Special City Council Meeting Minutes – January 12, 2026 Page 1 of 1
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MONTCLAIR
CITY COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026, AT
6:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 5111 BENITO
STREET, MONTCLAIR, CALIFORNIA
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Dutrey called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Dutrey; Mayor Pro Tem Martinez; Council Members Ruh and Mendez
City Manager Starr; City Attorney Robbins; Assistant City Manager/ Director of Human Services Richter; City Clerk Myrick
Absent: Council Member Lopez
III. PUBLIC COMMENT
• Alice Garcia spoke on the financial burden for the City of litigation involving Council Member Lopez, noting the City is unlikely to recover what he has been ordered to pay back, as well as the emotional toll his actions have had on the affected employees and their families. She advised she is currently collecting signatures to initiate his recall. • Bruce Culp urged the City Council to discussion sanctions on Council Member Lopez publicly now that there is a court judgment against him for sexual harassment. He expressed concern about staff safety, noting the victim employees can no longer attend council meetings.
He urged the City to pursue recovery of legal costs, require Council Member Lopez to participate remotely at public meetings, and limit his involvement in the City’s financial decisions including the budget.
IV. CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE 54956.9(d)(1)
REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION
A. Fuentes/Garcia v. Lopez, City of Montclair
At 6:08 p.m., the City Council went into closed session.
V. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENTS
At 7:14 p.m., the City Council returned from closed session. Mayor Dutrey announced that the City Council met in closed session and discussed pending litigation; information was received and direction was given to staff; and no further announcements would be made at this time.
VI. ADJOURNMENT
At 7:14 p.m., the City Council was adjourned.
Submitted for City Council approval,
Andrea M. Myrick,
City Clerk