Hollister · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hollister public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
City Council Election Results
Hollister’s City Council races are still tight in early results, with Brian Chavez and incumbent Dolores Morales holding narrow leads and Tim Burns up by five points. These winners will help set city priorities for years, so the final count matters even if you didn’t vote in these races.
City Governance/strategic Direction
Hollister’s city government is being criticized for not clearly defining what it’s trying to do or what matters most. That’s not just philosophical—it affects how the city spends money and what kind of development gets approved. If priorities stay vague, residents and businesses feel it through inconsistent decisions.
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.
Storm drain funding gap
Councilmember de Anda learned the storm drain program has no dedicated revenue — the utility was never created, so general fund dollars clean the storm drains. Turning it into a utility would require a taxpayer vote.
Canceled Town Halls Amid Budget Crisis
Hollister canceled its town halls right as budget trouble and layoffs hit, cutting off a key chance for residents to get answers. If you care about city services or jobs, this is the moment to push for transparency.
Archer Aviation propeller testing at Hollister Airport
Archer Aviation, which has started flying its electric aircraft into Hollister, wants to test propellers on the ground at the airport's northeast corner. It would bring five to six staff daily, pay ground-lease rates, and put currently unused airport land to work generating revenue.
WISC vertiport completion and Joby Aviation startup
The airport is part of a $7.4 million state grant effort to build flight corridors between four regional airports and is seeking FAA Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program designation through a Caltrans-led consortium.
Cal Fire Airtac base ground lease negotiation
The airport is renegotiating the Cal Fire air attack base lease for 16.23 acres, asking the state to pay 3.5 cents per square foot — up from the 2 cents a previous city administration approved. The deal would also add 1.23 acres for helipads and clear the way for future hangar development.
Animal Care, Control and Services
Timothy Pierson asked the council to intervene after animal control moved to destroy his two family dogs following an incident with neighborhood cats.
Helen Ross Fund Use
The city proposed using Helen Ross's bequest to fund a two-year animal advocate position (~$160,000), but her nephew, friends, and shelter volunteers say the 2017 resolution bars using the money to supplant general funds. The item was pulled, but expect this fight to return.
Future sales tax increase authority
Measure W, the 1% sales tax extension adopted in 2016, brings in roughly $9.4 million a year but expires in 2037. Former finance official Bill Avera warned that layoffs and lost public confidence could doom any future extension.
City Council Election Candidates
Hollister voters have a chance to meet city council and mayoral candidates before casting ballots. It’s a simple meet-and-greet, but the election itself will help decide local priorities and spending.
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.
West-side commercial development (Quick Quack & McDonald's)
The west side of Hollister has long lacked commercial services and jobs. This $10 million project with a new traffic signal, roughly 65 jobs, and two well-known tenants could kickstart more investment in the corridor — the developer already owns nearby apartment-retail projects.
$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.
Highway 25 widening and AB 2059
Good news buried in the COG report: of $18 million in Measure G road money, only $5 million has been spent — $13 million remains. Updates on the 101/25 interchange include new signal lights as lane expansion continues.
Financial Oversight Task Force
The city is behind on its audits, which blocks everything from labor negotiations to grant compliance. New Finance Director Jessica O'Connell was introduced and has one job: catch up, with a new local CPA firm.
Making downtown a fall destination
Speakers say downtown Hollister is underperforming: slow permitting (one project took 3½ years), restrictive noise enforcement, and not enough events. They want an entertainment district, grant-funded programming, and a city that actively helps entrepreneurs.
2026 Hollister Independence Rally improvements
Business owners want hard numbers on whether the rally made or lost money, and they want the promoter accountable. The proposed RFP offers two funding models — one with no city funding and one where the operator seeks city money — and speakers questioned what Hollister gets out of each.
Rescission of sewer expansion fund loan to general fund
The city is unwinding a five-year loan that used sewer expansion money to cover negative balances in several other funds. It matters because it affects how sewer utility dollars and general city finances are managed going forward.
Brigantino/San Felipe Road annexation and prezoning
Three project sites, including a 12.9-acre Brigantino parcel near Wright and San Felipe Roads, are up for general plan amendments and prezoning tied to annexation. The vote waits until September 8 when four members are present.
