Salinas Measure E committee elects chair, hears Q4 fiscal update and project list

The City of Salinas Measure E Citizens' Oversight Committee elected its chair and vice chair and reviewed an unaudited fourth-quarter financial report showing operating revenues and expenditures largely on pace while capital projects remain under way.

Abe Pedroza, assistant finance director, presented the Measure E fiscal year 2024–25 quarter 4 financial report as of June 30 and emphasized that the figures are unaudited. "Per our normal process, please note these numbers are unaudited," Pedroza said. He told the committee the city has continued to post final payroll and year-end invoices and that the report now shows more line-item detail on screen.

Pedroza said transactions and use tax receipts are at about 84% and overall revenue at 86% for the July–April reporting window, ahead of the 83% benchmark for 10 of 12 months. "So we're coming in just ahead of pace with bank revenues expected to be received shortly," Pedroza said. He added that investment earnings are trending significantly above budgeted amounts and staff adjusted fiscal-year projections accordingly.

Why it matters: Measure E funds parks, libraries, streets and other projects in Salinas. The committee’s review informs the public and council about spending progress on operating programs and capital improvements financed by Measure E and related sources.

Key figures and projects - Overall Measure E spending for the city was reported at 55% of budgeted amounts as of June 30; before transfers, citywide Measure E spending was shown at 88% of the operating budget. - The capital improvement program (CIP) budget showed $9,900,000 in Measure E funding across 11 projects; staff said most of the $8,900,000 (a majority of the total) was appropriated only in recent months, so on-the-ground activity is limited to date and unspent capital funds will carry forward. - Projects highlighted by staff included tennis court improvements and restroom replacement; four new playground installations funded in part by Measure E, Measure G and ARPA; a District 5 recreation center feasibility study expected to finish in October–November 2025; Cluster Park construction and new ADA restrooms with revitalization work expected in late 2025 and additional improvements anticipated in 2026; Steinbeck Library flooring updates; and a major street preventative maintenance contract covering 16 roadway segments (about 23 lane miles) with work ranging from crack treatment to full-depth reclamation.

Committee members pressed for more granular contractor and pay-estimate information for projects. Committee member Ish asked whether a project-level weekly or monthly breakdown of materials and hours could be disclosed; public works staff said contractors submit monthly pay requests describing tonnage, linear feet of crack sealant and square footage of full-depth reclamation that are used to calculate payments. "He will put in how many venial feet of crack sealant filling he did, how many square foot of of, full depth reclamation he's did. And that's how we we calculate payments," a staff member said. Staff said they will check with the city attorney on whether individual pay estimates can be released to the committee and noted the public information page being developed by the city's PIO already tracks percent-complete for projects.

Committee action and votes - Election of chair: A nomination was made to elect the committee chair for a one-year term; roll call votes recorded "Yes" from Committee members Alvarado, Hobby, Ish, Valenzuela and Chair Mora. The motion passed. - Election of vice chair: A nomination was made and seconded to elect the vice chair; roll call votes recorded "Yes" from Committee members Alvarado, Hobby, Ish, Valenzuela and Chair Mora. The motion passed. - Consent minutes: Committee member Hobby moved to approve minutes of April 17, 2025; the motion was seconded and recorded. Committee member Alvarado recused herself because she was not present at the meeting referenced; Committee member Ish abstained (noted as his first day). Votes recorded "Yes" from Committee members Hobby, Valenzuela and Chair Mora; the motion passed.

No public comment on or off Zoom was offered during the public-comment period for non-agenda items.

Committee requests and next steps Committee members asked staff to explore whether periodic pay-estimate detail (for example, monthly contractor pay estimates showing quantities and costs) can be shared with the committee and the public without conflicting with contract or legal constraints; staff said they will check with the city attorney. Members also asked the city manager and PIO to consider a public information or promotional campaign summarizing Measure E accomplishments and to put historical Measure E data from the budget book onto the public project-tracking pages to help residents and future committee members understand background and trends.

The committee took no policy action beyond electing officers and approving minutes; staff did not request a committee vote on budget or project-level changes at this meeting.