[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6692746,"mediaKeyId","2343316-6b4f04aaa250b59bf96dfb911fd88fe9","parentId",2343316,"title","Students and community members press Santa Maria council for 2‑mile immigration \"safe zones\"; council says it lacks authority, discusses state bills","audioSeconds",1586,"startMs",2326000,"endMs",3912000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343316-6b4f04aaa250b59bf96dfb911fd88fe9&start=2326&end=3912","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343316-6b4f04aaa250b59bf96dfb911fd88fe9/thumbnail_2326000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6692746/Clovis/Fresno-County/California/Students-and-community-members-press-Santa-Maria-council-for-2mile-immigration-safe-zones-council-says-it-lacks-authority-discusses-state-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6692746-4a2431dad8c77848ab1b98b92cad9ab9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776578116&Signature=QfOIr87sB-HTIwOr3UUtlXfZL1xei95Kd5R7J3Du7gcp-oHDb7h812MlXpalsfZuU30lManWRpJpV-jk8nxE5qTAWsipkoylXBpYTgrKvrL5j~gTEdBc-g0Mf1iiirPo6jEiSEMhwO~GEXBuJ4i9D1ht-1Qlh~-f9DqKdTYHvoSjdQikJcTOAKCa6CiDlshwEpejWROyUye1FpN585tmyw8QkNgOMY3j7YM31BL1ZVyCdGDnwq7KUi2ZY~3HBw5qemiKxjA--FhGOfqR-K3amBTHsQOV-G8NxSZqonzc2qX~wxkrGDDOKePjTJOtfwDy6IKK5kIQJeEZ2NZoYlUF6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-19T17:12:31Z","article","Dozens of students and community members urged the Santa Maria City Council on Feb. 18 to create a two‑mile buffer around schools, parks, hospitals and houses of worship to prevent immigration enforcement in those areas.

The request drew repeated public testimony during the meeting’s public‑comment period and prompted a multi‑part response from city officials who stressed the city’s limited legal authority and suggested seeking state or federal remedies.

Why it matters: Petitioners said the proposed buffer would reduce fear among immigrant families who they said are deterred from attending school, visiting parks and seeking medical care. City leaders said they cannot unilaterally block federal enforcement inside city limits but signaled support for pursuing state‑level protections.

Students and community speakers described personal and family fear of immigration enforcement. Jesus Romero, a student who identified himself as participating in a multi‑hour march to City Hall, said the demonstration was meant to protect his grandparents and other families “who endure an ever growing fear of losing the home they created.” Romero told the council, “Our nation is built on immigration, not deportation.”

Multiple student speakers asked the council to adopt a formal two‑mile restriction around “sensitive locations.” Speakers described long workdays, fear of separation from family and the emotional impact on children who attend local schools.

City response and legal limits
Alice Patino, mayor of the City of Santa Maria, told speakers the city values the trust of all residents and wants people to feel safe interacting with city employees. Patino said the city will not ask about immigration status when providing police services and stated that the Santa Maria Police Department does not enforce federal immigration law or take part in immigration enforcement operations.

City Attorney Mr. Watson then outlined legal constraints, citing the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause and state law limitations. Watson said the city does not have authority to bar federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), from conducting actions within city limits and advised petitioners to seek relief from the state and from federal representatives.

Councilmembers discussed supporting pending state legislation that would restrict immigration enforcement in certain settings. Councilmember Sotto and others said they would like the city to send letters of support for Senate Bill 48 and Senate Bill 56, both described during the meeting as pending state measures that address enforcement at schools and other sensitive locations. No formal council vote on sending letters was recorded during the meeting.

What the city said it can do
Council and staff repeatedly emphasized that the city will continue to provide police services without inquiring into immigration status and encouraged residents to report victimization regardless of status. City officials suggested that the correct venue for the requested prohibition would be the state legislature or the federal delegation, and they encouraged petitioners to press state lawmakers to act.

The public‑comment period for the Feb. 18 meeting included 16 callers or in‑person speakers on this topic; many identified themselves as high‑school students and young residents of Santa Maria.

Looking ahead
Council discussion ended without a formal vote on an official city policy to create local “safe zones,” though several councilmembers expressed interest in supporting state legislation that could strengthen protections at schools. City staff and attorneys said they would provide further information about the state bills and the legal limits on local action.

Ending note: The speakers asked for an immediate local protective measure; the council instead advised pursuing state legislation and reiterated that local police will not ask about immigration status when providing services.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Santa Maria City Council - February 18, 2025 Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Dozens of students and community members urged the Santa Maria City Council on Feb. 18 to create a two‑mile buffer around schools, parks, hospitals and houses of worship to prevent immigration enforcement.","taxTitle","Clovis, Fresno County, California","taxId",3674,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6692738,"Santa Maria council receives second‑quarter financial report and adopts budget amendments including limited pension‑reserve draw",1177,4057000,5234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343316-6b4f04aaa250b59bf96dfb911fd88fe9&start=4057&end=5234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343316-6b4f04aaa250b59bf96dfb911fd88fe9/thumbnail_4057000.jpg","/articles/6692738/Clovis/Fresno-County/California/Santa-Maria-council-receives-secondquarter-financial-report-and-adopts-budget-amendments-including-limited-pensionreserve-draw","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6692738-f7aa302441f563e42eca6b397c65d9ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1776578116&Signature=JHzD9SzpmJTxEAuOtyhDOTXewVEIWjtvyYENMkJN~hvZzh-kxI8mNyu6OTxFtQ6VHTLYeWKUiKjYAbTqTL57N2i5A5r0us5esFgWh4cmzOV6s~dHIzvzytif3sQvFLMJ9G9-uXiiLbou61sH5kMCTbpvoNVzT-b~4t8PSXM68Sx24MThxh6343eornttA4ADtpJnIERr111-S~oB3hDuGFf9e7VDLJeXEqUDfavTRpeJKKGgZmuopM0PqFYrQ5LwHndwk3z1E1MnNb54rnnwdSAMnbNL4DtLpK2NF1VpGrb8IGsnA4te~01ozr12JFRslUETdfJ41dyOZkBY3nV9jA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Santa Maria City Council received and filed the fiscal 2024–25 second‑quarter financial report and adopted a resolution approving several budget amendments on Feb. 18.

Why it matters: The report showed revenues and expenditures near the half‑year mark, ongoing expenditure pressures, and staff proposals that aim to narrow the budget gap without increasing the general fund deficit. Among the amendments approved was a one‑time $3.1 million draw from a pension reserve that currently holds $13.2 million.

What the council voted on
The council voted to receive and file the second‑quarter financial report and to adopt a resolution approving specified budget amendments. The roll call on the resolution was: Councilmember Aguilera Hernandez, Aye; Councilmember Sotto, Aye; Councilmember Flores, Aye; Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo, No; Mayor Alice Patino, Aye (4–1). The consent calendar was approved earlier in the meeting by unanimous vote (5–0).

Key figures presented
- General fund: Revenues were approximately 40% of the annual budget at mid‑year; the presentation showed general‑fund revenues at about $37.5 million compared with $34.5 million in the prior year, and expenditures at about $45 million (roughly 40% of budget).

- Measure U: Measure U revenues were reported at 51% of budget for the half‑year; expenditures were at about 38% primarily due to timing of capital spending.

- Enterprise funds: Water and wastewater net revenues were reported as approximately $5.57 million higher than last year; operational savings and timing variations were noted across enterprise funds.

Budget amendments adopted (summary)
According to the interim director of finance, the council-approved amendments did not increase the general‑fund budget gap because they used funds already identified in other reserves or enterprise accounts. The amendments included:
- A proposed draw of $3,100,000 from a reserve set aside for unfunded pension liabilities (reserve balance: $13,200,000).
- Reallocation of two Recreation and Parks full‑time positions from the general fund to a landscape district fund (estimated general‑fund benefit: about $200,000).
- An increase of $30,000 for a backflow module to support an ERP integration in utilities.
- An increase of $150,000 for the city's AB 1600 (growth mitigation) program update.
- A $125,000 budget true‑up for the previously approved purchase of Lot 20.
- An increase of $1,900,000 for a planned drainage improvement project funded from mitigation and developer funds.
- An increase of $2,400,000 from a REAP grant for a sewer project.
- Adjustments in transit funding to support new micro‑transit service operations and procurement of additional buses (specific procurement amounts tied to transit purchases were discussed by staff; some line‑item amounts were recorded as part of the staff presentation).

Operational context and staff recommendations
Interim Director of Finance Miss Bradford told the council that staffing vacancies, a hiring freeze for non‑public‑safety positions and contract timing had reduced expenditures in some areas; the city manager had implemented measures projected to generate approximately $6.5 million in savings through the fiscal year. Bradford recommended that the city continue to pursue both expenditure controls and revenue options, including the possibility of a local sales‑tax measure (up to one‑half cent of capacity remains) or property‑tax‑based options such as a community facilities district.

Council questions and clarifications
Councilmembers asked for additional detail on specific line items, the timing of awarded construction contracts (a downtown sewer project was reported as awarded and expected to begin construction within weeks), and the transit fare‑box ratio (reported at 9.9% and noted as a decline compared with prior reporting; staff agreed to follow up with clarification via email).

Vote and outcome
The resolution adopting the second‑quarter budget amendments passed 4–1. The consent calendar earlier in the meeting was approved unanimously. Staff said the amendments were supported by existing funds or grants and therefore did not expand the general‑fund gap.

Ending note: City staff asked council to consider both expenditure and revenue strategies going into the next budget cycle and suggested conducting voter‑sentiment surveys before pursuing ballot measures.","The City Council on Feb. 18 received the fiscal 2024–25 second‑quarter financial report and adopted a resolution approving budget amendments that include drawing $3.1 million from a $13.2 million pension reserve and several reallocations for capital and program needs. The resolution passed 4–1; Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo voted no.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6692742,"Santa Maria Chamber cites business assistance, tourism gains and workforce programs in first half of fiscal 2025",750,1559000,2309000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2343316-6b4f04aaa250b59bf96dfb911fd88fe9&start=1559&end=2309","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2343316-6b4f04aaa250b59bf96dfb911fd88fe9/thumbnail_1559000.jpg","/articles/6692742/Clovis/Fresno-County/California/Santa-Maria-Chamber-cites-business-assistance-tourism-gains-and-workforce-programs-in-first-half-of-fiscal-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6692742-5c00f2d127078b0d7c7b359db655adb3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776578116&Signature=PANxJ5KHDdeHTpVn-uG2UsuQvEGzugXSlmmUbZl~JL~BxWNomUeWPQX3PhZ2G~32jzYipOxJWr-Bcv0XjxTvXllEOlGyTxofQVTEeqOMp9NeFdQtQi-qtXnsYn-qe0K8zekOXZ1BDTVQNHWFTq1actpxj9DpKJNGERusMztsXXqjUJwEuEJHwwYxF1TaTkp6tBkK0ei2GpHfB0q68k9-ZSDlNtNC69XCniqCRXI0384uWeNvTrXh0JgZ65mMlHNJ7t~Oxxc-m8tvVJSMZEm9c1m51Ju0-VaQf8rcm5Uy809jsNt8TKEdUT97LHWyV-yWZVGVBrhFPcf08aKHHjChQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michael Boyer, chief executive officer of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, presented the chamber's economic impact report to the Santa Maria City Council on Feb. 18, highlighting business assistance, workforce training and tourism metrics for the first half of fiscal year 2025.

Why it matters: The chamber's initiatives link local business retention, housing development and tourism promotion to the city's broader economic strategy. The report provides context for local workforce programs, housing discussions and visitor‑economy planning.

Key points from the presentation
- Business assistance: Boyer said the chamber and partners directly assisted over 50 businesses in the past six months to navigate city processes, health regulations and state assistance programs.

- Hispanic Business Alliance: The chamber reported growth to more than 200 members and reported 1,200 participants in alliance events over the prior six months.

- Housing and workforce: Boyer said the chamber supports development of more than 7,400 housing units and highlighted teacher‑tour programs, Leadership Santa Maria Valley and NextGen CEO as workforce and leadership efforts.

- Tourism and digital metrics: SantaMariaValley.com recorded roughly 257,000 visits in the six‑month period and the chamber reported more than 4,600 hotel referrals in the same time frame. Boyer cited cumulative transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue of approximately $3,900,000 as of December 2024.

Direct quote
\"We directly assisted over 50 businesses, ensuring that they the resources they have the resources to start, grow, and thrive in our community,\" Boyer said during his presentation.

Programs and next steps
Boyer discussed ongoing and planned efforts including a housing summit, an economic forecast event, expanded Hispanic Business Alliance outreach, paid family‑leave microgrants administered on the chamber's behalf and the planned opening of a new visitors center.

No council action was required or taken on the chamber presentation. Councilmembers thanked the chamber for the report and there were no formal votes tied to the presentation.

Ending note: The chamber framed the results as part of a multi‑partner economic development approach that includes the city, county workforce board, education partners and local foundations.","Michael Boyer, CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, presented the chamber's economic impact report at the Feb. 18 council meeting, citing direct assistance to more than 50 businesses, expanded Hispanic Business Alliance membership and website traffic of about 257,000 visits in the first six months of fiscal 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students and community members press Santa Maria council for 2‑mile immigration "safe zones"; council says it lacks authority, discusses state bills

Santa Maria council receives second‑quarter financial report and adopts budget amendments including limited pension‑reserve draw

Santa Maria Chamber cites business assistance, tourism gains and workforce programs in first half of fiscal 2025