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, August 26, 2025
TELECONFERENCE NOTICE
Councilmember D'Arrigo joined the meeting via teleconference in accordance with California Government Code Section 54953.
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 -
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 4:05 p.m. in accordance with:
ID#25-372 a. Real Property Negotiations - California Government Code section §54956.8.
Conference with real property negotiators René Mendez, City Manager; Lisa Murphy, Assistant City Manager, and Christopher A. Callihan, City Attorney regarding discussions with Monterey County Office of Education on the price and terms of payment for 342 Front Street (APN 002-213-028-000) and 323 California Street (APN 002-213-017-000) in the city of Salinas.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED IN THE ROTUNDA AT 4:30 P.M.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.1, there were no reportable actions on closed session matters.
August 26, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
The City Council recognized:
Clara Adams
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.
CONSIDERATION
ID#25-298 2025 Fireworks Enforcement After-Action Report Received report from Division Chief/Fire Marshal Christopher Knapp regarding the After-Action Report providing a comprehensive overview of the strategies utilized to enforce laws and ordinances regarding illegal fireworks in the City of Salinas. It outlines both the areas achieved and the areas for improvement, guiding future enforcement efforts.The report also presents statistical data on the sale of 'Safe-n-Sane' fireworks and evaluates the effectiveness of the City's outreach and enforcement initiatives in curbing illegal fireworks use in Salinas. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public in attendance commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Yolanda Hayes
Milton, TNT Fireworks
Eric Petersen
Eloise Shim
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Salazar, the 2025 Fireworks Enforcement After-Action Report was received and accepted. 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 -
CONSIDERATION - 6:00 P.M.
ID#25-371 Acceptance of Signature Verification; Referendum Against Ordinance No. 2687
Received report from City Clerk Patricia Barajas regarding the Referendum Against Ordinance No. 2687. She reported that on May 13, 2025, the City Council introduced an ordinance (2687) to repeal four rent-related ordinances previously adopted: Ordinance No. 2663 (Residential Rental Registration Program), Ordinance No. 2681 (Rent Stabilization), Ordinance No. 2682 (Tenant Protection and Just Cause Eviction), and Ordinance No. 2683 (Tenant Anti-Harassment). Ordinance 2687 was adopted on June 3, 2025 and was due to become effective thirty (30) days after its adoption on July 3, 2025. Subsequently on July 3, 2025 and within the thirty (30) day period prescribed in Elections Code section
August 26, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial 9237, “Protect Salinas Renters 2026” (the “Proponents”) submitted a referendum of the Repeal Ordinance to the City Clerk. A prima facie count was completed by the City Clerk’s Office and the Referendum petition was transmitted to the Monterey County Registrar of Voters (“Registrar”) for a full check and examination of signatures. On August 15, 2025, the City Clerk's Office received the Registrar’s Certificate of Signature.
The Certificate of Sufficiency was forwarded to the Proponents and the City Council was informed of the results. On September 9, the City Council will be presented with options as it relates to the Referendum and the Repeal Ordinance. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Ignacio Fragoso
Unidentified audience member
Olga Reyna, BHC Thriving Neighborhoods
Karina Tapia, BHC
Rosa Tapia, BHC
Dr. Laura Solorio, District 3 Resident
Unidentified audience member
Jorge Villa, MILPA
Robin
Eleonor Elliot
Maria Chavez, BHC (JAV Solutions)
Mike Bassetti
John Silva
Unidentified audience member (JAV Solutions)
Jose
Yolanda Hayes
Chris Barrera, LULAC
Jesus Morales
Jacob Sandoval, Protect Salinas Renters
Nidia Soto, BHC (JAV Solutions)
Lauren Walters
Cary Swensen
Wes White, Monterey County Homeless Union
Juanita Aguilar (JAV Solutions)
Francisco Rodriguez, Monterey County Central Labor Council Sally Pineda
Unidentified audience member
Matt Huerta
Jaime Gonzalez
Joel Hernandez, Center for Community Advocacy
Eric Petersen
Jesus Estrada (JAV Solutions)
Orlando Osornio
Peter Sheets
Diego Diaz, MILPA
Rose Clark
Luis Xago Juarez, BHC
Unidentified audience member (JAV Solutions)
Maria Herrera
Eloise Shimm
Karla Lobo
Diana (JAV Solutions)
August 26, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Alma Loredo, BHC, District 2 (JAV Solutions)
Liz Camacho
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution accepting the Certificate of Signature Verification related to the Referendum Against Ordinance No. 2687 repealing four rent-related ordinances (Ordinance No. 2663, Ordinance No. 2681, Ordinance No. 2682, and Ordinance No. 2683) 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 23324
ID#25-362 Future Funding for The Chinatown Navigation Center Received report from Homeless Services Manager Kayshla Lopez regarding the City operated Chinatown Navigation Center (CNC), a temporary shelter serving unhoused individuals. She reported that the CNC has been primarily funded through one-time grant funds which are projected to be fully expended by November 30, 2025. Without additional funding, the CNC will close on that date, and current guests will be relocated.
Staff requested the that the City Council consider appropriating $387,000 of additional funding from the Budget Stabilization Contingency, if the Continuum of Care provides an additional $200,000, to sustain operations through March 31, 2026 or closed the center.
Report field with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public in attendance commented on the report:
Eric Petersen
Amy Price, Community Homeless Solutions
Wes White, Monterey County Homeless Union
Luis Xago Juarez, BHC
Jorge Villa, MILPA
Eloise Shimm
Karla Lobo
Martha
Upon motion by Mayor Donohue, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, an appropriation of $387,000 of additional funding from the Budget Stabilization Contingency, if the Continuum of Care provides an additional $200,000, to sustain operations through March 31, 2026 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 -
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#25-304 First Substantial Amendment to HUD FY 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan This item was continued to September 9, 2025.
Enactment No: RES 23327
CONSENT AGENDA
August 26, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#25-373 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, the minutes of June 3, 2025 and August 12, 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#25-255 Axon Fleet Camera Systems and Axon Evidence Licenses Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution authorizing the direct purchase and payment of annual service fees to support 10 additional Axon Fleet camera systems and 20 additional Axon Evidence licenses under the existing Axon Master Services Agreement from September 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026 and increase the compensation by $50,383.81 for a revised not to exceed amount of $2,432,236.57 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 23318
ID#25-322 2025 California International Airshow Permit at the Salinas Municipal Airport Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or their designee to execute an Airport Use Permit for the 2025 California International Airshow, to be conducted by the Monterey County Airshow Association, Inc. at the Salinas Municipal Airport, in accordance with the terms of said permit; waiving the Airport Use Permit fees for the 2025 California International Airshow; and waiving the cost of City Airport staff time associated with the 2025 California International Airshow 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: 23319
ID#25-325 Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Ordinance 2688 adopting by reference the State of California Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map entitled "City of Salinas-Monterey County Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones" 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: ORD 2688
August 26, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#25-343 Award of the Sherwood Recreation Center Building Improvement, CIP 9535 This item was continued to September 9, 2025.
Enactment No: RES Unassigned
ID#25-347 Professional Service Agreement for On-call Pavement Management and Analysis
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement and take additional action necessary to implement the agreement with Pavement Engineering Inc. for On-Call Pavement Management and Analysis from August 26, 2025 to August 25, 2029 in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 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 23320
ID#25-348 Professional Services Agreement between City of Salinas and RRM Design Group
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement between the City of Salinas and RRM Design Group for architectural services related to renovations at the City's fire stations from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $587,716.55 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 23321
ID#25-358 FY 2025-26 Workforce Budget Allocation
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution authorizing the appropriation of $137,100 from General Funds - fund balance for fully benefited position costs of one Recruitment Coordinator and one Public Safety Communications Specialist in the Police Department 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 23322
ID#25-366 Microsoft Office 365 Government G3 License Renewal Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution authorizing the City Manager and Purchasing Agent to
August 26, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial complete the purchase of Microsoft Office 365 Government G3 license third year renewal from Dell, LP from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026, and increase the compensation by $289,476.60 for an updated not to exceed amount of $853,719.72 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 23323
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:26 p.m. with a moment of silence in honor of Michael Mutalipassi, Former Assistant City Attorney for the City of Salinas.