Tuesday, September 1, 2026
4:00 PM
City of Salinas
200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas, CA 93901
www.salinas.gov
SALINAS ROTUNDA
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
Meeting Agenda - Final
September 1, 2026City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
ZOOM WEBINAR PARTICIPATION
JOIN THE ZOOM WEBINAR TO PARTICIPATE LIVE AT:
https://cityofsalinas.zoom.us/j/87569389680
To participate telephonically, call any number below:
+1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 719 359 4580 US +1 305 224 1968 US +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 360 209 5623 US +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US +1 564 217 2000 US +1 646 931 3860 US +1 689 278 1000 US +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) Webinar ID: 875 6938 9680
If prompted to enter a participant ID, press #.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
CLOSED SESSION
Receive public communications from the audience on Closed session items.
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to:
ID#26-424 a. Public Employee Performance Evaluation - California Government Code section 54957, City Manager.
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND PROMOTIONS
PROCLAMATION
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
National Library Card Sign Up Month
National Recovery Month
CITY OF CHAMPIONS
FIFA World Cup 2026 - Watch Parties at Salinas Regional Sports Complex Larry Hirahara, Honorary Mayor of Chinatown
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES
If you wish to make a general public comment or comment on a specific agenda item, you are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting in person. Public comment may also be submitted via email at [email protected] and will be entered into the record. Public comments generally are limited to two minutes per speaker; the Mayor
September 1, 2026City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
may further limit the time for public comments depending on the agenda schedule.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Receive public communications on items that are not on the agenda and that are in the City of Salinas’ subject matter jurisdiction. Comments on Consideration, Public Hearing items, and the Consent Agenda should be held until the items are reached.
SALINAS YOUTH COUNCIL UPDATES AND COMMENTS
Receive a presentation from the Salinas Youth Council Members.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
Government Code § 84308. Parties to any proceeding involving a license, permit or other entitlement for use pending before the City Council must disclose any campaign contributions over $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months made by the party, their agent, and those required to be aggregated with their contributions under Government Code § 82015.5. The disclosure must include the amount contributed and the name(s) of the contributor(s).
CONSENT AGENDA
Matters listed under the Consent Agenda may be enacted by one motion unless a member of the Council requests a separate vote or discuss. Members of the public may comment on the Consent Agenda items collectively during their public comment.
ID#26-422 Minutes
Recommendation: Approve minutes of August 18, 2026.
ID#26-378 Zoning Code Update Phase 1 - an ordinance amending Chapters 17 (Housing) and 37 (Zoning) of the Salinas Municipal Code to align with state and federal law and address short term priorities.
Recommendation: Consider finding Ordinance exempt as a "common-sense" exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15061(b)(3); and adopt the Ordinance amending Chapter 17 Article IV of the Salinas Municipal Code (Housing) and amending various provisions of Chapter 37 of the Salinas Municipal Code (Zoning). 2nd reading
ID#26-355 Memorandum of Understanding with United Way of Monterey County for the Financial Empowerment Center
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution delegating authority to the City Manager to execute a two-year service provider agreement with United Way of Monterey County (UWMC) to operate the Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) beginning September 1, 2026; delegating authority to the City Manager, or designee, to pursue, accept, and execute all necessary documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) Fund for up to $150,000; and authorizing an expenditure appropriation and corresponding revenue appropriation for the CFE Fund implementation grant, General Fund contribution, and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) allocation supporting the program.
ID#26-396 Project Acceptance of the Garner Avenue Bus Bulb Out, CIP No. 9503
September 1, 2026City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution accepting the Garner Avenue Bus Bulb Out, CIP No. 9503 for maintenance and responsibility.
ID#26-398 Project Acceptance of the Coventry Street and Victor Street Traffic Calming Devices, CIP No. 9163
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution accepting the Coventry Street and Victor Street Traffic Calming Devices, CIP No. 9163 for maintenance and responsibility.
ID#26-403 Support for Pilot Rail Service between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area for the Summer 2028 Olympics
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution supporting the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s efforts to bring a pilot rail services connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco Bay Area for the Summer 2028 Olympics.
ID#26-420 Cal Cities Voting Delegates
Recommendation: Approve appointment of Councilmember Jose Luis Barajas as the voting delegate for the annual Cal Cities business meeting on policy resolutions and further authorize the City’s delegate to vote in support/opposition of the Cal Cities’ proposed Policy Resolutions.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
Receive brief oral report from the City Manager.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Receive communication from Councilmembers on reports, appointments and future agenda items. Councilmember comments are generally limited to three minutes.
ADJOURNMENT
_____________________________
Patricia M. Soratos, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk
AGENDA MATERIAL / ADDENDUM
Any addendums will be posted within 72 hours of regular meetings or 24 hours of special meetings and in accordance with Californian Government Code Section 54954.2 and 54956. City Council agenda reports and other writings distributed to the legislative body may be viewed at the Salinas City Clerk’s Office, 200 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, and are posted on the City’s website at www.salinas.gov in accordance with California Government Code section 54597.5. The City Council may take action that is different than the proposed action reflected on the agenda.
Disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, may be requested by any person with a disability who requires a modification or accommodation in order to participate in the meeting. Language interpretation may be requested as soon as possible but by no later than 5 p.m. of the last business day prior to the meeting. Requests should be referred to the City Clerk’s Office At 200 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, 758-7381, as soon as possible but by no later than 5 p.m. of the last business day prior to the meeting. Hearing impaired or TTY/TDD text telephone users may contact the city by dialing 711 for the California Relay Service (CRS) or by telephoning any other service providers’ CRS telephone number.
September 1, 2026City Council Meeting Agenda - Final
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
This agenda was posted on August 27, 2026 in the Salinas Rotunda and City's website.
Meetings are streamed live at https://salinas.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, televised live on Comcast Channel 25 and on http://www.youtube.com/thesalinaschannel at 4:00 p.m. on the date of the regularly scheduled meeting and will be broadcast throughout the day on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday following the meeting. For the most up-to-date Broadcast Schedule for The Salinas Channel on Comcast 25, please visit or subscribe to our Google Calendar located at http://tinyurl.com/SalinasChannel25. All past City Council meetings may also be viewed on the Salinas Channel on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/thesalinaschannel.