1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
June 17, 2025, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera -Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Escobedo, and Mayor Alice Patino
Members Absent: Councilmember Gloria Soto
Staff Present: City Manager David W. Rowlands, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Chief Human Resources Officer Graciela Reynoso, Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Library Director Dawn Jackson, Director of R ecreation & Parks Alex Posada, Director of Community Development Chenin Dow, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Police Chief Christopher Williams, Budget Manager Rick Kirkwood, Accounting Manager Lorena Zarate, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, and Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 4:36 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Flores, and Mayor Patino.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilmember Soto and Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo.
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 4:37 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation, Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9(b)
3.b Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo arrived at 5:15 p.m. and did not attend closed session.
2 OPEN SESSION - 5:30 P .M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Carl Nielsen from Serve Santa Maria gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Escobedo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino convened the meeting and called the meeting to order at 5:34 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported, instructions were provided to staff for item 3.a and to the City's Labor Negotiator regarding item 3.b.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Proclamation – “AmeriCorps National Service”
City Council presented a Proclamation to Eddie Taylor, CEO of Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, in strong support of continued investment in local service initiatives through AmeriCorps National Service.
10. PRESENTATIONS
10.a Presentation – Fireworks Education, Enforcement, and Entertainment City Council received a presentation from Mark van de Kamp, City's Public Information Officer, on this year's fireworks education campaign and enforcement efforts, and the City's family friendly Fourth of July event.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Rande Downer, Gary Hall, Cheryl Lacasse, Adilene Espinoza, Annalia Vega, Juan Martinez, and Santiago Segovia.
12. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar was approved with the exception of 12.a.4, 12.b.3, and 12.e.1 pulled for separate discussion and votes. Resolutions adopted Nos: 2025 -84, 2025-85, 2025-86, 2025 -87, 2025-88, 2025- 89, 2025 -90, 2025 -91, 2025 -92, 2025 -93, 2025 -94, 2025 -95, 2025-96, 2025 -97, 2025 -98, 2025 -99, 2025-100, 2025-101, 2025-102, and 2025-103.
The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Schwartz announced written public comment was received from Erika Vicente and Alexandria Guzman for item 12.a.4, and from Rande Downer for item 12.e.1.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino
Absent (1): Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
3 12.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
12.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
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
12.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of June 3, 2025.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.3 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Santa Maria Valley Tourism Marketing District Annual Report
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-84.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution approving the Santa Maria Tou rism Marketing District Annual Report which includes a 0.5 percent assessment rate increase.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.a.4 Adoption of Resolutions Approving New Employment Agreements Between the City of Santa Maria and David W. Rowlands and Between the City of Santa Maria and Thomas T. Watson Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez requested to pull item 12.a.4. for separate discussion and vote.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Item was postponed to a future date.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino
Absent (1): Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
12.b FINANCE DEPARTMENT
12.b.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
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
4 12.b.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
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.b.3 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Amendments to the Purchasing Guidelines Manual Councilmember Flores requested to pull item 12.b.3. for separate discussion and vote.
Staff present to answer City Council questions were Budget Manager Rick Kirkwood, Accounting Manager Lorena Zarate, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, and Director of Recreation and Parks Alex Posada.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Item was postponed to the next Regular City Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025, to allow staff to provide City Council with responses to their questions regarding the last update made to the thresholds and the methodology in which Finance developed the proposed thresholds.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino
Absent (1): Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
12.c FIRE DEPARTMENT
12.c.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Genasys EVAC Memorandum of Agreement Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-85.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management for use of the Genasys EVAC mapping solution.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.d PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
12.d.1 Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a No Stopping Zone on Centerpointe Parkway Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-86.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution establishing a No Stopping Zone on Centerpointe Parkway.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
5 12.d.2 Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a Multi-Way Stop Control at the Intersection of South Pine Street and West Park Avenue
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-87.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution establishing a multi -way stop control at the intersection of South Pine Street and West Park Avenue.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.d.3 Adoption of Resolutions to Award Seven Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services
Action: Adopted as Resolution Nos. 2025-88, 2025-89, 2025-90, 2025-91, 2025-92, 2025-93, and 2025-94.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
1. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to 4Creeks, Inc. in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services; and
2. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Andrew Goodwin Designs in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services; and
3. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Hunter Smith & Associates, Inc. in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services; and
4. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Omni Design, Inc. in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services; and
5. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Reiss Design Studio, PC in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services; and
6. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Roesling Nakamura Terada Architects, Inc. in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services; and
7. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Studio 2G Architects, LLP . in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
6 12.d.4 Adoption of Resolutions to Award Eight Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services
Chief Deputy City Clerk Schwartz announced clerical errors in the recommended description.
The item is for "On -Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services" not "On -Call Architecture and Structural Engineering Services".
Action: Adopted as Resolution Nos. 2025-95, 2025-96, 2025-97, 2025-98, 2025-99, 2025-100, 2025-101, and 2025-102.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
1. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Bengal Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services; and
2. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Bethel Engineering in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services; and
3. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Cannon Corporation in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services; and
4. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Nichols Consulting Engineers in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services; and
5. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Omni Design Inc. in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services; and
6. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Psomas in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services; and
7. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Wallace Group in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services; and
8. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Water Systems Consulting, Inc. in the amount of $300,000 for On-Call Civil Engineering and Surveying Services.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12.e RECREATION & PARKS DEPARTMENT
12.e.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with J.D. Humann, Inc. for Citywide Landscape Maintenance Services
Councilmember Flores requested to pull item 12.e.1. for separate discussion and vote.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Item was postponed to the next Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025, to allow staff to respond to City Council 's questions and request for information on performing the Landscape Maintenance Services in-house.
Ayes (3): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, and Councilmember Escobedo
Noes (1): Mayor Patino
Absent (1): Councilmember Soto
7 Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 1)
12.f UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
12.f.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Services at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill and Authorizing City Manager to Execute Agreement.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-103.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Escobedo
Adopted a Resolution Approving a Professional Services Ag reement with Clean Earth Environmental Solutions, Inc. to Provide Household Hazardous Waste Collection Services at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill and Authorize City Manager or Designee to Execute Agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
13. REGULAR BUSINESS
13.a. Approval of an Ordinance Amending the Santa Maria Municipal Code Title 2 “Administration,” Chapter 2-14 “Recreation and Parks Commission,” Section 2-14.06 “Recommendations to Council:
Powers Generally” and Title 10 “Recreation and Parks,” Chapter 10-1 “Ad Staff report given by Director of Recreation and Parks Alex Posada and additional information provided by Recreation and Parks Commissioner Rebecca Carey.
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez left the room at 6:56 p.m. and returned at 6:59 p.m. She was absent from the room during the vote.
Action: Introduced as Ordinance No. 2025-03.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Waived first reading and introduced an Ordinance amending the Santa Maria Municipal Code Title 2 “Administration,” Chapter 2-14 “Recreation and Parks Commission,” Section 2-14.06 “Recommendations to Council: Powers Generally” and Title 10 “Recreation and Parks,” Chapter 10-1 “Administration,” Section 10-1.02 “Adoption of Regulations”; and
2. Set adoption of said ordinance at the next regular City Council meeting.
Ayes (3): Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino Absent (2): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Soto Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 0)
8 13.b Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a City Council Budget Ad Hoc Committee and Appointing two Members of the City Council
Staff report given by City Manager David W. Rowlands.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-104.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution establishing a City Council Budget Ad Hoc Committee and appointment of two councilmembers to the committee. Appointments to be made at the next Regular City Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
Ayes (3): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, and Mayor Patino Noes (1): Councilmember Escobedo
Absent (1): Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (3 to 1)
14. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands announced the launch of Assist, Connect, Communicate, Engage, Support, and Serve ( ACCESS) Santa Maria's new mobile ambassador program designed to enhance community outreach by providing residents with in-person information about City services at various locations and in multiple languages. ACCESS supports the City’s Language Access Plan and th e City Council’s goal of enhancing quality of life. As part of the Spring 2024 Grow Cohort, developed in partnership with UC Santa Barbara, City staff will be at the Downtown Farmers Market on June 18 and June 25 from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. The program has been promoted on social media and will be presented to the City Council at a future date.
City Manager Rowlands reported the next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 1, 2025, agenda items include the continuation of discussions on the Citywide Landscape and appointment to the Budget Ad Hoc Committee, as well as proposed Municipal Code amendments related to Accessory Dwelling Units.
15. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Flores reported she attended the Central Coast AirFest Kick-Off, the OmniTRAX Ribbon- Cutting Ceremony, the Veterans Gala, and the Santa Maria Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony.
Councilmember Escobedo announced he participated in a tour at the Natural History Museum and attended a meeting with staff regarding developer impact fees.
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez reported she attended the Investment and Audit Oversight Committee Meeting.
Councilmember Soto was absent.
Mayor Patino announced she attended the following: San ta Maria Day Reporting Center, Central Coast AirFest Kick -Off, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Board Meeting, OmniTRAX Board of Directors photo and ribbon -cutting ceremony, Celebration of Life for Jim Glines, League of California Cities Housing P olicy Committee meeting, and the Santa Maria Police Department’s badge pinning ceremony. She adjourned the meeting in memory of Dr. Jack Garvin, recognizing him on his recent retirement and his dedicated service on the Santa Maria Joint Union High School D istrict Board, Superintendent of the Orcutt Union School District, and his longstanding involvement with the community.
9 16. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m. in memory of Dr. Jack Garvin, a prominent leader in the community.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor