1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
February 17, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, Councilmember Gloria Soto, Councilmember 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, 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
2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
Mayor Patino opened public comment. Speaking from the public was Mike Rochlin.
3. RECESS-CLOSED SESSION
At 4:38 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Real Property Negotiators Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.8
3.b 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 Frank Cassels from Life Way Fellowship Church gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Flores led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided to City staff for Items 3.a and 3.b.
9. PRESENTATIONS
9.a Proclamation Proclaiming February 21 through 28, 2026, as “National Future Farmers of America Week”.
The City Council presented the Proclamation to the Santa Maria Future Farmers of America Chapter.
2 9.b Businesses of the Quarter – January to March 2026 The City Council presented certificates to Kim Rudnick -Chavez of Advanced Wireless and Kathleen Gabel of Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Robert Gibson, Danny Mogg, Cliff Solomon, Sue Heitman, Elena Magana, Wendy Teodoro, Reynaldo Rodriguez, Lorena Martinez, Teresa Suarez, Sofia, Maria Salguero, and Aaron Crocker.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a.1 through 11.e.1 (except 11.d.4) were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2026 -23,2026-24, 2026-25, 2026-26, 2026-27, 2026-29, and 2026 -30.
The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Schwartz announced a correction to Attachment B of item 11.d.2. The age of buses is listed as nine 9 years but should be 12 years for a 6 heavy duty floor buses.
For Item 11.d.4, one written public comment and one public speaker wer e received from Geoffrey Wheeler. Councilmember Soto pulled the item for discussion and a separate vote.
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Mayor Pro Tem 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
Waived the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolutions. Ordinances on the Consent Agenda will be adopted by the same v ote cast at the first meeting, unless City Council indicates otherwise.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 3, 2026.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.a.3 Adoption of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2026-01 on CalPERS Special Compensation and Fire Battalion Chief Holiday Pay
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-23.
1. Adopted a Resolution amending Resolution No. 2026 -01, authorizing and approving a Wage and Benefits Package for Public Safety Managers to update special compensation items and align Fire Battalion Chief holiday pay with CalPERS requirements; and
2. Authorized the Mayor to execute the terms of the Resolution.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Public Convenience or Necessity Determination for a Type 20 Alcohol Beverage Control License for Sprouts Farmers Market at 2170 South Bradley Road
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-24.
3 Adopted a Resolution approving a determination of public convenience or necessity for the issuance of a Type 20 (Off -Sale Beer and Wine) alcohol beverage control license for Sprouts Farmers Market located at 2170 South Bradley Road.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 Payment of Payroll
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 Approving the Refurbishment of a 2013 CAT Soil Compactor, Asset No. 6445-13, to FY 2025-26
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-25.
Adopted a Resolution approving an amendment to the Fleet Replacement Schedul e to authorize the refurbishment of 2013 Caterpillar CS56B Soil Compactor, Asset No. 6445 -13, in Fiscal Year 2025-26.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.d.2 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Disposition of Older Transit Vehicles and Equipment Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-26.
1. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the disposition of older transit vehicles and equipment; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to sign sales agreements with a reputable auction company for the surplus of the transit vehicles.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.d.3 Adoption of Resolution Approving a Proposed Establishment of a No Stopping Zone on West Boone Street
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-27.
Adopted a Resolution establishing a No Stopping Zone on West Boone Street.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.d.4 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Establishment of a Crosswalk on South College Drive Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-28.
Adopted a Resolution approving the establishment of a mid -block crosswalk on South College Drive approximately 200 feet north of the East Camino Colegio and South College Drive intersection.
Staff directed to add this item to the ADA budget discussion for enhancements related to ADA.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
11.d.5 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Award of a Design-Build Agreement with Structural Preservation System, LLC for the Town Center East Parking Structure Rehabilitation 2025 Project
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-29.
4 1. Adopted a Resolution approving the award of a Design-Build Agreement to Structural Preservation System, LLC for the Town Center East Parking Structure Rehabilitation 2025 Project in the amount of $3,061,980; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement and a ny future amendments related to this agreement up to the contingency amount of $200,000.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.e UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.e.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Disposal Fees for MarBorg Industries at Santa Maria Regional Landfill
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-30.
Adopted a Resolution approving disposal fees for Marborg Industries at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill effective January 1, 2026, July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands reported the next City Council Meeting is scheduled for March 3rd. Items on the agenda include the General Plan Annual Report for 2025, and the Measure U Annual Report for the Period Ending June 30, 2025.
13. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m. in memory of Linda Glines.
Take the Immigration Ad Hoc Committee item off the table for it to be agendized to the next regular City Council meeting.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Escobedo, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor