[{"_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",6539376,"mediaKeyId","3647793-909768f4bfdcda4d87a05ef5946bcd1e","parentId",3647793,"title","Council adopts Landscape & Lighting District 93-1 assessment for FY 2025–26","audioSeconds",110,"startMs",1900000,"endMs",2010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647793-909768f4bfdcda4d87a05ef5946bcd1e&start=1900&end=2010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647793-909768f4bfdcda4d87a05ef5946bcd1e/thumbnail_1900000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6539376/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Council-adopts-Landscape-Lighting-District-93-1-assessment-for-FY-202526","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539376-6e8a8106f7f2e5cef78cae8a83b8c471/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201929&Signature=PejcSoENsc-8afy5Azlz7HnPWmWFjNyJinj-VZXmmkvmfYXXriZ~3fG9lbR3vhYIO0w1KRYSYBadmfipqR8dSkxX0DT0rEbzZ7FBxIYiAy9KaiNt9WtxfBTsuwn4tolp5fHWo4mhmP4XZ9RfNFH62LqKMEp5KRkjNoOvkTzpquABOGNBvPwg8WXR2yo6QSpnLdg3RGBt5181VH~Dkv7462Hk-gP7FIrDYigoS03PPVCTMhTMTP6xristJXscGP-RmXKZbNIFtxmzTUR-yBEITBCxfFeOyyCj~LjBy~BkxtcFBrzanbrDp16XHKw2sk4ndG683TI5DBc8slx8dgy72g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-03T15:31:13Z","article","HOLLISTER, Calif. — The Hollister City Council on June 2 completed the annual proceedings for Landscape & Lighting District No. 93-1 and adopted a resolution confirming the boundary diagram and assessment roll for fiscal year 2025–26.

At a public hearing held as part of the June 2 meeting, staff presented the final engineer’s report, which includes the proposed budget, boundary diagram and collection roles. No members of the public spoke on the assessment. The council adopted the resolution by roll-call vote, 5–0.

Action taken
The council’s action confirms the district diagram and authorizes staff to levy and collect assessments for fiscal year 2025–26 in accordance with the engineer’s report. Public Works staff will submit the assessment roll for collection.

Background
Proceedings began April 21 with staff-initiated actions. A draft engineer’s report was approved by council on May 5 and a resolution of intention was adopted May 19 to set the public hearing for June 2. The resolution adopted tonight constitutes the formal levy for FY 2025–26.

Next steps
Public Works will proceed with the administrative steps to deliver the assessment roll to the county for collection.

Ending
There were no public protests at the hearing; the council approved the assessment roll without amendment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Hollister City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After a public hearing with no speakers, the council adopted a resolution confirming the final engineer's report and approving the levy and collection of assessments for Landscape & Lighting District No. 93-1, 5–0.","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},6539381,"Council upholds engineering finding; developer must set rear-yard fences back from utilities easement",95,1945000,2040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647793-909768f4bfdcda4d87a05ef5946bcd1e&start=1945&end=2040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647793-909768f4bfdcda4d87a05ef5946bcd1e/thumbnail_1945000.jpg","/articles/6539381/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Council-upholds-engineering-finding-developer-must-set-rear-yard-fences-back-from-utilities-easement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539381-082d298d0fe5fef6d9aad588a23b8d8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201929&Signature=abmcxnRA2Lc5TV~d9NR9ufl3LzRVWlJvnb-748QAfHpQl3ZG8ckQXbJI-XAFFsXcSMfIPZidKFPaXyTc34baxhAXIdaqJBLrwy1tCavd6An75HylUYNuEZCpPhLu71zFhW7Pv3VTJ~RJuSP5beHvZeipl44LR8-m8Ojjh2xj-y20~2ZOqTX0-OtJnq4ur4-pGNaavUwn5~Yj9N3zqAjmJOZV1pNnlx65-PiB4xZTxU0v~V2TNe4jpb7Yb8boRFD7CZEve6m0JBWPm6Tib7p30a1VBuDyYybH4VTCZ5EWXSaWmhndC181xocRVcPW8uXa6VTPOj13n4ylM8dIBDRDvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HOLLISTER, Calif. — The Hollister City Council on June 2 denied an appeal by a developer seeking to place 6-foot rear-yard fences at the rear property lines of two lots in the Farmstead subdivision.

The council voted 5–0 to affirm the planning commission and staff determination that fences taller than 3 feet cannot be placed within a 10-foot public-utilities easement along South Street unless the engineering division approves an exception. City engineering staff said the requested location would conflict with the recorded public-utilities easement and could interfere with future utility access and maintenance.

Why it matters: The decision clarifies how the city interprets the municipal code and the engineering standards for corner lots where rear yards abut a street and a public-utilities easement.

Facts
- Property: Lots 1 and 2, Farmstead Subdivision (corner lots backing to South Street).
- Code cited: Hollister Municipal Code §17.16.050 (fencing, screening and walls); the city’s 2019 Engineering Standards and Specifications (sound walls/fencing not allowed in public easements).
- Council action: Denied appeal 2025-2 and directed the applicant to revise building-permit plans to show fences no closer than 5.5 feet to the northern property line (a setback engineering staff said would align the fence with an adjacent, existing fence and keep the easement clear).

What parties said
- Planning Manager Eva Kelly explained the record: the tentative and final maps had included conditions referencing fencing and that plot plans must demonstrate compliance with the municipal code and engineering standards when building permits are submitted.
- Appellant Alexander Siwak argued the approved final map and conditions required fences at the property line; during public comment Siwak pointed to map notes that he said supported his position. The council concluded the map language did not override the municipal code and engineering standards and that staff had repeatedly advised the applicant to include fence locations on the plot plans.

Outcome and next steps
The council’s resolution directs the applicant to revise the pending building-permit applications to show the rear-yard fences set back at least 5.5 feet from the northern property line so they do not obstruct the 10-foot public-utilities easement. Planning and engineering staff will confirm compliance before permits are issued.

Ending
The decision is final for the council; the applicant may revise permit plans consistent with the council’s direction and reapply for fence approval at the building-permit stage.
","The City Council denied an appeal by a subdivision applicant seeking to place 6-foot rear-yard fences at the rear property line where a 10-foot public-utilities easement exists. Planning staff and engineering found the fences would conflict with the easement; the council affirmed that determination 5–0 and ordered revised permit plans.",{"_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},6539386,"Hollister council confronts $4 million shortfall as employees warn against 10% pay cut",1482,188000,1670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3647793-909768f4bfdcda4d87a05ef5946bcd1e&start=188&end=1670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3647793-909768f4bfdcda4d87a05ef5946bcd1e/thumbnail_188000.jpg","/articles/6539386/Hollister-City/San-Benito-County/California/Hollister-council-confronts-4-million-shortfall-as-employees-warn-against-10-pay-cut","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539386-dfb727f99ca7fb4cfa0f7b1c56c1b38b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201929&Signature=k4VdQmKV-xF6GcHbo5vzMnX5nw~6ZuGOlxP3Izgo4ei6h2RES3KFaY4K0gvu2~jm5pzc~Z~aEbwT~P9Je78aFBOncu7yZaYao9EKryfN3sgYWk~At588rFULrU-BgGnpKpUXDOAcpqAHwOD~ASSrO9-jX4dycBGZb8pYgcJFvSBf5lOSTX~dKAFUsZGxZjZwUs59kJ5fhYkUqofwaYACetqUqxPFShmbmuyXl1ucZwm11jIwhJesKE7yQQpExWLTl4KZE50xg22kCo~zu5D65YnvK3lXuzOc494YUcpJGtwpUQUXSuWnVEGN4lHDgQk9BMT-CkgU14srOeh0Mt0lAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HOLLISTER, Calif. — Hollister City officials on June 2 were presented with a revised budget picture that projects a roughly $4 million shortfall for fiscal year 2025–26 and were pressed by city employees and union leaders to avoid staffing cuts or pay reductions.

The shortfall surfaced after finance staff posted previously unrecorded transactions and adjusted the city’s unfunded actuarial liability (UAL) for CalPERS pension costs. City Manager David Marione told the council staff could not present a budget that ended \"in a negative number.\" He said audits for earlier years remain in process and recent entries increased projected pension and other liabilities that must be reflected in next year’s budget.

Why it matters: The council must adopt a balanced budget by mid-June. Many of Hollister’s essential services — water, sewer, public safety and animal control — were represented at the meeting by members of SEIU Local 521, the Hollister Police Officers Association and the Firefighters Association, who warned that 10% pay reductions or layoffs would impair public safety and daily services.

Most urgent facts
- City staff presented a revised revenue/expense projection of about $43.3 million in revenues and $47.3 million in expenses, producing an estimated shortfall near $4 million.
- Staff identified previously unposted transactions and an increase in the city’s CalPERS UAL; the UAL was described in staff slides as rising to about $4 million in fiscal 2025–26 if not otherwise addressed.
- The city’s restricted reserves were reported at roughly $2.8 million and a separate “rainy day” fund remained at $300,000.

