1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
February 3, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera, Councilmember Gloria Soto, Councilmember Carlos Escobedo, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, 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, Interim Director of Recreation & Parks Dennis Smitherman, Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, Library Director Dawn Jackson, Chief Human Resources Officer Graciela Reynoso, Director of Utilities Shad Springer, Police Chief Christopher Williams, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 4:33 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmember Aguilera (arrived at 4:38 p.m.), Councilmember Escobedo (arrived at 4:50 p.m.), Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Flores, and Mayor Patino.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager David W. Rowlands, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, Director of Community Development Chenin Dow, 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 4:34 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.8
4. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION
REGULAR SESSION - 5:30 P .M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Mark Wright from Heritage Evangelical Presbyterian Church gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Aguilera 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 to the City staff.
9. PROCLAMATIONS
9.a Proclamation Honoring the Life and Service of Joseph Glen Alexander The City Council presented a Proclamation to Mr. Alexander's daughter, Wanda Acquistapace accompanied by Firefighter Andrew Klein, honoring the life a nd service of Joseph Glen Alexander and commemorating January 22, 1969, as his Last Alarm.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Gary Hall, Maydeli Aguirre, Elvia Salazar, Bradyn Lopez, Nan Helgeland, Danny Mogg, Cliff Solomon, Raul Olivera, Maricela Ortiz, Teresa Suarez, Gwenever Cannon, Patricia Solorio, Sergio Castillo, Ana Hugnh, Armando Santiago, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Fernando Martinez, Lorena Martinez Cruz, Isaac Gil, Mich elle Ambriz, Sofia Navarro, Gohan Navarro, and Esteban Valenzuela.
One written public comment was received from Michelle Ambriz.
Police Chief Williams provided information regarding the Police Department and the community.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a.1 through 11.c.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution No. 2026-21. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
One written public comment was received by Geoffrey Wheeler regarding item 11.c.1.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
Adopted the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Escobedo, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, 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 Aguilera
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 Aguilera
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of January 20, 2026.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
3 11.b FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
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.c UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Black and Veatch Corporation for Wastewater Master Plan Peer Review Services
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-21.
Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
1. Adopted a Resolution approving an agreement with Black and Veatch Corporation for Wastewater Master Plan Review Services; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12. REGULAR BUSINESS
12.a Adoption of a Resolution Expressing Support for Immigrant Residents of Santa Maria Oral report given by City Manager David Rowlands.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Christina Wood.
Three written public comments were received from Hunter Jameson, Joyce Ellen Lippman, and Sara Lee MacDonald.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-22.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution expressing support for immigrant residents of Santa Maria.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Escobedo, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, and Mayor Patino
Noes (1): Councilmember Soto
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 1)
13. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands reported the next City Council Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17th. Items on the agenda include Business of the Quarter for the Chamber of Commerce, Disposition of Old Buses and Equipment, and an item for Generator Purchase.
4 14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Flores announced she attended the CalCities Mayor and Council Academy, 16th Annual Boys & Girls Club Youth Standing Breakfast, Police Council Membership Social, and the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Board Meeting.
Councilmember Escobedo stated he attended the16th Annual Boys & Girls Club Youth Standing Breakfast.
Councilmember Aguilera announced she attended the 6th Annual Boys & Girls Club Youth Standing Breakfast, CalTrans Meeting, EconAlliance Board Meeting, Police Council Membership Social, Board of Supervisors Meeting, Investment Committee Meeting, the Unpermitted Roadside Food Vendor Concerns Community Meeting, and the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Las Mujeres Park.
Councilmember Soto n oted she attended the City of Santa Maria Airport Meeting, Budget Ad Hoc Committee, 16th Annual Boys & Girls Club Youth Standing Breakfast, and met with Joan Harmon.
Mayor Patino reported she attended the following: Ben Heighs Show, the League of Californ ia Cities Policy Committee on Housing, Community, and Economic Development, Budget Ad Hoc Committee, Police Council Membership Social, 3CE Policy Board of Directors Special Meeting, Marian Regional Medical Center Foundation Board Meeting, Leadership Santa Maria Valley Lunch & Learn, and the California Association of Councils of Governments Board Meeting.
15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Councilmember Soto requested to adjourn the meeting in recognition of those that have lost their lives while in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor