[{"_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",6645983,"mediaKeyId","3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a","parentId",3443381,"title","Council introduces ordinance to update public‑works bidding thresholds to align with state law","audioSeconds",225,"startMs",3045000,"endMs",3270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a&start=3045&end=3270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a/thumbnail_3045000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6645983/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Council-introduces-ordinance-to-update-publicworks-bidding-thresholds-to-align-with-state-law","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645983-69fb2558c36b8b03517d1c76b1190844/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=CRyMq3JPOD77bC5Zw~g~o4KKgiUIKtQb~-5dCVazReKni8s~YEWaEUTFfrvCm29FYtNaGbKKjby4Ula9BGl91Io~kYf2ZWFw6AwhjnAu7IVYkzTq8dul~Vf5TSD6dA77FXSoLumLu9hYiGk9fkg6n99JwG1bAjcQMkfhVq2u1N4v8jO1Ec6rzMpkNRXzuAK5dDMUgXUucjcqpTciT0TlDHDIsm~LUPkNajtw8w0U091MRTwu7eyHNL8lZQ0~Hdy-KS-YFpMe-CW2CRp7~UZAj0nUcOyjQuTv7hi9bsMY-pXFfL6Wu4f42ytZn~D~va9~y3E9drdnhIeS1cqBsGhh~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-22T00:58:16Z","article","The City Attorney explained that California law allows general‑law cities to follow the California Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act and set alternative bidding thresholds and procedures for public works projects. The city’s existing thresholds — adopted previously — needed updating to match new state statutory amounts.

Under the amended thresholds presented in Ordinance 772, the no‑bid (force account/limited procurement) threshold would be $75,000; the informal bid threshold would be $220,000; and formal bidding would apply to projects exceeding $220,000. The attorney said the change also clarified the scope of public‑works activity to include certain installation work performed by the public entity.

The city attorney said the updated thresholds should reduce administrative delay and costs for smaller projects while following state law and the uniform accounting act’s procedures. Council introduced the ordinance, waived full reading and approved introducing it by title; a public hearing will be scheduled for adoption at a later date.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","5-21-25 City Council","oneSentenceSummary","City attorney presented Ordinance 772 to amend Soledad Municipal Code Chapter 3.24 and adjust public‑works bidding thresholds to the new state levels (no‑bid up to $75,000; informal bidding up to $220,000; formal bidding above $220,000). Council introduced the ordinance and set a subsequent hearing for adoption.","taxTitle","Soledad City, Monterey County, California","taxId",72163,"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},6645988,"Cemetery board reports repairs, new irrigation and Memorial Day cleanup plans",168,2301000,2469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a&start=2301&end=2469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a/thumbnail_2301000.jpg","/articles/6645988/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Cemetery-board-reports-repairs-new-irrigation-and-Memorial-Day-cleanup-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645988-af8c3301eae462fcb2e98c59dd6901ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=SZlVP4IuF2Tx9dth-ACEMu3UEGwqd~VLme-KATm7ANvR5htEZ9EpReoKZcANDvAl8bGLqmf7FZ0JaFRzE5daBqxcAzvyEqO4Spt4PlFMQWVhQHrSkPNnktL70XwtHraMAnS7jfk0bDK1qRnivx4IbwX5DBHYc3-DdK~-UAwGLD9~uqhrMuD-q15QGgB-Ko9LXB-m0XnpPUhvZDFFVpOFf1SiQx2rX1a2PvV~YmeIkblXS-j0mUlHQktTDffM~spTL4XxRurxjs42NogTMc9ReuTuEr-iKXO71P7wa9Yj1WnGKTz2sm4wrd217xsHSEaNVp7NZ4sPCxM5cKVC2rqz9Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Desiree Barber, a member of the cemetery board, updated the council on operations and improvements at the Soledad Cemetery. Barber praised cemetery staff — naming Mister Olivas, Mister Valdez and Ms. Cornejo — and described ongoing work to correct incomplete records and to map the site.

Barber said Block 1 has been irrigated and re‑turfed after previously being a dirt area, and 25 additional graves were added as Block 0 to provide additional burial capacity while mapping of the dirt side continues. She reported fence repairs had been completed using an insurance payment for damage and said the American Legion is preparing a veterans’ block.

Barber said the board will need to hire a surveyor to establish parcel parameters for a new section where records are unclear. She said Cal Fire has agreed to remove debris from the new section in early June and has requested the cemetery set a temporary fence to define the cleanup area.

Barber asked residents to avoid leaving breakable items (glass, porcelain) and food at gravesites because the items create a safety hazard for grounds crews and attract rodents. The board is offering two $500 scholarships (one male, one female) for local high‑school students and is hosting a Memorial Day cleanup the Saturday before Memorial Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Memorial Day ceremony is set for May 26 at 10 a.m.

Council members thanked the board for the improvements and raised a request to correct Spanish translations on cemetery signs; one council member offered to provide corrected translations.","The South End/Soledad Cemetery Board reported new staff hires, irrigation and fence repairs, a scholarship program, a June Cal Fire cleanup and a Memorial Day cleanup and ceremony scheduled for May 26.",{"_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},6645993,"Council receives annual military‑equipment report from Soledad Police and schedules public hearing",94,2906000,3000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a&start=2906&end=3000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a/thumbnail_2906000.jpg","/articles/6645993/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Council-receives-annual-militaryequipment-report-from-Soledad-Police-and-schedules-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645993-9d4a6d4d5899a9ad867f51d46bc6f7c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=jutoAeCuqJqbm3--~nsVKfBk6VHCiahz8BSCYP8yC0BqSI3fQvHcUYtqoBzxiB8jgtvXL-UwnYBe8FZMwwjnfQRg8LIkcHtCglwXBi85cvrURl6mH296sDRkWeggHgL1xNLwxBcXCUGuMpQALaEQFWueKKpFuPn79JSJAr3DKVjeTxl01Ywmql1aF5~SO3JNuRKHGcLU7tnvIxCtnFOC~1UzHxiqWAp9~VjqYXxKTu3heIE4A9RN0PxvvxEF9n-vRuB6Crf98Z7LvHr1UThQkaXSg07p07sKAh5u4HhkF~u06YN0mKN7rkABREu5CqBSdsJIryEvTE5nrhhXykblyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Attorney staff reviewed the statutory requirement that general‑law cities adopt a military equipment use policy and receive an annual report on any military equipment possessed and used by law enforcement. The City Attorney explained the annual report must include the types of equipment the Soledad Police Department possesses, how equipment was used in the prior year, any complaints concerning equipment use and associated costs.

The attorney said the department would not seek additional military equipment in the coming year and recommended the council receive the report, post it on the city and police department websites, and schedule a public hearing to allow questions from residents. The attorney told council staff had set July 2 as the public hearing date for both the ordinance review and the annual report.

Council had no public speakers on the item. Council voted to receive the report, post it publicly and notice the hearing for July 2. The motion passed unanimously.

Staff said the posted report will remain available on the police department and city websites and that the publicly noticed hearing will allow residents to ask questions about the report and provide input regarding the city’s military equipment policy.","City attorney and staff presented the Soledad Police Department’s required annual military‑equipment report; council voted to post the report online and scheduled a public hearing for July 2 to allow public questions and comment.",{"_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},6645998,"Council approves developer‑funded environmental study for proposed Soledad Renewable Oasis project",219,2640000,2859000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a&start=2640&end=2859","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a/thumbnail_2640000.jpg","/articles/6645998/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Council-approves-developerfunded-environmental-study-for-proposed-Soledad-Renewable-Oasis-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645998-e036c7a8b9d7b8a4511d543cf07a4ecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=nA2e7FXdMh2x8uaZBgWG79FWC3tm4leI~lnf0j7zKpvO~5hw0FR0e1Sb9jwSx4rdd9dHNyoUaz7MaRNJNscAb7EJVnH94ZoQ2VZR3JtJjm5kT3vqo05S0ErtFhLuGE7MUgCndeJQPXyC9cTHo1iZApY1nNwH99zPgAM4rLFJubJRS6gYMgUD-EhpXD42YzrWGfTfez0uNIL89t2IZtMO-W0NgDMgZCXjicg3JGGimmKm-AmbM2N0Mi6lSDNgFHcNvoyOVJIulgHg2-fI~4YLkVp2QBPr2~MP5OiacsHIufN5KONopPTUHxVAG6c3VqYjLhLmbuNFQYchWEi6A3avwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senior Planner Diana Mora told the council the item on the consent calendar would authorize the city to initiate environmental work on a project titled “Soledad Renewable Oasis” and to enter a professional services agreement with EMC Planning Group to complete CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) analysis. Mora said the city will act as lead agency, the work will analyze traffic, noise and aesthetic impacts, and the contract is developer‑funded under a reimbursement agreement.

Mora said the proposed contract amount presented to council was “not to exceed $120,000.” She added the consultant contract includes additional optional tasks and the full contract value on file is $265,000; any work beyond the authorized not‑to‑exceed amount would require additional approvals and the developer must reimburse the city under the developer deposit agreement.

During discussion, a council member asked that environmental review include close attention to greenhouse gas and air quality impacts, mitigation measures for truck traffic and the timing and feasibility of hydrogen fuel‑supply infrastructure the project anticipates. The council member noted that hydrogen distribution capacity and federal and state funding for hydrogen hubs have faced delays and funding changes, and asked staff to ensure mitigation and timing assumptions are realistic in CEQA documents.

Council voted to approve the professional services agreement and to authorize staff to proceed with the environmental review. The motion to approve item C‑3 (professional services agreement) passed unanimously.

Mora and staff said the next steps are to complete the environmental studies, return any CEQA documents to the planning commission and then to the council for certification and project approval if the project proponents pursue entitlements.

The city stressed the contract is developer‑funded; the city will monitor the developer deposit account and require additional amendments or funds if extra work is needed.","City council approved a developer‑funded contract to begin CEQA review for the proposed Soledad Renewable Oasis project, authorizing the city to hire EMC Planning Group to prepare environmental analysis under a contract not to exceed $120,000.",{"_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},6646003,"Developer proposes land, $300,000 payment to cover 12 missing affordable units in Miravalle project",236,3335000,3571000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a&start=3335&end=3571","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3443381-0c3bfea12902ef38243d3fc515ea0b6a/thumbnail_3335000.jpg","/articles/6646003/Soledad-City/Monterey-County/California/Developer-proposes-land-300000-payment-to-cover-12-missing-affordable-units-in-Miravalle-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6646003-47a23be8d0ce7119d6fbe40f91d226a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=FjIvNk8Hts-PO67SOFLcQ85qnDb3KCE6MIFwj6XIm5DCHuUWQi9FdJWm7YGZW6lu8kG8BMkVJKd~eMvJd88D3Ex~73BXi4NArK2vkvgWLn1K-fG5zlw~iNOpRYnJODAw-KIkcy1rMhHQMwfqgYub~~zGpNS1Um7g2JPmvmtNpfv5vE8TOFy8FU4q0SZMu3sKnY8HWZcn9UqJdTVbZidcUGzMB4W7NTxL8q~Gc8AeFQ87M0HDQhPjk1On-PFsSkZmXoBg4fauYOryUARQGtzRU-FWBD-xEb6w3aEUgLfnsTcfvRRrEkGGmbVL4TNl-S4z-hmAQlC1ZycWg63AmTR-vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beatrice Trujillo, Soledad’s community and economic development director, told the City Council that the Miravalle Parcel E project — approved as a planned unit development in 2019 — originally required 52 affordable units across income levels. The developer is proposing an in‑lieu plan that would result in 40 affordable units with long‑term restrictions, a dedication of 15,950 square feet of land on Parcel B and a proposed $300,000 in‑lieu payment.

Trujillo said the 2019 PUD required 24 moderate‑income units and 28 low/very‑low units. Under a 2023 amendment and a density bonus, the multifamily portion expanded so Eden Housing, the nonprofit partner, could build more rental units; that change allowed the rental component to increase from 28 to as many as 40 units. Under the plan presented May 21, Eden Housing would build the rental component with long‑term affordability controls: 20 low‑income units and 19 very‑low‑income units with 55‑year restrictions, plus one manager unit not counted as an affordable unit, for a total of 40 restricted units.

Trujillo said a key difference from the original requirements is that the 24 moderate‑income ownership units in the earlier plan were only recorded as affordable at the time of initial sale and lacked ongoing resale restrictions; the developer’s proposal would provide longer affordability controls on the rental units built by Eden Housing. The developer proposes the city accept the 15,950‑square‑foot land dedication on Parcel B and a $300,000 cash payment (calculated as $25,000 per missing unit) to cover the 12 affordable ownership units the project would not deliver as permanently restricted units.

Developer representative Laith Aga was present for the presentation; Trujillo outlined several reasons the city should consider the in‑lieu plan, including difficulty attracting a market‑rate homebuilder to the site, regional market pressures that favor larger neighboring jurisdictions when builders choose projects, and timing considerations tied to nearby growth in Salinas.

The presentation did not include a council vote on the in‑lieu proposal; council members asked questions and heard the developer’s explanation. No final action or binding agreement was made at the May 21 meeting. Trujillo said final entitlements for Parcel B were still pending and that the in‑lieu plan is being presented for council consideration under municipal code section 17.38.23.

Because the proposal changes how and where the units will remain affordable, the city will have follow‑up steps if it decides to accept the in‑lieu plan: staff must confirm the form and recording of long‑term affordability covenants, confirm the adequacy and location of the dedicated land, and document the terms of any developer reimbursement or funding agreements before a formal agreement is approved.

Council members did not vote on the plan at this meeting; staff said the item would return for formal council action after further review and negotiation.

A copy of the developer’s in‑lieu proposal, the existing PUD conditions and any affordability covenants will be part of the public record if the council schedules the item for future decision.","Developer HMBY LP and Eden Housing presented a revised in‑lieu affordable housing plan for the Miravalle (Parcel E) subdivision, proposing 40 long‑term restricted units, a 15,950‑square‑foot land dedication and a $300,000 in‑lieu payment to offset 12 required units not being built as ownership units.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces ordinance to update public‑works bidding thresholds to align with state law

Cemetery board reports repairs, new irrigation and Memorial Day cleanup plans

Council receives annual military‑equipment report from Soledad Police and schedules public hearing

Council approves developer‑funded environmental study for proposed Soledad Renewable Oasis project

Developer proposes land, $300,000 payment to cover 12 missing affordable units in Miravalle project