Hollister · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hollister public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Public Safety / School Threat Prevention
Hollister police say they uncovered and stopped a local man’s alleged plan to shoot up Hollister High School after finding the plot in his communications. If you’ve got kids in the district, this is the kind of news that’s equal parts relief and reminder that school threats get investigated before they become tragedies.
Layoff notices and union negotiations
Three employees have already been released and about 25 more positions are slated for elimination. Union members warned that losing institutional knowledge and contracting out services would hurt accountability — the council heard them but hasn't formally ruled out layoffs.
Alleged silencing of the police chief
Multiple speakers said the city manager gagged Police Chief under threat of insubordination, blocking the chief from talking to the public — a transparency concern the new leadership will have to address.
Local emergency for anticipated winter storms and flooding
A resolution would proclaim a local emergency for anticipated 2026–2027 winter storms and flooding, unlocking state and county emergency assistance. It wasn't reached tonight and moves to Wednesday.
Tobacco education and youth nicotine use
County public health reported local teen nicotine pouch use is triple the national average, a third of surveyed stores still sell illegal flavored vapes, and Hollister got mostly failing tobacco-control policy grades. Council members asked about new state law banning disposable vape sales by 2028.
Police department staffing crisis
Police sworn positions sit at a 19.23% vacancy rate and fire recruitment is struggling; the HR department is only 2.5 people. Morales wants quarterly reporting, and the city manager pledged recruitment overhauls and six new firefighters by December.
Animal Care, Control and Services
Speakers said the animal shelter runs on four staff serving both the city and county, and state law mandates rabies control and sheltering. Cuts could leave the community unprepared for displaced animals during El Niño flooding.
Hollister Police Department staffing and retention
The police union says the department has only 30 sworn officers when it should have closer to 80, with officers working more than 150 hours of overtime. Speakers warned service levels and officer safety are at risk as budget cuts loom.
EMS coverage at the county fair
The council approved letting the city manager sign a contract with the fair's agricultural association for fire/EMS coverage at the 2026 San Benito County Fair.
Nash Road emergency access
Councilmember Picha reported that high school district officials demonstrated the Nash Road gate opens automatically for emergency vehicles via lights and sirens, and committed in writing to keep the road open for emergency use.
Urban Growth Boundary petition and harassment claims
Petitioners for the Hollister Urban Growth Boundary Initiative said they've been harassed and yelled at while collecting signatures, naming a treasurer candidate, and asked the council to consider a free-speech ordinance. Former mayor candidate John Casey denied wrongdoing and defended his right to speak.
$1 million Proposition 64 public safety grant accepted
The council accepted a $1 million state grant from the Board of State and Community Corrections to fund public health and safety programs through 2031.
Police Overtime Grant and Union Contract
The police department got a $59,000 state grant for overtime and gear, and the council approved the cops' union contract through June 2027.
Interim Fire Chief and Parks Director appointments
The city is bringing in two CalPERS retirees to temporarily fill the fire chief vacancy and cover a parks director on leave, while a national fire chief recruitment runs three to four months.
Youth bicycle and e-bike safety
Commissioners repeatedly flagged electric bikes and scooters speeding on downtown sidewalks as a danger to shoppers and a lawsuit risk for the city. Possible fixes include an ordinance restricting them to bike lanes and better enforcement.
Amicus litigation opposing federal detention facility in Gilroy
The council unanimously agreed to join Monterey County and others in a friend-of-the-court brief opposing the proposed ICE detention facility near Hollister, which members called a threat to immigrant families.
2026 Weed Abatement Program
The council declared overgrown properties public nuisances and ordered weeds abated, following its annual process with notices to owners.
Parking garage safety and elevator problems
Multiple residents flagged that the parking garage elevator and cameras on the 400 block are often out of service, with kids possibly causing malfunctions, creating safety concerns for downtown visitors and workers.
Fire and Building Code Board of Appeals created
A new seven-member board (plus two alternates) with construction, engineering, and fire code expertise will now hear appeals of fire and building code decisions — created by urgency ordinance because an appeal hearing was set for that Friday.
Fire district feasibility study
The Fire Protection Advisory Committee moved its meetings to 4 p.m. and is working through a complicated feasibility analysis for creating a fire district, with a fuller report expected in April.
Building permit delays
The council quietly killed an ERP platform that couldn't be implemented after four years and about $250,000 a year, replacing it with simpler permit-assistance technology — praised as a win for efficiency.