City of Salinas
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR • 200 Lincoln Ave • Salinas, California 93901 SALINAS (831) 758-7201 (P) • (831) 758-7368 (F) • cityofsalinas.org RICH IN LAND | RICH IN VALUES
December 2, 2025
Via Hand-Delivery, U.S. Mail, and Electronic Mail: [email protected] Andrew Sandoval
Salinas City Council member, District 5
18685 Swaner Avenue
Salinas, California 93906
Re: Notice of Proposed Censure Action
Dear Council member Sandoval:
This letter serves as notice that on December 9, 2025, the Salinas City Council will hold a public hearing at which it will consider a Resolution disapproving of and censuring certain of your actions which are in violation of the City's Rules of Procedure and Order of Business for Council Members and Guidelines for Public Decorum and Order at City Council Meetings (as adopted December 11, 2012, and amended April 28, 2015; "Rules of Decorum").
The specific allegations of behavioral misconduct and the corresponding sections of the Rules of Decorum which you are alleged to have violated are as follows:
1. On April 22, 2025, Council member Sandoval referred to Council member Salazar as a "mentiroso" (Spanish for liar) when he disagreed with Council member Salazar's comments. (Section 1(B)(2), (3); Section 1(C)(1), (3), (5))
2. Council member Sandoval regularly disturbs his Council colleagues during City Council meetings by speaking and laughing during other Council members' questions and/or comments. (Section 1(C)(3), (4))
Notice of Proposed Censure Action
December 2, 2025
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3. Council member Sandoval regularly leaves the dais during City Council meetings to, among other things, make telephone calls and speak to members of the public outside of the Council Chambers, often resulting in cheers and chanting from the public. On occasion, Council member Sandoval's absence from the dais has resulted in him missing votes of the City Council. These actions have the effect of disturbing City Council meetings, City staff and others presenting during City Council meetings, and his Council colleagues. (Section 1(C)(3), (4))
a. On November 29, 2025, in response to Council member Barajas acknowledging that Council member Sandoval was not present during a City Council meeting, Council member Sandoval posted to his Facebook account mocking Council member Barajas with a video by saying: "Oh, no. You know what? Jose Barajas is probably going to report me for talking to you."
(https://www.facebook.com/reel/1217242413610784)
4. During the October 28, 2025, City Council meeting, Council member De La Rosa publicly asked that Council member Sandoval stop bullying her on social media. In a Facebook post on November 28, 2025, Council member Sandoval posted a video of Council member De La Rosa's October 28, 2025, statement, after which he proceeded to mock her request by showing unrelated past clips of Council member De La Rosa at an increased speed and including various icons and cartoon caricatures. (Section 1(B)(2), (3)) (https://www.facebook.com/reel/1217242413610784)
5. Council member Sandoval regularly wears clothing with the City logo during his social media posts and non-City business. (Section 1(B)(9), referencing Salinas Municipal Code section 1-10, et seq.)
(https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGZyDs ufLY/? utm source-ig web copy link&igsh =MzRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3D; https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIaksvnOTN- Lutm source-ig web copy link&igsh=MzRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3Dhttps://www.insta gram.com/reel/DIaksvnOTN-
[utm source-ig web copy link&igsh=MzRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3D)
6. On June 18, 2025, Council member Sandoval posted a video on directed at Council member Barajas in which he referred to his Council colleague as "Barajas the Betrayer" Notice of Proposed Censure Action
December 2, 2025
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and made inaccurate statements about Council member Barajas' position on rent stabilization. (Section (https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLDn- 5Hh3rQ/?utm source-ig web copy link&igsh=MzRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3D)
7. On June 14, 2025, Council member Sandoval mocked Council member De La Rosa when he posted an Instagram video showing Council member De La Rosa speak about rent stabilization. The caption on the video reads: "Nice pearls! Gotta look good while I raise your rent!" (Section 1(B)(2), (3)) (https://www.instagram.com/p/DK6QAdvuTpc/)
8. On September 24, 2024, Council member Sandoval posted an Instagram video of Council member D'Arrigo speaking about her vote on rent stabilization with the caption "Do you have trust?" suggesting she is not trustworthy and was being dishonest (Section 1(B)(2), (3)) (https://www.instagram.com/p/DO TMaEkSEX/)
9. On May 3, 2025, Council member Sandoval posted an Instagram post with a caricature of Council member Salazar with the caption: "THE IRONY IS HARD TO IGNORE. SO.. DO I GET A RAISE FOR ALL THE NEW CLIENTS I'LL BE PUTTING IN NEED" suggesting that Council member Salazar voted to repeal rent stabilization so that he could get a salary increase from his employer, the Catholic Charities. (Section 1(B)(2), (3)) (ps://www.instagram.com/reel/DIN0GqTuRis/?utm source-ig web copy link&igsh=M zRIODBiNWFIZA%3D%3D)
You will be given a reasonable, but limited, opportunity to respond to these specific allegations at the December 9, 2025, public hearing before the City Council considers and takes action on a Resolution disapproving of and censuring certain of your actions. You may also submit written comments you would like included in the record of proceedings.
It is regrettable that this matter must be considered by the City Council. Should you have any questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Dishal
ennis Donohu
Mayor
Notice of Proposed Censure Action
December 2, 2025
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cc: City Council
City Manager
City Attorney
City Clerk