director Lisa Brinton and Assistant Community Development Director David Gonzalvez regarding the 2024 Annual Report covering the past calendar year, the 2024 Permit Center Annual Report Dashboard, 2024 Permit Center Key Actions Taken, and the 2023/24 Organizational Assessment. The staff report which is filed with the City Clerk as the official records, highlights the ongoing implementation of the 2023 Community Development Organizational Assessment Key Actions, analyzes performance measure data, and current and future development projects. The Dashboard presents the performance measure data visually and shows year over year (2022-2024) comparisons for Permit Services and other Community Development divisions and City departments (Current Planning, Code Enforcement, Development Engineering, Fire and Small Business Support), which are integral to Permit Center activities and processes. The 2024 Key Actions Taken and 2023/24 Organizational Assessment Findings,
Recommendations, and Actions report present the changes made to improve staffing, work-flow, communication, and training in more detail.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Eric Petersen
Alex Reynoso
Mary Ann Worden
Luis Xago Juarez, BHC
Lizbeth Camacho
Kevin Dayton
No action required.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
February 11, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.