Minutes — Salinas City Council, February 24, 2026

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 24, 2026

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL
Councilmembers D'Arrigo and Salazar arrived after Roll Call at 4:30 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 -

CLOSED SESSION
Closed session was canceled. City Council recessed for a break.

ID#26-064 a. Labor Negotiations - California Government Code Section §54957.6 with its designated labor representatives Rene Mendez, City Manager; Lisa G. Murphy, Assistant 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.

THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED IN THE ROTUNDA AT 4:30 P.M.

PROCLAMATION

Page 1 ends

February 24, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial The City Council proclaimed:

National Engineers Week, February 22-28, 2026

CITY OF CHAMPIONS
Councilmember De La Rosa recognized the following community member as City of Champion.

Muriel Emery, District 4

GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment.

PRESENTATION
ID#25-527 Salinas Youth Council Updates and Comments
Received a presentation from the Salinas Youth Council regarding youth priority issues and specific items of interest.

No action required. The City of Salinas Youth Council will provide an administrative update to the City Council.

ID#26-063 Hartnell College Foundation - Salinas Valley Promise Received presentation from Dr. Jackie Cruz, Hartnell College Foundation regarding the Salinas Valley Promise. Presentation filed with the City Clerk as the official record.

CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.

CONSIDERATION
ID#26-038 2026 Legislative Platform
Received report from Lisa Murphy and John Arriaga, JEA & Associates highlighting the Legislative Platform which establishes the principles guiding the City’s policy and legislative advocacy efforts at the regional, state, and federal level. The Platform focuses on the key areas that enable the City of Salinas to deliver projects and programs to meet the needs of the community. Adopted annually, the City’s Platform serves as a reference to guide the development of positions on legislative proposals and provides guidance for the City Council and staff throughout the year. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.

The following members of the public commented on the report:

Eric Petersen
Jose Guerra
Marisol Moreno
MOTION
Councilmember Barrera made a motion to adopt the Platform, thereby authorizing the

Page 2 ends

February 24, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial City’s participation in state and federal advocacy efforts that are aligned with municipal interests; and through the adopted Platform, the City will evaluate and take formal positions on specific bills, budget proposals, and regulatory matters. Motion was amended to include comments from Councilmembers with respect to the additions and deletions requested. Motion was second by Councilmember Barajas.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION
Councilmember Sandoval made a substitute motion to table the item until staff can present a draft document that includes Councilmembers' additions and deletions. Motion failed due to lack of second.

Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Minute Order authorizing the City’s participation in state and federal advocacy efforts that are aligned with municipal interests; and through the adopted Platform, the City will evaluate and take formal positions on specific bills, budget proposals, and regulatory matters. Motion was amended to include comments from Councilmembers with respect to the additions and deletions requested 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 -

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#26-034 Update On Predevelopment Activities for 34, 36, 38, 40, 37-39, and 45 Soledad Street in Chinatown
Received report from Planning Manager Grant Leonard and TEF Architecture and Interior Design Inc. highlighting the site plans and architectural renderings for mixed use affordable housing developments to be located on City-owned property at 34, 36, 38, and 40, 37-39, and 45 Soledad Street. Report filed with the City Clerk's Office as the official record.

The following members of the public commented on the report:

Jose Guerra
Eric Petersen
Larry Hirahara
Eloise Shim
Receive update on predevelopment activities for 34, 36, 38, 40, 37-39, and 45 Soledad Street in Chinatown. No action required.

ID#26-054 Rental Registration and Rent Stabilization 2025 Final Program Data and 2026 Implementation Activities
Received report from Assistant Community Development Director Orlando Reyes regarding an administrative report highlighting the final 2025 Program data, including excess fee revenue reimbursement methodology, process, and timing.The report also outlined the next steps for 2026 Program administration, including expanding community outreach with community partners, property owners and managers, and tenants to increase participation and system improvements to streamline registration with the community’s feedback. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.

No action. Received administrative report on Rental Registration and Rent

Page 3 ends

February 24, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Stabilization Program (Program) 2025 final Program data and 2026 Program implementation strategy.

ID#26-050 2025 Permit Center Annual Report
Received report from Community Development Director Lisa Brinton and Chief Building Official Angeline Anzini regarding 2025 Annual Report covers the past calendar year. The report outlined the 2025 Permit Center Annual Report Dashboard, 2025 Permit Center key actions taken, 2025 Finance Committee presentation and the 2026 Draft Values in Action Plan. Additionally, staff presented performance measure data, summarized the actions taken to address the barriers presented regarding the Future Growth Area and permit processing, and introduced a Draft Values in Action Plan. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.

The following members of the public commented on the report:

Peter Szalai
Jose Guerra
No action. Receive the 2025 Permit Center Annual Report.

CONSENT AGENDA
ID#26-001 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, the minutes of January 13, 2026 were approved. The motion carried by the following vote: