[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_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",6632990,"mediaKeyId","2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819","parentId",2666740,"title","Hollister weighs amended fire-protection agreements with county and San Juan Bautista amid staffing, safety concerns","audioSeconds",2068,"startMs",2458000,"endMs",4526000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819&start=2458&end=4526","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819/thumbnail_2458000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632990/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Hollister-weighs-amended-fire-protection-agreements-with-county-and-San-Juan-Bautista-amid-staffing-safety-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632990-d5ee1aa90856e858b0ee416c332359f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184236&Signature=aDv5yMLnddQeIUtN1AYILcp8JGIaJz6pyPtElyhIu-KleVOXAzObIbNhBCR1C9EcaAFcSoITG9Z1slESvzDKCHTY02Iu-omJekO7XQ9L9wxDUdcx4BVQAWQEqmUa7ZkW1E8Oj43LR1Bhqp0xRFANhjmoKMad6fdpPa9JGPx0HkxFel-BsdTKFXrkmcKyznFZ695n3uTMO3eddm5gllgCs2ajvhQ7HJVxdoXNr~XjznVxyWJr8Y-3UWKn0XhueBgEbNAYjqnQ9XMAUXdVYZk8SLfG33DfSp5CwEypS-Wu9lBWxxpRNvPsdXANoXvnOPx7brOx9iusRNVcjn38tFrXuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-18T01:27:46Z","article","Hollister City Council on March 17 took up proposed amendments to the city's fire protection contracts with San Benito County and the City of San Juan Bautista, reviewing payment increases, new billing provisions and operational language that would give the contractor discretion to temporarily reduce staffing at one station.

Staff presentation and proposed terms: City staff summarized terms negotiated by the council's ad hoc committee. For the county contract the proposed amendment would move contract accounting to the fiscal year, raise the county's payment by roughly $1.1 million to a new annual rate of about $3,376,329 (beginning July 1, 2024) and apply a 3% annual escalator through June 30, 2028, staff said. The amendment also identifies $214,373 of that increase to cover lease payments for three pieces of fire equipment and would allow the city to bill the county up to $400,000 for eligible expenses identified in the county's fire-impact fee study, subject to the Mitigation Fee Act. The amendment would also add a provision making certain service-level goals and response-time goals adjustable during a station brownout and would include termination language tied to county failure to timely pay amounts due.

For San Juan Bautista, staff described an amendment that would shift to a fiscal-year schedule and raise the first-year payment to about $418,279 with an 11% annual escalator intended to cover rising inflation and replacement costs. Both amendments would, as drafted, say the contractor may determine staffing levels in Hollister, and would allow the city (contractor) to implement a temporary brownout of Station 3 for operational reasons; during a brownout some response-time goals would be suspended, staff said.

Fire chief and safety warnings: The fire chief warned council that Hollister's department is already understaffed and that a lower minimum crew size would raise public and firefighter risk. \"We staff all of our engines with 3 personnel and a battalion chief,\" the chief told council, adding Hollister's firefighter-to-population ratio is well below national averages and that a two-person engine company cannot legally or safely initiate many types of interior fire attacks or rescues. \"We are critically understaffed,\" the chief said. The chief described recent incidents where staffing shortages affected response and cited workers' compensation and injury risks.

Operational and contract details: City staff said the county amendment includes a clause allowing transfer of ownership for equipment paid for through county funds (the county could purchase equipment for a nominal dollar at lease end), an agreement to coordinate with the SCR 9-1-1 dispatch JPA to avoid billing ambulance/dispatch costs to the city, and an option to bill the county quarterly for development-review and inspection fees based on the city's fee schedule. Staff also described a three-year term through June 30, 2028 under the amendments if extended each year.

Public comment: More than a dozen speakers urged council to reject or renegotiate the amendments, warning of potential increases to homeowners' insurance costs, loss of coverage in some areas, and increased risk to firefighters. Union leaders and active firefighters said they were not consulted in the ad hoc negotiations and said two-person engine staffing would be inadequate and unsafe. Several commenters called for the county to pay more and criticized the negotiation process for excluding subject-matter experts.

Council action and next steps: Council did not adopt the contract amendments at the meeting. Staff reminded the council that, absent a 270-day termination notice delivered before April 5, the current contracts would automatically renew on January 1, 2026 under existing rollover language. Councilmembers discussed options including issuing a 270-day notice to prevent an automatic extension, approving the proposed amendments, or directing staff to return with a revised agreement. After extensive public comment and council discussion, the council gave staff direction to bring the item back for further consideration and said it wanted more input from subject-matter experts and the other jurisdictions; no final vote on the amendments was recorded at the March 17 meeting.

Why this matters: The contracts govern fire protection across incorporated and unincorporated areas of San Benito County; the terms affect annual city revenue and county contributions, service levels, staffing decisions and mutual-aid arrangements with neighboring agencies. The chief and commenters said staffing reductions could increase injury risk to firefighters, lengthen response times, and threaten residents' property and safety, while staff said the amended terms would increase county payments and provide new revenue mechanisms for equipment and plan-review services.

What to expect: Staff said San Juan Bautista and the county were scheduled to consider related items at their own meetings; if both agencies approve amendments, staff will return the agreed contracts to the Hollister council for formal consideration. Council members signaled interest in seeking additional input from the fire chief, labor representatives and other stakeholders before acting, and they requested the proposed contract language be revisited with more transparency and technical input.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Hollister City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Hollister City Council on March 17 reviewed proposed amendments to its fire-protection contracts with San Benito County and the City of San Juan Bautista, including a roughly $1.1 million annual increase from the county and new operational language that would allow temporary \"brownouts\" at Station 3; the council did not adopt any amendment and requested further technical input before taking final action.","taxTitle","Hollister City, San Benito County, California","taxId",55350,"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},6632995,"Hollister council approves 2024 general plan, housing element annual report; hears warning on RHNA shortfall",1022,1425000,2447000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819&start=1425&end=2447","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819/thumbnail_1425000.jpg","/articles/6632995/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Hollister-council-approves-2024-general-plan-housing-element-annual-report-hears-warning-on-RHNA-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632995-a6a0fa8cd4cd8632626381183b4381ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184236&Signature=bw64CcSDsYv7RMWXdCfHDkdG3wmwGbWfoSZakVsj1PSzdop-tNGIf9Hq7c6ogFaQSYvEpZtBQyDHfAn94G10xghG49l2kxLmAOSiysCzbpqS-a0zh7g2vNeunP-m0cQlMKxDCSk3i3GK1DCEHFEPoEUMbZY6WmvMW2yK~N9LHT9ycTu1bYRLa6WkcemiRuYybWYPQIxURBE5MXSLz-VQpdUqjSUFG4p1IiodlAiV~9gezdUol9K2BPmAdFj9Yi86m6OaWL0w0ukUrP~KpwqpXE4JdZ-qZOYYyw1ckgNT1p9HyVhRszcrXb36tNS2qbm3Z7t7UJBSX8o88HUfLk-58g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hollister City Council on March 17 approved a resolution filing the city's 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and the Housing Element Annual Progress Report, while staff warned the council the city remains out of compliance with the state housing-element cycle and faces potential penalties and reduced grant eligibility.

The reports, prepared by the planning department, are the city's update to the Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), and are due April 1. Planning Manager Kelly told the council the reports document implementation measures across the general plan and the city's progress on housing permits and occupancy. \"We submit the annual report to both agencies, and this is due by April 1 of each year,\" Kelly said.

Why this matters: the state reviews jurisdictions' housing-element performance to ensure communities plan for their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). Kelly said Hollister had issued 122 building permits in calendar 2024 and reported 49 additional units in the administrative transition period, for a total of 171 units reported toward the new cycle's RHNA of 4,163 units. That leaves 3,992 units remaining to be planned and permitted in the current cycle. Kelly said the city has \"no obligation to construct\" housing but must plan for adequate sites and policies; failure to have a certified housing element can limit access to state grant funds and expose jurisdictions to legal action.

The council pressed staff about urgency and consequences. Councilmember Morales asked how recent council actions around land use would be reflected in the report; Kelly replied that the general-plan progress report records implementation measures across all plan elements and that the housing element requires more frequent updates. When Morales asked whether the city must actually build the RHNA units, Kelly said, \"We have no obligation to build them. We just make sure that there's accommodation for people who build houses to build houses.\" She also warned that the city is out of compliance with the sixth-cycle housing element and that the state has enforcement tools; staff described potential legal exposure including attorney fees and fines that can accumulate under enforcement actions.

Council discussion and vote: After questions, the council voted to adopt the resolution approving the annual reports and to file the reports with state agencies before the April 1 deadline. The roll call recorded four councilmembers present for the vote; the motion passed with four ayes, no nays and no abstentions. (Councilmember Deanda was not present at roll call earlier in the meeting.)

What happens next: Staff will submit the reports to OPR and HCD and continue the housing-element update work that must produce a certified housing element to restore eligibility for some state funding and reduce legal risk. Kelly told the council the housing-element update work remains underway and that annual reporting will continue to account for permits issued, approvals and final occupancies.

Additional context: The planning manager said the general plan contains multiple elements (land use, circulation, community services, etc.) and that the annual progress report includes ongoing and completed implementation programs. The housing-element reporting counts units at the time a building permit is issued; the city reported 171 units toward the new cycle to date, with a large remaining allocation to be addressed in upcoming housing planning work.","City council approved the city's 2024 general plan progress report and housing element annual report and heard that Hollister remains out of compliance with the state's housing element cycle, with the city reporting 171 units toward a 4,163-unit RHNA allocation.",{"_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},6632976,"Council adopts 2026-2030 capital improvement plan; $35 million slated for next fiscal year projects",402,12447000,12849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819&start=12447&end=12849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819/thumbnail_12447000.jpg","/articles/6632976/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Council-adopts-2026-2030-capital-improvement-plan-35-million-slated-for-next-fiscal-year-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632976-dd1a46fa12c8a06ede2a9dd6c02b1dd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184236&Signature=MnxKPP-AWSGAsi7XHp521oGffHYLDY0C6zjWextSpxpjZht2w2rAkR5QJHi6cNG9Aude38o-n5PmUCg6mkr2wbaopZqA6BaxTgFRTL6JutNCi2OpEnGaeyDVMOq09juTiM7zUfq9CsxlOKVRg14maRSqJLLSu~TtsbtCZhJJX9AWQxRdF-iykDMBsG6IX6xgeTKKsRZmtdpyJ1H09zN4QhmooIbm7sDx8ZwEiVzIqgTAsyNa9VzFI2XElUyuLjFzc4WP7hqIJtwgxboO4rW1~eTBB5bKsJdL2DW5Mny87d9cYOhyiupP7ZLTZh8FEJGscAlNqo64JHbPNXNdxTMmpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hollister City Council on March 17 adopted a resolution approving the city's five-year Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) plan for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 and approved the first-year list of projects, which staff estimated at $35,042,907 across multiple funds.

Public Works summary: The public-works director told the council the CIP lists projects for streets (overlays and ADA ramp upgrades), water-line extensions, sewer rehabilitation, storm-line installations, wastewater-treatment-plant upgrades, parks improvements and police and fire facilities work. Staff said the projects for next fiscal year include items already designed or out to bid as well as projects that will be brought back for authorization as design estimates or outside funding are secured. \"Most of the projects slated for next fiscal year will be included in the budget for next year while others will be brought back to council when design estimates are completed or when other funding sources become available,\" the director said.

Budget and funds: Staff noted that only a small portion of the CIP relies on general-fund dollars (about $56,000); the rest is funded through various enterprise funds, grants and fees. The largest share of next-year projects falls to public-works and utility-related investments, staff said.

Council action: After brief council questions, the council adopted the resolution approving the 2026-2030 CIP. The motion passed by recorded voice vote with four ayes and no recorded nays or abstentions.

What happens next: Staff will incorporate the first-year projects into the operating-budget process where detailed funding and scheduling will be finalized, and will return to council as projects move from design into construction phases.","Hollister City Council adopted the five-year Capital Improvement Projects plan (2026'2030), identifying approximately $35,042,907 in projects for the coming fiscal year across water, sewer, storm, streets, parks, police and fire funds.",{"_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},6632981,"Staff recommends extending Veolia contract to operate Hollister wastewater plant while city studies alternatives",1118,12448000,13566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819&start=12448&end=13566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819/thumbnail_12448000.jpg","/articles/6632981/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Staff-recommends-extending-Veolia-contract-to-operate-Hollister-wastewater-plant-while-city-studies-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632981-efeea95bd0c47f1c25485f0b0db832e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184236&Signature=BSeNepO5YaoSvS3czapEHqsOhQJynGocqUltiVSXfaUxui8tWEsHYU3ayC73CQKHXhekVjh5zXBLQIUYFCBpQxUC8ClJ3vG62S6VBmfpLYmAqZJS05w~p72wI-kPgyDhdTPgQU7z4UxyGhjCcP2H-cQMKbtFVTnibc9B0181RnlOzbbP5~Nt6V1sIWrh1oHBqM5xmCxYFMSYBUrcMrj4lSoHTgdeDOsbudf7M2ZCGfVG1wuVmzPoMd9HAsg4pfMZAIInMnwTFEFuG9HUM8ApJ82BGvGcgZBxeY9dT7~GrlyQ7xQ7N~v1ytwMjaQ1U96t7um-4aCcFgcYb83qZftsdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff on March 17 asked Hollister City Council for direction on operations of the domestic wastewater treatment plant (DWWTP), recommending an extension of the current operations contract with Veolia to allow time for repairs and to evaluate longer-term options.

Three options explained: Public Works staff presented three paths. Option 1: extend the existing agreement with Veolia for the remainder of the original six-year term (staff estimated an annual cost of about $1.5 million under the extended contract and noted that Veolia currently handles repairs under a $25,000 threshold). Option 2: bring operations in-house, which would require recruiting certified operators (a Grade 5 operator for the plant manager and Grade 3 for the operator in charge) and creating a full operations staff; staff estimated first-year staffing at roughly $1.1 million but warned that Grade 3/5 operators are in high demand and recruitment is challenging. Option 3: issue a new request for proposals (RFP) to solicit other private operators; staff said costs depend on proposals received and that running an RFP and transition would take more time.

Staff recommendation and council response: Staff recommended Option 1 to preserve continuity while the city evaluates repairs, staffing and a possible hybrid approach in which the city would recruit and train operators while continuing Veolia operations during a transition. Mr. Garcia, a Veolia Grade 5 operator described by staff, appeared at the meeting. Councilmembers signaled support for the extension and for staff to return with a procurement timeline and additional details; the council agreed to proceed with the contract-extension approach while planning for next steps.

Why this matters: The DWWTP requires certified operators because of the complexity of wastewater treatment processes; an immediate transition to in-house operations would require time-consuming recruitment and training. Extending the contractor agreement preserves continuous operation while the city develops a procurement plan or internal staffing plan.

Next steps: Staff said it would return with an amendment to the Veolia contract if the council confirms the extension, and it will prepare an RFP and a recruitment timeline if council wishes to pursue a competitive procurement or an in-house transition in the medium term.","City staff recommended extending the current operations contract with Veolia for the domestic wastewater treatment plant to allow time for repairs, staff recruitment and a possible future in-house transition or new competitive procurement; council signaled support for the extension.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6632986,"Council directs staff to explore entertainment-district options, downtown business commission and noise-ordinance updates",2110,10290000,12400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819&start=10290&end=12400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2666740-639314bb5c1aefe7e637a610bd5b5819/thumbnail_10290000.jpg","/articles/6632986/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Council-directs-staff-to-explore-entertainment-district-options-downtown-business-commission-and-noise-ordinance-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632986-f97e4915ffca700218a7583d87ddb992/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184236&Signature=RMJEDxORbC8eDRc1bxjsk0Wh2r0LLi8xaXglsQKg5kHe0YOdvdvhNEtJriS973SUgkp~R7Qhqr6wyaTIs0UuIxWMkzfe2KixkS-7MD09oGJhB5AEB~ewLEcbbCYUKkfqrSUW7kc95q-bQ~uIbSTS5hmKOk8bFFECy82~r-KYKTWhlunJwwcdLOlg55vGpNHtG-o9GGO-3IT~g-xPiWoNvbaLAGTJrsAodThYJLeOPNi2PrJ67m~xlOLRx~pOdSw2JsiAzv7DNY8SBY4IK8T2x516ETSbn49EWJI~sJovnTyZt2-KzWrd9sMKSKmAU22J0wXXsxmlv9lfQkWItimQIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hollister received a staff presentation and outside consultant briefing on March 17 about creating an entertainment or signature district downtown and directed staff to return with options to support downtown businesses.

Presentation and options: Attorney and economic-development consultant Gail Zurich, who previously led Visalia's microbrew district effort, presented three approaches: a marketing-first campaign to brand a downtown area; an overlay zoning district that would set conditional uses and design/performance standards for entertainment-related businesses; and an assessment or improvement district to fund services and marketing through a property- or business-based levy. Zurich said an overlay district can set rules (for example, hours, noise limits or family-friendly floor-area requirements) and that assessment districts are more complex and include Brown Act and fiduciary requirements if the city becomes the collecting agent.

Council direction: Councilmembers said they favored a phased approach that begins with lower-cost, lower-risk steps. Several members asked staff to explore creating a downtown business commission or combining arts-and-culture representatives with a business advisory group to develop recommendations. Council also asked staff to look at streamlining permitting and to prepare an update to the downtown noise ordinance so the city can enforce consistent rules while promoting events and family-friendly spaces. \"Understanding businesses that would consider themselves in the entertainment district, how do we encourage that?\" Zurich asked the council; members answered by emphasizing marketing and removing permitting barriers.

Why this matters: Councilmembers said they want to support downtown businesses, encourage residents and visitors to spend time downtown and give business owners a seat at the table for ongoing policy recommendations. Staff flagged that assessment districts require a longer time horizon and legal setup and that marketing and an overlay zone can be quicker tools to test an entertainment area.

Next steps: Staff will return with options and cost estimates, including the feasibility of a business commission, potential changes to the noise ordinance and a menu of low-cost marketing or branding steps. Council asked staff to present possible funding implications and to consider combining or coordinating existing advisory bodies where appropriate.","Following a presentation on how cities build entertainment districts, Hollister's council asked staff to return with options for supporting downtown businesses, including a possible business commission, marketing steps and a noise ordinance update.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hollister weighs amended fire-protection agreements with county and San Juan Bautista amid staffing, safety concerns

Hollister council approves 2024 general plan, housing element annual report; hears warning on RHNA shortfall

Council adopts 2026-2030 capital improvement plan; $35 million slated for next fiscal year projects

Staff recommends extending Veolia contract to operate Hollister wastewater plant while city studies alternatives

Council directs staff to explore entertainment-district options, downtown business commission and noise-ordinance updates