Page | 1 City Council Meeting Minutes (August 11, 2026)
CITY OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
CITY COUNCIL
UNOFFICIAL MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 11, 2026
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Jordan called the special meeting to order at 5:39 p.m. in the Council Chambers, located at 311 Second Street, San Juan Bautista, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Freels led the Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL Present:
Councilmember Scott Freels
Councilmember Jackie Morris-Lopez
Mayor Pro Tem EJ Sabathia - arrived at 5:56 p.m.
Mayor Leslie Q. Jordan
Absent:
Councilmember Jose Aranda (excused)
Staff Present:
Ashley Collick, City Manager
Jon R. Giffen, City Attorney
Elizabeth Soto, City Clerk
Also present:
Roy Morales, Assistant to the City Manager
Arielle Goodspeed, Planning Manager
Victor M. Tafoya, Associate Planner
2. CLOSED SESSION – 5:00 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
a. Conference with Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation – Orozco v. City of San Juan Bautista et al. (California Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1)).
No public comments were received.
Mayor Jordan adjourned the meeting to closed session at 5:41 p.m. and reconvened the special meeting at 6:04 p.m.
City Attorney Giffen reported that the City Council heard from the City Attorney and outside counsel, considered its options, and took no reportable action.
Page | 2 City Council Meeting Minutes (August 11, 2026)
3. PRESENTATION
A. Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Update – Matt Huerta, Senior Advisor, Housing Matt Huerta, Senior Advisor for Housing with the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP), provided an update on MBEP’s regional work in economic and workforce development, housing, broadband and digital access, and innovation and technology. He highlighted housing advocacy and employer-sponsored housing, regional broadband funding and digital-skills programs, the Farm Robotics Challenge, the California Air Mobility Corridors initiative, and upcoming MBEP events.
No public comments were received.
4. CONSENT
A. Approve the Affidavit of Posting Agenda
B. Waive Reading of Resolutions and Ordinances on the Agenda Beyond Title C. Development Impact Fee Nexus Consideration Review and Confirm the Continuation of the City’s Existing Development Impact Fees Recommendation: Approve a RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of San Juan Bautista Accepting the Development Impact Fee Nexus Consideration Review and Confirming Continuation of the City’s Existing Development Impact Fee.
D. Use of City Property for Banners and Temporary Signage Policy Recommendation: Approve a RESOLUTION adopting a Policy on the Use of Property for Banners and Temporary Signs
E. City Parks and Facilities Use Policy
Recommendation: Approve a RESOLUTION Adopting the City of San Juan Bautista Parks & Facilities Use Policy and authorize the City Manager to administer city park and facility reservations in accordance with the adopted Policy.
F. Update on State Route 156 At the Alameda Eastbound Right-Hand Turn Lane Improvement Project
Recommendation: Receive an update on State Route 156 at the Alameda Eastbound RightHand Turn Lane Improvement Project G. Municipal Communications Facilities Policy
Recommendation: Approve a RESOLUTION adopting the City of San Juan Bautista Municipal Communications Facilities Policy, and authorize the City Manager to develop administrative procedures, standard agreements, and forms necessary to implement the policy.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Councilmember Morris-Lopez, seconded by Councilmember Freels, consent agenda Items A, B, F, and G were approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Aranda
Item C. Development Impact Fee Nexus Consideration Review and Confirm the Continuation of the City’s Existing Development Impact Fees
Page | 3 City Council Meeting Minutes (August 11, 2026) Planning Manager Arielle Goodspeed and City Manager Ashley Collick presented the Development Impact Fee Nexus Consideration Review, prepared in accordance with state law requirements, and recommended continuing the City's existing development impact fees.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez questioned the findings that did not support increasing development impact fees despite anticipated development activity. She expressed concern about relying on projected growth assumptions from the 2035 General Plan while Urban Growth Boundary and Sphere of Influence amendments remain pending. She emphasized the need to ensure future development contributes adequately toward infrastructure needs and requested clarification regarding the relationship between future growth projections and impact fee calculations.
Planning Manager Goodspeed explained that state law requires a demonstrated nexus between projected development and infrastructure impacts. Based on current growth projections and planned development activity, the review did not support increasing fees at this time. She noted that impact fees may be reevaluated as future growth occurs.
City Manager Collick explained that development agreements remain available to address project-specific infrastructure and operational impacts associated with future development proposals.
Mayor Pro Tem Sabathia noted that the review maintained existing fee levels and did not recommend reductions. He acknowledged the limitations imposed by state nexus requirements and supported periodic reevaluation as development occurs.
Councilmember Freels stated that nexus studies must comply with strict state standards and supported maintaining the current fee structure based on the review's findings.
No public comments were received.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Sabathia, seconded by Councilmember Freels, the resolution accepting the Development Impact Fee Nexus Consideration Review and confirming continuation of the City’s existing development impact fees was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Aranda
Item D. Use of City Property for Banners and Temporary Signage Policy Mayor Jordan requested that the policy be amended to replace “may” with “shall” in the enforcement provisions so that unauthorized items on City-owned property are removed and installations that damage property, interfere with maintenance, or create hazards are prohibited and removed.
No public comments were received.
Page | 4 City Council Meeting Minutes (August 11, 2026) MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Sabathia, seconded by Councilmember Freels, the resolution adopting a Policy on the Use of City Property for Banners and Temporary Signs, was approved as amended.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Aranda
Item E. City Parks and Facilities Use Policy
Councilmember Freels supported adopting a formal policy and stated that clear rules were needed to govern park and facility reservations, maintenance responsibilities, enforcement, and liability. He emphasized protecting City facilities, ensuring maintenance remains the responsibility of City staff, and giving priority consideration to City residents when reserving facilities.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez supported establishing clear policies and discussed resident priority, recurring reservations for community programs, volunteer participation, facility uses, administrative procedures, and fee administration. She requested additional clarification regarding reservation procedures and implementation.
Mayor Jordan stated that the Junior Giants program is a City-sponsored program and that the City's fee schedule already established applicable fees. She expressed support for the policy and noted it provides necessary authority to manage City facilities and reservations.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Michael Ponce requested additional clarification regarding the Abbey Park deed restriction, resident priority, reservation procedures, annual scheduling, maintenance activities, fees, appeals, and administration of Abbey Park revenues. He recommended revising the policy and returning it for additional consideration.
MOTION:
Upon motion by Mayor Pro Tem Sabathia, seconded by Councilmember Freels, the resolution adopting the City of San Juan Bautista Parks & Facilities Use Policy and authorizing the City Manager to administer City Park and facility reservations in accordance with the adopted policy was approved.
AYES: Councilmembers: Freels, Morris-Lopez, Sabathia, and Mayor Jordan; NOES: None; ABSTAIN: None; ABSENT: Councilmember Aranda
Page | 5 City Council Meeting Minutes (August 11, 2026)
5. ACTION
A. Historic Downtown Revitalization Strategy: Economic Development Priorities Planning Manager Arielle Goodspeed presented findings from the Downtown Economic Development Survey and Business Community Listening Session. Staff identified four focus areas: business support and investment, tourism and visitor experience, regulatory improvements and business-friendly processes, and downtown experience and public realm improvements.
Staff requested City Council direction on downtown economic development priorities and potential amendments to formula business regulations outside the historic downtown area.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Cara Vonk recommended providing clearer permit guidance, identifying desired business types, and considering incentives to attract compatible businesses. She cautioned that reopening formula business regulations could be divisive.
Michael Ponce emphasized improving communication between the City and businesses, increasing outreach efforts, supporting downtown beautification, and exploring partnerships to assist new businesses.
Councilmember Freels supported improving permitting processes and communication with applicants. He emphasized the importance of downtown cleanliness, maintenance, beautification, and providing clearer explanations of permit requirements and timelines.
Councilmember Morris-Lopez supported continued outreach with business owners and property owners. She discussed the importance of identifying vacant commercial inventory, engaging property owners regarding building conditions and occupancy challenges, and evaluating strategies to attract desired businesses to downtown.
Mayor Pro Tem Sabathia supported continued evaluation of formula business regulations outside the historic downtown area. He emphasized permit streamlining, improved communication, tourism promotion, business attraction efforts, and development of implementation priorities.
Mayor Jordan supported downtown beautification, accessibility improvements, wayfinding, business attraction efforts, and evaluation of formula business regulations. She emphasized the importance of maintaining downtown's historic character while encouraging economic activity and property reinvestment.
The City Council identified Regulatory Improvements and Business-Friendly Processes, Tourism and Visitor Experience, and Business Support and Investment as the City's initial economic development priorities.
The Council directed staff to focus on permitting streamlining, communication improvements, vacant-building inventory and outreach, vacancy registration implementation, tourism initiatives, and potential amendments to formula business regulations for commercial mixed-use properties outside the historic downtown area. Staff was further directed to return with implementation plans, timelines, fiscal analysis, and any necessary policy or ordinance amendments.
No formal action was taken.
Page | 6 City Council Meeting Minutes (August 11, 2026)
6. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn the meeting by Mayor Pro Tem Sabathia, seconded by Councilmember Freels.
There being no other business, Mayor Jordan adjourned the meeting at 7:53 p.m.
APPROVED:
______________________
Leslie Q. Jordan, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________
Elizabeth Soto, City Clerk