1 CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA September 15, 2026, 5:30 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
110 East Cook Street
Santa Maria
Roll Call: Councilmember Maribel Aguilera, Councilmember Richard Batalla, Councilmember Gloria Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, 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, Recreation Services Manager Dennis Smitherman, Director of Recreation and Parks Ramon Galo, 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, Deputy Chief Shane Brown, and Community Programs Manager Rosa Rojo.
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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 Batalla (arrived at 4:39 p.m.), Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Flores, and Mayor Patino.
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
At 4:33 p.m. Mayor Patino recessed to Closed Session.
3.a Conference with Labor Negotiators, Pursuant to Government Code §54957.6
3.b Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation, Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)(2) [one case]
4. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION
REGULAR SESSION - 5:30 P.M.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Josh Schack of First Christian Church gave the Invocation.
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2 Councilmember Batalla led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
8. REPORT BY THE CITY ATTORNEY FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Watson reported that instructions were provided to the City's Negotiators.
9. PRESENTATIONS
9.a Proclamation – Recognizing Care Net Pregnancy and Resource Center of Santa Maria The City Council presented a Proclamation to Christina Soltan, Executive Director, recognizing Care Net Pregnancy and Resource Center in the City of Santa Maria.
10. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)
Mayor Patino invited public comments. Speaking from the public was Mark van de Kamp, Gary Hall, Rachelle Carr, Sofia Estrada Navarro, and Cynthia Gudino.
11. CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Items 11.a.1 through 11.f.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2026-192, 2026-193, 2026-194, 2026-195, 2026-196, 2026-197, 2026-198, 2026-199, 2026-200, 2026-201, 2026-202, 2026-203, 2026-204, 2026-205, and 2026-206. The recorded vote appears with each item below.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Adopted the Consent Calendar as submitted.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Richard Batalla, Councilmember Soto, 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 Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Waived the reading in full of all Ordinances and Resolutions.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.a.2 Approval of Minutes
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 1, 2026.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
3 11.a.3 Adoption of a Resolution Approving Amendments to the City of Santa Maria’s 2026 Conflict of Interest Code
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-192.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution approving amendments to the City of Santa Maria’s 2026 Conflict of Interest Code.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.b COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
11.b.1 Community Development Block Grants Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Received and filed information concerning the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.c FINANCE DEPARTMENT
11.c.1 Payment of Warrants
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
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
11.c.2 Payment of Payroll
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem 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 the Director of Finance.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.c.3 Adoption of a Resolution Approving First Quarter Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-193.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution Approving First Quarter Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget for Personnel, Operational, and Capital Changes.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
4 11.d FIRE DEPARTMENT
11.d.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Donation of Funding and Budget Amendment for Personal Protective Equipment
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-194.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Adopted a Resolution approving a $150,000 donation from Amazon to the Santa Maria Fire Department and a budget amendment for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.e PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
11.e.1 Adoption of Resolutions Approving Ten Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services
Action: Adopted as Resolution Nos. 2026-195, 2026-196, 2026-197, 2026-198, 2026-199, 2026- 200, 2026-201, 2026-202, 2026-203, and 2026-204.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
2. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to BKF Engineers for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
3. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to EMC Planning Group Inc. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
4. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Kevin Merk Associates, LLC. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
5. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Nichols Consulting Engineers, CHTD. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
6. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Ramboll Americas Engineering Solutions, Inc. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
7. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Rincon Consultants, Inc. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through 5 June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
8. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Stearns, Conrad & Schmidt Consulting Engineers, Inc. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
9. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to SWCA Environmental Consultants for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
10. Adopted a Resolution awarding a Professional Services Agreement to Tetra Tech, Inc. for On-Call Environmental Planning and Permitting Services with an aggregate not-to-exceed fee of $1,000,000 per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30), and a total aggregate not-to-exceed amount of $2,000,000 for the full term of the Agreement; and
11. Authorized City Manager or designee to execute agreements.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
11.e.2 Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Disposition of Older Transit Vehicles and Assets Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-205.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
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.e.3 Adoption of a Resolution approving a Sourcewell Job Order Contract Agreement with Newton Construction & Management for the City of Santa Maria Police Department IT Room HVAC Project
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-206.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution approving a Sourcewell Job Order Contract Work Order Agreement with Newton Construction & Management for the City of Santa Maria Police Department IT Room HVAC Project in the amount of $902,594;
2. Authorized the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement and any future amendments or change orders necessary, provided such amendments are within the scope of the project and consistent with the adopted project budget; and
3. Authorized the City Manager or designee to execute necessary project amendments to the agreement not to exceed the contingency amount.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
6 11.f UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
11.f.1 Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Smaart Power, LLC for Arc Flash Study and Risk Assessment Services
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-207.
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
1. Adopted a Resolution approving an Agreement for Services with Smaart Power, LLC for Arc Flash Study and Risk Assessment Services up to a total not-to-exceed of $185,076 (includes 20 percent contingency funding); and
2. Authorized the City Manager or designee to execute the agreement and enter into extensions and modifications consistent with the terms of the agreement.
Motion carried by a recorded vote
12. PUBLIC HEARING
12.a Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2027-2028 Proposed Community Development Block Grant Funding Priorities
Mayor Patino opened the public hearing at 5:57 p.m.
Speaking from the public was Tim Seifert.
Mayor Patino closed the public hearing at 6:01 p.m.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-208.
Moved by: Councilmember Richard Batalla
Seconded by: Mayor Patino
1. Adopted a Resolution approving the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) priorities for Fiscal Year 2027-2028; and
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Richard Batalla, Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera
Seconded by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
2. Approved the use of Fiscal Year 2027-2028, CDBG Capital funding for 50 percent City-related projects and 50 percent non-profit projects, with the City-related project first priority being Simas Field and second Paul Nelson Aquatic Center.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Richard Batalla, Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
7 12.b Adoption of a Resolution Approving a Substantial Amendment of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Fiscal Year 2026-27 Annual Action Plan
Mayor Patino opened the public hearing at 6:34 p.m., there being no speakers, she immediately closed the public hearing.
Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2026-209.
Moved by: Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores
Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera
Adopted a Resolution approving a substantial amendment to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan to add a Minor Home Repair Activity.
Ayes (5): Councilmember Aguilera, Councilmember Richard Batalla, Councilmember Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Gloria Flores, and Mayor Patino
Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)
13. REPORT BY CITY MANAGER
City Manager Rowlands provided information regarding the upcoming Town Hall Meetings on Measure C. He stated that the meetings are intended to be educational and informational opportunities for community members who would like to learn more about Measure C or have questions or concerns.
The meetings will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:
Monday, September 21 – Edwards Community Center
Monday, September 28 – Minami Community Center
Monday, October 5 – Shepherd Hall
City Manager Rowlands encouraged community members seeking additional information about Measure C to attend, as City staff will be available to answer questions. He also thanked staff and members of the community who had already participated in the meetings.
14. ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS) Mayor Pro Tem Flores shared she attended the CommUnify Board meeting, the City of Santa Maria 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Serve Santa Maria, the Casa Grande Meeting, and the Quick Quack Car Wash Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
Councilmember Batalla stated he attended the Santa Maria Police Department Citizen Academy Graduation, the Central Coast Labor Day Picnic, the City of Santa Maria 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Serve Santa Maria, the Allan Hancock College Honors Ceremony, and the Measure C Forum.
Councilmember Aguilera noted that she attended the Central Coast Labor Day Picnic, the Las Mujeres Ribbon Cutting, a meeting with Bellecrest regarding additional senior housing projects, the City of Santa Maria 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, the Central Coast Air Festival, a Senior Mobile Homes meeting with Gary Hall, the Allan Hancock College Honors Ceremony, and the Measure C Forum.
Councilmember Soto informed the Council that she attended the Urban Planning Concepts Meeting.
Mayor Patino announced she attended the following: Cal Cities Call to Action: Sign and Veto Requests Webinar, the Local Agency Formation Commission Meeting, the Ribbon Cutting for Restoration Masters LLC’s New Office, the REACH Economic Development Regional Roundtable, the City of Santa Maria 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, the Vandenberg Space Force Base 25th Anniversary 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Serve Santa Maria, the Minerva Club Vintage Fair, the Central Coast Air Festival, the Mexican Independence Day Celebration, the Measure C Forum, the Quick Quack Car Wash Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, and the Ben Heighs Show.
8 15. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
Chief Deputy City Clerk Alice M. Patino, Mayor