DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
DEPARTMENT: FINANCE DEPARTMENT
FROM: SELINA ANDREWS, FINANCE DIRECTOR
BY: Carlos Ortega, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF Information TECHNOLOGY JOYCE BURNETT-DAVIS, INTEGRATION and APPLICATION ADMINISTRATOR TITLE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
No action is required. Receive an Administrative Report on Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report provides updates on current AI initiatives and future efforts.
BACKGROUND:
On October 14, 2025, staff provided an update on the AI governance and the approval process for the responsible adoption of AI technologies to the Finance Committee.
On January 27, 2026, staff provided an overview of current AI initiatives to City Council, which included:
AI Governance and Policy
Social Media Management and Sentiment Measuring (Zencity) AI Chatbot and Web Services (Citibot)
Integrated AI Productivity and Assistant (Microsoft Copilot) Salinas Objectives
Implementation and AI usage focus on three core values: informed and engaged community, purposeful tools, and inclusive access.
Current Initiatives
On March 25, 2026, the City implemented a web content auditing tool, Siteimprove, used to monitor content across all City web pages. The tool provides comprehensive auditing of accessibility compliance, recommendations for optimizing content strategy, predictive analytics, checks for broken links, misspellings, and content freshness. The community relations team utilizes this tool to monitor and coordinate remediation efforts with department web authors and to assist with the City’s communication, outreach, and engagement strategy goals.
Beginning in April 2026, a group of 40 employees evaluated Microsoft Copilot, participated in workgroups, and 16 provided feedback on usage, productivity impact, tool features, challenges, training, and future interest. Of the 16 respondents, Copilot was most frequently used to draft and summarize documents. While 31% of respondents agreed Copilot improved work quality, 38% said Copilot does not support daily workflows. Most staff agreed they received adequate training, and a small percentage indicated that additional training would help them utilize the tool more effectively.
On May 1, 2026, the City implemented a social media management tool, Zencity, used to capture and measure sentiment on emerging and specific topics about Salinas. The community relations team continues to expand its use and training across departments, including analyzing the impressions the City chatbot, Sali, has had on social media and other online sources. Findings revealed that positive sentiment around the chatbot was nine times greater than negative sentiment in the 30 days following launch.
On July 1, 2026, the City’s chatbot became available, following community engagement on its design and name selection. Between April 20, 2026, and May 18, 2026, Community Development worked with representatives from each division to train and test the chatbot to improve response quality and accuracy. As of August 20, 2026, the chatbot has responded to 1,079 community inquiries primarily concentrated on general City topics, building permitting, housing assistance, public works, and safety. Additionally, seasonal fireworks-related interest impacted inquiries in July.
Next Steps
Expand the chatbot to all City domains, focusing on algorithm training to improve response accuracy and breadth.
Integrate existing service scheduling tools such as QLess and QAlert into the chatbot.
Implement Zencity across departments and train staff citywide.
Extend the Microsoft Copilot evaluation timeline, limited to 20 licensed users.
Continue offering AI training and resources.
Evaluate alternative AI productivity and assistant tools.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
Not a Project. The City of Salinas has determined that the proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378). In addition, CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 includes the general rule that CEQA applies only to activities which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Because the proposed action and this matter have no potential to cause any effect on the environment, or because it falls within a category of activities excluded as projects pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378, this matter is not a project. Because the matter does not cause a direct or foreseeable indirect physical change on or in the environment, this matter is not a project. Any subsequent discretionary projects resulting from this action will be assessed for CEQA applicability.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
Current City AI initiatives focus on providing equitable access to city services, engaging residents, and improving access to information.
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 84308 APPLIES:
No.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
The Information Technology Governance and Steering Committee (ITGSC) is responsible for reviewing and approving all AI use cases, whether developed internally, hosted on-premises, delivered through a third party, or delivered via a cloud-based service. The committee consists of City department heads, with the Deputy Director of Information Technology acting as a facilitator.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with receiving this Administrative Report.
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ATTACHMENTS:
Artificial Intelligence Technology Update Presentation
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