[{"_1":2,"_109":-5,"_110":-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",[32,75,86,97],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6557240,"mediaKeyId","3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c","parentId",3307886,"title","Council reorganizes committees, restores mayor appointment power and sets new schedule for police advisory and oversight panels","audioSeconds",13295,"startMs",13295000,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c&start=13295&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c/thumbnail_13295000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6557240/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Council-reorganizes-committees-restores-mayor-appointment-power-and-sets-new-schedule-for-police-advisory-and-oversight-panels","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557240-d057a35fa78c7583e56b3abc2d162b83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152410&Signature=OdAS2aIKShPQeLhxPxK1KSGwVBp7RoScAyJE-KmxyM7ydzqFHSvmH7oGxo~kUaaT200BO~txaQafAaaMTV2Rd5k3I~~uVKBY7GMmS6tWzfV8T6xWOShYhzQPg8ULRr9Tz4rHqYs4Jc5ZLlBhqdlY3d8xHE4tu8ATPaKD8fibpOtSyqTPBmrtPJr-0IiH-mrLeivHZw-0afyQAAGkwHbhS48nSVF9~AbxPiU2Wb4XJWJRSiIDwJFHNKjJLOb~B9LZlnjnrW9WTTx7esz1pdjJAVpBpHtGFB-CPrhkqgKQdVRNdUOJVtVBTH06pVxiZnluCKI4AuCy-hF2aB0JcWchJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","thesalinaschannel","date","2025-05-14T23:38:44Z","article","The Salinas City Council on May 6 approved a package of changes to its commissions, committees and boards, replaced several ad hoc panels, restored the mayor’s authority to make annual committee appointments, and set a standing meeting cadence for oversight bodies including the Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) and the Measure E and Measure G oversight committees.

Council action and scope: Staff presented a review of standing and ad hoc committees and recommended discontinuing several ad hoc panels that had not met or whose functions had been incorporated into departmental work (staff recommended discontinuing the fireworks subcommittee, litter & debris subcommittee, EMS Greater Salinas Regional Council participation and the car club subcommittee). The council adopted a motion reflecting a refined list of committees to discontinue, retained others and renamed the city charter and decorum subcommittee to the Decorum Subcommittee. After a separate motion, the council also restored the mayor’s authority to make the annual appointments to committees and boards (the mayor will continue to make appointments under Salinas Municipal Code direction).

PCAC and oversight meeting schedule: Council then considered PCAC and the two sales‑tax oversight committees. The council approved a motion setting a regular schedule for the measure‑specific oversight committees (Measure E and Measure G oversight) on a quarterly basis and adopted a motion to make PCAC appointments at‑large (rather than strictly by district) and to meet on a monthly schedule for improved continuity and engagement. The council also directed staff to study commissioner compensation and to review meeting start times to improve accessibility, and instructed staff to return with policy options if consolidation of the Measure E and Measure G oversight committees is legally permissible.

Public comment and Rodeo oversight debate: The discussion drew multiple public speakers who urged retaining oversight for the Salinas Sports Complex (Rodeo oversight committee) to protect transparency, fees and public access. Community members said the oversight committee has historically provided a public forum to review charges and access to the complex; others noted the city manager and staff can address lease compliance absent a subcommittee. The council left the Rodeo oversight structure in place while directing staff to ensure leases and records remain available to the city and public as required by the lease and municipal code.

Votes at a glance: Council voted to approve the committee reorganization package, restore the mayor’s appointment authority, and adopt meeting frequency and appointment rules for PCAC and oversight committees by recorded roll‑call votes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","05.06.25 Salinas City Council Meeting May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Salinas council reorganized several committees May 6, restored the mayor’s authority to make annual appointments, and set new meeting rules for the Police Community Advisory Committee and sales‑tax oversight committees to promote continuity and accessibility.","taxTitle","Salinas, Monterey County, California","taxId",4681,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":46,"_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":73,"_74":73},6557245,"Council approves annual fee increases tied to CPI, directs study of square‑foot basis for development impact fees",7214,7214000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c&start=7214&end=0","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c/thumbnail_7214000.jpg","/articles/6557245/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Council-approves-annual-fee-increases-tied-to-CPI-directs-study-of-squarefoot-basis-for-development-impact-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557245-dc968043faec4661a620c6323076d53e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152410&Signature=n~0GVDt2tt3-t0G4JhGb8Xp8pFumlBx1boTY6YmIvZyu5bU9HQDqtJMqkAQI9hnHnhyGUFauXpCup5JIDbrTmCArk~vEjLencPlM5kVNyuOZAAa~oR4csXuFzCU~8-7~7srm9B-cmPiACB7z1XxOWzE3mJ85W~5g9lr6mAcly4r~C4wQbLRDyuzsG4jFVo2doEFQrK4pDEmqKIw4sHKC5D-LNqnDkwCwRV~KsWxp8HDsaG8WNGtQxGMA-oRWpXRkY-YKgnD3tOvTIIpbKr9r84PlUogB8YpNanbZxQCNtfCaUfmawhh1r0zkRZatGclLqIMN0xzgWlqa0KyKtt82~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas City Council on May 6 approved two related items updating city fees and development impact fees for fiscal year 2025‑26.

Annual fee schedule: Acting Assistant Finance Director Abe Pedroza recommended using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to adjust city fee groups and presented a staff recommendation of a 2.8% CPI increase for citywide fees for FY 2025‑26. Pedroza reported the CPI is the established metric in the Salinas Municipal Code for annual adjustments and told the council the Finance Committee had recommended the 2.8% increase. The council adopted the fee schedule adjustment by roll call vote.

Development impact fees: Public Works presented the statutory nexus and the Engineering News‑Record construction cost index adjustment required by local code to keep impact fees aligned with construction costs. Staff said the ENR index for 2024–25 shows a substantial rise and recommended adjusting development impact fees accordingly (staff cited an 11.06% increase in the ENR index for that period). Staff also presented balances for existing fee funds and emphasized that impact fees are restricted for capital facilities that serve new development. The council approved the ENR‑indexed increase effective July 1 and directed staff to return with an analysis of residential development impact fees assessed on a per‑square‑foot basis (rather than the current per‑unit/bedroom methodology) to evaluate whether that change would better support housing outcomes. That direction was adopted as a motion and recorded in the meeting minutes.

What the council said: Councilmembers asked about cannabis revenue trends (staff reported a decline to an estimated $800,000 for FY 2025‑26), the need for a full fee study (staff said the city has not completed a comprehensive fee study since 2015 and recommended a study be scheduled), and how impact fees are managed in separate accounts. Councilmember Barajas specifically requested staff explore assessing residential impact fees by square footage rather than per unit to better align fees with housing types.

Votes at a glance: The citywide fee schedule (CPI 2.8%) and the development impact fee adjustment (ENR index) were approved by roll call; the council also approved the staff direction to develop a square‑foot methodology for residential fees and return with findings.","Salinas approved FY 2025‑26 updates to city fees and development impact fees on May 6, adopting a 2.8% CPI increase for routine city fees and adjusting impact fees based on the ENR construction cost index while directing staff to study a per‑square‑foot approach for residential impact fees.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557250,"Council denies conditional use permit for off‑sale alcohol at La Corona Market amid concerns about proximity to schools and crime",0,8568000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c&start=8568&end=8568","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c/thumbnail_8568000.jpg","/articles/6557250/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Council-denies-conditional-use-permit-for-offsale-alcohol-at-La-Corona-Market-amid-concerns-about-proximity-to-schools-and-crime","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557250-dae487788969981a62ae0ec7f7562350/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152410&Signature=JpYWnNablYNykz1ciDvw8yQkgl1gZos8LHZOf7auRxax9aM0v8AyPbyP1CB4TskZxY61qpr5ulTKDicxAgLU6sFofTRJxby1dGmbbTJYAszp92Ek06HGpBIv2EMUCCh8Nep9iDDK9CjrXI5Nb-Z2KuqUnLt9Eq9P5QfWKpGQD-03~VYX1gYqQ3ai7zElDffMDWjMtuGEeQRMMmObMPUqdK8-miXkFYtUPKVYmYOMra3ikjy1-TwcqoxoRWvHv0KuNLatyCXfks6QclhFwTp0Ho1fanUlMcvomw9Vgd3uoOmvntlYiu00yWPTvjaFuZpUpwUTlQ38rtU-HLNhKeON3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas City Council on May 6 denied a conditional use permit request from RJ Liquor, Inc. to establish off‑sale alcohol sales (a Type 20 ABC license for beer and wine) at La Corona Market, 695 East Alisal Street.

Planning staff told the council that the application required council review because the market would be in a census tract that the city and state consider an area of “undue concentration” for alcohol outlets. Planning staff reported the nearest park and school distances were well under the city averages used in prior analyses — about 830 feet to the nearest park and about 630 feet to the nearest school — and noted police reporting district statistics showed higher crime counts in the area. The police department memorandum on the application said it did “not object” only if standard conditions were adopted, including digital surveillance and improved lighting.

Neighbors, community advocates and city council members who spoke during the hearing raised concerns about the number of alcohol outlets already in the immediate area, the site’s proximity to schools and a park, and local quality‑of‑life problems that speakers said included prostitution and public intoxication within walking distance.

Representatives for the applicant said the proposed off‑sale area would be a small part of the business (they described dedicating a few shelving units to packaged beer and wine, no single‑serve cans) and that the store would close at 8 p.m. for evening sales. Applicants emphasized compliance with ID checks, cameras and standard conditions.

