CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES CITY OF SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA

Tuesday, December 02, 2025 at 5:30 P.m. - 6:30 P.m.

City Hall Council Chambers

110 East Cook Street

Santa Maria

Roll Call:

• Councilmember Maribel Aguilera-Hernandez, 
• Councilmember Gloria Flores, 
• Councilmember Gloria Soto, 
• Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Escobedo, 
• 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, 
• Fire Chief Bradley Dandridge, 
• Director of Community Development Chenin Dow, 
• Director of Public Works Brett Fulgoni, 
• Library Director Dawn Jackson, 
• Director of Recreation & Parks Alex Posada, 
• Chief Human Resources Officer Graciela Reynoso, 
• Director of Utilities Shad Springer, 
• Police Chief Christopher Williams, 
• Chief Deputy City Clerk Donna Schwartz, 
• and Assistant City Clerk Alexandra Valadez 

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REGULAR SESSION - 5:30 P.M.

1.

INVOCATION

Veronica Leach, President of the Santa Maria Community of Prayer gave the Invocation.

2.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilmember Escobedo led the Pledge of Allegiance.

3.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Patino called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

4.

PRESENTATIONS

4.a

Retirement Resolution Honoring Alexander “Alex” Posada, Director of the Recreation and Parks Department

The City Council presented Retirement Resolution No. 2025-202 honoring and commending Alexander "Alex" Posada, Director of Recreation and Parks, for his 46.5 years of devoted service to the City of Santa Maria, recognizing his outstanding leadership, dedication, and contributions to the community, and congratulating him on his well-deserved retirement.

4.b

Retirement Resolution Honoring Mark van de Kamp, Public Information Manager

The City Council presented Retirement Resolution No. 2025-203 honoring and commending Mark van de Kamp, Public Information Manager for nearly 22 years of devoted service with the City of Santa Maria, his outstanding contributions to the community, and congratulating him on his upcoming retirement.

5.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD (Not to exceed 15 Minutes)

Mayor Patino invited public comment. Speaking from the public was Deon Nielsen Price and Gary Hall.

At 6:19 p.m. Mayor Patino called for a short recess.

At 6:33 p.m. Mayor Patino reconvened the meeting.

Councilmember Escobedo returned to the meeting at 6:34 p.m.

6.

CONSENT CALENDAR

Consent Calendar Items 6.a.1 through 6.e.1 were approved as presented, including the adoption of Resolution Nos. 2025-204, 2025-205, 2025-206, 2025-207, 2025-208, 2025-209, 2025-210, 2025-211 and Ordinance No. 2025-05.  The recorded vote appears with each item below.

• Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopted the Consent Calendar as submitted.

  Ayes (4)	Mayor Patino, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Gloria Flores
  Absent (1)	Councilmember Escobedo

  Motion carried by a recorded vote (4 to 0)

6.a

CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK DEPARTMENT

6.a.1

Ordinances and Resolutions

• Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  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

6.a.2

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Approved the Minutes of the regular City Council meeting of November 18, 2025.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.a.3

Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Establishment of New Job Classifications, Corresponding Job Specifications, and Adopting Amendments to the Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-204.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopted a Resolution approving the establishment of two new job classifications for the Utilities Department and their corresponding job specifications; and adopting amendments to the Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule for all full-time and part-time employees.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.a.4

Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to Agreement with Aleshire and Wynder, LLP

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-205.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
  1. Adopted a Resolution approving an Amendment to the Letter Agreement with Aleshire and Wynder, LLP. for continued legal employment and labor services and an increase to the amount of $200,000; and
  2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.a.5

Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule, effective December 27, 2025

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-206.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopted a Resolution approving a Comprehensive Schematic Pay Schedule, effective December 27, 2025, to implement pay changes to address the new 2026 minimum wage requirements to $16.90 per hour for the State of California, and salary adjustments to Santa Maria Police Officers’ Association; and the Santa Maria Police Association of Middle Management.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.a.6

Adoption of Resolution Approving Second Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria and the Service Employees International Union Local 620

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-207.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
  1. Adopted a Resolution authorizing and approving the Second Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Santa Maria and the Service Employees International Union Local 620, February 20, 2024, through December 31, 2025; and
  2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.a.7

Adoption of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2024-47, Approving a Wage and Benefits Package for the Non-Represented Management and Confidential Employees and to Extend Review of Agreement and Increase City’s Contribution to Premiums

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-208.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
  1. Adopted a Resolution amending Resolution No. 2024-47, authorizing and approving a Wage and Benefits Package for the Non-Represented Management and Confidential Employees and to extend review of the agreement and increase the City’s contribution to the health benefits premiums in 2026; and
  2. Authorized the Mayor to execute the terms of the Resolution.
  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.a.8

Adoption of a Resolution Amending Resolution No. 2025-15, Approving a Wage and Benefits Package for Public Safety Managers and Extending Review of Agreement and Increase City’s Contribution to Premiums

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-209.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
  1. Adopted a Resolution amending Resolution No. 2025-15, approving a Wage and Benefits Package for Public Safety Managers and extending review of agreement and increase the City’s contribution to health benefits premiums in 2026; and
  2. Authorized the Mayor to execute the terms of the Resolution.
  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.b

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

6.b.1

Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-05 Amending Portions of Chapters 9-04 through 9-76 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code Concerning Building and Fire Regulations

• Action: Adopted as Ordinance No. 2025-05.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopted an Ordinance Amending portions of Chapters 9-04 through 9-76 of Title 9 of the City of Santa Maria Municipal Code concerning Building and Fire regulations.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.c

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

6.c.1

Payment of Warrants

• Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  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

6.c.2

Payment of Payroll

• Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  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

6.c.3

Growth Mitigation Annual and Five-Year Compliance Report – AB 1600.

• Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Received, reviewed, and filed the Receive and File the Growth Mitigation Annual and Five-Year Compliance Report – AB 1600.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.d

FIRE DEPARTMENT

6.d.1

Adoption of a Resolution Acknowledging Receipt of the Annual Fire Inspection Report per Senate Bill 1205

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-210.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto

  Adopted a Resolution acknowledging receipt of the annual report for the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, for fire inspections of certain occupancies as required by Senate Bill 1205 pursuant to California Health and Safety Code Sections 13146.2, 13146.3, and 13146.4.

  Motion carried by a recorded vote

6.e

UTILITIES DEPARTMENT

6.e.1

Adoption of a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Santa Maria-Bonita School District for Utility Connection and Service Outside of City Boundaries

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-211.
  Moved by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez
  Seconded by: Councilmember Soto
  1. Adopted a Resolution approving an Agreement with Santa Maria-Bonita School District for Utility Connection and Service Outside of City Boundaries to permit connection for service of potable (domestic) water to Bonita Elementary School site, 2715 West Main Street; and
  2. Authorized the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
  Motion carried by a recorded vote

7.

APPOINTMENTS

7.a

Annual Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem

• Moved by: Mayor Patino
  Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez

  Appointed Councilmember Flores as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one-year period, pursuant to Council practice.

  Ayes (5)

  Mayor Patino, Councilmember Escobedo, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Gloria Flores

  Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)

8.

REGULAR BUSINESS

8.a

Adoption of a Resolution Approving the 2026 Meeting Calendar for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees

• Action: Adopted as Resolution No. 2025-212.
  Moved by: Councilmember Escobedo
  Seconded by: Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez

  Adopted a Resolution approving the 2026 Meeting Calendar for City Council and City of Santa Maria Boards, Commissions, and Committees.

  Ayes (5)

  Mayor Patino, Councilmember Escobedo, Councilmember Soto, Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez, and Councilmember Gloria Flores

  Motion carried by a recorded vote (5 to 0)

9.

REPORT BY CITY MANAGER

City Manager Rowlands extended his appreciation to Mark van de Kamp and Alex Posada for their many years of dedicated service to the City of Santa Maria.

10.

ORAL REPORTS OF COUNCILMEMBERS AND OFFICERS (INCLUDING AB 1234 REPORTS)

Councilmember Flores had no report.

Councilmember Escobedo had no report.

Councilmember Aguilera-Hernandez reported she attended EconAlliance Board Meeting, the Santa Maria Women's Lawyer Association Luncheon, Groundbreaking of the Royal Theater in Guadalupe

Councilmember Soto had no report.

Mayor Patino reported she attended the Mayor's Teen Council University Excursion, and the Groundbreaking of the Royal Theater in Guadalupe.

11.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the City Council, Mayor Patino declared the City Council meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m. in memory of Mother Gladys Lawanda Johnson.