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Soledad council adopts pay increase, approves homeless grant subrecipient deal and several contracts; rejects canceling uncontested election
Summary
At its Aug. 21 meeting the Soledad City Council adopted an ordinance raising council pay, approved a county subrecipient agreement to implement Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF R3), and approved city contracts for a fire apparatus bay and tree trimming. The council voted 4–1 to keep municipal races on the November ballot rather than appoint uncontested nominees.
The Soledad City Council on Aug. 21 approved a series of formal actions affecting municipal pay, homelessness services and capital projects while rejecting a staff proposal to cancel uncontested municipal elections.
The council adopted Ordinance No. 771, aligning council compensation with new state limits under Senate Bill 329. Under the population-based option the ordinance sets council pay at $950 per month (about $11,400 annually) and the mayor’s stipend at $1,005.50 per month. The ordinance was adopted on a 4–1 voice vote after council discussion about the size of the increase and the goal of broadening who can serve on the council.
By unanimous vote, the council authorized the City Manager to execute subrecipient agreements with Monterey County to implement Round 3 of the Encampment Resolution Funding (ERF R3). The county received a $4.7 million award and will pass up to $2.5 million to the city for a package that includes interim modular shelter units, a motel-voucher program, case management and financial assistance; the county will select the service operator. The city also authorized creating a grant‑funded Homeless Service Coordinator limited-term position.
Council approved a construction contract with Monterey Peninsula Engineering for Phase 2 site work on the Sawdust Fire Department apparatus bay (contract $858,343 plus 10% contingency; total not to exceed $944,177) to accommodate a funded ladder truck. The council also authorized an agreement with a tree service for trimming and limited removal/replacement not to exceed $165,000.
Council considered a staff-recommended resolution under Elections Code section 10229 that would have cancelled the municipal election and appointed uncontested nominees (saving an estimated $77,000–$80,000). Following public comment urging voters retain their franchise and extended council debate, a motion to reject the cancellation passed 4–1; the municipal races will remain on the Nov. 5 ballot.
What happens next: the ERF R3 grant term allows costs back to July 1, 2024, with activities ending by June 30, 2027. The compensation changes will not take effect until after the November election when newly seated council members take office. The city manager and relevant staff will return with program-level details, job-class modifications for the homeless coordinator and implementation contracts as required by the county grant documents.
Attributions: details on SB 329 and timing were provided by the City Attorney; ERF R3 program terms and the budget overview were presented by city staff; contract amounts and bidders were presented by public works staff. No outside facts were invented beyond the meeting record.
