Salinas meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Salinas boards weigh tobacco license ban, cannabis permit appeal, Northridge Mall projects

Salinas city boards and commissions held several meetings over the past two weeks, though minutes have not yet been published, so no final decisions are available. The most consequential items on the agendas include a proposed extension of a citywide ban on new tobacco retailer licenses, an appeal to relocate a commercial cannabis permit, and more than $3.7 million in equipment purchases.

City Council

The City Council met Aug. 4 and considered an extension of Urgency Interim Ordinance No. 2697(NCS), which prohibits new tobacco retailers' licenses. The council also heard an appeal to relocate Commercial Cannabis Permit 2024-009 from 1610 Moffett Street to 2033 North Main Street. In addition, the council reviewed several high-cost purchases: a Microsoft Office 365 Government G3 software purchase not to exceed $1,440,259.19; speed cushions for traffic calming not to exceed $1,000,000; a 2026 Vac-Con Truck for $849,903.30; and a 2026 Ford Transit CCTV van for $497,486.56. No votes were recorded in the agenda-only materials.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission held a public hearing Aug. 5 on Planned Unit Development Permit 2025-002 for a 3,337 square-foot vehicle washing building with outdoor vacuums at 1340 Northridge Mall, along with establishment of a 1.58-acre building pad site at the Northridge Mall Shopping Center. The commission was asked to recommend that the City Council approve the project and find it exempt from certain environmental quality requirements. The commission also approved minutes from its July 15 meeting.

Historic Resources Board

The Historic Resources Board met Aug. 3 and received informational presentations on historic preservation standards and a city-wide resources survey. No formal actions were required. Items included a study session on Secretary of the Interior's Standard 6 (Repair Rather than Replace), a presentation on Practical Preservation of Historic Properties, and a staff update on the Page and Turnbull city-wide Historic Resources Survey. The board also approved minutes from July 6.

Housing and Land Use Committee

The Housing and Land Use Committee met Aug. 11 and received updates on planning and permitting activities (ID#26-385) and the First Time Homebuyer Mortgage Down Payment Assistance Program (ID#26-388). The agenda included approval of minutes from Jan. 20 and March 10, 2026. No votes on new ordinances or contracts were listed.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee met Aug. 11 and received an update on the FY 2026-27 budget, with no action required. The committee also approved minutes from May 12, 2026.

Library and Community Services Commission

The Library and Community Services Commission met Aug. 12 to elect a Chair and Vice Chair, approve minutes from June 10, and receive a status update on major projects. The project update required no action.

Traffic and Transportation Commission

The Aug. 13 meeting of the Traffic and Transportation Commission was canceled. No items were discussed or decided.

Coming up

• **Public Art Commission** – Aug. 17: Election of Chair and Vice Chair, approval of June 15 minutes, and a presentation on Alebrijes and Nahuales Fantastic Animals from Mexico by the Chamber of Commerce.
• **Planning Commission** – Aug. 19: Public hearings on two Northridge Mall projects: a Planned Unit Development Permit for a 3,337 sq ft vehicle washing building at 1340 Northridge Mall, and a permit to increase wall sign area to 287 sq ft for a proposed Burlington tenant at 1100 Northridge Mall. Both projects are recommended for CEQA categorical exemptions. The commission will also elect a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson and consider minutes from July 15.

Salinas City Council to weigh tobacco ban extension, cannabis appeal, and $3.7M in purchases Aug. 4

Salinas City Council will take up its most consequential agenda in weeks on Aug. 4, including an extension of the citywide ban on new tobacco retailers' licenses, an appeal to relocate a commercial cannabis permit, and equipment and software purchases totaling more than $3.7 million.

City Council — Aug. 4

The Council will consider extending Urgency Interim Ordinance No. 2697(NCS), which prohibits new tobacco retailers' licenses citywide.

It will also hear an appeal to relocate Commercial Cannabis Permit 2024-009 from 1610 Moffett Street to 2033 North Main Street.

On the spending side, the agenda includes:

• Microsoft Office 365 Government G3 software purchase, not to exceed $1,440,259.19
• Speed cushions for traffic calming, not to exceed $1,000,000
• 2026 Vac-Con Truck for $849,903.30
• 2026 Ford Transit CCTV van for $497,486.56

Recent meetings — outcomes not yet confirmed

Three advisory bodies met the week of July 22, but minutes have not been published for any of them. Agendas show what was scheduled, not what was decided.

Police Community Advisory Committee (July 22): Scheduled to approve June 24 minutes, elect a chair and vice chair for a one-year term, and receive a presentation on the Salinas Police Department Crime Lab. Public comment was limited to two minutes per speaker.

Measure E Oversight Committee (July 23): Scheduled to elect a chair and vice chair (ID#26-357) and receive the Measure E June 30, 2026 Financial Report (ID#26-345), with no action required on the report.

Airport Commission (July 23): Scheduled to consider recommending that the City Council authorize an Airport Use Permit for the 2026 California International Airshow by the Monterey County Airshow Association, Inc., and waive associated permit fees and City Airport staff time costs. The commission was also set to elect a chair and vice chair and review May and June 2026 Operations and Fuel Flowage Reports.

Planning Commission — Aug. 5

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Planned Unit Development Permit 2025-002, which would allow a 3,337 square-foot vehicle washing building and outdoor vacuums at 1340 Northridge Mall. The commission is also asked to consider establishing a 1.58-acre building pad site at the Northridge Mall Shopping Center. The body may recommend that the City Council approve the project and find it exempt from certain environmental quality requirements.

Historic Resources Board — Aug. 3

The Historic Resources Board will hold a study session on Secretary of the Interior's Standard 6: Repair Rather than Replace, receive information on Practical Preservation of Historic Properties, and get a staff update on the Page and Turnbull citywide Historic Resources Survey. No formal actions are required for the presentation items. The board will also approve July 6, 2026 meeting minutes.

Coming up

• **Aug. 3** — Historic Resources Board, study session on preservation standards and citywide survey
• **Aug. 4** — City Council, tobacco license ban extension, cannabis permit appeal, and multi-million-dollar equipment purchases
• **Aug. 5** — Planning Commission, public hearing on proposed vehicle wash at Northridge Mall

Salinas advisory bodies take up zoning, car wash permit, and street safety; minutes not yet published

Three Salinas advisory bodies met between July 6 and July 15, but minutes have not yet been published for any of the sessions, so no outcomes can be confirmed. The most consequential items on the agendas were a zoning code amendment affecting housing and other land uses, and a permit for a new vehicle washing facility at Northridge Mall.

Planning Commission — July 15

The Planning Commission was scheduled to hold public hearings on two items: Zoning Code Amendment 2026-001 and Planned Unit Development Permit 2025-002.

The zoning amendment would change rules covering housing, cottage food operations, religious uses, driveway widths, and industrial office space to align with state and federal laws.

The permit item concerns a 3,337-square-foot vehicle washing building with 24 vacuums at 1340 Northridge Mall.

The commission was also set to elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson for one-year terms and approve minutes from its June 17, 2026 meeting.

Because minutes have not been published, the city's record does not yet show whether these items were approved, continued, or voted on.

Traffic and Transportation Commission — July 9

The commission was scheduled to elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson for one-year terms and approve minutes from June 11, 2026.

Commissioners were to receive an informational report on the Williams Road Safe Street Corridor Project. No action was required on that item; commissioners were asked for feedback only.

Public comments were accepted on non-agenda items and during specific agenda items.

Minutes have not been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Historic Resources Board — July 6

The board was set to elect a chair and vice-chair for fiscal year 2026-2027 and approve minutes from June 1, 2026.

Staff were scheduled to present updates on three items: the Intermodal Transportation Center conditions memorandum, a Monterey Salinas Transit Rapid Bus relocation study, and the 2026 Mills Act historic preservation application period.

The meeting was described as primarily administrative and procedural, with no public hearings or binding votes scheduled.

Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

• **Police Community Advisory Committee — July 22:** The committee will approve minutes from June 24, 2026, elect a chair and vice chair for a one-year term, and receive a presentation on the Salinas Police Department Crime Lab. Public comment is limited to two minutes per speaker.

• **Measure E Oversight Committee — July 23:** The committee will elect a chair and vice chair (ID#26-357) for a one-year term and receive the June 30, 2026 financial report for Measure E (ID#26-345). No action is required on the financial report. Public comment is limited to two minutes per speaker.

• **Airport Commission — July 23:** The commission will consider recommending that the City Council authorize an Airport Use Permit for the 2026 California International Airshow, proposed by the Monterey County Airshow Association, Inc. The commission will also consider recommending waivers of permit fees and City Airport staff time costs for the event. The agenda includes election of a chair and vice chair and review of May and June 2026 Operations and Fuel Flowage Reports.

Salinas City Council eyed $13.7M Abbott Street sewer project; Planning Commission takes up car wash, zoning changes next

The Salinas City Council's June 30 meeting agenda included a $13,716,050 contract for the Abbott Street Sanitary Sewer and Pavement Improvements project and an urgency ordinance that would temporarily prohibit new Tobacco Retailers' Licenses. Minutes from that meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes and vote tallies are not yet available.

City Council — June 30

The Council agenda listed several major items:

• **Abbott Street sewer and pavement project**: A proposed $13,716,050 contract for sanitary sewer and pavement improvements on Abbott Street.
• **Tobacco retailer moratorium**: An urgency interim ordinance that would prohibit issuance of new Tobacco Retailers' Licenses.
• **Salinas One Water Roadmap**: An item to adopt the roadmap, a planning document for the city's water resources.
• **Axon equipment and services**: $4,159,125 for Axon equipment and services for the Police and Community Development departments.
• **Tentative map extension**: A 36-month time extension for a tentative map near John Street and Abbott Street.

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which of these items were approved, continued, or rejected.

Historic Resources Board — July 6

The Historic Resources Board's July 6 meeting was primarily administrative. The agenda called for election of a chair and vice-chair for fiscal year 2026-2027. Staff presentations were scheduled on the Intermodal Transportation Center conditions memorandum, a Monterey Salinas Transit Rapid Bus relocation study, and the 2026 Mills Act historic preservation application period. The board was also set to approve its June 1, 2026 minutes. No public hearings or binding votes were scheduled beyond the leadership elections. Minutes are not yet published.

Traffic and Transportation Commission — July 9

The Traffic and Transportation Commission agenda included approval of minutes from June 11, 2026, and the annual election of a chairperson and vice-chairperson for one-year terms. Commissioners were scheduled to receive an informational report on the Williams Road Safe Street Corridor Project. No action was required on the Williams Road item; the agenda specified that feedback was requested only. General public comments on non-agenda items were also listed. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

Planning Commission — July 15: The commission will hold public hearings on two items. The first is Zoning Code Amendment 2026-001, which proposes changes related to housing, cottage food operations, religious uses, driveway widths, and industrial office space to align with state and federal laws. The second is Planned Unit Development Permit 2025-002, for a 3,337-square-foot vehicle washing building with 24 vacuums at 1340 Northridge Mall. The commission will also elect its chairperson and vice-chairperson for one-year terms and consider approval of its June 17, 2026 meeting minutes.

Salinas City Council weighs tobacco license moratorium and $13.7 million Abbott Street sewer project

The Salinas City Council's June 30 agenda included an urgency ordinance that would temporarily halt new tobacco retailer licenses, alongside consideration of a $13.7 million sewer and pavement project on Abbott Street and adoption of the Salinas One Water Roadmap. Minutes from the meeting have not yet been published, so final actions and vote tallies are not yet available.

City Council — June 30

The Council's agenda listed several items with financial and service implications for residents:

• **Tobacco Retailers' License moratorium:** An urgency interim ordinance that would prohibit issuance of new Tobacco Retailers' Licenses. Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed whether the ordinance was adopted or what the vote was.
• **Abbott Street Sanitary Sewer and Pavement Improvements:** A proposed contract of $13,716,050 for sewer and pavement work on Abbott Street.
• **Salinas One Water Roadmap:** An item to adopt the roadmap, a planning document referenced in the agenda.
• **Axon equipment and services:** $4,159,125 for Axon equipment and services for the Police Department and Community Development.
• **Tentative map time extension:** A 36-month time extension for a tentative map near John Street and Abbott Street.

All items above were listed on the agenda; the provided record does not include minutes confirming final decisions or vote counts.

Police Community Advisory Committee — June 24

The committee's agenda included a presentation on the Organized Retail Theft Team and approval of the May 27, 2026 minutes. Minutes from the June 24 meeting have not yet been published, so actions taken are not confirmed in the available record.

Airport Commission — June 25 (Canceled)

The June 25 Airport Commission meeting was canceled due to a lack of business items for discussion. No items were considered.

Coming up

• **Historic Resources Board — July 6, 2026:** The board will elect its chair and vice-chair for fiscal year 2026-2027. Staff will present updates on the Intermodal Transportation Center, a Monterey Salinas Transit Rapid Bus relocation study, and the 2026 Mills Act historic preservation application period. The board will also consider approval of its June 1, 2026 minutes. The agenda describes the meeting as primarily administrative and procedural, with no public hearings or binding votes scheduled.

City Council agenda includes $13.7M Abbott Street project, proposed tobacco license freeze

The Salinas City Council’s June 30 agenda featured a $13.7 million infrastructure contract, an emergency measure to halt new tobacco retailer licenses, and adoption of a long-term water management plan. None of the outcomes were available at press time because official meeting minutes have not yet been published.

City Council agenda

The council was scheduled to take up the following items during its June 30 regular meeting:

• **Urgency interim ordinance** – A proposal to immediately prohibit issuance of any new Tobacco Retailers’ Licenses. The urgency clause indicates the ordinance would take effect immediately upon adoption, but the council’s vote has not been posted.
• **$13,716,050 contract** – A construction award for the Abbott Street Sanitary Sewer and Pavement Improvements project. The agenda described a public works contract covering replacement of aging sewer mains and full pavement reconstruction on Abbott Street.
• **Salinas One Water Roadmap** – Adoption of the city’s integrated water management framework, designed to guide water supply, stormwater, and wastewater decisions.
• **$4,159,125 for Axon equipment** – A contract for Axon hardware, software, and services to be used by both the Police Department and the Community Development Department. No further breakdown of equipment was listed.
• **Tentative map extension** – A 36-month time extension for a tentative subdivision map near John Street and Abbott Street.

Because the official minutes had not been published by July 5, it is not yet known which items were approved, postponed, or rejected.

Police advisory committee reviews retail theft

The Police Community Advisory Committee met June 24. A planned presentation on the Organized Retail Theft Team took up the bulk of the session. No reports, votes, or recommendations were issued beyond approval of the May 27 minutes. Minutes for this meeting also remained unavailable.

Airport Commission meeting canceled

The Airport Commission canceled its June 25 meeting. The city cited “a lack of business items for discussion.” No makeup date has been announced.

Coming up

The Historic Resources Board will meet July 6 to elect its chair and vice-chair for the 2026‑2027 fiscal year. No binding votes or public hearings are scheduled. The board will receive staff presentations on the Intermodal Transportation Center conditions memorandum, Monterey Salinas Transit’s Rapid Bus relocation study, and an update on the 2026 Mills Act historic preservation application period. The board will also consider approval of its June 1 meeting minutes.