City Council of the City of Hollister

Minutes of the Regular Meeting

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5:30 P.m. - 9:00 P.m.

City Council Chamber, City Hall

375 Fifth Street, Hollister, CA 95023

Members Present:

• Roxanne Stephens, Mayor
• Rudy Picha, District 1
• Rolan Resendiz, District 2
• Dolores Morales, District 3
• Priscilla de Anda, District 4

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Stephens called the regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Hollister to order at 5:30 p.m.

2.

ROLL CALL

3.

CLOSED SESSION

City Attorney Jennifer Thompson read the closed session item titles.

Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 5:32 p.m.

There were no speakers for the closed session agenda items.

Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 5:32 p.m.

Mayor Stephens convened the meeting into closed session at 5:32 p.m.

3.1

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION

Closed Session Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9

Ingrid G. Sywak, and Alexander Sywak vs. City of Hollister; Hollister City Council; and DOES 1-100; case CU-25-00167

3.2

CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION

Initiation of Litigation Pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of section 54956.9 of the Government Code (1 case)

3.3

CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957.6

Agency designated representatives: Interim City Manager Jim Pia and City Attorney Jennifer Thompson

Employee Organizations: Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Local 521, Hollister Firefighters Union (HFFU) , Hollister Peace Officer Association (HPOA), and un-represented employees.

Mayor Stephens adjourned closed session at 6:14 p.m.

The City Council reconvened into open session at 6:30 p.m.

4.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Councilmember Picha led the Pledge of Allegiance.

5.

CLOSED SESSION REPORT

City Attorney Jennifer Thompson stated no reportable action was taken in closed session.

6.

SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

6.1

APPRECIATION AND RECOGNITION OF SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS – 2025 COMMUNITY EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Parks & Recreation Director Charles Wall, Recreation Coordinator Armando Medina, and Recreation Coordinator Raul Gracia recognized City volunteers and event sponsors who supported the City's Parks & Recreation Program and special events in 2025. 

7.

PUBLIC INPUT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA

Adan Amezcua, Captain of the Hollister High School Robotics Club, thanked the City for its support and shared information regarding the Robotics Club and the event it is hosting on March 28-29, 2026.

Julia Nordstrom, representing Hollister High School, requested in update on the River Parkway project and other options for students to get community service hours.

Tony Avilla offered a prayer and spoke in support of peace.

Carol Lenoir asked staff to look into downtown lighting, including the tree lights, and requested the City Council discuss the downtown parklets. 

Lulu spoke expressed concern regarding the smell from the City's sewer system. 

8.

CONSENT ITEMS

• Moved by: Council Member Morales
  Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz

  The consent calendar items are approved as presented.

  Ayes (5)

  Council Member Resendiz, Council Member Morales, Council Member Picha, Council Member de Anda, and Mayor Stephens

  Carried (5 to 0)

8.1

APPROVE JANUARY 5, 2026 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

8.2

A RESOLUTION APPROVING A THREE-YEAR LEASE EXTENSION WITH HOLLISTER ELKS BUILDING ASSOCIATION FOR LEASE OF 351 ASTRO DRIVE AT THE HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

• Moved by: Council Member Morales
  Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz

  Adopt a resolution approving Lease Amendment No. 1 for a Three-Year Lease Extension with Hollister Elks Building Association for the lease of 351 Astro Drive at the Hollister Municipal Airport and authorizing the Interim City Manager to execute Lease Amendment No. 1.

  Carried

8.3

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH A FINANCIAL AUDITING FIRM FOR ANNUAL AUDITS AND ACFR PREPARATION

• Moved by: Council Member Morales
  Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz

  Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a professional services agreement, consistent with the City’s Purchasing Ordinance exception for financial auditing services, with a qualified financial auditing firm to complete the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and required Single Audits, and to negotiate and execute amendments to the agreement up to $20,000 subject to available budget appropriations.

  Carried

8.4

AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENT PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT FOR THE 851 SUNNYSLOPE ROAD PROJECT (S&A 2025-5 AND TM 2025-4)

• Moved by: Council Member Morales
  Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz

  Approve authorization to release a request for proposals for environmental consulting services.

  Carried

8.5

A RESOLUTION APPROVING RECLASSIFICATIONS OF THE AIRPORT MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS SPECIALIST AND THE MAINTENANCE WORKER II AND ADDING A PERMIT TECHNICIAN I/II/SENIOR CLASSIFICATION SERIES TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

• Moved by: Council Member Morales
  Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz

  Adopt a resolution approving and establishing two new classifications titled Airport Operations Supervisor and Parks Operations Supervisor to replace two existing classifications as well as establishing new classifications titled Permit Technician I, Permit Technician II and Senior Permit Technician in the Community Development Department.

  Carried

8.6

A RESOLUTION APPROVING BUDGET ADJUSTMENTS & FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR COMMUNITY FACILITIES DISTRICT & ASSESSMENT DISTRICT SERVICES, & AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT 1 TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH DEVELOPMENT & PUBLIC FINANCE, LLC

• Moved by: Council Member Morales
  Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz

  Adopt a resolution approving:
  1. A Budget Adjustment for appropriation of funds to Fund 218 in the amount of $8,250 for the payment of administrative expenses associated with Community Facilities District (CFD) 2 through June 30, 2026.
  2. A Budget Adjustment for appropriation of funds to Fund 712 in the amount of $58,950 for the payment of administrative expenses associated with CFD 4 through June 30, 2026.
  3. A Budget Adjustment for appropriation of funds to Fund 713 in the amount of $17,650 for the payment of administrative expenses associated with CFD 5 through June 30, 2026.
  4. A Budget Adjustment for transfer of funds within Fund 709 accounts in the amount of $1,750 for the payment of administrative expenses associated with Landscape and Lighting District 93-1 (LLD 93-1) through June 30, 2026.
  5. Contract Amendment #1 to the Professional Services Agreement with Development & Public Finance, LLC to provide CFD and Assessment District services through June 30, 2026.

  Carried

8.7

THE CITY COUNCIL, ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE CITY OF HOLLISTER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (RDA), TO REVIEW AND CONSIDER APPROVING THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026-27 RECOGNIZED OBLIGATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE (ROPS)

• Moved by: Council Member Morales
  Seconded by: Council Member Resendiz

  Approve the FY 2026-27 ROPS.

  Carried

9.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

9.1

WATER RATE STUDY PUBLIC HEARING AND ADJUSTMENTS TO WATER RATES

Steve Gagnon with City consultant Raftelis provided the staff presentation.

Mayor Stephens opened the public hearing at 7:03 p.m.

City Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported 281 valid written protests were received prior to the public hearing. 

Victoria Montoya requested information for assistance options for low income residents. 

Tony Avilla expressed concern regarding the proposed rate increase. 

Joseph da Silva expressed concern regarding the proposed rate increase. 

City Clerk Jennifer Woodworth reported no additional protests were received. 

Mayor Stephens closed the public hearing at 7:11 p.m.

• Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
  Seconded by: Council Member de Anda

  Continue this item to a date certain. 

  Ayes (3)	Council Member Resendiz, Council Member Picha, and Council Member de Anda
  Noes (2)	Council Member Morales, and Mayor Stephens

  Carried (3 to 2)
• Amendment:

  Following passage of the motion, the City Council stated the item would be continued to February 17, 2026.

  Carried

10.

COUNCIL BUSINESS

10.1

DISCUSSION ON WHETHER TO BRING BACK AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 02.04.050 (MEETINGS- TIME AND PLACE) OF CHAPTER 02.04 (CITY COUNCIL) OF TITLE 2 (ADMINISTRATION AND PERSONNEL) OF THE HOLLISTER MUNICIPAL CODE

Interim City Manager Jim Pia provided the staff report.

Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 7:36 p.m.

There were no speakers for this item.

Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 7:36 p.m.

By consensus, the City Council directed staff to bring a future agenda item regarding the date and time of the City Council's regular meeting to the second and fourth Mondays of the month after a staff survey of the impact of changing the dates. 

10.2

CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING COMMISSION BYLAW AMENDMENTS

City Attorney Jennifer Thompson provided the staff report.

Mayor Stephens opened public comment at 8:00 p.m.

Peter Hernandez supported the proposed bylaws amendments to allow the Planning Commission to add items to their agenda for discussion. 

Mayor Stephens closed public comment at 8:03 p.m.

Councilmember Resendiz requested a future joint meeting with the Planning Commission to include discussion of the planning process and economic development in the City. 

• Moved by: Council Member Resendiz
  Seconded by: Council Member Picha

  Approve amendments to the Planning Commission bylaws.

  Ayes (5)

  Council Member Resendiz, Council Member Morales, Council Member Picha, Council Member de Anda, and Mayor Stephens

  Carried (5 to 0)

11.

INFORMATIONAL REPORTS

11.1

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

Councilmember Picha reported on a meeting of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments and discussed the draft public transit plan.

Mayor Stephens reported on the San Benito County Council of Governments and discussed improvements to Highway 25 and the highway master plan. 

11.2

COUNCIL REPORTS

No reports. 

1.

CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

11.3

CITY MANAGER REPORT

Interim City Manager Jim Pia stated the meeting on February will be his last meeting and City Manager Ana Cortez's first meeting. 

1.

UPDATED CITY COUNCIL PROJECTS

12.

ADJOURNMENT

Mayor Stephens adjourned the meeting at 8:21 p.m. in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his vision of equality.