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
3:00 PM SALINAS ROTUNDATuesday, August 4, 2026
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember De La Rosa arrived after Roll Call at 3:24 p.m.
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 -
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND PROMOTIONS
Department Directors welcomed and announce promotions for the month of July.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment from members of the public in attendance.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Mayor Donohue provide an announcement on behalf of the City of Salinas related to the bull riding incident at the Salinas Sports Complex.
PRESENTATION
ID#26-365 2026 Turner Scholars Internship Program
No action. Received an administrative report on the 2026 Turner Scholar Intern Program.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
August 4, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial No disclosures reported.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Consent Agenda was continued to August 18, 2026 in its entirety.
ID#26-379 Minutes
ID#26-344 California International Airshow Permit at the Salinas Municipal Airport ID#26-351 3-Year License Renewal for Microsoft Office 365 Government G3 and Additional Software
ID#26-352 Direct Purchase of a 2026 Vac-Con Truck
ID#26-353 Direct Purchase of A 2026 Ford Transit CCTV Van ID#26-356 Amendment No. 6 to Agreement for Professional Services with TEF Architecture and Interior Design, Inc. for Architectural Services ID#26-364 Amendment No. 5 to Agreement for Services with California Premier Restoration for Emergency Clean-Up and Stabilization of 37 and 39 Soledad Street
ID#26-368 Direct Purchase of Speed Cushions for Traffic Calming
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#26-376 An Extension of the Urgency Interim Ordinance Prohibiting the Issuance of Tobacco Retailers’ Licenses
Received report from Assistant to the City Manager Ernesto Lizaola regarding the proposed extension of Urgency Interim Ordinance No. 2697(NCS) to prolong the temporary moratorium on the issuance of Tobacco Retailers’ Licenses citywide for an additional 10 months and 15 days. The extension allows the City additional time to study best practices and develop a more comprehensive regulatory framework for tobacco retailers. The proposed extension would not affect existing licenses or the renewal of existing licenses. Additionally, the proposed extension is in accordance with California Government Code Section 65858, which allows for extension of such urgency interim ordinance. The moratorium on the issuance of Tobacco Retailers’ Licenses is extended from August 14, 2026 to June 29, 2027. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Daniel Munoz
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Ordinance extending the Urgency Interim Ordinance No. 2697(NCS) prohibiting the issuance of Tobacco Retailers’ Licenses citywide for an additional 10 months and 15 days was adopted. The motion carried by the following vote:
August 4, 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: ORD 2698
ID#26-360 Commercial Cannabis Permit 2025-004; Appeal of Planning Commission upholding the Selection Committee denial of a Major Amendment to Commercial Cannabis Permit 2024-009 to relocate from 1610 Moffett Street to 2033 North Main Street in the Commercial Retail - West Boronda Road at U.S. 101 Gateway Overlay (CR-GW-1) Zoning District
Received report from Planning Manager Courtney Grossman regarding the Emerald Skyway LLC (doing business as “Valley Farms”), Commercial Cannabis Permit 2025-004 for a major amendment (“Amendment Application”) to Commercial Cannabis Permit 2024-009 (“CCP 2024-009”) to relocate an existing Cannabis Dispensary with accessory Delivery and Distribution from 1610 Moffett Street to 2033 North Main Street. Following the City Attorney’s determination that the Amendment Application contained all the required information, the Amendment Application was forwarded to the Selection Committee appointed by the City Manager for their review in accordance with Article VII of Chapter 5 of the Salinas Municipal Code. On April 13, 2026, the Selection Committee met to consider the Amendment Application and at that meeting denied the Amendment Application. On April 21, 2026, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 5-07.10, Valley Farms submitted an appeal of the Selection Committee’s denial. On June 3, 2026, the Planning Commission upheld the Selection Committee’s denial of the Amendment Application (see Planning Commission Resolution No. 2026-05). On June 9, 2026, pursuant to Municipal Code Section 5-07.10, Valley Farms submitted an appeal of the Planning Commission’s upholding of the Selection Committee’s denial to the City Council. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Daniel Munoz
Felipe Lopez, LULAC
Eric Petersen
Jasmine Valverde, LULAC
Mark Westly, Collaboration Ventures
Michael LIpe
Unidentified audience member
Jacob Sandoval
Luis Morales
Jorge Rubio
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Resolution finding the action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378) and exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 which includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment; and affirming the Planning Commission’s upholding of the Selection Committee’s denial of Emerald Skyway LLC’s (doing business as “Valley Farms”) request to amend Commercial Cannabis Permit 2024-009 (Commercial Cannabis Permit 2025-004) to relocate from 1610 Moffett Street to 2033 North Main Street within proximity of sensitive uses per Municipal Code Section 5-07.27 was approved. The motion carried by
August 4, 2026City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial 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 2026-142
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
No report.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m. in memory of James Jones and Andy D'Arrigo.