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, April 7, 2026
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Salazar arrived after Roll Call at 4:04 p.m.
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 -
CLOSED SESSION
Closed session was canceled. The City Council recessed for a break at 4:08 p.m.
ID#26-153 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.
April 7, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND PROMOTIONS
Department Directors introduced new staff and announce promotions for the month of March.
PROCLAMATIONS
The City Council proclaimed:
National Community Development Week April 6-10, 2026
National Library Week, April 19-25, 2026
Fair Housing Month, April 2026
Sexual Assault Awareness Month, April 2026
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment from members of the public in attendance and on Zoom.
SALINAS YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES AND COMMENTS
Received presentation from Marisol Mederos highlighting the Alisal High School Sidewalk Art Winners and place winners. The Youth Council thanked and introduced Artist Ink for their support and collaboration in leaving a legacy that the Youth Council and youth can leave behind.
PRESENTATION
ID#26-152 STRYVE Youth Violence Prevention Program
Received a presentation from Julia Muruato, Health Program Coordinator and CPTED Youth. Presentation filed with the City Clerk's Office as the official record.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#26-079 Salinas Fire and Police 2026 Fireworks Enforcement Plan Received report from Division Chief/Fire Marshal Chris Knapp regarding the voter approved initiative measure that allows for the sale and use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks within the city. A component of the measure requires the Salinas Fire Department and the Salinas Police Department to present a plan outlining public education and enforcement efforts to address illegal fireworks use during the Fourth of July holiday. The plan is multifaceted and includes education, enforcement, and response elements.
Report and plan filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Eric Petersen
Peter Szalai
No action. This report was submitted to the City Council for informational
April 7, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
purposes only, in accordance with Salinas Municipal Code Section 5-02.22.
CONSENT AGENDA
The following members of the public commented on the Consent Agenda items:
Jose Guerra
Ignacio Fregoso
Marina Zarate
Luis Xago Juarez
Jesus Verduzco
Nidia Soto
Eleanor Elliot
Eloise Shimm
ID#26-151 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Salazar, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, minutes of March 245, 2026 were approved. The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
ID#26-125 Award of the El Gabilan Park Improvement Project No. 9246 Upon motion by Councilmember Salazar, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution approving the Plans and Specifications for the El Gabilan Park Improvements Project (CIP 9246); and awarding a contract to Stockbridge General Contracting Inc. for the El Gabilan Park Improvements Project (CIP 9246), in an amount not to exceed $773,740; and approving a construction contingency of $116,061 for a total contract not to exceed total of $889,801 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-043
ID#26-127 2026 Engineering and Traffic Survey for Speed Limits Upon motion by Councilmember Salazar, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution establishing speed limits as recommended by the 2026 Engineering and Traffic Survey for Speed Limits Technical Report was approved.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-044
ID#26-131 Delegation of Appellate Authority
April 7, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
Upon motion by Councilmember Salazar, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution delegating authority over appeals of Hearing Officer decisions on Fair Return Petitions filed under the Rent Stabilization Ordinance was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-045
ID#26-133 Amendment No. 3 to Agreement for Services with California Premier Restoration for Emergency Clean-Up and Stabilization of 37 and 39 Soledad Street
Upon motion by Councilmember Salazar, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 to 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 $69,170 for a maximum compensation amount not to exceed $451,320 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-046
ID#26-149 Modification to Classification - Salary Schedule and Reclassification Upon motion by Councilmember Salazar, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution modifying the Classification - Salary Schedule and recommended reclassifications to add the classification of Deputy Director of Information Technology and reclassify the incumbent Information Systems Manager; adjust the salary range for the Assistant Finance Director; add the classifications of Deputy City Attorney I and II; adjust the salary ranges for the Attorney series of classifications; add the classification of Deputy Director of Library and Community Services; reclassify (Title Change) one Public Works Division Manager to Construction Inspection Manager; reclassify (Title Change) Public Works Division Manager to Engineering Division Manager; add the classification of Construction Inspection Manager; and dd the classification of Public Safety Information Officer was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-047
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
The City Manager reported that the City is set to release a draft climate action plan on April 8, 2026. Additionally, he reported that staff is updating trash enclosure wraps in the
April 7, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
Alisal area, new banners will soon be installed along Alisal, and a new mural is scheduled for installation at Closter Park by summer 2026.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.