What officials and employees said
Frank Garcia, who identified himself as a representative of SEIU Local 521, told the council: \"You're demanding a 10% pay cut from the very people who kept this city alive through a pandemic… It means grocery is skipped, rent delayed, childcare out of reach.\" Rodrigo Aguilera, chapter president of SEIU Local 521, said multiple departments — water, storm, sanitation, parks and others — could see \"delays or significantly reduced\" services if cuts proceed.

Members of the Police and Fire associations said morale is low and recruiting and retention have already suffered. \"We can't cut anymore,\" the president of the Hollister Police Association said during public comment, adding the department has already absorbed multiple prior cuts.

City Manager David Marione framed the accounting problem as a combination of audit delays, prior-year bookkeeping gaps and growing pension obligations. \"I cannot bring you a budget that ends in a negative number,\" Marione told the council, explaining staff had uncovered unposted liabilities during reconciliation work and adjusted the projections accordingly.

What staff recommends and council direction
Marione presented a list of expense reductions and revenue actions staff could pursue, including: reducing or eliminating nonessential conferences and council travel allocations; renegotiating contracts (landscaping, consultants, animal control); updating fees (special-event permits, enterprise rates, airport rents); staffing freezes for some vacant positions; and pursuing Measure W oversight and other revenue measures.

After public testimony and deliberation, a majority of council members directed staff to move forward with nearly all of the cost- and revenue-control measures proposed by the city manager while leaving a final decision about the planned Hollister Independence rally for further consideration. Council Member Morales said she would favor prioritizing staff and public-safety positions above most other cuts. Council Member Resendiz and others said the city needs a mix of immediate expense reductions and revenue actions to close the gap.

Budget detail and background
- Audits: Finance staff reported ongoing work to complete prior-year audits and to address repeat audit findings dating to 2021, including procurement, payroll liabilities, grant management and financial close processes. Baker Tilly and additional accounting support were engaged to assist reconciliations.
- Pension debt: Staff showed the city’s CalPERS unfunded liability (UAL) increasing in the near term; Marione said staff has asked CalPERS about hardship options but that any relief would not eliminate the obligation. \"Ultimately the adjustment just means pay now or pay later,\" Marione said.
- One-time revenues: Staff cautioned the council not to count one-time revenues (American Rescue Plan funds and other nonrecurring receipts) as ongoing revenue.
- Potential revenue and expense items: Staff estimated the Independence rally could cost $500,000–$600,000 and said sponsorships, vendor fees and registrations might offset a portion; staff provided a working estimate that sponsorships and vendor fees could reach roughly $400,000–$450,000, which would reduce net cost. Additional line items mentioned included a $50,000 cost for a Fourth of July fireworks display and an estimated $300,000 initial permit deposit tied to monitoring at a closed landfill site.

Public reaction and council framing
Dozens of residents, city employees and union leaders attended a packed meeting. Speakers repeatedly urged the council to place staffing and public safety last when considering possible cuts. Several commenters criticized spending on events while employees face potential pay cuts or layoffs. City staff and some council members argued it is also important to pursue revenue options and fee adjustments that will improve the city’s longer-term fiscal position.

What happens next
Council members asked staff to return with firmer budget numbers for the June 9 budget hearing and to continue negotiations with employee groups. Staff will bring fee updates (including a user-fee schedule and impact-fee adjustments) and an enterprise-rate study later this summer. The council’s preliminary direction is to pursue most of the manager’s proposed cuts and revenue actions while continuing conversations with employee groups about alternatives to layoffs.

The council did not take a formal recorded vote on the package of measures at the June 2 meeting; it provided direction to staff and asked for follow-up before the June 9 budget hearing.

Ending note
Employees and union leaders said they will continue to press the council for transparency and alternatives to pay cuts. City managers say completing audits, reconciling past bookkeeping and updating fee structures are essential steps to stabilize Hollister’s budget.
","City managers told the council a projected $4 million general-fund shortfall for 2025–26 stems from unposted transactions, audit delays and rising pension debt. Dozens of city employees and union representatives urged officials to prioritize staffing and public safety and pushed back on using public money for a motorcycle rally.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts Landscape & Lighting District 93-1 assessment for FY 2025–26

Council upholds engineering finding; developer must set rear-yard fences back from utilities easement

Hollister council confronts $4 million shortfall as employees warn against 10% pay cut