Carlos Escobedo is sworn in to the Santa Maria City Council on Tuesday.
After winning the District 1 seat on the Santa Maria City Council in November, Carlos Escobedo was sworn in Tuesday as the district's first-ever representative, while outgoing Councilman Michael Moats was honored for his service over the past four years.
The council certified the results of the 2020 election in its last meeting of the calendar year, affirming the reelection of Mayor Alice Patino and Councilman Mike Cordero, who were also sworn in.
Escobedo earned 43.94% of the vote in the four-person race to represent District 1, running on a platform focused on creating affordable housing, supporting small businesses and increasing recreation opportunities.
The outreach specialist at Hancock College and organizer of Santa Maria's first-ever Open Streets celebration in 2019 has said he is committed to "making things happen" and enacting tangible change in the community.
Even though this will be Cordero's second overall term on the council, it will be his first as the city's District 2 representative. He was elected after running unopposed for the seat in November.
Alice Patino is sworn in for her third term as mayor on Tuesday night.
Tuesday marked the beginning of a new chapter for the City Council, with four district representatives now sitting on the dais. The process began two years ago, when councilwomen Etta Waterfield and Gloria Soto were elected in 2018 to represent districts 4 and 3, respectively.
Moats was ineligible for reelection this year because he does not reside in the district that his seat would represent. At Tuesday's meeting, where he stepped off the dais for the last time, fellow council members thanked him for his service on the council, and he returned the appreciation.
"I want to thank … my fellow council persons and the executive staff in helping me over the past four years in governing the city of Santa Maria," Moats said. "The past four years have gone by so fast."
Retiring city leaders
The Santa Maria City Council also delivered retirement resolutions to three city department leaders: Police Chief Phil Hansen, Fire Chief Leonard Champion and Transit Services Manager Austin O'Dell.
Hansen will retire on Dec. 31, following 45 years in law enforcement and over seven years with the Santa Maria Police Department, which have included three years as chief.
Reading the resolution, Cordero thanked Hansen for his contributions to the Police Department, which have included expanding the number of staff and officers, completing the shooting range at Los Flores Ranch Park, and his leadership in Operation Matador, one of the biggest operations in the department's history.
"It was a labor of love," Hansen said. "What I'm most proud of … is the culture of service at our Police Department."
Mike Cordero is sworn in to the Santa Maria City Council on Tuesday.
Hansen also worked to increase department transparency by contracting an independent auditing agency to report on the department's handling of processes such as internal investigations and use of force. The report was presented at Tuesday's meeting.
A resolution for Champion, who will retire on Thursday following 30 years in the Santa Maria Fire Department, acknowledged his work in multiple department positions including fire engineer, captain, battalion chief, and for the past four years, chief of the department.
Speaking over Zoom, Champion thanked his fellow firefighters, his wife, parents and the city staff who have supported him over the years.
"You should be assured that you are in good hands with the staff that remain," Champion said.
City Manager Jason Stilwell praised Champion's long tenure in both the department and the Santa Maria community as a whole, noting that, "his longevity goes so far back that the office where he now sits, is where he went to kindergarten."
Lastly, the council honored O'Dell, who will retire Friday after 14 years in the role of transit services manager. Reading the city's resolution, Soto highlighted how Santa Maria Area Transit expanded into a regional transit leader under O'Dell.
Series: Recent Santa Maria City Council coverage
Read this collection of stories on Santa Maria City Council from the past year. Read all of our coverage of local government in the Santa Maria Valley on SantaMariaTimes.com.
The city of Santa Maria will receive reimbursements for work on a Highway 101/135 interchange project through a recently approved agreement wi…
The Santa Maria City Council has taken the first step in establishing a new ordinance to regulate the activity of sidewalk vendors in the city…
The Santa Maria City Council will hold a public appeal hearing regarding a project permit for Centennial Gardens, a low-income housing complex…
An independent report of the Santa Maria Police’s use-of-force review and other internal processes released earlier this month gave a largely …
Todd Tuggle has been appointed to serve as Santa Maria's interim fire chief, filling the role Leonard Champion will leave upon his retirement …
After winning the District 1 seat on the Santa Maria City Council in November, Carlos Escobedo was sworn in Tuesday as the district's first-ev…
The 24th year of Santa Maria's Lights, Sights & Holiday Nights decorating contest came to an end Friday with the announcement of the conte…
Gathering outside Santa Maria City Hall following the City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, city officials hosted a virtual Christmas tree …
The Santa Maria City Council decided in a split vote Tuesday night to maintain a zero limit on campaign contributions in local elections, with…
Santa Maria will receive more than $960,000 in a second round of COVID-19 federal CARES Act funding that will allow for increased rental assis…
Carlos Escobedo will be the first District 1 representative on the Santa Maria City Council after gaining the lead in a four-person race, with…
Financial reports for the first quarter of the 2020-21 fiscal year in Santa Maria indicate mostly conservative spending across city department…
Santa Maria civic leaders discussed economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted examples of the city’s resiliency and accompl…
Preisker Park improvements, city sidewalk renovations, and funds for housing and shelter services will be prioritized for Community Developmen…
Fifty Santa Maria residents connected with seven candidates running for mayor and City Council seats in this year's general election during a …
After nearly 50 years of public service in Santa Maria, including 12 years as a councilman, Mike Cordero is ready to get back on the dais for …
The Santa Maria City Council will not implement grand jury recommendations related to tracking and mitigating juvenile gang activity, citing b…
While financial reports for Santa Maria confirm significant economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring, small upward trends in …
Through gradual zoning changes and permit adjustments, members of the Santa Maria City Council and Planning Commission are taking steps toward…
As the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department takes the reins in investigating and responding to a COVID-19 outbreak among agricultural…
After Santa Maria code enforcement officials were directed by county health officials to increase enforcement against health code violations i…
Santa Maria officials agreed to take stronger action Tuesday to encourage compliance with health orders and collaborate with the Santa Barbara…
Following community outcry against plans to keep the Paul Nelson Aquatic Center closed through 2021, the pool now is set to partially reopen t…
The Santa Maria City Council on Tuesday approved the 2020-22 budget, with adjustments to provide further funding to the library, Paul Nelson A…
Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!
Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Laura Place
Santa Maria City Reporter
Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Laura Place covers city government, policy and elections in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara County. Follow her on Twitter @itslaurasplace