Los Pinars apartments and Nash Road traffic
The long-planned Los Pinars apartment complex on Cushman Street needed a final lot split to secure financing. Neighbors said Nash Road area traffic has worsened over 13 years and questioned whether 2013-era environmental studies reflect today's reality; commissioners agreed the broader infrastructure question needs its own discussion.
Infrastructure and CEQA study sessions
Frustrated by approving projects based on years-old environmental paperwork while roads and sewers feel worse in real life, commissioners asked for two study sessions — one on CEQA basics, one on actual city infrastructure capacity — possibly jointly with the City Council.
Downtown lighting as top priority
Carol Lenoir asked the city to fix burnt-out downtown and tree lights and to take up the parklet issue for clarification.
Potential spay/neuter and breeding ordinance
Timothy Pierson says the city is moving to euthanize his family's dogs after they escaped and got into an altercation, despite restitution to the owners; he left sworn statements with the council.
New Deputy Finance Officer Position Amid Budget Crisis
The city is creating a senior management role focused on permitting revenue and capital projects while telling employees there's no money for raises and layoffs may come. Supporters say it will pay for itself and replace four positions; critics say the city can't afford it and the public should watch for follow-through.
Housing Trust Fund establishment
A state settlement requires Hollister to set up a housing trust fund with $300,000 from the general fund. Funds will go toward rehabilitating existing affordable housing for extremely low, very low, and low-income households.
2025 Water Quality Results
Hollister's tap water is 39% groundwater while Sunny Slope customers get 82% surface water — a historical staff-level decision, not a council policy. The council asked for costs to improve the blend and for a mix that gets chromium-6 below 10 parts per billion, plus a study session with independent experts.
Navigator Charter School conversion of former Kmart
A vacant big-box store would become a school for up to 1,070 students. Traffic on Lad Lane and Tres Pinos Road was the flashpoint, and the commission discussed busing partnerships to ease congestion.
Building permit fee reductions
Business owners say the permitting process is slow, confusing, and expensive — one cited his July 4th encroachment permit jumping from $180 to $1,075. Ideas include permitting-efficiency reviews, advisory meetings to interpret building comments, and technology like AI-guided online applications.
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.
BAC bylaws amendments and reporting structure
The City Council amended the Planning Commission bylaws so commissioners can formally recommend items for future council agendas through a request form process. Commissioner Hernandez also asked for closed-session briefings on the development project queue to help troubleshoot recurring issues.
Water rate increase from $17 to $33 base rate
Hollister water rates had not kept up with inflation and costs; the fund is running a deficit. The council chose a 30% bridge increase instead of 83%, with a 25% discount for low-income CARE-qualified residents, pending a deeper analysis in the fall.
Resendiz announces departure
Councilmember Rolan Resendiz told the public he will not seek re-election in November and pledged to keep opposing layoffs of unionized city employees during his remaining six months.
Veolia wastewater contract amendment
After a year of violations at the wastewater treatment plant and a state water board visit, the council approved restructuring the Veolia contract into one-year terms, giving the city annual chances to hold the operator accountable or seek bids from other vendors.
FAA grants for Hollister Municipal Airport
uAvionix Corporation wants to place advanced avionics sensor equipment at the airport. The commission recommended the use agreement move to the City Council, where final approval will happen.
Water Fund Structural Deficit and Rates
The water fund hasn't paid for itself since 2018 and is $21 million in the red. New water rates are coming within about a month and will appear in the FY 2026-27 budget with multi-year general fund repayments.
Proposed Allium solar and battery project near the airport
A 110-megawatt solar plus 110-megawatt battery project on about 945 acres four miles north of the airport is in environmental review, with construction targeted for late 2028. Commissioners raised concerns about panel alignment with the runway, safety clear zones, and glare; the developer agreed to study a clear zone corridor through the site.
Airport finances turn positive
A hangar tenant says Hollister rents run two to three times Salinas rates and wants the long-promised rent study on a future agenda. The airport director says a study was done and a market-rate reset is planned once revenue improves.
Airport economic impact study results
A resident raised concerns about high hangar rental costs and asked for an update on the long-pending Airport Rent Study, which could affect what hangar tenants pay.