1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
November 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, Director of Finance Rebecca Campbell, Director of Community Development Chenin Dow, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Po sada, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Police Chief Christopher Williams, Fire Marshal Jim Austin, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, and Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 4:34 p.m. Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmember Aguilera -Hernandez, Councilmember Flores, Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo, and Mayor Patino.
Mayor Patino arrived at 4:52 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo arrived at 5:18 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
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez opened public comment. Speaking from the public was Nicole Bryant.
3. RECESS-CLOSED SESSION
At 4:38 p.m. Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez 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 Daniel Barilone from Fellowship of Christian Athletes gave the Invocation.
2 6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:44 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided to the City's Labor Negotiators for item
3.a. and for item 3.b, evaluation is complete , and the City Attorney stated that he was very happy to continue to serve the residents of Santa Maria.
9. PRESENTATIONS
9.a Quarterly Economic Development Impact Reports by Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce for April through June and July through September
The City Council received a presentation from the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino opened public comment. Speaking from the public was Jan Rantanen, Pam Gates, Cliff Solomon, Danny Mogg, Terri Zuniga, Michelle Ambriz, Sofia Estrada Navarro, Rachelle Carr, John Sheehan, and Virginia Souza.
Two written public comments were received from Sue Heilman and Gary Hall.
A discussion ensued between Council and staff at the end of public comment regarding a request made by Councilmember Soto directing staff to request information from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It was recommended by Council for Councilmember Soto to request during oral reports.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a.1 through 11.f.1 (except 11.b.1 which was pulled by staff to bring back on December 2nd ) were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2025 -193, 2025-194, 2025 -195, 2025 -196, 2025 -197, 2025 -198, 2025 -199, 2025 -200, and 2025 -201. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Schwartz announced item 11.b.1 is being pulled.
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
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 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 November 4, 2025.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.a.3 Bond Release for Northman Residential, Tract 6018 Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
City Council approved the release of certain bonds in connection with Northman Residential, Tract 6018.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.a.4 Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Insight Public Sector Inc. for Replacement of the Police Department’s Mobile Data Computers, Mounting Equipment, Mobile Routers and Radio Antennas Installed in Police Vehicles Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-193.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution approving an Agreement with Insight Public Sector Inc. for the replacement of Mobile Data Computers, Mounting Equipment, Mobile Routers and Radio Antennas in the amount of $831,831.20; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to negotiate and execute the agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-05 Amending Portions of Chapters 9-04 through 9-76 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code Concerning Building and Fire Regulations The item was pulled from the agenda to bring back on December 2nd.
11.b.2 Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the City to Enter the California Statewide Communities Development Authority Open Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-194.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution consenting to the inclusion of properties within the territory of the City of Santa Maria in the California Statewide Communities Development Authority Open PACE Programs; authorizing the California Statewide Communities Development Authority to accept applications from property owners, conduct contractual assessment proceedings, and levy contractual assessments within the territory of the City; and authorizing related actions.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
4 11.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 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 t he Director of Finance.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.d POLICE DEPARTMENT
11.d.1 Adoption of a Resolution Awarding a Purchasing Agreement with SOV Security for Police Department CCTV Camera System Replacement
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-195.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution awarding a purchasing agreement to SOV Security for the Police Department CCTV camera system replacement in the amount of $296,969.14; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.e PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.e.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with V. Lopez Jr. & Sons, Inc., Formal Bid No. 2023-05 for Municipal Improvements Job-Order Pavement Repairs Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-196.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to Agreement with V. Lopez Jr. & Sons, Inc., Formal Bid No. 2023 -05 for Municipal Improvements Job -Order Pavement Repairs and increasing the total not-to-exceed amount by $119,008.12 for a revised total of $4,119,008.12; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
5 11.e.2 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Amendment No. 2 to Agreement with Dewberry Engineers, Inc. for US 101/SR 135 Broadway Interchange Project Approval and Environmental Document
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-197.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution approving Amendment No. 2 to agreement with Drewberry Engineers, Inc., to complete the Project Approval and Environmental Document for the US 101/SR 135 Broadwa y Interchange in the amount of $1,577,071.77; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.e.3 Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing an Increase in Project Contingency for the Citywide Road Resurfacing Project, Bid No. 2025-01
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-198.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution authorizing an increase of $100,000 to the project contingency for the Citywide Road Resurfacing Project, Bid No. 2025-01; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to approve project change orders and expenditures within the revised contingency amount.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.e.4 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Removal of No Stopping Zones on Western Avenue, Carmen Lane, And Sonya Lane and Establishment of a Passenger Loading Zone on Western Avenue
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-199.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution approving the removal of existing No Stopping Zones on Western Avenue, Carmen Lane, and Sonya Lane; and establishing a Passenger Loading Zone on Western Avenue, adjacent to Jimenez Elementary School, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 21458.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
6 11.e.5 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Acceptance of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grant Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-200.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the City Manager, or designee, to accept a FEMA grant in the amount of $375,000, and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to authorize appropriation of said grant funds; and
2. Authorized the Finance Director to appropriate $125,000 from the Growth Mitigation Fund as the local match to support the development of a City of Santa Maria Flood Mitigation Master Plan.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.f UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.f.1 Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing Disposal Fees for the Santa Maria Regional Landfill Effective January 1, 2026
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-201.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution authorizing updated disposal fees for the Santa Maria Regional Landfill, effective January 1, 2026.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
12.a Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter Ending June 30, 2025 The City Council received a staff report on the Financial Report for the Fourth Quarter ending June 30, 2025, by Director of Finance Rebecca Campbell. The report has been filed.
13. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands announced that the next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The agenda will include retirement resolutions for Alex Posada and Mark Van De Camp, the annual fire inspection report, and consideration of the 2026 meeting calendar for the City Council, Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Flores announced that she attended the following: 24th Anniversary Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial Ceremony, the Joint Special Meeting with the Planning Commission, the CommUnify Board of Directors meeting, Serve Santa Maria, and a luncheon honoring homeless veterans.
Councilmember Escobedo shared that he attended and presented recognit ion awards at Corazón Latino’s 2nd Anniversary Dinner and also attended Fiesta Mexicana featuring Ballet Folklórico at Pioneer Valley High School.
Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez reported attending a series of engagements: Joint Special Meeting with the P lanning Commission, Regional Economic Action Coalition (REACH) Roundtable, Fiesta Mexicana featuring Ballet Folklórico at Pioneer Valley High School, University of California 4 -H Youth Development Program Meeting (Head, Heart, Hands, Health), EconAlliance Board Meeting, and an internal meeting with Public Works regarding Developer Impact Fees.
Councilmember Soto mentioned she attended the Joint Special Meeting with Planning Commission.
7 Mayor Patino reported she attended the following: Planning Commission Meeting, California Coastal Commission, 17th Annual Santa Barbara Foundation Celebrate Philanthropy Luncheon, Serve Santa Maria, Mayor’s Youth Task Force, the Senior Club Dinner, 24th Anniversary Freedom Monument Veterans Memorial Ceremony, Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting, North County Subregional Planning Committee, Joint Special Meeting with the Planning Commission, and the Regional Economic Action Coalition (REACH) Roundtable.
Following oral reports, the City Council continued its discussion on t he request for staff to obtain information from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency regarding t he ICE arrests that occurred in Santa Maria. City Council reached consensus and provided direction to the City Manager to obtain the information.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor