Salinas City Council approves consent agenda, adopts appointments plan and directs review of ad hoc committees

The Salinas City Council on Jan. 14 approved an eight‑item consent agenda and voted to ratify standing and regional board appointments while asking staff to return with a report on ad hoc committees and other temporary panels.

The consent agenda included items listed by staff as Nos. 733, 731, 696, 698, 699, 704, 707 and 724. Council members voted unanimously to approve the package; all eight council members present voted yes. The items discussed on the dais included a memorandum of understanding to change the fire cadet program's affiliation from the Boy Scouts of America to Public Safety Cadets and an agreement to partner with Ecology Action on neighborhood beautification efforts.

A Salinas Fire Department representative, speaking during council discussion of agenda item 696, described the cadet program as a youth recruitment and training pipeline. “Our goal is to begin our recruitment process... to start grabbing onto these young individuals and make them want to be Salinas firefighters from a very young age,” the staff member said, adding the change in affiliation would reduce annual registration costs and better align the fire department with the Salinas Police Department cadet program.

Staff described the Ecology Action partnership (item 699) as a technical assistance and design collaboration to support tree planting, streetscape design and community engagement in targeted commercial corridors. Staff said the nonprofit partner brings experience in planning and implementation and will work with city staff and local stakeholders to guide beautification projects.

Before action on appointments, City Clerk Patty read a required disclosure under Government Code section 84308 (the Levine Act). Mayor Dennis Donahue then presented a proposed slate of committee and regional board appointments; the mayor also noted several vacancies: one for education and outreach, one on the downtown community board (later filled), two openings on the fireworks subcommittee and two vacancies for litter and debris work.

Council member motioned to approve the list of appointments with a modification: the council approved only the standing committees and regional board appointments and asked staff to return with a report assessing whether existing ad hoc committees should be continued or dissolved. The substitute motion — which the council amended to include the City‑County Animal Shelter joint powers appointment — passed unanimously. The council requested the staff report outline which ad hoc committees are active, the purpose of each, meeting frequency and recommended next steps.

During the meeting staff also introduced several new city hires in public works, community development and the police department; the council recessed to closed session earlier and reported there was no reportable action from closed session.

Council members said they expect the staff report on ad hoc committees to appear at a future council meeting so the council can decide which temporary panels should continue, be consolidated or be ended. The council also confirmed that some regional board stipends identified in the appointment lists are paid by the regional entities, not directly by the city.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (items 733, 731, 696, 698, 699, 704, 707, 724): approved (Yes: Barajas, Barrera, de Arrigo, Dela Rosa, Salazar, Sandoval, Mayor Donahue; tally: 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). Motion maker/second: not specified on the record. - Substitute motion on appointments: approve standing committee and regional board appointments and request staff report on ad hoc committees (including animal shelter JPA appointment): approved (Yes: Barajas, Barrera, de Arrigo, Dela Rosa, Salazar, Sandoval, Mayor Donahue; tally: 8 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). Motion maker/second: not specified on the record.

What this means The immediate effect is that the city will execute the consent items approved tonight, including the fire cadet affiliation change and the Ecology Action partnership. The council narrowed the appointments action to standing and regional bodies and asked staff to analyze ad hoc committees before the council commits to continued participation or appointments for those temporary groups.

The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2025 (a Monday); the mayor noted council members and the public will receive public notices for upcoming meetings.