200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas,
CA 93901
www.cityofsalinas.org
City of Salinas
Meeting Minutes - Final
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, May 5, 2026
TELECONFERENCE NOTICE
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Tony Barrera
Councilmember Margaret D'Arrigo
Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa
Councilmember Aurelio Salazar
Councilmember Jose Andrew Sandoval
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Present: 6 -
Councilmember Jose BarajasAbsent: 1 -
CONSIDERATION
ID#26-191 Consider approving an extended leave of absence for Council member Barajas pursuant to Charter Section 6.2.
Upon motion by Councilmember De La Rosa, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, motion to excuse Councilmember Jose Luis Barajas’ absences from April 7, 2026, April 21, 2026, and May 5, 2026 absences; and request to approve an extended leave of absence through June 30, 2026 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar and Mayor Donohue
5 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Abstain: Councilmember Sandoval1 -
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 4:22 p.m. pursuant to:
May 5, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
ID#26-190 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 4:40 P.M.
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND PROMOTIONS
Department Directors introduced new staff and announced promotions for the month of April.
PROCLAMATION
The City Council proclaimed:
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 2026 National Military Appreciation Month, May 2026
Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment from members of the public in attendance and on Zoom.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#26-159 Annual Position Vacancy Update and Recruitment and Retention Efforts Received report from Senior Human Resources Analyst Maria Avila and Human Resources Analyst I, Darlenne Birrueta, regarding AB 2561 which requires public agencies to present the status of vacancies and recruitment and retention efforts during a public hearing once per fiscal year. The staff report along with the public presentation discusses the City’s legal obligations under the new law, which took effect January 1, 2025. The City’s recognized employee organizations were provided with an opportunity to make a presentation on such subjects as consistent with the new law. Report filed with the CIty Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
May 5, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
Daniel Munoz
No action. Received the presentation for informational purposes only during the public hearing at which time the City will report on workforce vacancies, recruitment and retention efforts consistent with Assembly Bill (AB) 2561 (Government Code Section 3502.3).
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#26-163 Salinas Fire Department Annual Report 2025
Received report from Fire Chief Sam Klemek regarding the Salinas Fire Department (SFD) 2025 Annual Report which provides an overview of department operations, performance metrics, and key accomplishments over the past year. In 2025, SFD responded to more than 17,800 emergency incidents while continuing to invest in training, staffing, and community engagement. The report also highlights ongoing challenges including staffing shortages, increased service demand, and response time pressures.
Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
No action is required. This report presents information to the City Council regarding the Salinas Fire Department 2025 Annual Report.
MEETING CONTINUANCE AND ADJOURNMENT
Due to a scheduled Joint Salinas City Council and Salinas City Elementary School District Board of Trustee Special Meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m., the City Council motioned to adjourn and continue the remaining items to May 12, 2026.
MOTION
Upon motion by Councilmember De la Rosa, second by Councilmember D'Arrigo, the City Council adjourned the May 5, 2026 City Council meeting and continued the remaining scheduled agenda items to the May 12, 2026 Salinas City Council meeting. Motion passed by the following votes:
AYES: Councilmember: Barrera, De La Rosa, D'Arrigo, Salazar and Mayor Donohue NOES: Councilmember Sandoval
ABSENT: Councilmember Barajas
ABSTAIN: None
CONSENT AGENDA - Continued to May 12, 2026.
ID#26-189 Minutes
Approve minutes of April 7, 2026 and April 21, 2026.
ID#26-124 Acceptance of the 2025 Pavement Improvements Project, CIP No. 9981 Approve a Resolution accepting the 2025 Pavement Improvements Project, CIP No. 9981, for maintenance and responsibility.
ID#26-168 Declaration and Disposal of Chinatown Navigation Center Surplus Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
May 5, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Final
Approve a Resolution declaring furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) from the Chinatown Navigation Center (CNC), as identified in Exhibit A to the Resolution, as surplus; authorizing the disposition of such property to Community Homeless Solutions at no cost without public auction or advertisement for bids; and authorizing the disposal of any remaining FF&E not transferred.
ID#26-178 Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement for Professional Services BFS Landscape Architects (BFS)
Approve a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 with BFS Landscape Architects for additional design, program and construction management for Closter Park and El Gabilan Tot Lot to increase the total compensation amount by $110,900 for a maximum compensation amount not to exceed $1,939,489; and authorizing the reappropriation of up to $71,000 from Playground Improvements at Parks CIP 9060 to CIP 9350 to cover the additional costs associated with Closter Park
ID#26-177 Peregrine Technologies Software Subscriptions Approve a Resolution authorizing the Purchasing Agent to complete the purchase of the remaining software subscription renewals under the existing Agreement with Peregrine Technologies, for an additional amount of $300,000, for a total Agreement cost not to exceed $750,000.
ID#26-186 Reallocation and appropriation of Home-ARP, National Opioid Settlement, and General Funds for Salinas Outreach and Response Team, Fairview Homekey Project, and Chinatown Navigation Operations
Approve a Resolution authorizing the reallocation and appropriation of $1,190,337 of HOME-American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) from the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey for the Fairview HomeKey Project, to support Salinas Outreach and Response Team (SORT) supportive services; and the reallocation of $1,190,337 of National Opioid Settlement Funds to the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey for the Fairview Homekey Project operations; and to increase an appropriation of $279,306 in revenue and $1,098,303 in expenses of National Opioid Settlement Funds to the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey; and the reallocation and appropriation of $200,000 of General Fund dollars from Downtown Streets Team in Division 3181 to extend operations of the Chinatown Navigation Center (CNC) operations; and the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 with Community Homeless Solutions to operate the CNC through May 30, 2026, and increase the total compensation by an additional $200,000 for an amount not to exceed $3,288,278.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - Continued to May 12, 2026.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Continued to May 12, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT - 6:00 P.M.
Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.