Meeting Summary
Present: 4-Aguilera-Hernandez, Bethaya, 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
Pride Month Proclamation
- Council Member Soto presented a proclamation recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
- The proclamation acknowledged the city's diverse community and commitment to equity.
- Suzette Lopez of House of Pride and Equality accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community.
Preliminary Fiscal Year Budget Presentation
- Finance Director Campbell presented a biennial budget projecting structural imbalances in the General Fund.
- Staff reported that Local Economic Augmentation Fund reserves were overstated and significantly lower than anticipated.
- The proposal included reducing 39 full-time equivalent positions and eliminating certain subsidies to balance costs.
- Capital projects totaling approximately $158.3 million were included in the Capital Improvement Plan.
Paul Nelson Pool Closure
- Council Member Soto moved to exclude the pool closure from the current budget adoption process.
- The Council approved forming an ad hoc committee to explore resolutions with the Santa Maria Swim Club.
- A public hearing received 120 written comments regarding the proposed seasonal closure.
- Staff confirmed the pool requires significant subsidies and that its HVAC system is critical for the 911 data center.
2026 User Fee Schedule
- Staff presented a fee schedule designed to achieve full cost recovery for personal choice services.
- The proposal anticipates $2 million in citywide revenue growth, with $1.7 million impacting the General Fund.
- The Council adopted the resolution approving the fee updates, excluding specific utility adjustments pending republishing.
Disruption and Public Outreach Policies
- Staff presented policies required by SB 707 regarding telephonic service interruptions and public outreach.
- The disruption policy outlines procedures for recessing meetings if service is not restored within one hour.
- The Council adopted resolutions approving both the disruption and public outreach policies.
Municipal Election Resolutions
- Staff presented resolutions to call a general and special municipal election for November 3, 2026.
- The election will fill vacancies in Districts 1, 3, and 4 and include a general sales tax measure.
- The Council adopted the six resolutions required to initiate the election process.
Landscape Maintenance District Rescission
- Staff recommended rescinding a previous resolution regarding a proposed 3% assessment increase.
- The action was taken to allow additional time for reviewing assessment information to ensure transparency.
- Current fees will continue through the next fiscal year while the process is reset.
City Manager Report
- The City Manager formally recognized Ramon Gallo as the new Recreation and Parks Director.
- The report highlighted upcoming agenda items including budget adoption and a Joint Powers Agreement exercise.
- The new director plans to hold public meetings at community centers to gather input on department priorities.
Closed Session
- The Council discussed public employee performance evaluations, labor negotiations, and existing litigation.
- City Attorney Gonzalez reported that instructions were provided to negotiators during the session.
- No further report was deemed necessary upon reconvening.
Full summary
Meeting Call to Order and Roll Call
- The City Council meeting for June 2, 2026, was called to order by Mayor Patino. The City Clerk conducted a roll call, confirming the presence of Council Members Aguilera, Bethaya, and Soto, Mayor Pro Tem Flores, and Mayor Patino.
Public Comment (Pre-Closed Session)
- Nicole Bryant, representing SEIU Local 620 and general unit employees, addressed the Council regarding upcoming labor negotiations. She requested that bargaining authority reflect city values of dignity, respect, and fairness. Bryant highlighted proposed reductions in pay and medical contributions for SEIU members, contrasting these with cost-of-living increases for fire and police departments. She argued that the proposed cuts were not necessary to address a structural deficit but were intended to offset new spending requests totaling approximately $1.28 million.
Closed Session
- The Council recessed to a closed session to discuss Public Employee Performance Evaluation (Item 3A), Conference with Labor Negotiators (Item 3B), and Conference with Legal Counsel regarding Existing Litigation (Item 3C). An interpreter was noted as being available. Upon reconvening, City Attorney Jose Gonzalez reported that instructions were provided to negotiators during the session and no further report was necessary.
Proclamation of Pride Month
- Council Member Soto presented a proclamation recognizing June 2026 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the City of Santa Maria. The proclamation acknowledged the city's diverse LGBTQ+ community, the historical significance of the Stonewall riots, and the city's commitment to equity and inclusion. Suzette Lopez, Executive Director of House of Pride and Equality (HOPE), accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community.
