Politics

County supervisors discussed using SB-1 funds for future road repair at a Tuesday meeting. SB-1 raised the gas tax and vehicle fees in California in order to generate money to fix roads throughout the state. Management Analyst Louie Valdez explained to supervisors that the issue also...

A day before Hollister council members sold the open 400 block of San Benito Street for development, Mayor Ignacio Velazquez issued a call to action against the sale on social media. He announced that the following day, June 5, the city council would decide on...

Locals won’t see a movie in the park on the 400 block of downtown anymore, but they might get a bite to eat. Council members Monday approved selling the open space next to The Vault and Briggs Building parking garage, but the developer must still...

Council members Monday authorized the deferment of impact fees for the new Marriott Hotel until the end of 2018. The deferment of impact fees has an estimated financial impact of $524,245, according to the staff report. “The deferment would be in effect until December of 2018,”...

The city was a bit hazy on details of new statewide cannabis rules. After learning of mistakes in the state-mandated review process for new pot shops—including not noticing a public hearing as required—Hollister council members Monday pushed off a consideration that could establish rules for...

The highly debated 400 block proposal for buildings on a cornerstone downtown open space is expected to go before council members next week. In May 2016, Hollister council members unanimously approved going forward in exclusive talks to sell the city’s property in the 400 block...

County supervisors Tuesday extended the window for a public hearing related to the county’s temporary cannabis cultivation ordinance. The board’s unanimous decision gave applicants a 180-day extension for the public hearing. A future date for the hearing has yet to be determined. In September 2016, supervisors...

Local planning commissioners discussed roads and transportation at a joint meeting Tuesday. Commissioners from San Benito County, Hollister and San Juan Bautista gave presentations on and discussed capital improvement projects, housing growth, sphere of influence, affordable housing and public transportation. The meeting was discussion only,...

County supervisors Tuesday unanimously selected Vanir Construction Management to oversee the jail expansion project. According to county documents, estimates show a total cost of about $21.5 million with a $5 million budget shortfall. Vanir will enter into negotiations with the county for a contract not...

County supervisors Tuesday could choose a construction contractor for the jail expansion project. Other items on the agenda include finding good cause to delay a public hearing related to the county’s temporary cannabis ordinance and funding another temporary contract position in the Resource Management Agency. Tuesday’s...