City Council — February 3, 2026

Okay, my button keeps bouncing off and on. Is it on? No, okay. Because I didn't touch it and it came on that's why I'm wondering. City Attorney Mr. Watson could you please give the closed session report?

Yes Madam Mayor with respect to item 3A the properties APN 121-224-037 instructions were provided to the agency's negotiators to take back to the other party

Thank you. We will now present a proclamation honoring the life and service of Joseph Glenn Alexander, and I feel very honored and privileged to be presenting this tonight. Whereas Joseph Glenn Alexander honorably served the community as an engineer with the Santa Maria Fire Department, demonstrating dedication and professionalism in an unwavering commitment to public safety.

And whereas on January 22nd 1969 while actively operating a fire engine at a structure fire in the area of College Drive and Mariposa Drive Engineer Alex suffered Alexander suffered a fatal heart attack in the line of duty, whereas Joseph Glenn Alexander is recognized as the first line-of-duty death in the history of the Santa Maria Fire Department. A solemn distinction that underscores the inherent risk faced daily by firefighters and whose sacrifice stands as a lasting reminder of the courage Selflessness and devotion require those who answer the call to protect life and property, often at great personal risk. And whereas the City of Santa Maria remains forever grateful for Engineers Alexander's service and honors his memory as an integral part of the department history and legacy Now therefore I, Alice M.

Patino, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria do hereby proclaim that the city of Santa Maria recognizes and honors the life service and ultimate sacrifice of Joseph Glenn Alexander and commemorates January 22nd 1969 his last alarm with profound respect and gratitude Yet therefore proclaim that this proclamation ensures engineer Alexander's name, service and sacrifice are forever remembered. And that his legacy continues to inspire current and future members of the Santa Maria Fire Department as well as the community they proudly served.

Witness thereof, I'm here to have set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Santa Maria to be affixed this third day of February of 2026. And here to receive this except this is his daughter Wanda Acquistapache.

Thank you everyone. Good evening honorable mayor, council members and city staff thank you all for taking the time to recognize a true local hero Joseph Glenn Alexander and his family beside me is his lovely daughter Wanda Just like every person in our fire department, Joe was an extraordinary person that loved to help others. Countless times he would rush out the door when the alarm rang putting other's lives and property before his own.

On January 22nd 1969, Joe Alexander was driving a fire engine to a house fire near Hancock College. When the crew arrived others jumped off to combat the fire while Joe was struck with a sudden heart attack still behind the steering wheel. A passing firefighter noticed Joe's state and pulled him out to perform life-saving measures. He never made it home to his wife and daughter.

Back then, heart attacks in the fire service were not recognized as line duty deaths. Historically speaking, heart attacks and strokes account for almost 50% of firefighter deaths. It wasn't until December 15th of 2003 with the passage of the Hometown Hero Survivors Benefits Act that Heart Disease in the Fire Service was officially recognized as a long time contributor of firefighter deaths.

Since the tragic loss of Joe his fellow firefighters and the Santa Maria Fire Department have made many changes to better care for their firefighters. Shortly after Joe and Alvin Newton's passings, his brothers in the department founded the Firefighters Union Local 2020 to help advocate for firefighter health well-being and overall job satisfaction. The Santa Maria Fire Department also took large steps to assist in firefighter fitness to include health on site Fitness equipment, annual health exams and partnering with 1805 to care for firefighters mental health after tough calls and the loss of life of fellow firefighters.

This evening we honor engineer Joseph Alexander and his entire family for their sacrifice and dedication to the fire service and our city. We stand by you now and always thank you

Thank you very much and thank you for being here, Wanda. Appreciate it. All of you firefighters are welcome to stay for the whole meeting.

Speakers may provide public comment on any matter within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Excuse me, each speaker will be limited to three minutes maximum 15 minutes for public comment period unless majority of the council objects the mayor may provide speakers more or less time to speak all comments or queries shall be addressed to the council as a body and not to any specific member thereof pursuant to government code 54954282 The Ralph M. Brown Act, no action or discussion by the City Council shall be undertaken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda except to briefly provide information, ask for clarification, provide direction to staff, or schedule a matter for a future meeting.

Okay did you have any others that are public comment and or that are 12A Madam Clerk?

Am I really that predictable Mayor?

