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Multiple council members disclose Taylor Fresh Foods contributions; one council member recuses from closed session
Summary
At the start of the Salinas City Council meeting several members disclosed $5,500 campaign contributions from Taylor Fresh Foods (reported to be from Bruce Taylor). Councilmember Dirigo announced he would recuse from closed session negotiations over sale terms for lots to Taylor Fresh Foods because he performed consulting work for the company in
Several council members disclosed campaign contributions tied to Taylor Fresh Foods and Bruce Taylor during Levine Act disclosures at the start of the Feb. 25 Salinas City Council meeting.
Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember De La Rosa and Councilmember Salazar each said they received and returned contributions of $5,500; Councilmember Sandoval said he received none but raised concerns and read a series of contribution entries into the record. Mayor Donahue said he received $5,500 and was returning funds (Mayor said $5,250 in a comment). Councilmember Dirigo announced he would recuse himself from the council’s closed‑session discussion about terms for sale of city lots 8 and 12 to Taylor Fresh Foods because he had performed consulting work for Taylor Fresh Foods within the previous 12 months, receiving compensation in excess of $10,000. City staff confirmed the closed‑session real‑property negotiations were not concluded and there was no reportable action after closed session.
City Attorney answered procedural questions about the Levine Act and noted the statute allows a 30‑day cure period to return contributions to avoid certain disqualification consequences; the city attorney declined to make fact‑specific judgments during the meeting, saying such inquiries are fact dependent. Councilmember Sandoval pressed colleagues to show evidence that returned funds were, in fact, returned and asked them to recuse if they had actual knowledge before 30 days of a financial interest. Council did proceed to closed session after the disclosures; the city attorney later reported no reportable action.
Why it matters: Levine Act disclosures protect public confidence by requiring elected officials to state campaign contributions and potential conflicts before the body considers matters that could create a financial interest. A councilmember’s recusal from a closed real‑estate negotiation was recorded publicly.
