1 SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA
August 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera, Councilmember Gloria Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, Mayor Alice Patino
Members Absent: Councilmember Richard Batalla
Staff Present: City Manager David W. Rowlands, City Attorney Thomas Watson, Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz
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CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
At 5:33 p.m. Mayor Patino called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL:
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Soto (arrived at 5:36 p.m.), Mayor Pro Tem Flores, and Mayor Patino.
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilmember Batalla.
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
3.a Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6
3.b Public Employee Performance Evaluation and Compensation, Pursuant to Government Code §54957 and 54957.6(a)
3.c Public Employee Performance Evaluation and Compensation, Pursuant to Government Code §54957 and 54957.6(a)
3.d Conference with Legal Counsel - Significant Exposure to Litigation, Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(2) [two cases]
4. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
5. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 6:57 p.m.
6. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided to the City's negotiators and attorney.
2 7. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino opened public comment, there being none, closed public comment.
8. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor