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RECESS <br /> MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua recessed the City Council meeting and convened the <br /> Housing meeting at 8:46 P.M. <br /> RECONVENE <br /> MINUTES: Mayor Amezcua adjourned the Housing Authority meeting and <br /> reconvened the City Council meeting to order at 8:47 P.M. <br /> WORK STUDY SESSION <br /> 24.Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Work Study Session <br /> Department(s): Finance and Management Services <br /> Recommended Action: Discuss and provide direction to staff. <br /> MINUTES: Finance and Management Services Director Alex Trinidad provided <br /> a presentation regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget. <br /> Councilmember Bacerra inquired regarding the Washington Square land, <br /> expressed support for a park in Washington Square but raised concerns about <br /> proceeding with a $4 million purchase without further analysis, and suggested <br /> exploring alternatives such as land swaps or phased acquisition. He emphasized <br /> the need to evaluate funding priorities citywide, including tourism, sidewalk <br /> maintenance, and parking enforcement and proposed reallocating funds within <br /> Option 2 from supporting pension contributions, to augmenting parking <br /> enforcement services and interim improvements for park-related sites. <br /> City Manager Alvaro Nunez explained staff has initiated outreach to property <br /> owners and completed a preliminary cost and zoning review of the park site in <br /> response to Council direction and feasibility is under evaluation regarding the <br /> Washington Square land. <br /> Councilmember Vazquez spoke in support of budget balancing measures <br /> including fee adjustments, elimination of vacant positions, dissolution of non- <br /> mandated commissions, and reducing the PAAL program due to cost concerns <br /> and efficiency comparisons. He expressed support for exploring a Washington <br /> Square park but emphasized the need for a strong, well-developed plan, and <br /> requested additional consideration of infrastructure needs, including drainage <br /> and neighborhood lighting improvements. <br /> Mayor Pro Tem Penaloza expressed concerns with the hotel feasibility study, <br /> expressed support for prioritizing Washington Square park, and outlined <br /> alternative options including city-owned land on Bristol Street, joint-use <br /> CITY COUNCIL 17 MAY 19, 2026 <br />