City Council
Regular MeetingSalinas, CA · February 11, 2025
Minutes
200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas,
City of Salinas CA 93901
www.cityofsalinas.org
Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
City Council
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Councilmembers:
Jose Luis Barajas, District 1 - Tony Barrera, District 2
Margaret D'Arrigo, District 3 - Gloria De La Rosa, District 4
Andrew Sandoval, District 5 - Aurelio Salazar, District 6
Rene Mendez, City Manager
Christopher A. Callihan, City Attorney
City Clerk’s Office: (831) 758-7381
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 4:00 PM SALINAS ROTUNDA
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Present: 7- Councilmember Jose Barajas
Councilmember Tony Barrera
Councilmember Margaret D'Arrigo
Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa
Councilmember Aurelio Salazar
Councilmember Jose Andrew Sandoval
Mayor Dennis Donohue
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Department Directors introduced and welcome new employees and promotions for the
month of January. Fire Chief Klemek presented the 2024 Firefighter of the Year and
Monterey County Firefighter of the Year Ryan Macoubrie.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 4:10 p.m.
ID#24-721 a. Existing Litigation - Cal. Govt. Code section 54956.9(d)(1), conference
with legal counsel regarding, Higashi Farms v. City of Salinas (Monterey
County Superior Court Case No. 24CV001860).
b. Anticipated Litigation - Cal. Govt. Code section 54956.9(d)(4),
conference with legal counsel regarding potential initiation of litigation.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENEd IN THE ROTUNDA AT 5:00 P.M.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.1, the City Council authorized the
City Attorney to join in litigation that will negatively affect the City of Salinas and its
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial February 11, 2025
residents.
PROCLAMATION
The City Council proclaimed:
National Black History Month
National Engineers Week, February 16-22, 2025
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment from members of the public in attendance and on Zoom.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
CONSENT AGENDA
ID#25-030 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La
Rosa, the minutes of January 27, 2025 were approved. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Ayes: 7- Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo,
Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval
and Mayor Donohue
ID#25-024 Financial Claims
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La
Rosa, the financial claims report was approved. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Ayes: 7- Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo,
Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval
and Mayor Donohue
ID#25-027 Letter of Support for California Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez): Immigration
Enforcement: Schoolsites: Prohibitions on Access, Sharing Information, and
Law Enforcement Collaboration
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember De La
Rosa, Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter on behalf of the City of
Salinas in support of California Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez) was approved. The
motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: 7- Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo,
Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval
and Mayor Donohue
Enactment No: RES 23199
PUBLIC HEARINGS
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial February 11, 2025
ID#25-021 Exception to the CalPERS 180-Day Wait Period
Received report from Patricia Penaloza, Human Resources Manager regarding the
exception to the CalPERS 180-day wait period for Interim Assistant Community
Development Director David Gonzalvez. Assistant Community Development Director
(ACDD) David B. Gonzalves announced his retirement effective on March 12, 2025.
Pursuant to Government Code sections 7522.56 and 21221(h), the City Council may
authorize an exception to the 180-day wait period for hiring a retired annuitant by
Resolution. Staff recommend the Council grant the 180-day exemption to allow so that
Mr. Gonzalves may temporarily perform the duties as Interim ACDD.
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember
Sandoval, Resolution authorizing an exception to the 180-day wait period for
hiring retired CalPERS member David B. Gonzalves as Interim Assistant
Community Development Director was approved. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Ayes: 7- Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo,
Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval
and Mayor Donohue
Enactment No: RES 23200
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#24-727 2024 Permit Center Annual Report
Received report from Community Development Director Lisa Brinton and Assistant
Community Development Director David Gonzalvez regarding the 2024 Annual Report
covering the past calendar year, the 2024 Permit Center Annual Report Dashboard, 2024
Permit Center Key Actions Taken, and the 2023/24 Organizational Assessment. The
staff report which is filed with the City Clerk as the official records, highlights the ongoing
implementation of the 2023 Community Development Organizational Assessment Key
Actions, analyzes performance measure data, and current and future development
projects. The Dashboard presents the performance measure data visually and shows
year over year (2022-2024) comparisons for Permit Services and other Community
Development divisions and City departments (Current Planning, Code Enforcement,
Development Engineering, Fire and Small Business Support), which are integral to Permit
Center activities and processes. The 2024 Key Actions Taken and 2023/24
Organizational Assessment Findings,
Recommendations, and Actions report present the changes made to improve staffing,
work-flow, communication, and training in more detail.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Eric Petersen
Alex Reynoso
Mary Ann Worden
Luis Xago Juarez, BHC
Lizbeth Camacho
Kevin Dayton
No action required.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
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City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial February 11, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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Agenda
City of Salinas
200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas, CA 93901
www.cityofsalinas.org
Meeting Agenda - Final
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
4:00 PM
SALINAS ROTUNDA
City Council
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Councilmembers:
Jose Luis Barajas, District 1 - Tony Barrera, District 2
Margaret D'Arrigo, District 3 - Gloria De La Rosa, District 4
Andrew Sandoval, District 5 - Aurelio Salazar, District 6
Rene Mendez, City Manager
Christopher A. Callihan, City Attorney
City Clerk’s Office: (831) 758-7381
City Council Meeting Agenda - Final February 11, 2025
ZOOM WEBINAR PARTICIPATION
JOIN THE ZOOM WEBINAR TO PARTICIPATE LIVE AT:
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To participate telephonically, call any number below:
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Webinar ID: 820 8678 5220
If prompted to enter a participant ID, press #.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
CLOSED SESSION
Receive public communications from the audience on Closed session items.
The City Council will recess to closed session pursuant to:
ID#24-721 a. Existing Litigation - Cal. Govt. Code section 54956.9(d)(1), conference
with legal counsel regarding, Higashi Farms v. City of Salinas (Monterey
County Superior Court Case No. 24CV001860).
b. Anticipated Litigation - Cal. Govt. Code section 54956.9(d)(4),
conference with legal counsel regarding potential initiation of litigation.
THE CITY COUNCIL WILL RECONVENE IN THE ROTUNDA AT 5:00 P.M.
PROCLAMATION
National Black History Month
National Engineers Week, February 16-22, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES
If you wish to make a general public comment or comment on a specific agenda item,
you are encouraged to attend the City Council meeting in person. Public comment may
also be submitted via email at PublicComment@ci.salinas.ca.us and will be entered into
the record.
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City Council Meeting Agenda - Final February 11, 2025
PUBLIC COMMENT TIME RESTRICTIONS
Public comments generally are limited to two minutes per speaker; the Mayor may further
limit the time for public comments depending on the agenda schedule.
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Receive public communications on items that are not on the agenda and that are in the
City of Salinas’ subject matter jurisdiction. Comments on Consideration, Public Hearing
items, and the Consent Agenda should be held until the items are reached.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
Government Code § 84308. Parties to any proceeding involving a license, permit or other
entitlement for use pending before the City Council must disclose any campaign
contributions over $500 (aggregated) within the preceding 12 months made by the party,
their agent, and those required to be aggregated with their contributions under
Government Code § 82015.5. The disclosure must include the amount contributed and
the name(s) of the contributor(s).
CONSENT AGENDA
Matters listed under the Consent Agenda may be enacted by one motion unless a
member of the Council requests a separate vote or discuss. Members of the public may
comment on the Consent Agenda items collectively during their public comment.
ID#25-030 Minutes
Recommendation: Approve minutes of January 27, 2025.
ID#25-024 Financial Claims
Recommendation: Approve the financial claims report.
ID#25-027 Letter of Support for California Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez): Immigration
Enforcement: Schoolsites: Prohibitions on Access, Sharing Information, and
Law Enforcement Collaboration
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign a letter on behalf of the City of
Salinas in support of California Senate Bill 48 (Gonzalez).
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#25-021 Exception to the CalPERS 180-Day Wait Period
Recommendation: Approve a Resolution authorizing an exception to the 180-day wait period for hiring retired
CalPERS member David B. Gonzalves as Interim Assistant Community Development
Director.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#24-727 2024 Permit Center Annual Report
Recommendation: No action required. Receive report regarding the 2024 Permit Center Annual Report.
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City Council Meeting Agenda - Final February 11, 2025
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Receive communication from Councilmembers on reports, appointments and future
agenda items. Councilmember comments are generally limited to three minutes.
ADJOURNMENT
_____________________________
Patricia M. Barajas, City Clerk
AGENDA MATERIAL / ADDENDUM
Any addendums will be posted within 72 hours of regular meetings or 24 hours of special
meetings and in accordance with Californian Government Code Section 54954.2 and
54956. City Council agenda reports and other writings distributed to the legislative body
may be viewed at the Salinas City Clerk’s Office, 200 Lincoln Avenue, Salinas, and are
posted on the City’s website at www.cityofsalinas.org in accordance with California
Government Code section 54597.5. The City Council may take action that is different
than the proposed action reflected on the agenda.
Disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services,
may be requested by any person with a disability who requires a modification or
accommodation in order to participate in the meeting. Language interpretation may be
requested as soon as possible but by no later than 5 p.m. of the last business day prior
to the meeting. Requests should be referred to the City Clerk’s Office At 200 Lincoln
Avenue, Salinas, 758-7381, as soon as possible but by no later than 5 p.m. of the last
business day prior to the meeting. Hearing impaired or TTY/TDD text telephone users
may contact the city by dialing 711 for the California Relay Service (CRS) or by
telephoning any other service providers’ CRS telephone number.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
This agenda was posted on February 6, 2025 in the Salinas Rotunda and City's website.
Meetings are streamed live at https://salinas.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, televised live
on Comcast Channel 25 and on http://www.youtube.com/thesalinaschannel at 4:00 p.m.
on the date of the regularly scheduled meeting and will be broadcast throughout the day
on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday following the meeting. For the most
up-to-date Broadcast Schedule for The Salinas Channel on Comcast 25, please visit or
subscribe to our Google Calendar located at http://tinyurl.com/SalinasChannel25. All
past City Council meetings may also be viewed on the Salinas Channel on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/thesalinaschannel.
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