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 3, 2026
TELECONFERENCE NOTICE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember D'Arrigo joined the meeting after Roll Call at 4:04 p.m.
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 PROMOTIONS
Department Directors introduced new employees and promotions for the month of January 2026.
PROCLAMATION
The City Council proclaimed:
Black History Month, February 2026
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
The City Council recognized The Krew Runners Club as a City of Champions.
The Krew Runners Club
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment.
February 3, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
PRESENTATION
Received presentation from Cindy Burnham, HRSA Animal Services Administrator highlighting the Hitchcock Road Animal Services Strategic Plan for 2025-2028. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
ID#26-029 Hitchcock Road Animal Services Strategic Plan Received presentation from Cindy Burnham, Hitchcock Road Animal Services, highlighting the goals and priorities outlined in the strategic plan. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#25-526 Salinas Youth Council Updates and Comments
Received report from the Salinas Youth Council.
No action required. The City of Salinas Youth Council will provide an administrative update to the City Council.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#25-607 Establishment of a Zone of Benefit in the Central Area of the North of Boronda Future Growth Area - CONTINUED INDEFINITELY
This item was continued indefinitely.
CONSIDERATION
ID#26-025 Approval of 2026 Fire Equipment Lease and Direct Purchase Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, Resolution approving an Equipment Lease/Purchase Agreement and an Escrow and Account Control Agreement and authorizing certain actions in connection therewith relating to the financing of certain equipment for the City; and approve the appropriation of $1,477,678 to the Vehicle Replacement Fund (7121) with a corresponding transfer in from the General Fund for direct purchase of two apparatuses 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 2026-019
ID#26-022 Ordinance amending Articles XIV and XIII of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code
Received report from Assistant City Manager Lisa Murphy regarding Ordinance amending
February 3, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Article XIV of Chapter 16 and Article XIII of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code, and Resolution approving updated Administrative Procedures for the Removal of Unlawful Campsites, Bulky Items, and Personal Belongings.She reported that the amendments establish a coordinated framework to address encampments, and storage of personal property on public and certain private property within the City of Salinas. These actions recognize that individuals experiencing homelessness are members of our community who are facing complex and challenging circumstances. The City has a responsibility to protect public health and safety, preserve access to public facilities, prevent damage to City infrastructure and environmental resources, and ensure that enforcement and removal activities are carried out in a clear, consistent, and legally compliant manner, with dignity and care. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Eric Petersen
John Silva
Salvador
Luis "Xago" Juarez
Wes White
Tim Heavin
Amy Salmina
Jose Guerra
Jason Sarris
Robbie Powelson
Colleen Ingram
Marisol Moreno
Larry Hirahara
Caroline Carol
Louis Montgomery
MOTION
Motion made by Councilmember Councilmember Barajas, second by Councilmember Salazar to adopt an Ordinance amending Article XIV of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code to update regulations prohibiting camping on public property; adopt an Ordinance Amending Article XIII of Chapter 16 of the Salinas Municipal Code related to the storage of personal property on public property; and direct the city staff to coordinate an intergovernmental summit on homelessness. In accordance with the Charter of Salinas, Article 11, Ordinance was introduced and will be presented to the Council at its next meeting for a 2nd reading.
MOTION
Motion made by Councilmember Barajas, second by Councilmember Salazar to approve a Resolution approving updated Administrative Procedures for the Removal of Unlawful Campsites, Bulky Items, and Personal Belongings.
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, Resolution approving updated Administrative Procedures for the Removal of Unlawful Campsites, Bulky Items, and Personal Belongings was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Noes: Councilmember Sandoval1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-013
February 3, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#26-001 Minutes
Tabled minutes of January 13, 2026.
ID#26-028 Minutes
Approve minutes of January 27, 2026.
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember D'Arrigo1 -
ID#26-010 Enterprise Fleet Management Vehicle Leasing
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution rescinding Resolution No. 23328 and authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Master Equity Lease Agreement with Enterprise Fleet Management for the lease of ten (10) vehicles from September 9, 2025, to December 9, 2030, in the amount of $105,600 per year for a total cost of $658,000 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember D'Arrigo1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-014
ID#26-020 Amendment No. 4 to Agreement for Professional Services with TEF Architecture and Interior Design, Inc. for Architectural Services Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 4 to Agreement for Professional Services with TEF Architecture and Interior Design, Inc. for architectural services to expand the scope of services and to increase the total compensation amount by $473,610 for a maximum compensation amount not to exceed $1,314,499 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember D'Arrigo1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-015
ID#26-021 Amendment No. 2 to Agreement for Services with California Premier Restoration for Emergency Clean-Up and Stabilization of 37 and 39 Soledad Street
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to
February 3, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Agreement for Services with California Premier Restoration for emergency clean-up and stabilization of 37 and 39 Soledad Street to increase the total compensation amount by
$135,000 for a maximum compensation amount not to exceed $382,150 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember D'Arrigo1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-016
ID#26-024 Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) Grant Local Match Increase Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution approving an increase of $8,000 to Monterey-Salinas Transit for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant local match commitment for a total of $28,000 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember D'Arrigo1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-017
ID#26-023 Acceptance of Regional Surface Transportation Program Grant and appropriation of additional funds for the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project, Phase 1, CIP 9510
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution accepting $1,721,723.75 of fair share and $1,000,000 of mid-cycle competitive grant funds from the Regional Surface Transportation Program (RSTP); and increasing the expenditure appropriation by $2,721,723.75 of total RSTP funds for the Boronda Road Congestion Relief Project, Phase 1 contingencies, CIP No. 9510 for a total construction contingency of $4,598,263.75 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember D'Arrigo1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-018
ID#25-592 Amendment No. 3 to Services Agreement with Smith & Enright Landscaping, Inc. for City-Wide Landscape Services
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to execute Amendment No.3 to the services agreements with Smith & Enright Landscaping, Inc., for City-Wide Landscape Services to increase the annual amount for unscheduled/extra work to $724,180.00 for fiscal year 2025-2026 and $731,452.00 for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, subject to the appropriation of funds was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
February 3, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember D'Arrigo1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-020
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Received report from City Manager Mendez providing an update to various city projects including the pump station project, General Plan and Zoning Code Update workshop, the Alisal Vibrancy Plan, streetlight replacement.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.