1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
March 3, 2026, 5:00 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, 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 4:32 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Flores, and Mayor Patino.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilmember Escobedo.
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
City Manager David W. Rowlands, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Assistant City Manager Chuen Wu, Chief Human Resources Officer Graciela Reynoso, 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 4:32 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to California Government Code §54957.6
3.b Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code §54956.9(d)(1) [one case]
4. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION
REGULAR SESSION - 5:30 P .M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Mark Wright of Heritage Church gave the Invocation.
2 6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Escobedo led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:37 p.m.
Councilmember Escobedo joined the meeting for open session.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided for items 3.a and 3.b.
9. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Gary Hall, Rachelle Carr, and Dena Rae Soares.
Councilmember Carlos Escobedo submitted his resignation as City Councilmember for District 1, effective immediately, and then departed the meeting.
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 10.a.1 through 10.g.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2026 -31, 2026 -32, 2026 -33, 2026 -34, 2026 -35, and 2026 -36. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
Adopt the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
10.a CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT
10.a.1 Ordinances and Resolutions
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
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, u nless City Council indicates otherwise.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of February 17, 2026.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
3 10.a.3 Adoption of a Resolution Canceling the Regular City Council Meetings on Tuesday, March 17, April 21, and May 19, 2026
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-31.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
Adopted a Resolution canceling the regular City Council meetings on Tuesday, March 17, April 21, and May 19, 2026.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
10.b.1 2025 General Plan Annual Report
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
Directed the Chief Deputy City Clerk to file the 2025 General Plan Annual Report with the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation and the State Housing and Community Development Department.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
10.c.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
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
10.c.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
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
4 10.d LIBRARY DEPARTMENT
10.d.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with the County of Santa Barbara and the Cities of Lompoc, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria for the Operation of a Free Countywide Library System for Fiscal Year 2025-2026
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-32.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
1. Adopted a Resolution approving an Agreement with the County of Santa Barbara, the cities of Lompoc, Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria to provide for the operation of a Free Countywide Library System for Fiscal Year 2025 -2026; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute agreement and to appropriate, release, and expend funds and issue warrants to comply with the terms of the agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.e POLICE DEPARTMENT
10.e.1 Adoption of a Resolution Awarding a Professional Services Agreement with Sintra Group for Public Safety Background Investigation Services
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-33.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
1. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Sintra Group for public safety background investigation services; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.f PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
10.f.1 Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing a Sole Source Agreement with Genfare, LLC for Genfare Link Subscription
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-34.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
1. Adopted a Resolution authorizing a sole source agreement with Genfare, LLC for the implementation, activation, and ongoing support of the Genfare Link "tap-to- pay" capabilities for the Santa Maria Regional Transit electric fleet; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute agreement and any necessary amendments.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
5 10.f.2 Adoption of a Resolution to Authorize Procurement of Transit Shelters Via CalACT/MBTA Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Tolar Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-35.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
1. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the procurement of transit shelters through the California Association for Coordinated Transportation/Morongo Basin Transit Authority cooperative purchasing agreement with Tolar Manufacturing Company, Inc.; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the assignment to purchase agreement
Motion carried by a recorded vote
10.g UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
10.g.1 Adoption of a Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Two Emergency Power Generators Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-36.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
1. Adopted a Resolution authorizing the purchase of two emergency power generators from United Rentals through the Sourcewell cooperative purchase contract; and
2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents to complete the purchase.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11. REGULAR BUSINESS
11.a Introduction of an Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2025-03, Revising Titles 2 and 10 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code
Interim Director of Recreation and Parks Dennis Smitherman presented the staff report.
Action: Introduced as Ordinance No. 2026-01.
Moved by: Councilmember Soto
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
The City Council to:
1. Waived first reading and introduce an Ord inance amending Ordinance No. 2025 -03, revising Titles 2 and 10 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code to clarify that final approval authority for all recreation fees rests with the City Council; and
2. Confirmed the Recreation and Parks Commission’s authority to conduct public hearings and forward recommendations to the City Council; and
3. Set said ordinance for adoption at the next regular City Council meeting.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
6 11.b Measure U Annual Report for the Period Ending June 30, 2025, as Submitted by the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee
Director of Finance Rebecca Campbell presented the staff report.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
1. Received a presentation from City staff on the Measure U Annual Report for the period ending June 30, 2025; and
2. Received and filed the Measure U Citizens’ Oversight Committee Fiscal Year 2024 -25 Annual Report.
Ayes (4): Councilmember Aguilera, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, Councilmember Soto, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)
11.c Continued from September 16, 2025, City Council Meeting - Discussion on a Request to Form an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee
City Manager David Rowlands presented the staff report.
Council discussed a request to form an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee.
Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public were Cliff Solomon, Mayra Abigail Lopez Lope z, Elvia Salazar, Emily Cruz Diaz, Robert Gibson, Lorena M., Teresa Suarez, Fernando Martinez, Adam, Cristina Merida, Patricia Solorio, Saul Martinez, Steve Simonsen, Armando Santiago, Raul Olivera, Sergio Castillo, Yajaira Arroyo, Michelle Ambriz, Rene Sa linas, Isaac Gil, Sofia Navarro, and Rachelle Carr.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz announced that four written public comments were received from Danny Mogg, Sue and Larry Heitman, Hunter Jameson, and Joyce Ellen Lippman.
Moved by: Mayor Patino
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
Form Immigration Ad Hoc Committee.
Ayes (2): Councilmember Aguilera, and Councilmember Soto Noes (2): Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, and Mayor Patino Motion defeated by a recorded vote (2 to 2)
12. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands reported that the next City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Agenda items will include presentations on Drones as First Responders and the Real Time Crime Center, as well as a presentation on Red Light Cameras. The meeting will also include a public hearing on the draft Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan recommendations for Fiscal Year 2026–27 and a regular business item regarding the Special Budget Policy.
7 13. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS) Councilmember Flores stated she participated in Read Across America at Ontiveros Elementary School and the Special Meeting of the City of Santa Maria City Council, Goals Setting Workshop on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
Councilmember Aguilera announced she attended the 5 -Year Resolution Meeting, a Retirement Celebration, the Special Meeting of the City of Santa Maria City Council, Goals Setting Workshop on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and the EconAlliance AG Forum.
Councilmember Soto stated that she attended the State of Education meeting, the Budget Ad Hoc Committee meeting, the Urban Planning Concepts Cook Street Apartments meeting, the Special Meeting of the City of Santa Maria City Council, Goals Setting Workshop on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and the Public Budgets and Revenue meeting.
Mayor Patino reported she attended the following: The Ben Heighes Show, Marian Foundation Breakfast with the President meeting, Quarterly City–Commerce Meeting with Vandenberg Space Force Base, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) Board of Directors meeting, annual one-on-one meeting with SBCAG, Mayor’s Youth Task Force meeting, the University of California Student and Policy Center Conference on Housing, 2026 St ate of Education meeting at Allan Hancock College, EconAlliance AG Forum, the Special Meeting of the City of Santa Maria City Council, Goals Setting Workshop on Saturday, February 28, 2026, and participated in Read Across America at Ontiveros Elementary School.
14. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. in memory of Linda Glines.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor