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, March 17, 2026
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember D'Arrigo and Salazar arrived after Roll Call at 4:03 p.m.
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 -
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND PROMOTIONS
Department Directors introduced new employees and promotions for the month of February.
PROCLAMATION
The City Council proclaimed:
American Red Cross Month, March 2026
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment.
PRESENTATION
ID#25-527 Salinas Youth Council Updates and Comments
No action. Received report from the City of Salinas Youth Council regarding matters they are engaged in throughout the community and provided comments
March 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial on the agenda items. Their report highlighted the City’s General Plan, open space, public art and the sidewalk mural project at Alisal High School.
ID#26-113 United Way Monterey County
Received presentation from Katy Castagna, President and CEO.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
CONSIDERATION
ID#26-077 2025 AB 481 Annual Report and Renewal of Ordinance No. 2657 Received report from Commander Danny Warner regarding Assembly Bill 481 (AB 481 or the Bill), codified in Government Code sections 7070 through 7075 which required law enforcement agencies to obtain approval from the applicable governing body, by adopting a military equipment use policy by ordinance, prior to taking certain actions related to the funding, acquisition, or use of “military equipment”. City Council adopted a military equipment use policy by Ordinance on August 23, 2022, requiring annual renewal. As required by AB 481, the Salinas Police Department (SPD) requested the renewal of Ordinance No. 2657 to allow SPD to continue utilizing this necessary equipment. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Eric Petersen
Victor Cervantes
Kyle Cook
Luis Xago Jurez
Marisol Moreno
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution authorizing the renewal of Ordinance No. 2657 pertaining to military equipment funding, acquisition, and use 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 2026-027
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#26-081 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report and Visión Salinas 2040 Update Received report from Planning Manager Grant Leonard regarding a status report of the General Plan and implementation progress as required by the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD). The annual report covered Salinas General Plan implementation activities during the 2025 calendar year. Accomplishment highlights include the completion of the seven-acre Ensen Community Park at Carr Lake, the construction of a
March 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial new Hebbron Family Resource Center, and the continued processing of tentative map applications for new neighborhoods in the Future Growth Area, and the release of a Public Review Draft of the 2040 General Plan. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution accepting the 2025 General Plan Annual Progress Report and authorizing its submittal to the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation 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 2026-028
ID#26-089 2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Received report from Assistant Community Development Director Orlando Reyes regarding the Housing Element implementation of its goals and policies as required by the California Department of Housing and Community Development. This report covers the second year of the new City of Salinas 2023-2031 HE and focuses on calendar year 2025 with highlights and accomplishments related to housing production and program implementation. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Mary Ann Worden
Jose Guerra
Adam Pinterits
Marisol Moreno
Upon motion by Councilmember D'Arrigo, seconded by Councilmember Barajas, Resolution accepting the City of Salinas 2025 Housing Element (HE) Annual Progress Report (APR) and authorizing its submittal to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor's Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) as required by Government Code Section 65400(b) 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 2026-029
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#26-114 Minutes
Approve minutes of February 24, 2026.
ID#26-031 Acceptance of FAA Grant Funds and Rejection of Bids for the Salinas
March 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Municipal Airport Taxilane Rehabilitation Project - Phase 1, CIP 9354 Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Resolution accepting $880,610 of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant funds; and increasing the revenue appropriation to Intergovernmental Other Federal Grants by $880,610; increasing the expenditure appropriation by $880,610 of FAA grant funds for the Southside Taxilane Rehabilitation Project (CIP 9354); and rejecting all bids received for the Salinas Airport Taxilane Rehabilitation Project - Phase 1, CIP 9354 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 2026-030
ID#26-071 Award of Family Homeless Challenge Grant Funds to the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey for Acquisition of Permanent Supportive Housing Properties
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Resolution awarding $1,450,000 in State of California Housing and Community Development (HCD) Family Homelessness Challenge (FHC) Round 2 grant funds to the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey (HACM) to acquire up to two (2) single family homes to serve families experiencing homelessness within the City of Salinas; and authorizing the City Manager to increase the award by up to an additional 25% should additional FHC funds become available; and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Subrecipient Agreement with HACM and all documents, including amendments, necessary to implement the project consistent with FHC program requirements 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 2026-031
ID#26-088 Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Municipal Resource Group, LLC For Supervisor and Leadership Training Program Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Professional Services with Municipal Resource Group, LLC to increase the amount by $59,850 for a new not to exceed amount of $284,850 over the term of three years 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 2026-032
March 17, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#26-102 Modifications to Biological Resource Mitigation Measures for Central Area Specific Plan (CASP Mitigation Measures 3.2-1 through 3.2-8) Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Resolution amending the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the Central Area Specific Plan (CASP) to make modifications to mitigation measures for potential impacts to certain biological resources 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 2026-033
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Received brief report from City Manager Mendez providing and update regarding the Citybot Survey, Infrastructure Summit, progress on the streetlight repairs throughout the city.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.