AMENDED
CITY OF MONTEBELLO
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA
MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2025 AT 6:00 PM
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1600 WEST BEVERLY BOULEVARD
MONTEBELLO, CALIFORNIA
OPENING CEREMONIES
CALL TO ORDER - 6:00 P.M.
Mayor Melendez called the Special Meeting to order concurrently with the Regular Meeting at 6:02 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members present were Mayor Melendez, Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo, Councilmember Peralta, and Councilmember Alonzo.
Councilmember Romero arrived after roll call at 6:03 p.m.City Clerk Jimenez was also present. City Treasurer Matanga was absent.
City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, City Manager Raul Alvarez, Acting Assistant City Manager Angelica Palmeros, Deputy City Clerk Nelly Ochoa, Senior Management Analyst Samantha Nevarez and Department Directors Michael Solorza, Joseph Palombi, Ramon Figueroa, John Soria, David Sosnowski, Cesar Roldan, Fire Chief Pelaez, and Police Chief Lopez 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
The City Attorney shall provide a briefing on the item listed for Closed Session as follows:
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman announced the Closed Session Item and and corrected the Government Code citation from Section 54956.9(d)(2) to Section 54956.9(d)(4). Mayor Melendez recessed the meeting into Closed Session at 6:04 p.m.
June 25, 2025: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
to consider the following Closed Session item:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Initiation of litigation – Two matters
REGULAR SESSION – IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING CLOSED SESSION
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Mayor Melendez reconvened the meeting at 7:28 p.m.
All five members were present to discuss the items from the Closed Session. City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman provided the following report to City Council: Item No. 1a, a briefing was provided to City Council, and direction was provided to the City Manager and City Attorney. Item No. 1b, Mayor Melendez made a statement regarding the City of Montebello's participation in litigation initiated by the City of Los Angeles. The City Council strongly opposes the improper and unlawful actions of federal agents and ICE personnel. Emphasizing its commitment to the safety and protection of all Montebello residents and workers, the Council expressed its intent to join the lawsuit against the Federal Government to stand against actions harming families across the region and state.
Mayor Melendez motioned, seconded by Councilmember Peralta, to approve Item No. 1b; the motion passed unanimously.
INVOCATION
Led by City Clerk Jimenez.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Director Palombi.
CEREMONIAL ITEMS/PRESENTATIONS
2. Proclamation for National PTSD Awareness Month
Presented by Mayor Melendez.
REGULAR BUSINESS
3. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-59 APPROVING HUMANITARIAN SERVICES FUNDING FOR FAMILIES
IMPACTED BY THE ICE RAIDS
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Appropriate funding in the amount of $100,000 for humanitarian services for families impacted by immigration raids in Montebello by Amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget by increasing appropriations in Account No. 299-20-299-6040.10 (Humanitarian Assistance Program Fund, Other Contract Services); and
2. Authorize the City staff to create and implement a humanitarian services program for families impacted by immigration raids; and
3. Take such additional, related action that may be desirable.
City Manager Alvarez presented the item verbally and recommended establishing a Humanitarian Assistance Program to provide support such as food, housing, and utility assistance to affected residents.
June 25, 2025: City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
Councilmember Peralta stated that her council orals were related to this item and received confirmation that she could discuss them along with this item. She asked about the allocation of funds and whether partnerships could be formed using that money. City Manager Alvarez confirmed that the City already works with nonprofits and has an MCAP program and social workers to manage these efforts. He explained that this program is one tool to address immediate needs and that no additional staff would be hired, as existing staff are equipped to handle it. He added that the City is also working on other initiatives to assist residents impacted by the ICE raids. Councilmember Peralta also addressed the critical impact that these events have brought on the community and praised the dedication the Council has committed to assisting the community. She commended the Police Department and Chief Lopez for their professionalism during the protests.
Councilmember Alonzo praised the City Manager and Director Solorza for their allocation of the funds to make this program possible.
Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo expressed her support for the item.
Mayor Melendez reiterated that the City is responding to the ICE raids as the situation unfolds and expressed his strong opposition to the ongoing enforcement actions.
Councilmember Peralta motioned, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo, to approve the item; the motion passed unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
The City of Montebello will adjourn to the next Regular Meeting on August 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. which can be live- streamed at https://www.montebelloca.gov (Click on Live Stream).
Date and Posted: June 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
I, Nelly Ochoa, 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.
Nelly Ochoa, Deputy City Clerk
Mayor Melendez adjourned the Special Meeting at 8:21 p.m.
THE MINUTES OF JUNE 25, 2025 ARE HEREBY APPROVED AND ADOPTED ON THIS 13TH DAY OF AUGUST 2025.