1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
March 18, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera‐Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Gloria Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Escobedo, and Mayor Alice Patino.
Staff Present: City Manager David W. Rowlands, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Interim Finance Director Xenia Bradford, Chief Human Resources Officer Graciela Reynoso, Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Library Director Dawn Jackson, Director of Community Development Chenin Dow, Interim Chief of Police Daniel Cohen, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, and Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez.
CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 5:00 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmembers Maribel Aguilera‐Hernandez, Gloria Flores, Gloria Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Escobedo, and Mayor Alice Patino
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager David W. Rowlands, City Attorney Thomas Watson, and Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna G.
Schwartz.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mayor Patino opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
3. RECESS‐CLOSED SESSION
At 5:01 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6
3.b Conference with Legal Counsel ‐ Pending Litigation, Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9(a)
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
OPEN SESSION ‐ 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Jeff Hoyos with Church for Life gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Escobedo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
2 Mayor Patino convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported instructions were provided to the City's Negotiator and Counsel, nothing to report.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Proclamation – “Red Cross Month” ‐ March 2025
The City Council presented a Proclamation to recognize the month of March 2025, as "Red Cross Month" in the City of Santa Maria and encourage support to its humanitarian mission. The Proclamation was accepted by Red Cross Volunteer Leticia Leon and Certified Instructor Rigo Aguilera.
10. PRESENTATIONS
10.a Presentation and Rebate Check from SoCalGas for Energy‐Efficient Pool Covers The City Council received a presentation and rebate check for $14,371 from SoCalGas for the purchase of new swimming pool covers for the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center through the Public Sector Regional Energy Pathways program in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. The presentation was given by Recreation Supervisor Rudy Gutierrez along with Chamber of Commerce CEO Michael Boyer and SoCalGas Public Affairs Manager Tim Mahoney.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Josh Snow, Julie Orr, Esther Jensen, and Diane Martinez.
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 12.a.1 through 12.d.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2025‐33, 2025‐34, 2025‐35, and 2025‐36. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Councilmember Aguilera‐Hernandez pulled item 12.d.1 for discussion.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Ayes (5): Mayor Patino, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera‐Hernandez, Councilmember Escobedo, and Councilmember Gloria Flores
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
12.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
12.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Waived the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Ordinances on the Consent Agenda will be adopted by the same vote cast at the first meeting, unless City Council indicates otherwise.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
3 12.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of March 4, 2025, and special City Council meeting of March 11, 2025.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.3 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Establishment of the Special Districts Planning Technician Classification and Adopting the CalPERS Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025‐33.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopted a Resolution approving the establishment of the Special Districts Planning Technician classification, corresponding job specification, and adopting the CalPERS Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule for all full‐time and part‐time employees in accordance with CalPERS guidelines.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.4 Request for Bond Release for Planned Development Permit Number PD2021‐0011 Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
By motion, authorized the release of Performance Bond – Public Improvements [#36K000365] in the full amount of $20,240 posted in the form of a Surety to guarantee the construction and installation of public improvements; and order the Labor and Material Bond in the amount of $10,120 and the Guarantee and Defective Material Bond in the amount of $2,024, be retained for six month and one year, respectively, from the date of the release of the Faithful Performance Bond for public improvements.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.5 Request for Bond Release for Celebration II, Tract 5993 Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
By motion, accepted as complete the public improvements associated with Celebration, Tract 5993, and authorize the release of Faithful Performance Bond [#0666061] in the full amount of $164,371.63 posted in the form of a Surety to guarantee the construction and installation of public improvements on‐site; and order the Labor and Material Bond in the amount of $82,185.82 and the Guarantee and Defective Material Bond in the amount of $16,437.16 be retained for six months and one year, respectively, from the date of the release of the Faithful Performance Bond for public improvements.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
4 12.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
12.b.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Fiscal Year 2024‐25 HOME Consortium Allocation Recommendation
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025‐34.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopted a Resolution approving the use of Fiscal Year 2024‐2025 HOME Investment Partnerships funding to be allocated to assist the City of Santa Maria’s Tenant‐Based Rental Assistance program and an affordable housing project in Santa Barbara County.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
12.c.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Order ratified subject to having been certified as being in conformity with the budget and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.c.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Order ratified subject to having been certified by the proper Department Directors, as shown on records on file in the Department of Finance and having been approved for payment by the Director of Finance.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.c.3 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Budget Amendment for Measure A Maintenance of Effort Appropriation
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025‐35.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopted a Resolution approving Measure A Alternative Transportation Enhancement projects funding for Fiscal Year 2024‐25.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
5 12.d UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
12.d.1 Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing a Services and License Agreement with Paradigm Software, L.L.C. for Hardware, Software, Services and Support for Waste Transactions at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025‐36.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
Adopted a Resolution authorizing a Gold Support Services and Licensing Agreement with Paradigm Software, L.L.C. to provide waste management hardware, software, services, licensing, and support for scale transactions at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
13. REGULAR BUSINESS
13.a Measure U Annual Report for the Period Ending June 30, 2024, as Submitted by the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee
The City Council received a presentation on the Measure U Annual Report for the period ending June 30, 2024. Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu gave the staff report. Measure U Citizens' Oversight Committee Member John Childers, Jr was present for questions.
Action: The City Council received and filed the Measure U Citizens' Oversight Committee 2023‐24 Annual Report.
13.b 2024 General Plan Annual Report
The City Council received a presentation of the 2024 General Plan Annual Report. Director of Community Development Chenin Dow gave the staff report.
Action: The City Council directed the Chief Deputy City Clerk to file the 2024 General Plan Annual Report with the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the State Housing and Community Development Department.
13.c 2024 Annual Fire Department Report
The City Council received a presentation of the 2024 Annual Fire Department Report. Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge gave the staff report.
Action: The City Council received and filed the 2024 Annual Fire Department Report.
14. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands reported the next City Council Meeting would be April 1st. Items on the agenda would include the Community Development Block Grants Proposed Allocations and Drafted Five‐Year Consolidation Plan for Fiscal Year 2025‐2026. Items on future agendas would include Quarterly Encampment Response.
City Manager Rowlands announced the expansion of City office hours beginning March 21st, with the City opening to the public on alternating Fridays. The Finance and Utilities departments will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., while Community Development will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Departments within City Hall, including Human Resources and the City Manager's Office, will also be available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on alternating Fridays. Since May 2018, City offices have remained closed every Friday. This updated schedule aims to enhance service accessibility for residents.
City Manager Rowlands also reported that along with the Mayor and Council he attended the Allan Hancock College Announcement, and the State of Vandenberg Space Force Base.
6 15. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Flores announced she attended the Santa Maria Police Department Awards Luncheon, the State of Vandenberg Space Force Base, and the Unified Board Meeting.
Councilmember Escobedo announced he attended the City Council Special Meeting, Santa Maria Bonita School District Leadership Class, and the Central Coast Water Authority New Board Member Orientation.
Councilmember Aguilera‐Hernandez reported she attended the Firefighter Appreciation Event, YSA Opening Day Ceremony, Investment Committee, Marian Hospital Board Meeting, and the City Council Special Meeting.
Councilmember Soto stated she attended the City Council Special Meeting.
Mayor Patino announced she attended the following: Santa Maria Police Department Awards Luncheon, Local Agency Formation Committee Board Meeting, Read Across America at Bill Libbon Elementary School, Funeral Service for Jim Glines, Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting, Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Board Meeting, Tour of the Radisson Hotel, State of Vandenberg Space Force Base, Hancock College Announcement, and the Ben Heighes Radio Show.
16. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
04/03/2025
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor