Hollister · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hollister public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County Supervisor Election
A former Hollister-area county supervisor who got recalled in June is now leading the early vote count to win his old seat back. It’s a wild local political comeback, and the final tally could still change.
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.
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.
SEIU Local 521 labor agreement
SEIU members and city employees described stress, outsourcing rumors, and what they called disrespect from the city manager, and asked council members to meet with them directly.
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.
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.
City of Hollister financial emergency
Hollister faces a $21M water fund deficit and a $3.7M general fund shortfall. The council directed staff toward living within predictable revenues, protecting a 20% reserve (over Morales's objection), and investing in economic development — but nothing is final until the June 30 budget adoption.
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.
Termination of City Manager Anna Cortez
Speaker after speaker demanded the council terminate City Manager Ana Cortez for cause, citing alleged union-busting, failure to meet and confer, transparency failures, and questionable hires. SEIU and the police union delivered a unanimous no-confidence statement. The council will formally agendize the matter at Wednesday's special meeting.
Proposed partnership with Sunnyslope Water District
A consent item would send a mayor's letter proposing a partnership with Sunnyslope Water District. Speakers claimed it masks a $400,000-plus contract tied to taking over city water operations, and urged residents to protest at the district's October 27 meeting.
San Juan Crossings housing and retail on the west side
A 132-apartment mixed-use project near the new roundabout got its approvals extended two years while the developer lines up construction financing — new housing and possible ground-floor shops or a daycare are coming, eventually.
Accessory dwelling unit ordinance update (Ordinance 1277)
Hollister must update its accessory dwelling unit rules to match recent state laws — no choice in the matter, per HCD. Homeowners can now add up to three ADUs on single-family lots, and multifamily properties can add up to eight detached units, with fewer fees and shorter review windows.
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.
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.
Hollister Independence Rally spending amid budget crisis
Speakers slammed the council for continuing to fund the motorcycle rally (roughly $500,000 cost, $150,000 city contribution) while laying off employees and declaring a fiscal emergency.
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.
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.
Runway 31 lead-in taxiway safety signage
After a fatal July 19 mid-air collision, staff proposed signs barring aircraft under 12,500 pounds from taking off at the lead-in taxiway. Retired airline pilot Commissioner Watt argued the wording could imply takeoffs are allowed there and pushed for a displaced threshold instead.
Falcon Nano drone and bird detection field testing
NASA Ames and partner companies like Hidden Level want to install passive radio-frequency sensors at two airport locations to collect data that will help safely integrate drones and advanced air mobility aircraft into the national airspace. The commission recommended the City Council approve the airport use agreements.
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.
Public Utility Concessionaire for Water and Sewer
The water fund has been insolvent since 2018 and rates haven't been raised since then; rate increases are coming, and residents reported bills already jumping — one from $40 to $217 over six years. A $200 million pipe repair backlog looms.
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.
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.
Sidewalk Transformation and Enhancement Program
The city kicks off its sidewalk improvement program October 19 at 4 p.m., starting in Council Member Morales' district.
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.
Meridian Village continuation
The big 219-unit Meridian Village housing project south of Meridian Street didn't get heard — the applicant asked to push it to November 19. Residents following that debate will have to wait another two months.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
City attorney legal services agreement with Hanson Bridgett LLP
The city is bringing in Hanson Bridgett LLP for city attorney and legal services. It shapes who advises the city on litigation, contracts, and closed session matters — and the 4-1 vote shows it wasn't unanimous.
Valenzuela water service upgrade
The Council authorized applying for low-cost State Water Resources Control Board financing to upgrade water service in the Valenzuela area.
West Gateway Roundabout cost increase
The $3 million CDBG roundabout project is closing out its grant, but Resendiz pushed for flashing pedestrian crossing lights at Fourth Street and San Juan Road; staff will study whether beacons are appropriate.
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.
Nash Road right-of-way vacation
The high school district wants the city to permanently give up its right-of-way over the Nash Road segment it already closed for student safety between the two campuses. Emergency vehicles access the gates with an Opticom system, and the district will compensate the city.
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.