Public Comment (General)
- Residents and representatives addressed the Council on several topics:
- Traffic Safety: A resident raised concerns regarding congestion and blocked intersections at Main Street and Concord near a senior living facility. The Mayor noted that Mr. Fulgoni would follow up on the issue.
- New Department Director: Liam Gallo, Co-CEO of the Northern Santa Barbara County United Way, welcomed Ramon Gallo as the new Director of the Recreation and Parks Department, highlighting the new director's experience.
- Boxing Academy Zoning: A representative for GLD Boxing Academy discussed the closure of their facility due to light industrial zoning restrictions. The speaker requested a temporary permit or assistance to allow the academy to operate while securing necessary condition use permits. The Mayor indicated that City Manager Rollins would contact the speaker.
- Parks and Recreation Funding: Jimmy Molano, representing the Santa Maria Indians Baseball Club, addressed the lack of funding for park renovations, including scoreboard installation and ADA compliance. He urged the Council to prioritize repairs for existing facilities over new projects.
- Pool Closure: Alexandria Lopez expressed concern regarding the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Pool. The Mayor acknowledged the comment and noted the issue would be addressed during the budget discussion.
Consent Calendar
- The Council reviewed the consent calendar. A motion was made and seconded to approve the calendar. The motion passed.
Preliminary Fiscal Year Budget Presentation (Item 12A)
- Director of Finance Rebecca Campbell presented the proposed biennial budget for fiscal years 2026–2028. Key points included:
- Financial Overview: The total budget including capital projects was projected at $367.4 million for FY 26-27 and $425.3 million for FY 27-28. Operating expenses exceeded revenues, with a structural imbalance in the General Fund projected at $7.3 million for FY 26-27 and $7.9 million for FY 27-28.
- Reserves: The budget initially relied on a $7.3 million transfer from the Local Economic Augmentation Fund (LEAF) reserves to balance FY 26-27. However, an audit update indicated LEAF reserves were overstated, potentially leaving less than $1 million remaining after the transfer.
- Personnel: The budget proposed a reduction of 39 full-time equivalent positions from the previous year, with no anticipated layoffs. Personnel costs were projected to increase due to contractual obligations for police and fire departments, as well as rising costs for health insurance and liability.
- Balancing Measures: Measures included reductions in services and supplies, deletion of vacant positions, elimination of subsidies to certain organizations, and fee increases.
- New Costs: The budget included costs for software systems, consultant services for a tax measure, and delayed Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFR).
- Pool Closure: The presentation initially included a proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Pool as a balancing measure.
Motion Regarding Pool Closure
- Following the presentation, Council Member Soto moved to exclude the swimming pool closure discussion from the current budget adoption process. The motion proposed forming an ad hoc committee, including Council Members Soto and Patino, to meet with the Santa Maria Swim Club and city staff to explore a resolution before the June 16 meeting. The Mayor seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Preliminary Budget Review and Financial Updates
- Staff presented a detailed review of the proposed budget, highlighting a structural imbalance in the Measure U Fund. While the 2026-27 deficit was projected to be covered by a one-time unassigned fund balance, the 2027-28 imbalance required further cost reduction measures, specifically within public safety categories. Enterprise funds were described as self-sustaining, with significant capital projects proposed for water resources. The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) included approximately $158.3 million in appropriations across 52 projects. Staff noted a $1.6 million reduction in enhanced roadway funding and a reliance on $5.6 million from LEAF reserves for capital projects.
- Staff reported that LEAF reserves were significantly lower than previously tracked, projected to fall below $1 million after fiscal year 2026-27. A new reserve policy was scheduled for presentation on June 16. Regarding the Paul Nelson Pool, staff noted that current fees cover only a fraction of operating costs, with the city subsidizing approximately 75% of expenses. Staff confirmed the pool's HVAC system for the 911 data center is critical and requires replacement. Regarding the library, staff clarified that county-funded libraries are not impacted by proposed cuts, but the main library may face reduced hours or an eight-hour closure. Staff stated that most budget flexibility had been exhausted through vacancy reductions.
- Council members inquired about deferred maintenance liabilities, the risks of delaying the police department HVAC project, and the scope of the $240,000 ADA transition plan. Staff confirmed the ADA plan is citywide and will inform future capital priorities. Council members questioned the feasibility of delaying capital projects to keep the Paul Nelson Pool open year-round; staff responded that most listed projects are mandatory "must-dos" funded by restricted sources that cannot be easily transferred to the General Fund.
Public Hearing on Paul Nelson Pool Closure
- A public hearing was held regarding the proposed closure of the Paul Nelson Pool from December through May. A resident testified in support of keeping the facility open, citing its role as the only city-operated pool and its importance for swim lessons and drowning prevention. The City Clerk announced that 120 written public comments were received regarding the pool closure. No motion was made to adopt the budget or the closure proposal at this time; the Council directed staff to return on June 16th with a recommended budget and further analysis.
2026 User Fee Schedule
- Staff presented the updated 2026 user fee schedule, developed with a consultant to achieve full cost recovery for personal choice services. The proposal included 274 fee types and anticipated $2 million in citywide revenue growth, with $1.7 million impacting the General Fund. Staff noted that utility fees required republishing due to last-minute adjustments. Council members discussed the impact of fee increases on park maintenance, specifically regarding lighting and scoreboards at baseball fields. Staff explained that grant funding is generally unavailable for maintenance projects and that sourcing parts for lighting repairs can take 90 to 120 days.
Motion and Vote on User Fee Schedule
- A motion was made and seconded to adopt a resolution approving the addition and update of the citywide user fees identified in the fee study and the 2026 user fee schedule, excluding specific utility fee adjustments pending republishing. The motion passed.
Disruption and Public Outreach Policies
- Staff presented a report on adopting a disruption policy for telephonic or internet service interruptions during City Council meetings and a public outreach policy, both required by SB 707. The disruption policy outlines procedures for recessing meetings and reconvening if service is not restored within one hour. The public outreach policy details efforts to invite groups that do not traditionally participate in meetings. Council members noted the city's existing infrastructure supports these requirements.
Motion and Vote on Disruption and Outreach Policies
- A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolutions approving the disruption policy and the public outreach policy. The motion passed.
General and Special Municipal Election
- Staff presented a report on adopting resolutions to call a general and special municipal election for November 3, 2026. The general election was to fill seats for Districts 3 and 4, while a special election was to fill a vacancy in District 1. The report included a proposal to submit a measure to voters regarding a one-half cent general sales tax to support city services. Six resolutions were required to initiate the election process.
Motion and Vote on Election Resolutions
- A motion was made and seconded to adopt the resolutions calling for the general and special municipal elections and related measures. The motion passed.
Rescission of Landscape Maintenance District Resolution
- Staff presented a recommendation to rescind a previously adopted resolution of intention regarding a proposed 3% assessment increase for Landscape Maintenance Districts. Staff determined that additional time was needed to review the assessment supporting information to ensure transparency and accuracy. This action was intended to reset the process rather than abandon it. Staff confirmed that current fees would continue through the next fiscal year. Council members questioned the impact of this rescission on the proposed budget. No motion or vote was recorded in the transcript segment regarding the rescission.
Funding and Maintenance Discussion
- Discussion occurred regarding the alignment of funding sources to improve and maintain specific areas, focusing on avoiding charges to areas with available funding while targeting areas requiring additional financial support. It was noted that the matter was expected to return to the council in one year. A motion was made and seconded regarding the discussion. The motion passed.
City Manager Report
- The City Manager provided a report highlighting upcoming agenda items, including budget adoption, the urban water measure plan, and a joint exercise of a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the Santa Maria Fair Park Authority. The City Manager formally recognized Ramon Gallo as the new Recreation and Parks Director, noting his previous experience with the City of Lancaster. The report indicated that the new director plans to hold public meetings at community centers to gather input on Parks Department priorities.
Council Member Oral Reports
- Council members provided oral reports detailing their activities and attendance at various events, including community meetings, the National Day of Prayer, budget reviews, JPA meetings, the rodeo, and various civic and cultural events. The Mayor reported appearances on media outlets, attendance at awards ceremonies, meetings regarding infrastructure projects, and participation in youth and community initiatives.