Summary

City Council approves extended leave for Councilmember Barajas; receives staffing and fire department reports; remaining items continued to May 12, 2026

SalinasMay 5, 20263 min read

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At the May 5, 2026 Salinas City Council meeting the Council approved an extended leave of absence for Councilmember Jose Luis Barajas through June 30, 2026; recessed to closed session for labor negotiations; received an AB 2561 annual vacancy/recruitment update and the Salinas Fire Department 2025 Annual Report (informational); issued proclamations for heritage, military appreciation, and Small Business Week; and adjourned, continuing remaining agenda and consent items to the May 12, 2026 meeting.

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Approved a motion to excuse Councilmember Jose Luis Barajas’ absences (April 7, April 21, May 5) and to approve an extended leave of absence through June 30, 2026.
Recessed to closed session at 4:22 p.m. for labor negotiations under California Government Code §54957.6 with designated labor representatives regarding multiple employee organizations.
Received the Annual Position Vacancy Update and Recruitment and Retention Efforts presentation (AB 2561) for informational purposes; no action taken.
Received the Salinas Fire Department 2025 Annual Report (informational), noting SFD responded to more than 17,800 emergency incidents in 2025 and ongoing staffing and response challenges.
Proclaimed Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 2026); National Military Appreciation Month (May 2026); and Small Business Week (May 3–9, 2026).
Adjourned the May 5, 2026 meeting and continued the remaining scheduled agenda items, including the Consent Agenda (IDs 26-189, 26-124, 26-168, 26-178, 26-177, 26-186), to the May 12, 2026 City Council meeting.

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May 5, 2026, 12:00 AMSALINAS ROTUNDAscheduled

Agenda

TELECONFERENCE NOTICE
ZOOM WEBINAR PARTICIPATION
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PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
CONSIDERATION
CLOSED SESSION
a. Labor Negotiations - California Government Code Section §54957.6 with its designated labor representatives Rene Mendez, City Manager; Lisa G. Murphy, Assistant City Manager; Christopher A. Callihan, City Attorney; Katherine Hogan, Assistant City Attorney; Selina Andrews, Finance Director; Marina Horta-Gallegos, Human Resources Director; Sylvia Enriquez, Human Resources Manager; and Che Johnson, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, regarding labor relations with Service Employees International Union (SEIU), SEIU Supervisors, Salinas Municipal Employees Association/SEIU, Association of Management Personnel, Police Officers Association, Police Management Association, International Association of Firefighters, Fire Supervisors Association, Confidential Non-Management Employees, Confidential Management Employees, and Department Directors.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED IN THE ROTUNDA AT 4:40 P.M.
NEW EMPLOYEE WELCOME AND PROMOTIONS
PROCLAMATION
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, May 2026 National Military Appreciation Month, May 2026 Small Business Week, May 3-9, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENT PROCEDURES
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Annual Position Vacancy Update and Recruitment and Retention Efforts
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Salinas Fire Department Annual Report 2025
CONSENT AGENDA - Continued to May 12, 2026.
Minutes
Acceptance of the 2025 Pavement Improvements Project, CIP No. 9981
Declaration and Disposal of Chinatown Navigation Center Surplus Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment
Amendment No. 3 to the Agreement for Professional Services BFS Landscape Architects (BFS)
Peregrine Technologies Software Subscriptions
Reallocation and appropriation of Home-ARP, National Opioid Settlement, and General Funds for Salinas Outreach and Response Team, Fairview Homekey Project, and Chinatown Navigation Operations
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT - Continued to May 12, 2026.
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Continued to May 12, 2026.
ADJOURNMENT - 6:00 P.M.
_____________________________ Patricia M. Soratos, City Clerk
AGENDA MATERIAL / ADDENDUM
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
Consider approving an extended leave of absence for Council member Barajas pursuant to Charter Section 6.2.
MEETING CONTINUANCE AND ADJOURNMENT

City Council approves extended leave for Councilmember Barajas; receives staffing and fire department reports; remaining items continued to May 12, 2026

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