[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,74,86,98],{"_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",6649699,"mediaKeyId","2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da","parentId",2517748,"title","Santa Maria council reconvenes from closed session; approves consent calendar; city reports negotiators received instructions","audioSeconds",33,"startMs",6180000,"endMs",6213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da&start=6180&end=6213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da/thumbnail_6180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6649699/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Santa-Maria-council-reconvenes-from-closed-session-approves-consent-calendar-city-reports-negotiators-received-instructions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649699-700037928d3a11bce52d20a7a8a42f6a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165871&Signature=ldpmVUo4z3wcxBIBkOI8ZhgoCmR-hNSzlZYwIvf25nLwi~Jw5TgASpJxa3bQIrpo0vPxnSfNHmFKePcf3ZFSmyfDryWxfgX7MOGekMg4cU24kMol8-u-AQsUIYflvtetsVCFhlkurSfNhjX3qj5OlG7h7RURzqt55ta9AgI3jwxD2bj7cmZRXzyfkXoCPkwOrsLm90~MOx3dFKRX7fF1wd0s4M7Ou4WLyZLA~KBQaml3O-KxET4NcwgSOePZtbj4kLgqsK5BytW~2upr-mfN~CYZE0XFaEhwSSgnyqKnNySS5a6C01waZb7MRdAM0N71pHu1LTyirxk-VIicnFez1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-05T14:46:25Z","article","The Santa Maria City Council recessed for a closed session and reconvened for its regular meeting, then approved the consent calendar by unanimous roll call.

City Attorney Watson reported out of closed session that “with respect to item 3 a, 3 b and 3 c. Instructions were provided to the negotiators, consistent with the direction from council. No further comment is needed.” The closed session items had been read earlier as labor negotiations pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.6 and real-property negotiations pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.8.

Following the closed session, a council member made a motion “to move and approve the consent items,” which was seconded. The clerk called the roll and the recorded votes were: Mayor Pro Tem Escobedo — “Aye”; Councilmember Aguilar Hernandez — “Aye”; Councilmember Flores — “Aye”; Councilmember Soto — “Aye”; Mayor Patino — “Aye.” The clerk announced the consent calendar approved.

City Manager Rollin Rollins reported on upcoming agenda items, including the general plan annual report, the 2024 fire department annual report, the Measure U annual report, a quarterly encampment response review and a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program review. Rollins also told the council that the city and the fire union “are currently in discussions” and that negotiations “have been very amicable so far.”

What the council did and did not do: The transcript records the closed-session report that negotiators received instructions and records formal approval of the consent calendar. The transcript does not provide details of those instructions, nor does it record any public description of proposed real-property transactions or the terms of ongoing labor negotiations beyond the city manager’s general statement.

Why it matters: Closed sessions on labor and property—and subsequent instructions to negotiators—can presage future public actions (agreements, contracts, property purchases or leases). The unanimous approval of the consent calendar moved routine items forward; the specific consent items were not listed in the recorded excerpt.

Clarifying details: The closed-session topics were read into the record earlier as: a conference with labor negotiators pursuant to California Government Code section 54957.6; and conferences with real-property negotiators pursuant to California Government Code section 54956.8. The city attorney stated that instructions were provided but did not summarize them in open session.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting, City of Santa Maria, March 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a closed session on labor and real-property negotiations, the Santa Maria City Council approved the consent calendar by unanimous roll call and the city attorney reported negotiators were given instructions consistent with council direction; the city manager said discussions with the firefighters’ union are ongoing.","taxTitle","Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California","taxId",3656,"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},6649704,"Santa Maria volunteers invite community to celebrate 75 years of Little League",131,5214000,5345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da&start=5214&end=5345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da/thumbnail_5214000.jpg","/articles/6649704/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Santa-Maria-volunteers-invite-community-to-celebrate-75-years-of-Little-League","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649704-06abaf9f294c2cd90ea136c78bd62fbb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165871&Signature=I52WNPWV1UlBLmA7ukFGRvrgO0hUqtSS71IVtdQJCH6BxCu3DmpD7l51--nKRjtXJUMJT~zDeTJvVfteF1azK-bXiFIhJsOufiKz6Iq2bHRZR~tm5XbfitNi43AgYgEqKTdHT-zS9FycwLyxXT9~a3-2Le68EP-JqntdL7C~66zD8s~rkK3QGjqKikRTvaSIZRk459IJ3HJ~VBRYqIE~8ywawLc8JG3pqlJ8C5-1OMTPyFE~rc0~kEQ51FqaHlxPzzlk2ZTgW7VbeZvw5Cef56jocuOWB0rG9-m8K4JjhiVvwy-5WXVUoyDrFxAppVMi4ufsxmk3mDxfQlHM2OxObA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A longtime youth volunteer recounted the history of Little League in Santa Maria and invited residents to attend anniversary games and commemorative events.

Eddie Navarro, identifying himself as a native of the Santa Maria Valley and a youth volunteer with the Elks Club, said this season marks 75 years of Little League in the valley, tracing the league’s origins to a 1950 charter petition and naming early organizers including Butch Simas, Larry Hagman Sr., Harry Goodchild, Carl Barberini and Bill Ellis.

Navarro described opening ceremonies at several neighborhood sites and said two remaining ceremonies were scheduled for the coming Saturday at Northside and Westside fields. He invited the council and community to attend and asked the city to consider recognizing local fields and individuals involved in the league’s history, naming the ballpark currently called Carl Barberini Field at Simas Park and referencing the Orchid Express’ 1981 national championship.

Discussion versus action: Navarro’s remarks were public comment and included an invitation and suggestions for recognition; the transcript records no formal city commitment or motion to create a historical designation during this meeting.

Why it matters: Little League activities and field recognition are community events that acknowledge local volunteers and history; the request could lead to future staff work to consider historical markers or event partnerships.

Clarifying details: Navarro said the league began in 1950 and recounted names of early organizers; he referenced recent losses of longtime players and volunteers but provided no formal list or dates for any proposed recognition actions.

","A longtime volunteer recounted the history of Little League in Santa Maria and invited the council and community to attend games and commemorations marking the 75th anniversary.",{"_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},6649708,"Santa Maria resident raises elder safety, policing and emergency-room concerns at council meeting",226,5844000,6070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da&start=5844&end=6070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da/thumbnail_5844000.jpg","/articles/6649708/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Santa-Maria-resident-raises-elder-safety-policing-and-emergency-room-concerns-at-council-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649708-4a6d65e192fc82df742ba9ecb19762b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165871&Signature=bb-e~e38JLreDeITjcHVQP8pBBzYFO-YXhJxJhN7G6-7D-~E5RFD4WIS-Rq9LMZQvl5ykPfhsmv4a3Xp2gfzDSfUYFPHtCS27OcGUJWEAaRKRREXQ4CeRFGQ5ZlwIEvSzMaHMWo7wdLTguL~XXWgsrFZ4Qasg8eDodtxN2eMAdzdqusbgb9i5LA9iZGsTK4RRc51cV4zJ4jf1nshykZZd-lZkpJDkKY7QUiAFNbZy2xXZVvQEMgmbwrR7lM6Bk8ALcMwWNyc-Rkqyp1VCOUPsb8qRBkBsUBNr4zphU0f8YXNvq~kopcKIGAlF53gIaoD0~sGUunOPH4WX2TYwC5fqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Santa Maria resident urged the City Council to increase police enforcement and address what she described as growing safety concerns for senior residents.

Guinevere Cannon, who identified herself as an HOA manager and a Santa Maria resident, described witnessing a shoplifting incident at a CVS and said store staff told her police “really don’t do anything.” Cannon said the incident left her worried for seniors who shop in the evenings and for those who go to pharmacies to pick up medication.

“Someone here in authority need to step it up,” Cannon said. “They need to make sure that people feel safe when they go to the grocery store or when you go to the pharmacy.” She added that some neighborhoods feel unsafe after dark and told the council she has observed vehicles and groups in parking lots that concern her.

Cannon also raised hospital crowding and emergency-room waits as a public-safety concern. She told the council that an emergency-room nurse told her a patient could expect a three-hour wait and framed that as evidence of an unresolved “immigration” issue stretching resources, saying the hospital’s ER “constantly... is packed.” Cannon said she was not speaking about race but expressed concern about service capacity.

Discussion versus action: Cannon’s remarks were part of the public-comment period; the transcript records the comments and the council’s acknowledgment but does not record council direction, staff response, or new enforcement measures at this meeting.

Why it matters: The comments highlight resident perceptions of public safety and health-system strain. They may prompt council members or staff to follow up with Police Department or hospital partners, though no such follow-up is recorded here.

Clarifying details from public comment: Cannon said she has lived in California three years and described incidents she witnessed “a couple weeks ago” in a retail parking lot; she did not provide dates, police report numbers, or hospital names in the public comment.

","A public commenter urged the city to increase police presence and address growing public-safety and emergency-room wait concerns, citing incidents at retail stores and crowded hospital emergency departments.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6649712,"Mobile-home residents urge Santa Maria to revive rent-stabilization talks, block senior-park conversions",358,5354000,5712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da&start=5354&end=5712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2517748-0fbe793fd659f1a8c26b6e5b7a8f30da/thumbnail_5354000.jpg","/articles/6649712/Santa-Maria/Santa-Barbara-County/California/Mobile-home-residents-urge-Santa-Maria-to-revive-rent-stabilization-talks-block-senior-park-conversions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6649712-ddcc633e6a3d592aa333750866f0dfb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771165871&Signature=bkfxQ~m3I78G8t2QDGY3fBLt4BK3SEpv4utt7r8C6Gx0lRXRpNu5~dKVATHPYjc1lBe7iEkK9b8X893AR15ctpfIUoxtVit0Hi1nvnmGJkvCCBrgkM9JfwaDqQtER2y6rH2lxAOXSb6c~XKtvwyBs7-MpE27B3l3mKmIlA05OqrLgxX1lGCrP~HutCAoJUHgOhyvwAc2yI8g0yDZ-EKX4OKsqIyjbFIJS4a1QCMehkwLStqtRoXhhbly7X4pBKiS8vNKZY1uO4-hp1j-7eNHqLAdHcF26WqAYR340rx~~BMNy5DvGf7G7s36k-oag4IyZ29~6BeaMYc3O~RGHTKSbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several mobile-home residents told the Santa Maria City Council that the city’s existing model lease program has failed to protect homeowner equity and urged the council to bring rent-stabilization back to the agenda.

Gary Hall, who identified himself as a resident of Rancho Buena Vista Mobile Estates and representing the North Santa Barbara County Manufactured Homeowners Team, said the city has promised changes for years without results. “We’ve been making this case with the city council for rent stabilization for 7 years,” Hall said. He added that a motion two and a half years ago aimed at improving or replacing the 2020 model lease produced an outreach effort “without any evidence of mobile home resident benefit.”

Hall told the council that residents want protections comparable to nearby cities and counties. “Those jurisdictions listened to their residents and provided the rent stabilization protection they deserved,” he said, naming Lompoc, Goleta, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Oxnard, Santa Paula, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara as examples the city could follow.

Hall also asked the council to act to prevent senior mobile-home parks from converting to all-age parks, citing an attempted conversion at Del Cielo Senior mobile-home park and noting that the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors intervened on that case. “It’s time for the city of Santa Maria to take up similar action,” he said.

On a related point, Hall expressed concern about stalled contract talks between the city and the firefighters’ union and asked the council to “reopen dialogue with the firefighters and return to the negotiations table.” He said continued delay “is putting public safety at unnecessary risk.”

Discussion versus action: Speakers asked the council to place rent stabilization and senior-park protections back on a future agenda; the transcript shows requests and public comment but records no council vote or direction on those specific demands during this meeting.

Why it matters: Mobile-home communities in Santa Maria house lower-income and older residents who can face steep costs if parks are converted or rules change. Residents said the city’s current model lease and enforcement agreement have not delivered the protections they sought.

Clarifying details from public comment: Hall said the city passed a motion about revising the 2020 model lease two and a half years ago but that promised improvements were not implemented; he described the model lease enforcement agreement as approved “5 years” ago and said requested improvements “were ignored.” The transcript does not specify the exact legal mechanism or ordinance that would implement rent stabilization, nor does it record any staff report or proposed ordinance text at this meeting.

Next steps noted in the meeting: Hall requested the council place the matter on a future agenda; there was no recorded action, motion, or vote on rent stabilization or senior-park conversion protections in the transcript.

","Speakers at a Santa Maria City Council meeting renewed calls for rent-stabilization protections for mobile-home residents, asked the city to act to prevent senior-park conversions, and pressed the council to resume negotiations with firefighters.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Santa Maria council reconvenes from closed session; approves consent calendar; city reports negotiators received instructions

Santa Maria volunteers invite community to celebrate 75 years of Little League

Santa Maria resident raises elder safety, policing and emergency-room concerns at council meeting

Mobile-home residents urge Santa Maria to revive rent-stabilization talks, block senior-park conversions