Ah yes.

Thank you and good evening Madam Mayor, council members, staff and the citizens of Santa Maria, my name is Gary Hall. I am a resident of Rancho Buena Vista Mobile Estates at 2135 North Railroad Avenue here in Santa Maria. I represent the North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team or NESBIT. Nesbitt's primary goal remains to provide protection to all Santa Maria mobile home residents presently living in an unregulated rental market.

We are simply asking for the City of Santa Maria to stand with us maintaining affordable housing. Affordable mobile home housing is vanishing here in Santa Maria and all across the state. I have repeatedly reminded you that on June 7th, 2022 nearly four years ago this council passed a motion with the intention of improving the 2020 model lease or replacing it.

It has done neither. We believe now is the time to take action to replace the model lease with a uniform, mandatory, enforceable mobile home rent stabilization program much like those in our neighboring city and county jurisdictions. Santa Maria Mobile Home Seniors also continue to live with the ongoing threat that their senior mobile home park could be converted into an all-age park as was attempted at Del Cielo Senior Park in Orchid.

I brought this to the council's attention August 20th, 2024. Now 18 months later we remain hopeful the draft senior mobile home park zoning overlay ordinance being developed by Santa Maria Community Development personnel and now in internal review will soon be completed and adopted It's past time to add both mobile home rent stabilization and senior mobile home park conversion prevention to a near-term future meetings agenda.

And now I have a personal note, I have found the ongoing ice abuse of power Both locally and nationally, appalling. Immigrants documented or not are human beings and should be treated humanely. The Constitution and due process should be enforced, not ignored. We must find appropriate ways to address immigration. After all, all of us have ancestors who were once immigrants.

Tonight's resolution Is a good first step. Thank you.

Thank you. OK I have 20 requests to speak and this is from FLA invisible San Maria my cop cause but I'm assuming you really want to speak on 12 a is that accurate Could you come up here, Mr.

Solomon? Okay

just come to the okay

so would you clarify for us if we're here and we're going to talk about the ad hoc committee is it public comment Or is it 12 a okay

and that's what we are going to be speaking on the resolution tonight. That's what's on the agenda if you choose to speak on another item, you can do so

again. Several sessions ago, we were chastised because we were told that we needed to speak on public comment when in fact we were speaking later. So just to clarify I am going to be commenting on the ad hoc committee so should and we've got other people who are asking the same question. Should we be speaking now or should we be speaking And at 12 on 12 a

okay. Mr. Watson either one

know with respect to the ad hoc committee or anything other than 12 a specifically they should speak now

now, okay? Okay So if you choose to then I will call your names and if you choose to speak Now you may do so if you choose to speak on the resolution then you can just say for the resolution Thank

You very much

So I will start with Sophia Navarro. I'm sorry, can you? Madeli Aguirre. Followed by Elvia Salazar, followed by Braden Lopez.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council members. My name is Maydaly Aguirre and I am a young resident of Santa Maria and future leaders of America student council president. I am here to represent and respectfully request city council agendize the discussion of establishing in ad hoc committee on immigration for future council meetings while this committee would be temporarily And concerns it would be addressed are ongoing and deeply impacting many families in our community. As a young person growing up in Santa Maria, I have seen how immigration issues affect people in real life and personal ways. Friends and classmates live with constant fear and uncertainty. Fear of family separation, fear of speaking and seeking for medical help when they need it.

When families are afraid, trust in our City Council is weakened. And that affects the safety and well-being of the entire city. If agendized this discussion can explore how an ad hoc committee might improve transparency Trust in our community topics such as include requesting formal communications regarding immigration related arrest within the city limits allocating city owned spaces and nonprofit organizations providing immigrant support services and examining ice free zones in our city.

This committee could also review Complaints competency within existing state laws, including California's Value Act and Sensitive Location Act. And California's Truth Act. And as a young resident I want to live in the city where families are safe and heard protected and agendized this item would be important for our first steps towards thoughtful and transparency conversations. I respectfully ask the City Council to place this item in the future agendas. Thank you for your time.

Raiden Lopez. Good afternoon mayor and council members.

My name is

Elvia Salazar. Desempeño el rol de organizadora de padres en futuros líderes de América.

Future leaders of America, I represent the parents.

Yo soy una orgullosa residente de la Ciudad de Santa Maria por más de 26 años.

For more than 26 years, I'm a very proud resident of Santa Maria.

Hoy estoy aquí para instar encarecidamente a este consejo a que establezca formalmente un comité ad hoc.

I'm here today pleading to the council to establish formally a committee for ad hoc.

De inmigración y para solicitar que este punto se incluya en la agenda de la próxima reunión del consejo.

For immigration and to solicit, to make a note to include in the agenda on the next reunion of the next meeting council meeting.

Sabemos como las recientes acciones de ICE, de aplicación de la ley de inmigración han creado miedo, aislamiento y separación familiar en nuestra comunidad.

As residents we can see have seen the action and the application of the law of immigration and how ICE has been scaring people in isolating them to separate families in the community

As an organizer of FLA, it is very sad to receive the call from my parents letting us know. Ms. Salazar, could you please take me to my dentist appointment? Senora Salazar, el dia de hoy por favor puede llevar a mi estudiante a su escuela?

Ms. Alsar could you please today take my student to school?

Senora Salazar, por favor puede traer alimentos a la puerta de mi casa?

Ms Alsar could you please bring some food to my doorstep?

Esto es muy triste recibir estas llamadas todos los dias

It's very sad to receive these type of calls every day.

How many Ms Salazar do families need everyday for support? Our immigrant families are suffering.

For this reason?

I plead that you hear our petition to help and assist with immigration laws.

And please adopt a firm posture against the arrest, the racist and unconstitutional arrests that happen in the city.

Y adopten una postura firme y basada en principios.

Also adopt a posture of principle

Tal como lo han hecho las ciudades vecinas de Guadalupe

As our neighbor cities, Guadalupe have established

Carpinteria and Goleta

as well.

En apoyo de sus residentes indocumentados.

In support of the undocumented residents.

Por favor, basta de ignorar el miedo.

Please enough of ignoring fear.

De seguir creando aislamiento y la separación de familias.

To keep people Isolated and separating from their families.

En nuestra comunidad inmigrante.

In our immigrant community.

Muchas gracias.

Thank you.

Gracias.

Brayden Lopez followed by Nan Hageland, followed by Danny Mogg.

Okay, good evening council members. I'm here today to urge you to create an ad hoc committee focused on immigration and community safety. Right now many families in our community are living with uncertainty and fear because they've done nothing wrong but because they don't know how local policies or enforcement practices might affect them or their loved ones.

This fear doesn't just impact individuals. It affects schools, workplaces and overall trust in people who are in local government. An ad hoc committee would give this council the opportunity to gather accurate information, listen to residents and develop thoughtful policies that protect both safety and dignity. Transparency matters. Our community deserves to know how law enforcement interacts with federal immigration agencies, how data and surveillance tools are being said and used and whether our city spaces remain safe and accessible for everyone.

Especially in sensitive places like school, clinics and places of worship. This committee could also help ensure our city is following state laws and protect due process and privacy while still supporting lawful and effective public space practices. When people feel safe reporting crimes, accessing services and participating in civic life the entire community grows stronger.

I ask you to take a proactive and principled step by forming this committee and adding this item to the agenda for our next City Council meeting, listening to impacted voices and working toward policies that build trust instead of fear. Thank you all again for your time and your commitment to serving this community.

Nan Hagelman followed by Danny Mogg.

Greetings everyone. My name is Nan Helgeland. I have been in this room one other time, November 18th 2025. The session opened with a comprehensive overview from the Chamber of Commerce. They detail their efforts past present and future to attract visitors and outside dollars to Santa Maria. I found myself thinking about that presentation and eventually realized I could offer perspective that would be unique to this assemblage.

I live in Los Angeles and the 805, and divide my time equally between the two. Stopping in Santa Barbara for an errand or coffee with a friend. I've done some research on my own that you should hear. People in Los Angeles either have not heard of Santa Maria, or they think it's in Northern California. They are not coming. People in Santa Barbara are aware of Santa Maria, but still not coming.

People in Los Alamos are up here daily, but as a community of 1,300 we are not going to move your needle even on a good day. I did a personal inventory of my visits to Santa Maria and they tally to about four visits per year all to one place, Birch Toll. However, in the 18th year of owning my ranch I found myself in Santa Maria almost 30 times. Why the jump?

I was up here participating in protests, attending meetings, joining banner drops on your freeway overpasses. I attended a vigil on your front lawn! And sadly, I have been up here numerous times delivering food to the various wonderful organizations working to provide sustenance to the women and children whose breadwinners have been kidnapped off of your streets.

And in that year, I learned something about Santa Maria. Santa Maria is full of gold. Santa Maria is full of gold! There is gold everywhere you look and what is this gold? It's your Latino community. 79% of Santa Maria is Latino. These are the people putting the coins in your coffers, people who are spending money here day in and day out. People looking to provide the best possible lives for their families, the best possible futures for their children.

And you do not see this! It occurred to me after a year that you do not see this You do not see this gold, you do not appreciate this gold. You do not protect this gold and you do not deserve this gold.

Thank you.

Good evening Mayor, Council Members. My name is Danny Mogg and I'm on the leadership team of the public advocacy group Indivisible. I am also a proud resident of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County. I'm here today to strongly urge this council to formally establish an immigration ad hoc committee to address our community's concern on increasing ICE activity within Santa Maria.

This committee can discuss potential action items and resolutions, such as sending FOIA requests to ICE director after any arrests are made within the Santa Maria City limits. Allocating city buildings to non-profits leading immigration support services for low rent or no rent. They could model the city of Los Angeles by monitoring an order... By motioning an ordinance to establish ice free zones Requesting information from our police chief Chris Williams regarding actions toward educating officers on the new state laws that are now in effect and their involvement specifically with ICE.

Personal story, I have a grandson who happens to be Latino he's 16 years old he attends Pioneer Valley High School here in Santa Maria He is a high functioning autistic teenager. He walks 30 minutes to school and 30 minutes home each day. My family, and any family for that matter should not have to fear that their children will be racially profiled and abducted on their way home from school.

This literally describes life today in Donald Trump's America. Your community continues to bear the impact of these racist and unconstitutional enforcement tactics, leaving many in fear and with little to no trust in their local government. Outside these chambers are immigrants' parents living in fear of leaving their homes or speaking our languages due to the risk of separation from their families. Our youth who we have an obligation to protect are being used as bait to lure and kidnap their immigrant parents Legal observers and community members are standing up to these injustices, are being violently attacked and even killed by untrained agents all while the world watches.

It's up to you to take action and protect a community that has given so much to this city. I've stood at this lectern and presented moral rationale why these policies do not comport with American values. I've explained the legal argument, the language of the Constitution which I am sworn to defend. I have presented economic facts as to why these barbaric acts are detrimental to the financial health of our city.

I'm here tonight to ask the fundamental question that I often ask myself and one that all city officials should ask themselves. Are we meeting this moment in history? Thank you.

Cliff Solomon followed by Raul Oliveira.

Mr. Solomon, followed by Raoul Oliveira, followed by Maricela Orquiz.

Thank you for the clarification. Good evening, Mayor Patino and City Council members. My name is Cliff Solomon and I am here once again to request that you establish an Immigration Ad Hoc Committee. At the last city council meeting, I highlighted many of the local cities that are taking action in recognizing the serious need of our immigrant community These communities include Carpinteria, Goleta, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Thousand Oaks, Ventura and Camarillo.

I appreciate that City Council is addressing the issue by placing resolution on the agenda that supports all Santa Maria residents. However as a member of the Santa Maria City Council Immigration Coalition Indivisible Santa Maria again requests that the City Council form an ad hoc immigration committee to explore additional legal actions the city can undertake. These actions may include renting out city buildings to nonprofits, providing immigrant support services at low or no cost, establishing ice-free zones across city-owned and city-owned controlled properties with clear signage.

And asking Police Chief, Chief Williams for updates on efforts to educate officers about the new state laws now in effect and to prohibit involvement with ICE. It is crucial that the ad hoc committee include members, both members of the public and City Council members. By forming this committee the Santa Maria City Council will take tangible action that can make a meaningful difference and demonstrate that it's listening to the community.

And I also have, I have a gift for everyone. We had a protest here a couple days ago. A local artist put together this wonderful display of monarch butterflies that represent some of the people who are, the immigrants who have been taken And I would like to give you one of these, a portion of this display. So I have five of these pieces of art. Is there someone who could take these?

Thank you very much and thank you for your time.

Followed by Maricela Ortiz, followed by Teresa Suarez.

What was that? Raul Oliveira.

Good afternoon, Mayor and City Council members. My name is Raul Oliveira. I'm an organizer with Proyecto Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project and member of the 805 Immigrant Coalition in Santa Barbara County. Mass men have come to our community terrorizing our community. I am here to ask you to stand with our community not with words but with action.

They say they were arresting criminals. My friend was arrested and did everything legally. This is not a coincidence, Santa Maria, it's a community of immigrants. It is the one that has been most impacted in our county. This is not what we hear, this is what we know. We need our leaders to take action again, not with words but with action. Our community needs you to stand for what's right.

We need you to talk about what is harming us and for you to make a decision that will benefit our community as a whole. We are a community of immigrants, our indigenous and farm working community who has been most impacted is asking for you too Establish an immigration ad hoc committee to respond to the impact of immigration enforcement and provide recommendations that holistically address inequality ties, racial injustice, economy hardship, social strength, and mental health challenges.

This committee shall include key stakeholders in community based organizations working directly with those most impacted such as farm workers General domestic workers, landscaper, indigenous leaders and the most impacted on vulnerable in jobs sector. We're looking forward to you standing in solidarity with us. Thank you.

Maricela Ortiz, followed by Teresa Suarez, followed by Guinevere Cannon.

Buenas tardes. Alcaldesa Patiño y Honorable Concejales. Mi nombre es Maricela Ortiz, navegadora de robo de salario con el Proyecto Mixteco Indígena

Good afternoon, Mayor Patino and council members. My name is Maricela Ortiz. I work with the Fed Salary Project, Mixteco Indígena.

Comparezco hoy para solicitar la creación de un comité EADHAC de inmigración con el fin de proteger el bienestar de nuestra comunidad y garantizar el respeto a sus derechos constitucionales

I'm here today to request the creation of a committee of immigration ad hoc with the goal to protect the well-being of our community and to guarantee the respect and constitutional rights against all the negative actions and inhumane actions from ICE.

Hoy vemos familias separadas, padres y madres arrancados de sus hogares y niños que quedan solos

Today we see separated families, fathers and mothers ripping away from their homes and kids left alone.

¿Qué crimen han cometido estos niños? Ninguno. La comunidad agrícola no es criminal.

What crimes have these kids committed? None. The agricultural community is not a criminal.

Su único delito ha sido trabajar arduamente bajo condiciones extremas

The only crime has been working really hard under extreme conditions.

Para que haya comida en nuestras mesas y sostener la economía de esta ciudad y país,

so that we can put food on our tables and to sustain the economy of this city and the country.

Todos los seres humanos merecen dignidad y respeto.

All human beings deserve respect and dignity.

Criminalizar a comunidad por su origen es injusto e inacceptable.

To criminalize a community because of their origin is unfair and unacceptable.

Les pedimos que actúen con urgencia y conciencia, y se coloquen del lado correcto de la historia, el de la justicia y la humanidad.

We ask that you act with urgency and conscience and to be at the right side of history which is justice and being human.

Muchos gracias.

Thank

you.

Good evening Mayor.

I'm here to respectfully request your support in establishing an immigration ad hoc committee. Through this committee, our community can come together To thoughtfully discuss and develop local resolutions that protect undocumented residents from unconstitutional enforcement practices currently being used by ICE. Potential actions could include establishing ice-free zones in city owned and city controlled properties, requiring clear and visible signage on city facilities and more. These measures would mirror ordinances already approved by cities such as Los Angeles.

The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated. Now more than ever, we must come together to protect our community. Continued postponements places families and children at risk and safety should never be delayed. Let's not feed into the narrative that immigration enforcements only targets criminals because we know this is not true. Our communities have experienced firsthand that these actions go far beyond that and are deeply rooted into racial profiling and harmful stereotypes.

These practices impact entire families, especially children creating fear, trauma and long-term harm into their well being. When fears normalized the whole community suffers. It is also important to acknowledge that this land was taken through colonization and that many who continue to benefit from that history have never been held accountable. The real threat to public safety is not immigration residents who live We must be clear, continuing down this path risks further divisions and chaos. Something we are already witnessing in other parts of the country and even here in Santa Maria. Santa Maria can and must do better. Our community deserves safety rooted in dignity justice and care for all families. Thank you

Thank you. Guinevere Cannon followed by Patricio Solario, followed by Sergio Castillo.

Hi my name is Guinevere Cannon and I'm quite sure that the mayor knows me by now. I'm looking at this adoption of resolution expressing support for immigrant residents in Santa Maria. I would like to pose that why don't we do an adoption for a resolution expressing support for ICE The police department, the fire department and the first responder. I never hear anything about expressing support for the gentlemen and the women that goes out risk their life may not come home. The family may not see them again but yet what I hear daily and I have a rhetoric about racist.

I heard every day about I'm not being respected You know, this is what the Bible said. The Bible says if you walk around in fear, the fear of the Lord is to begin with wisdom. So if you walk around in fear that means that you have something to hide. I walk in this city in freedom and I'm really here to speak on behalf... If you're a district attorney in this place?

A judge in this place? The reason why we see what we see is because of the fact that we do not do our job. If there's a criminal, like I work every day and I go and I see the highway patrol here it's seven in the morning someone's walking the line because they're probably drunk he doesn't get them out of their car because hey I have nothing else to do They're drunk. And if they're drunk at 7 in the morning, they're drunkers.

And my question is how many of these drunkers are still in our streets because they're not persecuted? They go to jail. They get right out of jail and then we're asked to say be nice. No I am not nice about someone that's out to kill someone. I may kill my family or kill me on the way home. I'm absolutely not nice about that. And those who have this real ugly, ugly for the ICE officer. I do not.

They're here to serve our country. They're here doing what they are supposed to do. That's arrest a criminal. So if you're a criminal, you're supposed to be arrested. If you have nothing to hide, you can walk around in freedom. But I will stand. I will come in here and stand for the authorities That takes care of us and our family. I will not downgrade them, and I think it's time for America to stand up.

And I pray for you city council members every day because I believe that God is in charge. And there is nothing that God does not see. He sees the evil and he sees the good. And God is a just god. He's a merciful god. But he's merciful when you call on him and say, I need your help. And those that are in this room here, you sit and you say my kids are afraid. My kids are afraid. If you know that you are not legal...

Thank you Ms. Cannon. Patricio Solario followed by Sergio Castillo.

Thank you. Statistically, criminals are U.S. citizens at a higher rate than undocumented folks just for the record. So good evening Mayor City Council. My name is Patricia and I'm Deputy Director of the Fund for Santa Barbara. I'm here to urge you to vote to form an immigration ad hoc committee so the Council can engage in deeper and more intentional discussions about what the City of Santa Maria can do to address activity in our community.

Many of you have been very vocal about what you can't do. At this moment, our community needs leadership that is willing to focus on solutions. Forming an ad hoc committee is not a radical step. It is the absolute least you all can do to grapple seriously with the fear and harm our community is experiencing. The City of Santa Maria, as you know, is a majority Latino city made up of many immigrants and first-gen citizens like myself.

These residents are the backbone of our local economy. They are workers, parents, business owners, professionals and taxpayers. And they're deeply disappointed by the city's lack of a strong visible show of support An ad hoc committee would create a space for education, dialogue, accountability. It would signal that this City Council is willing to listen, learn and lead rather than remain silent.

I urge you to be more vocal, more intentional in standing with our immigrant community. This is the opportunity to do the minimum that leadership requires and to stand on the right side of history.

Good evening mayor and council member. My name is Sergio Castillo, I am a community organizer with MICO and member of the 875 Immigrant Coalition. I'm here today because for us protecting our families and children must be a priority especially in this moment so Cuando guardamos silencio, el miedo se normaliza. Alzar la voz permite visibilizar el impacto real de las redadas migratorias.

When we stay quiet fear normalizes. We raise our voice the impact, the real impact of this immigration raids become real and the kids are with anxiety constant anxiety

Children become fearful that their parents might not come back home and the families are forced to plan emergency until a possible separation. Hablar de esta realidad es una forma de proteger su bienestar emocional y su derecho a una infancia segura.

When we speak, this reality is a way to protect their well-being, emotional well being and their right to have an upbringing or a childhood secure for them.

Today I become part of this community that is undocumented in Santa Maria and I ask the council to also take a stand, a clear stand. Por esta razón, solicitamos que se establezca un comité ad hoc de inmigración con el propósito de evaluar y proponer resoluciones locales.

For this reason I request that an immigration ad hoc committee be formed with a purpose to evaluate and to propose resolutions, local resolutions, to protect the residents undocumented

En Santa Maria, las recientes acciones del control negatorio han sembrado miedo.

In Santa Maria the recent actions have created quite fear.

Padres que salen a trabajar sin saber si volverán a casa. Uno se despide cada mañana con el temor de no volver a ver a sus familias completas

Parents go out to work with the fear of not coming home. Kids say goodbye every morning with a fear that maybe not see their families again.

Homes that before were full of life and joy, today they live with anxiety and quietness. No community should live through this pain. Como comunidad, tenemos la responsabilidad de alzar labores por quienes no pueden hacerlo. Proteger a nuestras familias, garantizar los derechos de todos y vivir sin miedo es un compromiso que nos fortalece.

As a community we have the responsibility to raise our voice for those who cannot speak. To protect our families, to guarantee everybody's rights without fear is a compromise that unites us.

When we act with solidarity and compassion, we remember that dignity and family unity have to always be on top of everything. Thank you so

much.

Followed by Armando Santiago, followed by Reynaldo Rodriguez.

Good evening, Mayor and Council Members. My name is Anna Nguyen and I am the Program Director for MICOP in Santa Barbara County. I am also a voting resident in the City of Santa Maria. I am here today because as a member of the immigrant community of our region we need all of us to speak up and advocate for our protection. I stand with the undocumented community of Santa Maria and ask that our council take a stand as well.

I come today to ask you to please establish an immigration ad hoc committee to discuss potential local resolutions that protect undocumented residents from the unconstitutional tactics currently being used by ICE. When established, this committee must discuss the high rates of arrests and ICE activity taking place in our city. At our office, we are constantly receiving families seeking support because their loved one has been arrested or deported.

Sometimes it's debt that is taken and being the primary financial provider in the home, our office supports mom and children with long-term assistance which could be figuring out how to pay rent, get food, child care et cetera. At other times, it's mom that is arrested and deported. And when that happens we scramble to figure out how to support the babies in the home.

It's an even bigger challenge supporting children when both parents have been deported. More support is needed. As City Council you can do more to support. This ad hoc committee is a good start and we appreciate the resolution, and we also need action. Thank you. Thank you.

Armando Santiago followed

by Rinaldo Rodriguez followed by Fernando Martinez.

Hello

Mayor Patino and

council members, almost evening. I hope you're doing well My name is Armando Santiago. I am a community organizer with the Mixteco Indigenous Project, MiCOP.

I am here to ask in the most attentive way that action be taken against the Ad Hoc Committee which is fundamental and can

be established in the city.

I'm here to, as a kindest manner, to take action and to form the community for ad hoc which is fundamental to establishing the community of Santa Maria. to discuss possible resolutions, local resolutions to protect to the residents, undocumented residents from the tactics and constitutional tactics that ICE is using. As they're using those tactics to establish and to protect the well-being of the citizens, of the inhabitants of Santa Maria.

Que la gran mayoría de los habitantes son trabajadores agrícolas que solo buscan salir adelante de la manera más honrada posible.

Which a majority of the people are workers, farm workers that they're only looking forward to work in their most honest manner

Es injusto ver como las leyes están protegiendo más a los agentes de ICE que a las propias personas.

It is unfair to see how the laws are protecting more ICE agents than the same people.

Es inhumano porque por solo defenderse o defender a sus familiares puedan quitarles la vida.

It's inhumane that only because they're defending themselves or defending their relatives, they could lose their life.

¿Acaso el simple hecho de tener un color de piel diferente, una estatura diferente o un lenguaje diferente te hace ser menos persona?

Is it simply because of having a different color skin, having a different height or speak a different language makes you a less person?

Solo me gustaría terminar diciendo que las leyes son para proteger y cuidar de cada habitante de este país.

I'd just like to finish by saying that the laws are to protect and take care of every citizen of this country. For this reason, gratefully I'd like you to take these words into consideration in this petition that not only involves me but it's also for our community and everyone else.