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, January 27, 2026
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 -
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
The City Council recognized Aldo Barron as a City of Champion for District 1.
Aldo Barron
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#25-525 Salinas Youth Council Updates and Comments
No action required. The City of Salinas Youth Council provided an administrative update to the City Council.
ID#26-007 Artificial Intelligence Technology Update
January 27, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Received report from Information Systems Manager Carlos Ortega highlighting the City's commitment to responsible AI policy adoption, mitigating data quality and security risks in compliance with ethical, social, legal, and regulatory standards to support operational efficiencies and improve public service delivery to constituents. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Cary Swensen
Marisol Moreno
No action. Received an Administrative Report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#25-598 Conditional Use Permit 2025-023; appeal of Planning Commission denial of a request to establish and operate an off-sale alcohol related use (Type 21 ABC License) at a proposed convenience store located at the Laurel West Shopping Center at 1018 North Davis Road in the Commercial Retail (CR) Zoning District.
Received report from Planning Manager Courtney Grossman regarding Planning Commission’s denial of Conditional Use Permit 2025-023, denying a request to establish and operate an off-sale alcohol related use (Type 21 ABC License) at a proposed convenience store located at the Laurel West Shopping Center at 1018 North Davis Road in the Commercial Retail (CR) Zoning District. He reported that the Applicant (Simon Maida) submitted a Conditional Use Permit application requesting approval to establish and operate an off-sale alcohol related use (Type 21 Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) license – Off-sale beer, wine, and distilled spirits) at a proposed 2,618 square-foot convenience store located in the Laurel West Shopping Center at 1018 North Davis Road. On November 19, 2025. The Planning Commission considered the request and denied the Conditional Use Permit based on findings contained in the Planning Commission Resolution 2025-11. The Planning Commission determined that it could not establish a finding of Public Convenience or Necessity which is required to approve an alcohol related use in a census tract that is already undue concentrated for the number of off-sale alcohol licenses. The Planning Commission’s findings for denial included proximity to a similar off-sale alcohol related use, proximity to a school, and potential for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) related accidents. On December 1, 2025, the Applicant appealed the Planning Commission decision to deny the Conditional Use Permit.
Conditional Use Permit 2025-023 was originally scheduled for City Council consideration on January 13, 2026, but was continued until January 27, 2026. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Marisol Moreno
Liligor Damaso
Tom
Uphold the Planning Commission's denial of Conditional Use Permit 2025-023, denying a request to establish and operate an off-sale alcohol related use (Type 21 ABC License) at a proposed convenience store located at the Laurel West Shopping Center at 1018 North Davis Road in the Commercial Retail (CR) Zoning District.
January 27, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue
7 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-008
ID#25-607 Establishment of a Zone of Benefit in the Central Area of the North of Boronda Future Growth Area - CONTINUED INDEFINITELY
Continued to February 3, 2026.
CONSIDERATION
ID#25-553 Harden Parkway Path and Safe Routes to Schools Received report from City Engineer Adriana Robles regarding the Harden Parkway Path and Safe Routes to School Project. She reported that on December 6, 2022, City Council adopted the Salinas Safe Routes to Schools Plan as a key strategic planning document.
At its May 16, 2023, meeting, City Council accepted $8 million in Active Transportation Program (ATP) grant funds for the Harden Parkway Path and Safe Routes to School Project (“Project”). The proposed improvements include a road diet, roundabout at the Harden Parkway/McKinnon St. intersection and bike and pedestrian improvements along McKinnon St and Westminster Dr. Improvements are proposed within the existing right of way and are minor based on the preliminary environmental study (PES). It was requested that Council consider approval the proposed Harden Parkway Path and Safe Routes to School Project and find the Project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1(c) for minor alterations to existing roadway facilities. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Sharon Fields
Joey Alvarado
Unidentified audience member
Eric Petersen
A motion to approve a Resolution approving the Harden Parkway Path and Safe Routes to School Project and finding the Project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1(c).
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue
7 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-009
ID#26-009 Establishment of a First Time Home Buyer Mortgage Down Payment Assistance Program
Received report from Assistant Community Development Director Orlando Reyes-Rodas regarding the City's proposing a First-Time Home Buyer Mortgage Down Payment Assistance Program (MDPAP) to expand housing affordability and promote long-term housing stability in alignment with the 2023–2031 Housing Element. Using approximately $1.034 million in available Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds, the program will provide income eligible first-time homebuyers earning up to 150% of Area
January 27, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Median Income with down payment assistance through deferred payment loans of up to $125,000. The program will be administered by the Community Development Department in partnership with lenders and community organizations, with implementation anticipated in Fiscal Year 2026–27. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Salvador Tavares
Unidentified audience member
Eric Petersen
Maria Chavez
Nidia Soto, Building Healthy Communities
Adriana Garcia
Jose Guerra
Marisol Moreno
Adam Pinterits
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution establishing the First Time Home Buyer, Mortgage Down Payment Assistance Program (MDPAP); and increasing the estimated Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) grant revenue from allocation years 2021 and 2022 by $1,034,137; and authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to promulgate the MDPAP guidelines, and negotiate and execute all applicable forms, conditional commitment letters, agreements, and subsequent amendments as needed to implement the MDPAP Program 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 2026-010
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#26-001 Minutes
Tabled the minutes of January 13, 2026.
ID#25-620 Amendment No. 2 to Professional Services Agreement with True North Compliance Services, Inc.
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution approving the Harden Parkway Path and Safe Routes to School Project and finding the Project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1(c) 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 2026-011
ID#25-609 Fire Station Alerting Systems Purchase and CIP Funds Transfer Request Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas,
January 27, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Resolution 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 2026-012
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Received brief oral report from the City Manager.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.