The Santa Maria City Council moved forward on a number of issues facing its community at yesterdays meeting. With a 4-1 vote, council members put the finishing touches on the city’s new H-2A housing ordinance. It helps affordable housing for farmworkers while considering concerns of local residents and the ag industry. Council members also approved the hiring of 57 new full and part-time city employees. Meanwhile, obligations to Calpers continues to be a strain on city budgets across California.