Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Hollister public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
37 issues with high priority
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 Meetings Schedule
Hollister’s public meetings schedule is the weekly lineup of local agency meetings where decisions get made. It’s a quick way to see what’s on the agenda and whether you want to show up or weigh in.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Highway 25 widening and AB 2059
COG reported the Highway 25 improvement project is in the state-required environmental phase, with construction possible by 2030 and Measure G covering $242 million. AB 2059 — which exempts rural counties from costly vehicle-miles-travel penalties — passed the Legislature and awaits the governor's signature.
$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.
Financial Oversight Task Force
The city is years behind on audits; the FY2023 draft should be done by end of September, with later years moving faster now that templates exist.
2026 Hollister Independence Rally improvements
The city manager floated a draft RFP to partner with a promoter for a bigger four-day rally in 2028, skipping next year — and got pushback from Council Member Picha, who said the council, not staff, decides the rally's future and wants it handled through the ad hoc committee.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Water rate increase
The water fund has been running deficits since 2018, partly because rates haven't covered costs. Expect multiple rate increases — the city manager flagged three separate rate adjustments to catch the water fund up.
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.
Water rate increase from $17 to $33 base rate
The city wants to more than double the base water rate to fix a water fund running deficits since 2018, but deferred the vote a week so residents have more time to protest. Seniors and fixed-income residents raised hardship concerns.
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
The council approved two federal grant applications for the airport: one to update the airport layout plan (including siting for the new Cal Fire air attack base and potential vertiport locations) and one to design the Taxiway A reconstruction. The city's match is roughly $1,000 to $22,000 depending on Caltrans.
Airport economic impact study results
A regional study found Hollister Municipal Airport supports about 268 jobs, $16.5 million in payroll, and nearly $41 million in total output for San Benito County, plus $5.46 million in tax revenues. The results will be used to justify future airport investments to the city, county, state, and FAA.
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.
Wastewater Odor Complaints
West-side Hollister residents are putting up with nasty wastewater smells, and the city is now pushing for a health study to find out whether the odor is just annoying or actually risky. The big question is whether officials will treat this as a nuisance complaint or a public health issue.
City Manager Appointment
Hollister just named Cortez as city manager—the person who actually runs day-to-day city operations. That means Cortez will have a big hand in city services, budgets, and how projects get done. If you care about how Hollister functions, this appointment matters.