CITY OF MONTEBELLO
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
M I N U T E S
SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022 AT 9:00 A.M.
MONTEBELLO SENIOR CENTER
115 S. TAYLOR AVENUE
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA 90640
AND
GAVIOTA #11
CENTRO SAYULITA
NAYARIT, MEXICO CP 63734
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cobos-Cawthorne called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m.
ROLL CALL – Members present were Mayor Cobos -Cawthorne, Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez, Councilmember Torres, and Councilmember Melendez; Councilmember Peralta arrived at 9:06 a.m. City Clerk Jimenez and Treasurer Gutierrez were also present. It was noted that Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez was present telephonically in the above stated Mexico location.
STAFF PRESENT – City Attorney Arnold Alvarez -Glasman, City Manager René Bobadilla, Assistant City Manage r Arlene Salazar, Deputy City Clerk Alicia Fernandez, Assistant to Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Guillen.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY
The City Clerk’s Office had three (3) members of the public wishing to address the City Council.
Speakers were provided three minutes to address the City Council during the Public Hearing and said speaker card s are on file at the City Clerk’s office; no written comments were submitted.
OPEN SESSION
PUBLIC HEARING
1. CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT (“CVRA”) PUBLIC HEARING NO. 6
April 23, 2022: Special City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
Mr. Claudio Gallegos, Demographer, presented a PowerPoint presentation to the City Council, which included an overview of the four (4) maps that were elevated by the City Council at the Special Meeting held on April 9, 2022.
The Mayor opened the Public hearing at 9:13 a.m. and members of the public were provided an opportunity to address the City Council; three in person comments were present. Mr. Gary Thornton, resident, expressed his preference for Demographer Map No. 3 and Public Map No. 5 and presented a poster size map for the City Council’s to review; Councilmember Melendez requested for a copy of the sample map for consideration. Demographer Map No. 5 was preferred by resident Ms. Margot Eiser, and Demographer Maps No. 2 and 5 was preferred by resident Ms. Nelly Ramirez. The Public Hearing was closed at 9:21 a.m.
Councilmember Peralta commented her support of Demographer Map No. 5 and Public Map No. 5. Additionally, she commended the residents for their participation and expressed her preference for an elected Mayor.
Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez thanked everyone for attending the Public Hearing.
Councilmember Torres thanked the residents and staff for attending the Public Hearing, including Mr. Gregorian for his presentation. Furthermore, he com mented on his support for Demographer No. 5 and his preference for an at large Mayor.
Councilmember Melendez expressed his preference of a rotating mayor, especially now that the City will have Districts. Furthermore stating that a direct Mayor running e very 2-4 years is difficult.
Mayor Cobos -Cawthorne commended the public that participated and made a motion to receive and file this matter, seconded by Councilmember Melendez.
Councilmember Torres made a substitute motion to receive and file and add a n additional Public Hearing to consider adjust Demographer Map No. 5 so that the La Merced area can remain intact, motion seconded by Councilmember Peralta and it failed by the following vote:
MOVED: Torres SECONDED: Peralta FAILED: 0-4-1-0
AYES:
NOES: Jimenez, Torres, Melendez, Cobos-Cawthorne
ABSTAIN: Peralta
ABSENT:
Mayor Cobos-Cawthorne went back to the original motion to receive and file this matter, which Councilmember Melendez asked to amend to include submittal of comments for the alteration of Demographer Maps No. 3 and 5 and exclude all other maps from further alteration; all currently considered maps would still be under consideration; Councilmember Peralta seconded the motion and was approved unanimously.
April 23, 2022: Special City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
It was stated that the revised D emographer Map No. 3 and 5 would be presented on the April 27, 2022 City Council Meeting. Lastly, Councilmember Peralta asked for a new deadline schedule.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Melendez motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Councilmember Peralta. Motion carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 a.m.
THE MINUTES OF APRIL 23, 2022 ARE HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIS 8TH DAY OF JUNE 2022.
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Alicia Fernandez, Deputy City Clerk