Hollister Mayor Tony LoBue became a former mayor and Councilman
Brian Conroy became a mayor Monday as LoBue handed over the gavel
he has pounded for the past year.
Hollister Mayor Tony LoBue became a former mayor and Councilman Brian Conroy became a mayor Monday as LoBue handed over the gavel he has pounded for the past year.
Photo flashes and eagerness stirred the air as the City Council meeting began with the business of electing a new mayor. Hollister’s city code calls for an election for the position once a year, with the five Council members taking the vote.
With expectations all but assuring Conroy as mayor and Tony Bruscia as vice mayor, LoBue – dressed in a suit and tie for the occasion – motioned for Council to vote on Councilwoman Pauline Valdivia as the new mayor. However, no one seconded the motion.
Valdivia then motioned to take a vote on Conroy as mayor, which was seconded and passed four votes to one – LoBue being the sole nay-sayer. Bruscia then received the bid for vice mayor, with LoBue again opposing the election.
“We had a really good idea of what we intended to do,” Bruscia said, “and what was the right thing to do.”
LoBue officially gave up his authority as conductor of Council meetings as City Clerk Frank Felice swore in Conroy and Bruscia. Conroy then presented Lobue with an outgoing mayoral plaque and said farewell comments.
“It has been a difficult year for the city of Hollister,” Conroy said. “You served during a difficult time. And I’d like to thank you for your service.”
LoBue’s ensuing speech featured an overview of the past year.
“This year has brought us some negative, controversial issues,” LoBue said. “Yet, we’ve had some very positive changes in Hollister.”
Items on LoBue’s list of good changes included a Parks Master Plan update, remodeling of the Veteran’s Memorial building, plans for a second fire station, plans for a civic center, the passing of a growth cap, a new recycling program, increased road impact fees and a balanced budget. LoBue finished with an outlook for the coming years.
“I give you my commitment that I will look forward to my next two years on Council. I will not look backward,” he said.
Conroy – also dressed in suit and tie – emphasized cooperation among Council members during the next year.
“I look forward to working with this Council as a team member,” Conroy said. “In the coming years, we face some critical issues…”
Conroy specifically mentioned long-term solutions to wastewater problems, water quality issues and a “growing gang problem.”
Conroy then took his new seat as the room’s centerpiece. He expressed a joyful nervousness, smiling through many of the agenda’s remaining items.
“We’ll all work together,” Conroy said after the meeting. “I know there’s been some dissension, but there’s not going to be that. We’re all focused on the issues that we’ve got to solve.”
In other business, the Council:
Delayed adopting a resolution that would provide a physical fitness program for the Hollister Fire Department.
The program’s objective is to reduce injuries and worker’s compensation claims. Other fire departments throughout the country have adopted the National Wellness Initiative for firefighters. Many of those departments reported a significant reduction in injuries, according to a staff report.
If approved at an upcoming special Council meeting, the Hollister Fire Department Wellness Program would include evaluations for all employees, training, fitness testing and injury prevention. Bruscia asked to postpone approval to examine costs of competitors.
“It’s not a big crisis to wait a couple weeks,” Fire Chief Bill Garringer said.
TCH Sports Medicine Enterprises would provide the program at a cost of $12,420.
Approved the purchase of a new fire engine, which will either accommodate the planned construction of Fire Station 2 or replace an aging fire engine at the current station. The 1987 model engine has more than 97,000 miles.
The HFD applied for a grant to pay for the engine, but did not receive approval. The new engine will cost $354,378..
Adopted a resolution to approve a staffing contract for the Long-term Wastewater Management Plan with Harris and Associates. The additional staffing for the first phase of the project will cost $95,000, money which will come from the Sanitary Sewer Fund. Harris and Associates has provided services on a “good faith” basis since October.
Approved cancellation of a contract with the Council of San Benito County Governments for the city manager to serve as executive director. The current contract expires June 30. City Manager George Lewis has served as executive director since the city entered the contract in February 2000. With Lewis retiring Jan. 10, the city will no longer provide the services.
