CITY OF MONTEBELLO
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2024 AT 6:00 PM
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1600 WEST BEVERLY BOULEVARD
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA
OPENING CEREMONIES
CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 P.M.
Mayor Peralta called the Special Meeting to order concurrently with the Regular Meeting at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present were Mayor Peralta, Mayor Pro Tem Melendez, Councilmember Jimenez, Councilmember Torres, and Councilmember Tamayo. City Clerk Jimenez was also present. Councilmember Jimenez arrived at 6:10 p.m. City Treasurer Matanga was absent.
City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, City Manager Raul Alvarez, Senior Deputy City Clerk Kimberly Guillen, Deputy City Clerk Nelly Ochoa, and Department Directors Michael Solorza, Joseph Palombi, Ramon Figueroa, John Soria, David Sosnowski, Cesar Roldan, Fire Chief Pelaez, and Police Assistant Chief Cabrera were present.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS ONLY (30 MINUTES)
At this time, the general public may only address the City Council during this Special Meeting on items which have been described in the notice of this Special meeting in accordance with Government Code Section 54954.3(a). Please be aware that the maximum time allotted for members of the public to speak on shall not exceed three (3) minutes per person. State Law prohibits the City Council from taking action or entertaining extended discussion on a topic not listed on the agenda.
Please show courtesy to others and direct all of your comments to the Mayor.
The City Clerk’s Office acknowledged two(2) 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.
CLOSED SESSION - NONE
REGULAR SESSION – IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION
October 23, 2024: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
INVOCATION
Led by City Clerk Jimenez.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Peralta.
REGULAR BUSINESS
1. REVIEW PROCESS AND MANNER IN WHICH THE INVESTIGATION AGAINST COUNCILMEMBER DAVID TORRES WAS CONDUCTED DURING 2022
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Review the process and manner in which the investigation against Councilmember David Torres was conducted in 2022; and
2. Consider making findings recognizing the deficiencies and flaws related to the manner, scope, due process and conclusions of the report and presentation by outside counsel to the City Council on May 3, 2022; and
3. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman provided a brief summary of the item. Keith Kilmer of Four Star Investigations provided an executive summary of the JL Group Investigation on Councilmember Torres. City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman further stated that the JL Group was hired by two individuals who filed a claim against Councilmember Torres. They further stated that there was no retainer agreement between the City and the Special Counsel, Nancy Dumonion.
Councilmember Jimenez asked Mr. Kilmer how long he'd known City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman and the nature of their relationship.
Mayor Pro Tem Melendez inquired about the employees allegedly coerced into filing complaints and recommended that the City Council establish procedures to ensure due process.
Mr. Kilmer stated that the complaint originated from two sources, and several employees had been coerced.
Councilmember Tamayo, Councilmember Torres, and Mayor Peralta opposed the investigation process and manner against Councilmember Torres.
Mayor Peralta recommended that the City Council review the findings of this report, acknowledging the deficiencies and flaws in the due process, scope, conclusions, and presentation provided by outside counsel. Furthermore, Mayor Peralta recommended that, at the next council meeting, the City rescind the resolution passed to admonish Councilmember Torres.
Councilmember Torres recommended and urged the City Council to act promptly in establishing procedures for assessing and reviewing the conduct of City Councilmembers.
Councilmember Jimenez stated that she would not be voting.
Mayor Peralta motioned, seconded by Councilmember Torres, to approve the item with said recommendations from Mayor Peralta and Councilmember Torres; the motion was approved by the following vote:
MOVED: Peralta SECONDED: Torres APPROVED: 4-0-1-0
AYES: Tamayo, Torres, Peralta
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Melendez
ABSENT: None
October 23, 2024: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
ADJOURNMENT
The City of Montebello will adjourn to the next Regular Meeting on November 13, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. which can be live streamed at https://www.montebelloca.gov (Click on Live Stream).
Date and Posted: October 22, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
I, Kimberly Guillen, Senior Deputy City Clerk for the City of Montebello, hereby certify that the foregoing Notice of the Special Meeting was posted at City Hall and the City’s website and delivered to each member of the City of Montebello City Council no less than 24-hours before the start of the Special Meeting.
Kimberly Guillen, Senior Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Peralta adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 8:39 p.m.
THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 23, 2024 (SPECIAL MEETING) ARE HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIS 8TH DAY OF JANUARY 2025.