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, December 2, 2025
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Jose Barajas
Councilmember Tony Barrera
Councilmember Margaret D'Arrigo
Councilmember Aurelio Salazar
Councilmember Jose Andrew Sandoval
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Present: 6 -
Councilmember Gloria De La RosaAbsent: 1 -
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 4:01 p.m. pursuant to the following closed session matters.
December 2, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#25-561 a. Labor Negotiations - California Government Code Section §54957.6 with its designated labor representatives Rene Mendez, City Manager; Christopher A.
Callihan, City Attorney; Katherine Hogan, Assistant City Attorney; Selina Andrews, Finance Director; Marina Horta-Gallegos, Human Resources Director; Sylvia Enriquez, Human Resources Manager; and Che Johnson, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, regarding labor relations with Service Employees International Union (SEIU), SEIU Supervisors, Salinas Municipal Employees Association/SEIU, Association of Management Personnel, Police Officers Association, Police Management Association, International Association of Firefighters, Fire Supervisors Association, Confidential Non-Management Employees, Confidential Management Employees, and Department Directors.
b. Public Employee Performance Evaluation - California Government Code section 54957(b)(1), City Manager.
c. Existing Litigation - California Government Code Section 54956.9, conference with legal counsel regarding, Anthony Parker vs. City of Salinas, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Case Number(s): ADJ13250786, ADJ19245337, and ADJ12630844.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED THE ROTUNDA AT 5:09 P.M.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Mayor Donohue announced the City Council will resume closed session following adjournment of open session to continue deliberation of closed session matters. No additional report disclosed related to closed session matters.
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Department Directors welcomed and introduced new staff for the month of November.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received general public comment from members of the public in attendance and on Zoom.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
PRESENTATION
ID#25-522 Salinas Youth Council Updates and Comments
Received report from Youth Councilmember Marisol Mederos.
No action. The City of Salinas Youth will provided an administrative update to the
December 2, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial City Council and Youth Council perspective on agendized items.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#25-491 Zoning Code Update: Draft Public Engagement Plan Received report from Senior Planner Jonathan Moore regarding the City's multi-phase comprehensive Zoning Code Update. He reported Community engagement will be a critical component of this project. City staff and the consultant team (Placeworks) drafted a Public Engagement Plan (Plan) and Plan Overview matrix, provided as attachments 1 and 2 outlining the roles and responsibilities of the City Council, Planning Commission, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), stakeholders, the public, and the tools and frequency of engagement for each body and group. The tools used for gathering input vary and include community workshops and meetings, study sessions with the City Council and Planning Commission, individual and group meetings with stakeholders and the TAC, and surveys and pop-ups. Participation from a diverse group of community stakeholders, including the public, residential and commercial property owners, business owners and business organizations, real estate, building trade and construction professionals and associations, architects and designers, developers, and community-based organizations is a priority. Next steps in early 2026 include forming a Technical Advisory Committee and conducting a kick-off community workshop. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The City Council recommended augmenting the public engagement and participation, by inclusion of sectors of the community that are underrepresented, seniors, neighborhood organizations, educational systems, community organizations, and business and agricultural community. Additionally, they recommended staff ensure the engagement workshops allow for participation by the def and blind and persons of all abilities.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Peter Kasavan, SPARC
Eloise Shim
Jose Guerra
Marisol Moreno
No action required. Received an administrative report on the Draft Public Engagement Plan for the Zoning Code Update and provided feedback and direction to staff.
ID#25-318 Report on Residential Rental Registration and Rent Stabilization Program Received report from Community Development Director Lisa Brinton regarding an update on the Residential Rental Registration and Rent Stabilization Program (Program) for calendar year 2025 including a summary of current and projected revenues and expenditures and fund balance. A methodology for refunding the Program remaining balance was outlined, and ongoing stakeholder engagement activities were highlighted.
Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
John Silva
Eloise Shim
Unidentified audience member
Frank Saunders
Nelson Vega
Luis Xago Juarez, Building Healthy Communities
December 2, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Jose Guerra
Unidentified audience member
Karla Lobo
Marisol Moreno
Cesar
Adam Pinterits, Monterey County Association of Realtors No action required. Receive an administrative report on the Residential Rental Registration and Rent Stabilization Program.
CONSIDERATION
ID#25-451 Establishment of a Pilot Rental Assistance Program Received report from Homeless Services Manager Kayshal Lopez regarding the proposed Pilot Rental Assistance Program (RAP) to prevent eviction and promote housing stability.
RAP will provide direct financial assistance along with coordinated referrals for tenant-landlord support and legal and financial counseling services through community partners to City of Salinas residents at risk of eviction. For Fiscal Year 2025-26 the RAP has a total budget allocation of $1,000,000, this includes $500,000 of General Fund dollars appropriated in the FY 2025-26 Operational Budget and $500,000 from the Family Homeless Challenge (FHC) grant. In addition, as part of the action, the City Council considered entering into an agreement with Monterey County Office Education (MCOE) to provide rental assistance for families with school age children enrolled in school that are at risk of homelessness for an amount not to exceed $250,000. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Cary Swensen
Unidentified audience member
Eloise Shim
Luis Xago Juarez
Unidentified audience member
Jose Guerra
Adam Pinterits
Karla Lobo
Joel Laguna Hernandez, Center for Community Advocacy
Marisol Moreno
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution establishing the Pilot Rental Assistance Program (RAP); and appropriating $750,000 of Family Homeless Challenge (FHC) Grant funds for rental assistance; and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate and execute a subrecipient agreement with Monterey County Office Education (MCOE) to provide rental assistance for families with school age children enrolled in school at risk of homelessness for an amount not to exceed $250,000 of the $750,000 FHG grant funds; and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to promulgate RAP Program Guidelines, and negotiate and execute all applicable forms, agreements, and subsequent amendments as needed to implement the RAP was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember De La Rosa1 -
December 2, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
Enactment No: RES 23364
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#25-543 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, the minutes of November 18, 2025 were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember De La Rosa1 -
ID#25-519 Fifth and Sixth Renewal with Avolve Software, Inc. for ProjectDox ePLAN Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute fifth and sixth renewals with Avolve Software, Inc. for the ProjectDox ePlan software subscription and increase the amount by $162,101 for a total not to exceed $569,468 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember De La Rosa1 -
Enactment No: RES 23365
ID#25-532 Land Disposition and Development Agreement Between the City of Salinas and Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc., Related to the City-Owned Parking Lots Located at Lincoln Avenue and West Gabilan Street (Parking Lot 8 and Parking Lot 12)
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Ordinance adopting an Ordinance approving a Land Disposition and Development Agreement between the City of Salinas and Taylor Fresh Foods, Inc., related to the City-owned parking lots located at Lincoln Avenue and West Gabilan Street (Parking Lot 8 APN 002-244-098-000 and Parking Lot 12 APNs 022-245-002-000, 022-245-003-000, 022-245-004-000, 022-245-005-000, 022-245-006-000, 022-245-007-000, and 022-245-008-000). Exempt from further environmental analysis pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Sections 15060(c), 15061(b)(3), and/or 15378.was adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember Salazar and Mayor Donohue
5 -
Noes: Councilmember Sandoval1 -
Absent: Councilmember De La Rosa1 -
Enactment No: ORD 2692
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
December 2, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Councilmember Sandoval announced he attended the Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights and commended all sectors of the community that participated. He announced the Salinas Leadership Academy is hosting a homeless resource fair at the sports complex.
Councilmember Barrera announced upcoming events being held throughout the community including Christmas at Closer Park the week of December 13 and 14, and other events hosted by Compass Church.
Councilmember Barajas announced December 1, 2025, was World Aids Day, a day to remember, to grieve, to honor all that have lost their lives to aids globally. He added that the LGBTQ community is not alone, and that he chooses to speak, remember and to honor the LGBTQ community and stands by all with dignity and justice.
Councilmember Salazar invited the community to attend the Northridge Mall Night Market throughout the month of December, the Holiday Home Lighting Competition, and Candy Cane Lane in the Creekbridge Neighborhood. He announced he attended the Salinas Tree Lighting and the Holiday Parade of Lights and commended all who participated in the event. He reported that the attended the Hartnell Community College Basic Needs meeting. In closing, he announce the County of Monterey will host its last listening session for the proposed mental health service center.
Councilmember D'Arrigo reported that she attended the Salinas Tree Lighting and the Parade of Lights and commended the committee members and the community for making it a successful event. She also reported that she attended an event to highlight autism awareness and services offered in the community.
Mayor Donohue commended the various organizations in the community who helped celebrate and distribute thanksgiving meals to those in need throughout the community.
Mayor Donohue held a moment of silence in the honor of Helen Rucker.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council recessed to closed session at 9:26 p.m. and adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m.