CITY OF MONTEBELLO
CALL AND NOTICE OF A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
M I N U T E S
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 2022 AT 5:00 P.M.
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1600 WEST BEVERLY BOULEVARD
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA 90640
CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Cobos-Cawthorne called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL – Members present were Mayor Cobos -Cawthorne, Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez, Councilmember Torres, Councilmember Melendez, and Councilmember Peralta. City Clerk Jimenez and Treasurer Gutierrez were also present.
STAFF PRESENT – City Attorney Arnold Alvarez -Glasman, City Manager René Bobadilla, Assistant City Manager Arlene Salazar, Deputy City Clerk Alicia Fernandez, Assistant to Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Guillen.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY (30 MINUTES)
The City Clerk’s Office acknowledged ten (10) members of the public wishing to address the City Council. Speakers were provided three minutes to address the City Council and said speaker cards are on file at the City Clerk’s office.
The City Clerk’s Office acknowledged seven (7) written public comments submitted to the City’s public comment email address. Said comments are on file at the City Clerk’s office.
CLOSED SESSION – None.
REGULAR SESSION – 5:00 P.M.
CORRECTIONS TO THE AGENDA – CITY MANAGER – None.
REGULAR BUSINESS
1. INTRODUCTION AND FIR ST READING OF ORDINA NCE NO. 2451 AMENDING MONTEBELLO MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.08.050 OF TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.0 8, TO
DESIGNATE CITY COUNC IL SEATS THAT WILL B E PLACED ON THE BALL OT IN THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTI ON AND TO RETAIN THE TW O (2) AT -LARGE COUNCIL SEATS June 15, 2022 – Call and Notice of a Special City Council Meeting Page 2 of 4
CURRENTLY IN PLACE T HUS EXPANDING THE CI TY COUNCIL COMPOSITI ON TO SEVEN (7) MEMBERS ON A TEMPORARY BASIS
City Attorney explained the District process and how it was brought about to allow for a certain part of the community to be better represented. He also e xplained what the proposed Ordinance does and does not change. It does not change the efforts City Council conducted to receive input from the community, the by -district process, the district maps previo usly ado pted, and the composition of boundaries. He further explained that by law you cannot shorten the terms of Councilmembers Peralta and Torres and they will retain their seat for the remainder of their term until November 2024. This Ordinance would pl ace all five (5) district seats up for election in November 2022 and all voters will be allowed to participate in the electoral process without impacting or shortening the term of the other two (2) Councilmembers . The Ordinance would have five (5) members elected by district and continue to have the 2 members at large, for a temporary seven (7) member composition of the Council. The City Attorney also answered questions directed to Council during the Public Comment period.
Councilmember Melendez expressed his support on the importance of the entire community to participate in the upcoming election and reiterated that Councilmember Peralta and Councilmember Torres’ terms would not be shortened. He continued to express that this is the best and most Democrati c way to go to have complete representation in all five districts. Councilmember Melendez reiterated the points of the Ordinance that the City A ttorney touched on and directed clarifying questions to the City Attorney.
Councilmember Peralta asked the Cit y Attorney what other cities have done this . The City Attorney clarified that in his research, it was found that there were other cities that took a similar approach but to his knowledge no other city took the unique approach of retaining two (2) at large positions and five (5) by district members. The City Attorney’s office consulted with special election counsel in regards to this approach .
Councilmember Peralta expressed his concerns regarding this approach and asked the Council for their comments.
Councilmember Melendez stated that the Council would eventually meet to discuss the sequencing of the districts, as to what dis tricts would be up for election; therefore should not come as a surprise. Furthermore, Councilmember Peralta expressed her continued disagreement on this item and directed clarifying questions to the City Attorney regarding the at -large seats, special election costs, and district language as listed on the Ordinance. The City Attorney provided his legal comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez stated that she wished the residents would show up not just for moments like this but to support the C ity Manager and Staff for the work that has been accomplished in the past 3 years. She noted the l ack of support during the districting process and expressed her support of the item.