Councilmember Barrera moved to deny the conditional use permit; the motion passed on a roll‑call vote. The council’s denial is the final local determination under the planning code for this application; staff noted that denial language will be included in the adopting resolution and that the decision is the city council’s final action on the CUP application.

Votes at a glance: Council voted to deny the conditional use permit by unanimous roll‑call.","Salinas City Council voted to deny a conditional use permit to transfer an off‑sale (Type 20) beer and wine license to La Corona Market at 695 E. Alisal after staff noted the site sits inside a designated area of undue alcohol concentration and police reported elevated crime levels nearby.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":100,"_43":101,"_45":102,"_47":103,"_49":104,"_51":105,"_53":106,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":107,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":108,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6557254,"Salinas council receives strategic plan update, adds broader housing production language",2435,2200000,4635000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c&start=2200&end=4635","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3307886-9574d30b721e340a25ed79afcca13e5c/thumbnail_2200000.jpg","/articles/6557254/Salinas/Monterey-County/California/Salinas-council-receives-strategic-plan-update-adds-broader-housing-production-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6557254-f77a2fe69cfe02066bc91c8e5c0cdc51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152410&Signature=KRQ0x4ndjmwX-NLy5i~4hMZHGgL28VtTH89Mo~GWqPfLbnqFLxkixSRGE8BvPITRpyMzHJnQvGUiq9aaU6QKGRe0sljQWyS~YMgkUXDNG7mT~ndENDXgVRa-vKP8ViB6cMVlMKgG7cN6S35cYrb0EX9wopDY76ZIHA4M3HyUKihtaduiVPKXoVBFZ5P6h478i9V3Xjx3Vrfd3fYWfVuW0nD3jyjjfBmFaHdweXmZd8OZX9WaCF91JNWmxLVTUHWR-yll1Oo8Wuw8xLhGtxGCrsr~F6CAV7Mw-NAb4YCmSbGcB8G-LFjlLiIEIV6WMWgLPNXaIMPPe82XjhLuOIU9FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Salinas City Council on May 6 received a citywide strategic plan update and approved a last‑minute change to clarify the council’s housing goal, adding explicit direction to pursue the overall production of housing across market‑rate, workforce, farmworker and low‑income categories.

City Manager Renee Mendez introduced the facilitator’s draft and said staff had consolidated council feedback into a shorter set of “buckets” — economic development, housing, infrastructure, city services, public safety and youth & seniors — intended to guide the city’s budget and work plan. Facilitator Bridal Perman told the council, “what the strategic plan does is set forth a path for the council and the city as they develop next year’s budget and the work plan,” and described the draft goals and how staff would tie work plan items and dashboards to those goals.

The plan as presented included specific housing goals such as pursuing transit‑oriented development, supporting workforce/low‑income/farmworker housing and streamlining entitlement and permitting. Councilmember Andrew Sandoval offered the substitute motion the council adopted to receive the report “with the inclusion of the overall production of” housing so the goal would not be read as limited to accessory dwelling units, ADUs, or only a subset of housing types. The substitute passed unanimously.

Council members emphasized implementation details and accountability. Mendez said staff would create work plans and public dashboards tied to the strategic goals and recommended a six‑month check‑in once dashboards are available. Councilmembers asked staff to clarify terminology (for example, whether an “agricultural technology plan” would be a facilitated stakeholder engagement rather than a formal city plan), to consider adding market‑rate housing in the “streamline permitting” language, and to include prevention and community‑based services as part of youth/senior investments.

Public speakers raised enforcement and service concerns the council asked staff to follow up on, including requests for increased code enforcement in neighborhoods, questions about whether the plan had measurable benchmarks, and multiple presentations from students and community groups recommending safety and maintenance improvements at local parks. Several residents urged clearer public communication about how Measure G funds will be used. The council also directed staff to return the plan with a timeline for dashboards and a proposed schedule of regular progress reports.

What happens next: councilmembers said the strategic plan will be the foundation for the FY 2025‑26 budget and the city manager will bring implementation steps, dashboards and metrics back to the council for review. The council agreed on a six‑month check‑in cadence and annual reporting tied to the budget process.

Votes at a glance: The council approved the substitute motion to receive the strategic plan update with the housing language change; the substitute motion passed by unanimous vote.","The Salinas City Council voted unanimously May 6 to receive a draft strategic plan update and directed staff to add language emphasizing overall housing production—covering market-rate, workforce, farmworker and low-income units—and to report back with implementation milestones.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reorganizes committees, restores mayor appointment power and sets new schedule for police advisory and oversight panels

Council approves annual fee increases tied to CPI, directs study of square‑foot basis for development impact fees

Council denies conditional use permit for off‑sale alcohol at La Corona Market amid concerns about proximity to schools and crime

Salinas council receives strategic plan update, adds broader housing production language