Santa Maria City Council - May 5, 2026 Meeting

The City of Santa Maria held a City Council meeting on May 5, 2026, which included multiple proclamations recognizing community events and awareness weeks such as Water Awareness Month, Compost Awareness Week, National Day of Prayer, National Police Week, and National Bike Month. The council also discussed and adopted the Santa Maria 2045 General Plan, which includes land use designations, annexation plans, and policies to support sustainable growth and infrastructure development. A significant portion of the meeting focused on procurement and budget-related topics, including the approval of updated solid waste collection rates for the next four years based on a comprehensive cost of service study, with projected rate increases to cover operational and capital expenses such as fleet electrification. The council reviewed and approved the annual Landscape Maintenance District assessments with a 3% CPI increase and discussed the Measure A five-year program of projects allocating over $40 million for road maintenance, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and ADA improvements. Workforce vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts were presented pursuant to AB 2561, highlighting staffing levels and ongoing recruitment activities. The council considered an ordinance to update the cross connection control plan for water safety compliance with state mandates, though the ordinance did not pass due to lack of a second, with plans to revisit the item in June. Additionally, the council received a presentation on polling survey results for a potential sales tax ballot measure to fund essential city services, showing strong community support. Appointments to various boards and committees were made, and public comments addressed mobile home rent stabilization, employee wage concerns, and historical site designations. Overall, the meeting addressed key procurement decisions, budget allocations, infrastructure projects, and policy updates affecting future city operations and services.