June 15, 2022 – Call and Notice of a Special City Council Meeting Page 3 of 4
Councilmember Torres expressed his disagreement on attempting to change the rules within a 24 hours’ notice and his opposition for this item in regard to all five district being placed on the ballot. Mr. Torres directed clarif ying questions to the City Attorney in regard to other cities taking similar approach and the City of Downey’s position with districting and at large seats; City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman provided his responses.
Mayor Cobos-Cawthorne noted that she was ag ainst this item from the beginning and apologized to resident Tila Gregorian for not being able to fight this item.
Councilmember M elendez motioned to introduce and conduct the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2451 to designate City Council seats that wil l be placed on the ballot in the November 2022 election and to retain the two (2) at -large Council seats currently in place thus expanding the City Council composition to seven ( 7) members on a temporary basis, and waive further reading; seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez.
Substitute motion was made by Councilmember Torres requesting that only Districts 1, 3, 5 be placed on the ballot for the November 2022 election for four (4) year terms, and that Districts 2 and 4 be placed on the ballot for the 2024 election for full four (4) year terms; motion was seconded by Councilmember Peralta but did not pass.
Substitute motion vote:
MOVED: Torres SECONDED: Peralta FAILED: 2-3-0-0
AYES: Peralta, Torres
NOES: Melendez, Jimenez, Cobos-Cawthorne
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
The original motion made by Councilmember Melendez and seconded Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez was brought back to the table and passed by the following vote:
MOVED: Melendez SECONDED: Jimenez APPROVED: 3-2-0-0
AYES: Cobos-Cawthorne, Jimenez, Melendez
NOES: Peralta, Torres
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1) Introduce and conduct the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2451 (Attachment A) to designate City Council seats that will be placed on the ballot in the November 2022 election and to retain the two (2) at -large Council seats currently in place thus expanding the City Council composition to seven (7) members on a temporary basis; and
2) Take such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
June 15, 2022 – Call and Notice of a Special City Council Meeting Page 4 of 4
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Cobos-Cawthorne adjourned in memory of El Monte Police Officer Joseph Santana and Corporal Michael Paredes. City Manager Bobadilla also gave his condolences to the El Monte Police Department. Councilmember Melendez motioned to adjourn the meetin g, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez; motion carried unanimously and the meeting was adjourned at 6:36 p.m.
THE MINUTES OF JUNE 15, 2022 ARE HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIS 12TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2022.
_____________________________________________
Alicia Fernandez, Senior Deputy City Clerk
AGENDA & NON-AGENDA
SPEAKER CARDS
*DID NOT SPEAK
AGENDA & NON-AGENDA
COMMENTS
1 Guillen, Kimberly (Admin)
From: David J. Sanchez <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 5:25 AM
To: comment, ccpublic
Subject: Comment with one minor correction
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Dear City Council,
This is the lowest most underhanded level the Council Majority has ever gone by sneaking in a City Council Meeting with 24 hour notice to force Council Members Scarlet Peralta and David Torres to run just to represent the areas of the City of Montebello where they live.
This totally goes in the face of the will of Montebello voters. This is not what the California Legislature had in mind with the Districting Law. Passing this shameful item will only cause the city to have to go to court. The city will lose because the court will undoubtedly side with the voters.
This is so obviously political but I have to wonder why since the majority gets what it wants anyway.
The only explanation that makes any sense is that the majority wants to silence any critics. The majority does not want to have anyone being transparent with city business. Bottom line is that the majority wants to spend money in the dark without anyone questioning them.
I used to believe in the Mayor and the Council Member that came from nowhere to win a seat but now I’m sad to see how low and dirty they are going to silence good people like Scarlet and David.
Don’t vote for this! Let Council Members Peralta and Torres represent the districts where they live for the remainder of their terms.
David J. Sánchez
815 Perry Avenue
Montebello CA 90640
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
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1 Guillen, Kimberly (Admin)
From: Flor Alvarez <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 9:53 AM
To: comment, ccpublic
Subject: Todays meeting.
I am writing in concern of the special meeting agenda tonight and the changing of the City Ordinance.
I do not agree with it and do not support it.
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1 Guillen, Kimberly (Admin)
From: Gilbert Juarez <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:01 PM
To: comment, ccpublic
Subject: Public Comment Submission for Special Meeting
Dear City of Montebello,
I support the item in the agenda for all districts to be up this November election. The people of Montebello should be able to decide who their representatives will be. No appointment to any of the districts! We the people have the right to elect our own representative of our own choosing.
I have said it before, I am a proud renter in the City and my voice and needs should be reflected in the representative of my choosing.
I ask that you support in having all five districts up for election this year.
Thank You,
Gilberto Juarez
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***PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON UNKNOWN LINKS. Contact Montebello IT Division if you are unsure.*** 1 Guillen, Kimberly (Admin)
From: Jesse Montes <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:11 PM
To: comment, ccpublic
Subject: Public Comment- Agenda Item #1
City Council:
Reading item #1, I was a bit confused but now I understand. It makes a lot of sense to have all the city districts up for election at the same time. It'll be good to see more people that can help our neighborhoods. I would like to see seven council members. To me, it seems like more representation for us the people is never a problem.
Thank You,
Jesse Montes
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***PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON UNKNOWN LINKS. Contact Montebello IT Division if you are unsure.*** 1 Guillen, Kimberly (Admin)
From: Valerie Cabral <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:17 PM
To: comment, ccpublic
Subject: Public Comment Submission
Dear Honorable Mayor and Councilmembers,
Today I write in support of agenda item #1 to have all 5 newly created districts up for election. Districting is new to the residents and it's important that all of Montebello be able to vote for districts at the same time. Let this be a new start for our community and an opportunity to have more elected's to help provide resources.
Democracy wins!
Thank You,
Valerie Cabral
Resident of N. Poplar Ave, Montebello
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***PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON UNKNOWN LINKS. Contact Montebello IT Division if you are unsure.*** 1 Angelina Padilla
From: Montebello-Pico Rivera Democrats <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:43 PM
To: comment, ccpublic
Subject: Public Comment Submission
The Montebello-Pico Rivera Democrats would like to express our support for all five of the newly created districts to be up for election in November 2022. We understand that if this proposal is adopted, we will have two years with seven council members. The transition from an at-large to a district-based election system has presented a unique opportunity for a fresh start for our city and we are excited about the possibility of having the voices of residents heard and the opportunity for residents to become more engaged in the election process.
By allowing all five districts to be eligible in the November 2022 election, residents will have the freedom to elect a Councilmember who will adequately address the needs of their district and secure a pathway toward effective, meaningful, and responsive representation on the dais.
Thank you.
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***PLEASE DO NOT CLICK ON UNKNOWN LINKS. Contact Montebello IT Division if you are unsure.*** 1 Angelina Padilla
From: Leonard Narumi <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2022 2:57 PM
To: comment, ccpublic
Subject: First reading of Ordinance 2451 amending Montebello Municipal Code Section
2.08.050 of Title 2, Chapter 2.08
Dear Honorable Mayor, esteemed City Council Members, dedicated staff and all concerned,
As I understand it, the proposed amendment to our city's municipal code could potentially result in a scenario where a majority voting block could exist between just two of the five new voting districts. Though temporary, if passed, it would set the stage for the aforementioned hypothetical to possibly occur and, for that reason, I stand in opposition to this proposed ordinance.
If I am incorrect in my understanding of what is being considered, I apologize. That said, please carefully weigh if such an amendment would truly enhance the public trust or further erode it.
Most appreciatively and respectfully,
Leonard Narumi
Resident of newly established District 1
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