1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
November 4, 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, Mayor Alice Patino
Staff Present: City Manager David W. Rowlands, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Director of Finance Rebecca Campbell, Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, Director of Community Development Chenin Dow, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Library Director Dawn Jackson, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, Chief Human Resources Officer Graciela Reynoso, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 4:30 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez, Councilmember Flores, Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo, and Mayor Patino.
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez arrived at 4:32 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo arrived at 4:52 p.m.
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 4:31 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6
3.b Public Employee Performance Evaluation, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957(b)(1)
4. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION
REGULAR SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Anita Castillo from First Mexican Baptist Church gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Soto led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2 7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided for items 3.a and 3.b. N othing to report.
9. PRESENTATIONS
9.a Santa Maria Ship Donation from Dan J. Hoback
The City Council accepted the model ship donation from Rhonda White, daughter of Mr. Dan J. Hoback, on behalf of her father. Mrs. White also presented a PowerPoint showcasi ng the process of building the model of the original Santa Maria ship
9.b Follow-up on Recommendation to Name a City Facility for Park Honoring James “Jim” Glines Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
The City Council directed staff to name a designated section of South Miller Street between Santa Maria Way and Highway 135 as James "Jim" Glines Way. The presentation was given by Director of Recreation and Parks Alex Posada.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
9.c Homelessness and Encampment Response
The City Council received a presentation from Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu on homelessness and the ongoing efforts of encampment response. Senior Park Services Officer Ruben Ramirez and SMPD Lieutenant Felix Diaz assisted with the presentation.
9.d Businesses of the Quarter – October to December 2025 The City Council presented certificates to the featured Businesses of the Quarter (October to December 2025) - JB Dewar, and La Tradicional Ice Cream Shop.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Gwenever Cannon and Gary Hall.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a through 11.d.4 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2025 -189, 2025 -190, 2025 -191, and 2025 -192 and Ordinance No. 2025 -04. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
11.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
11.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
3 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
11.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of October 21, 2025.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-04 amending Title 12, "Zoning", Chapter 12-23 "Accessory Dwelling Units" of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Waived the second reading of Ordinance No. 2025-04.
2. Adopted Ordinance No. 2025-04 amending Title 12, “Zoning”, Chapter 12-56 “Accessory Dwelling Units” of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
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
11.c.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
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
11.d PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.d.1 Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a Proposed No Stopping Zone On Bradley Road at Jones Street Intersection
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-189.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution establishing a No Stopping Zone on Bradley Road at the northwest corner of the Jones Street intersection.
4 Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.d.2 Adoption of a Resolution Establishing a Proposed No Stopping Zone on Meredith Lane Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-190.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution establishing a No Stopping Zone on the southeast corner of Betteravia Road and Meredith Lane.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.d.3 Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Proposed No Stopping Zones on South Thornburg Street
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-191.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution establishing No Stopping Zones on South Thornburg Street.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.d.4 Adoption of a Resolution Establishing Proposed Preferential Parking Privileges in the Neighborhood North of Pioneer Valley High School
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-192
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution approving the establishment of preferential parking privileges to vehicles displaying a valid parking permit in the neighborhood just north of Pioneer Valley High School bounded by Seneca Street, Hearst Court, Donner Court, Domingues Street, Mammoth Drive, Horseman Court, and Rios Court.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12. PUBLIC HEARING
12.a Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Portions of Chapters 9-04 through 9-76 of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code Concerning Building and Fire Regulations Mayor Patino opened public hearing at 6:37 p.m., there being none, immediately closed the public hearing.
Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo exited the meeting at 6:37 p.m. and returned at 6:40 p.m.
Action: Introduced as Ordinance No. 2025-05.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Waived the first reading and introduced an Ordinance amending portions of Chapters 9-04 through 9-76 of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code concerning Building and Fire Code regulations; and
2. Set for adoption at the next regular City Council meeting.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, Councilmember Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, and Mayor Patino
5 Absent (1): Councilmember Escobedo
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
13. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands announced that the next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 18. The agenda will include the Quarterly Report from the Chamber of Commerce, Adoption of an Ordinance for Building Code updates and the Fourth Quarter F inance Update. City Manager Rowlands also reported that he attended a conference in Florida focused on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies and the potential applications of drone systems.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Flores announced she attended the California Housing Law and Policy Update meeting and the Federal Programs and Government Shutdown Update Seminar with Congressman Carbajal and Senator Limón in Santa Barbara.
Councilmember Escobedo shared that he attended and judged a Halloween Costume Contest
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez had nothing to report.
Councilmember Soto noted she attended the Elected Leaders Forum on Homelessness.
Mayor Patino announced she att ended the following: the California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions (CALAFCO) Conference, Veterans Stand Down Event, 15th Annual Día de Los Muertos Festival, Budget Ad Hoc Committee meeting, and the 2025 Sips and Sombreros Event.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:44 p.m. in memory of retired City staff, Teresa Reyburn.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor