200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas,
CA 93901
www.salinas.gov
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, May 12, 2026
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 -
PROCLAMATION
The City Council proclaimed:
Older Americans Month
National Historic Preservation Month
National Public Works Week
National Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week
National Emergency Medical Services Week
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT - CONTINUED FROM MAY 5, 2026
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
May 12, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
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
Adriana Garcia
Jose Mendoza
Unidentified audience member
No action. Received report regarding the Salinas Fire Department 2025 Annual Report.
CONSENT AGENDA - CONTINUED FROM MAY 5, 2026
The following members of the public commented on the Consent Agenda Items:
Jose Guerra
Jose Mendoza
ID#26-189 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, the minutes of April 7, 2026 and April 21, 2026 were 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 -
ID#26-124 Acceptance of the 2025 Pavement Improvements Project, CIP No. 9981 Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, Resolution accepting the 2025 Pavement Improvements Project, CIP No. 9981,for maintenance and responsibility 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 -
Noes: Councilmember Sandoval1 -
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-057
ID#26-168 Declaration and Disposal of Chinatown Navigation Center Surplus Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, 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 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 -
May 12, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-058
ID#26-177 Peregrine Technologies Software Subscriptions Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, 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 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 2026-059
ID#26-178 Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement for Professional Services BFS Landscape Architects (BFS)
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, 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 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 2026-060
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
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, 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
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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 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 2026-061
The City Council recessed for a break at 5:55 p.m. and reconvened in the Rotunda at 6:05 p.m.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment from members of the public in attendance and on Zoom.
SALINAS YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES AND COMMENTS
This item was canceled. The Youth Council will reconvene in June.
PUBLIC HEARING
ID#26-197 Conduit Financing for the Santa Lucia Townhomes Project Received report from Finance Director Selina Andrews regarding the conduit financing for the Santa Lucia Townhomes Project. She reported that Federal tax law requires a financing authority who is funding a project in a local jurisdiction hold a Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility (TEFRA) hearing. This allows the local community to comment on the use of tax exempt financing to support the project. There is no financial liability to the City and the City is only required to conduct a public hearing under the Tax and Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act (“TEFRA”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 in connection with the proposed issuance of revenue bonds by the CSCDA, in an amount not to exceed $100,000,000 (the “Bonds”). Report filed with the City Clerk's Office as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Adriana Garcia
Nidia Soto
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Barrera, Resolution approving the issuance of bonds by the California Statewide Communities Development Authority (CSCDA) for the benefit of Foothill Santa Lucia, LLC (the "Borrower"), a California nonprofit public benefit corporation and an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), to provide for the financing of the Project (the acquisition and improvement of property), such adoption is solely for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of TEFRA, the Code and the California Government Code Section 6500 (and following) 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 -
May 12, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
Absent: Councilmember Barajas1 -
Enactment No: RES 2026-062
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#26-199 Salinas Police Department 2025 Annual Report
Received report from Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta highlighting the Salinas Police Department (SPD) 2025 Annual Report which provided an overview of department services, operations, accomplishments, and priorities. In 2025, SPD received 133,086 calls for service and made 2,735 arrests. The report also notes staffing challenges and accomplishments, crime statistics, and continued commitment to community-oriented policing.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Unidentified audience member
No action. Received report regarding the Salinas Police Department 2025 Annual Report.
ID#26-110
Rental Registration and Rent Stabilization Quarterly Update Received report from Assistant Community Development Director Orlando Reyes Rodas providing a quarterly update to the City Council on the implementation of the Residential Rental Registration and Rent Stabilization Program for the period of January 1 through March 31, 2026. During the first quarter of 2026, the program continued to support compliance with local and state housing regulations and strengthen tenant protections through data collection and proactive education and outreach.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Nidia Soto
Jose Guerra
Jasmin Topete
Claudia
No action. Received a report on the Residential Rental Registration and Rent Stabilization Program implementation activities.
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#26-212 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, the minutes of May 5, 2026 were 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 -
ID#26-170 Award of the Bridge Preventive Maintenance Program, BPMPL 5045(046),
May 12, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
Preliminary Engineering Phase to BKF ENGINEERS
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution awarding a contract to BKF Engineers for preliminary engineering and construction support of the Bridge Preventive Maintenance Program, BPMPL 5045(046) in an amount not to exceed $282,509 from May 19, 2026, to December 31, 2027; and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Agreement and/or modifications to the Agreement 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 2026-063
ID#26-196 SentinelOne Enterprise Software Purchase
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution authorizing the City Manager and Purchasing Agent to complete the purchase of SentinelOne Enterprise Software for a three-year term, paid in annual payments, from CDW LLC. in an amount not to exceed $280,407.98 from June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2029. 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 2026-064
ID#26-206 Salinas Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 1270) Memorandum of Understanding; Modification to Classification - Salary Schedule Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Salinas Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 1270) for term ending December 31, 2027, and approving modification to the Classification - Salary Schedule 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 2026-065
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager reported that a budget workshop is scheduled for May 26, 2026 to assist with preparations for the upcoming budget adoption in mid-June. He added that as we approach the summer recess in July, activity will increase significantly. Additionally, he announced that a Measure G and Measure G committee meeting will take place on May 18, 2026 providing an opportunity for early engagement with the committee prior to the budget adoption process.
May 12, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 9:28 p.m.