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 24, 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 -
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 highlighting matters of interest and commented on specific agenda items.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
CONSIDERATION
ID#26-112 District 5 Recreation Center Feasibility Study and Initial Site Plan Design Received report from Library and Community Services Director Kristan Lundquist and Jason xxx, ABA Studios summarizing District 5 Recreation Center Feasibility Study and initial site plan. On May 10, 2022, the City Council approved an $8.1 million reserve to build a Recreation Center in City Council District 5. On March 11, 2025, the City Council appropriated those funds to CIP 9342 to initiate a feasibility study for the proposed
March 24, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial project at Northgate Neighborhood Park. Staff, in collaboration with ABA Studios, have completed the District 5 Recreation Center Feasibility Study and initial Site Plan Design.
The study included extensive community engagement, site analysis, conceptual planning, and cost estimates for the recreation center and associated park improvements. Staff requested that the City Council consider the acceptance of the District 5 Recreation Center Feasibility Study and initial Site Plan Design for Northgate Neighborhood Park, allowing the project to proceed into environmental review and subsequent design development phases. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
David Maisonneuve
Rosa Espinoza
Eric Petersen
Jesus Verduzco
Joey Alvarado
Maria Chavez
Marina Zarate
Sophia Alvarado
Adriana Garcia
Yolanda Hayes
Surely Owning
Kevin Moore
Peter Szalai
Rosanne Rosser
Luis Xago Juarez, Building Healthy Communities
Jasmine
Jacob Sandoval
Iveth Hernandez
Cary Swensen
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, Resolution accepting the District 5 Recreation Center Feasibility Study and initial Site Plan Design for CIP 9342 at Northgate Neighborhood Park 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 2026-034
ID#26-121 Measure G Extension and Ballot Measure Polling Results Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Salazar, direction requesting staff to prepare a resolution calling an election to ask the voters of the City of Salinas to approve an extension of an existing one-cent general transactions and use tax (Measure G) and authorizing the Monterey County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the election with the established general election to be held on November 3, 2026 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 -
March 24, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#26-120 Fiscal Year 2025-26 Mid-Year Budget Review & Supplemental Appropriation Requests
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution receiving the FY 2025-26 Mid-Year budget performance review and authorizing budget adjustments as recommended in the budget performance review 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 2026-035
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#26-108 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, the minutes of March 17, 2026 were 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 -
ID#26-114 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, the minutes of February 24, 2026 were 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 -
ID#26-016 Treasurer’s Report - Quarter Ended December 31, 2025 Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, the Treasurer's Report for FY 2025-26 second quarter ended December 31, 2025 was received and accepted. 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 -
ID#26-075 Public Works Quality Assurance Program (QAP)
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution approving the City of Salinas Public Works Quality Assurance Program (QAP) and authorizing the Public Works Director, or designee, to update the QAP as required to maintain compliance with state and federal regulations was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
March 24, 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 2026-036
ID#26-076 Annual Public Art Plan Fiscal Year 2026-2027
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution adopting the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Public Art Plan including the appropriation of $60,000 from the Municipal Art Fund with subsequent appropriation of $206,000 during the budget development process to support the projects identified in the 2026-2027 Public Art Plan 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 2026-037
ID#26-106 Hitchcock Road Animal Services Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement Amendment No. 1
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution authorizing the Mayor to execute an Amendment (Amendment No. 1) to the Hitchcock Road Animal Services (HRAS)' Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA Agreement) to clarify the JPA's insurance coverage obligations and satisfy potential carrier requirements 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 2026-038
ID#26-111 Application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for the Prohousing Incentive Program Round 4 Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution authorizing the submission of a Prohousing Incentive Program (PIP) Round 4 application to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in the amount of $1,250,000; and if awarded the City Manager to accept PIP Round 4 funds for the rehabilitation of the El Rey Motel, Mortgage Down Payment Assistance Program or any other activities eligible under the PIP Round 4 program guidelines and undertake all actions and execute all documents necessary to implement such activities consistent with HCD requirements 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 2026-039
March 24, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#26-118 Monterey One Water Agreement for Pretreatment and Water Quality Monitoring Services and Operation and Maintenance
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to execute an agreement with Monterey One Water for pretreatment and water quality monitoring services operation and maintenance in an amount not to exceed $380,000 annually from April 1, 2026 through December 31, 2031 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 2026-040
ID#26-123 Salinas Valley Tourism & Visitors Bureau Lease and Operating Agreements Upon motion by Mayor Donohue, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a Lease Agreement between the City of Salinas and the Salinas Valley Tourism & Visitors Bureau for the City-owned property located at 1A Station place; and an Operating Agreement between the City of Salinas and the Salinas Valley Tourism & Visitors Bureau for the operations of the California Welcome Center; and directed the City Manager to include an audit of the Tourism Improvement District (TID) within the course of a two year period 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 2026-041
ID#25-622 Monterey St. Parking Garage Management Agreement with LAZ Parking California, LLC
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Mayor Donohue, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a services agreement with LAZ Parking California, LLC for the management of the Monterey Street Parking Garage in an annual amount not to exceed $390,472, for a total not to exceed amount of $1,171,416, through January 1, 2029, with an option to extend the term for two (2) additional one-year periods 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 2026-042
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Received report from City Manager Mendez highlighting the City's Supervisory Leadership Academy with approximately 110 employees participating in the sessions.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
March 24, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:46 p.m.