Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Aguilera-Hernandez, 3-Soto, 2-Flores, Patino
This summary was AI-generated to save you time. It may miss or misstate details, so verify against the official recording and the transcript.
At a glance
Proclamations
- The Council accepted seven proclamations recognizing local and national awareness months and weeks.
- Representatives from community organizations accepted the proclamations and provided brief updates on related initiatives.
- No formal motions or votes were required for these ceremonial recognitions.
Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment
- Staff presented findings proposing protected bike lanes or multi-use paths for Broadway and Main Street without removing parking.
- The study is scheduled for completion in June 2026 with potential construction beginning around 2032.
- The Council received the report for informational purposes and took no action.
Drone First Responder (DFR) Program
- Staff outlined a program to reduce response times and enhance officer safety using drones owned by the City.
- Officials confirmed that data would remain city-owned, not be shared with federal agencies, and a usage policy is pending.
- The Council directed staff to proceed with community outreach and seek grant funding for a potential pilot.
Senate Bill 707 Update
- Staff provided an informational report on new state requirements regarding remote participation and agenda translation.
- The Council received the update to ensure compliance with the Ralph M. Brown Act amendments.
- No motion or vote was taken on this informational item.
General Fund Reserve Policy and Section 115 Trust
- Staff proposed restructuring reserve policies and moving funds from OPEB and pension reserves into a Section 115 trust.
- Following discussion on liquidity and audit status, the Council decided to continue the item to the budget meeting.
- No vote was taken on the resolution during this session.
CDBG Action Plan Public Hearing
- Staff presented a draft action plan allocating $1.4 million in entitlements to public services and capital projects.
- The Council voted to fund recommended agencies, including a contingency allocation for two additional organizations.
- Final approval of the resolution is scheduled for the May 5th meeting.
Automated Red Light Camera Program
- Staff recommended a revenue-neutral pilot program at two to three intersections under Senate Bill 720.
- The Council voted to proceed with the pilot and issue a Request for Proposals with strict data ownership provisions.
- The motion passed to move forward with vendor selection and implementation planning.
Renaming Cesar E. Chavez Drive
- Staff presented options regarding the potential renaming of the street, including retaining the current name.
- The Council voted to adopt a resolution declaring intent to rename the street and directing staff to gather replacement options.
- Community outreach will precede the final selection of a new name.
City Council District 1 Vacancy
- Staff identified five eligible applicants to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Council Member Escobedo.
- The Council voted to appoint Ricardo Batalla to the position following candidate statements and public comment.
- The newly appointed member was sworn in immediately after the vote.
Closed Session
- The City Attorney reported that instructions were provided to labor negotiators during the closed session.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Roll Call
- The City Council meeting for April 7, 2026, was called to order by Mayor Patino. The Clerk called the roll, confirming the presence of Council Members Aguilera, Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Flores, and Mayor Patino.
Proclamations
- The Council received and accepted several proclamations without formal motion or vote:
- Donate Life Month: Mayor Patino presented a proclamation designating April 2026 as Donate Life Month, highlighting the need for organ, eye, tissue, marrow, and blood donations. Representatives Scott Burns and Victoria Brown accepted the proclamation and discussed local waiting lists and an upcoming event.
- National Community Development Week: Council Member Flores presented a proclamation recognizing April 6–10, 2026, as National Community Development Week, acknowledging the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships programs. Representatives from the Community Development Division accepted the proclamation and reported on annual service statistics.
- International Dark Sky Week: Council Member Soto presented a proclamation designating April 13–20, 2026, as International Dark Sky Week to address light pollution. Mike Wondoloski accepted the proclamation on behalf of a countywide coalition.
- National Library Week: Council Member Hernandez presented a proclamation recognizing April 19–25, 2026, as National Library Week. Kathleen Gable, President of the Friends of the Santa Maria Public Library, accepted the proclamation.
- Arbor Week: Council Member Soto presented a proclamation designating April 20–25, 2026, as Arbor Week. Amanda Corcoran accepted the proclamation, noting the city's tree canopy goals and upcoming planting events.
- Fair Housing Month: Council Member Hernandez presented a proclamation recognizing April 2026 as Fair Housing Month. Victoria Orkut of the Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County accepted the proclamation and outlined tenant rights services.
- Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month: Council Member Flores presented a proclamation designating April 2026 for this awareness month. Sabrina Ross of the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center accepted the proclamation.
Presentations and Informational Reports
- Santa Maria Downtown Multimodal Assessment: Transit Service Manager Gamal Anguano and Finn James of Caltrans presented findings on improving Broadway and Main Street. The study proposed Class 4 protected bike lanes or Class 1 multi-use paths, with no parking removal. The study is scheduled for completion in June 2026, with potential construction around 2032. No motion or vote was taken.
- Value of Volunteering: Midge Nicosia presented on the economic and personal benefits of volunteering and announced a recruitment event. No motion or vote was taken.
- FBI National Academy: Chief of Police Chris Williams presented on Commander Daniel Rios's completion of the FBI National Academy leadership course. No motion or vote was taken.
- Closed Session Report: City Attorney Mr. Watson reported that instructions were provided to labor negotiators during the closed session.
- Public Comment: Gary Hall requested a mandatory rent stabilization program and expedited senior mobile home park zoning, while expressing disappointment regarding the lack of an immigration ad hoc committee. Sophia Navarro urged the council to address immigration enforcement protections, detention centers, marriage age, living wages, and biometric data. Council Member Hernandez acknowledged the retirement of Anne McCarty from the North County Rape Crisis and Child Protection Center.
- Drone First Responder (DFR) Program: Staff presented an informational report on the DFR program and the SMART Center, detailing benefits such as reduced response times and increased officer safety. Staff confirmed that data would be owned by the City, no data would be shared with federal agencies, and a usage policy would be developed prior to implementation. Staff indicated plans to seek grant funding and noted a potential free one-year pilot. The item was treated as informational; no motion or vote was taken, but staff was directed to proceed with community outreach and grant seeking.
- Senate Bill 707 (Ralph M. Brown Act Amendments): Staff provided an update on SB 707 requirements regarding remote participation, meeting procedures, and translation of agendas into Spanish. The Council received the report for informational purposes. No motion or vote was taken.
- City Manager Report: The City Manager outlined the agenda for the May 5th meeting, including reports on SB1 road maintenance, workforce vacancies, General Plan adoption, and board appointments.
- Council Member Oral Reports: Council members reported on attendance at various educational, community, and government meetings held between March and April.
Consent Calendar and Appointments
- Salvador Dalí Painting Donation: A resolution to accept a donation of a Salvador Dalí painting was moved and seconded. The motion passed.
- Block Grants Advisory Committee Appointments: Staff reported two vacancies. A nomination for Corey Meals was held pending application submission. A motion to appoint Jose Ramirez was made and seconded. The motion passed.
- Outside Board Appointments: A motion to appoint the City Utilities Director to the Central Coast Water Authority was made and seconded. The motion passed. Other board appointments were deferred pending the appointment of a new City Council member.
General Fund Reserve Policy and Section 115 Trust (Item 11-D3)
- Staff presented a proposal to restructure reserve policies, including retitling the Economic Stabilization Reserve to the General Fund Reserve with a 16.7% target, maintaining the LEAF reserve, establishing a new Emergency Catastrophic Reserve, and creating a contingency fund. The proposal also recommended moving $6.2 million from the OPEB reserve and $3 million from the pension reserve into a Section 115 trust. Following discussion regarding liquidity and audit status, a motion was made to continue the item to the budget meeting to address the restructuring and trust simultaneously. The motion was seconded. The Council decided to continue the item; no vote was taken on the resolution in this session.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan Public Hearing
- Staff presented the draft Fiscal Year 2026-27 CDBG Action Plan with a confirmed entitlement of $1,424,736. The plan allocates funds to public services and capital projects, with a recommendation to use a $37,500 contingency to fund two additional agencies. Following a public hearing with support from various organizations, a motion was made to fund the agencies as recommended, including the contingency allocation. The motion was seconded. The motion passed. Final approval of the resolution is scheduled for May 5th.
Automated Red Light Camera Program
- Staff presented a research summary on the feasibility of an automated red light camera program under Senate Bill 720, recommending a revenue-neutral pilot at two to three intersections. Discussion focused on data privacy, ownership, and vendor selection. Staff clarified that data would be owned by the City and not shared with federal agencies. A motion was made to move forward with the pilot program, including the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) with specific data ownership and privacy provisions. The motion was seconded. The vote passed.
Renaming Cesar E. Chavez Drive
- Staff presented options regarding the potential renaming of Cesar E. Chavez Drive, including retaining the name or adopting a resolution to rename it. A motion was made to adopt a resolution declaring the intent to rename the street and directing staff to return with recommended replacement name options following community outreach. The motion was seconded. The vote passed.
City Council District 1 Vacancy
- Staff reported on the vacancy in District 1 created by the resignation of Council Member Carlos Escobedo, identifying five eligible applicants. Following public comment and statements from the candidates, a motion was made to appoint Ricardo Batalla to fill the vacancy. The motion was seconded. The vote passed. The newly appointed Council Member was sworn in.
Adjournment
- Following the oral reports and the swearing-in of the new appointee, the Chair declared the meeting adjourned.