Vol 66 Min-CC061025 Special Meeting
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MINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL, SUCCESSOR AGENCY, SUCCESSOR
HOUSING AGENCY, & THE WATSONVILLE PUBLIC FINANCE
AUTHORITY
June 10, 2025 City of Watsonville
Council Chambers
275 Main Street, Top Floor
8:54 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Orozco, and Council Members Clark, Dutra, Montesino, Parker, and Quiroz-Carter were present. Mayor Pro Tempore Salcido was absent.
2. NEW BUSINESS
2.a. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION DENOUNCING THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE
AGAINST IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND PEACEFUL PROTESTERS IN
CALIFORNIA
1) Oral Report by Mayor Orozco
2) City Council Clarifying & Technical Questions – None 3) Public Input
Maria Elena De la Garza, Community Action Board Santa Cruz County Executive Director, thanked Mayor Orozco for calling the special meeting and spoke about the importance of the resolution as well as impacts of the ongoing situation in Los Angeles.
Erica Padilla Chavez, Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Chief Executive Officer, thanked Council for considering the resolution. She spoke about the experiences of immigration raids lived by many community members and expressed support for the resolution.
June Padilla Ponce, Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation Executive Director, thanked Mayor Orozco for bringing the item for discussion and requested Council’s support. She spoke about the importance of community collaboration in protecting immigrant families.
Nancy Faulstich, Regeneración Director, urged Council to adopt the proposed resolution. She spoke about negative impacts of unnecessary militarization.
Pam Sexton, Pajaro Valley Unified School District teacher, thanked Mayor Orozco for bringing the item for discussion and hoped it would be approved unanimously. She cautioned Council on allowing increased military equipment in Watsonville.
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? male, expressed support for the proposed resolution. He stated the community was stronger when trust in local institutions existed and spoke about the purpose of sanctuary cities.
Bobby Marchessault, District 2, thanked Mayor Orozco for bringing the item for discussion. He read a quote from a former defense secretary regarding militarization.
He requested unanimous approval of the proposed resolution.
Robbie Olson stated concerns with federal use of the National Guard and shared the fear experienced by many due to their immigration status. He requested Council’s support for the resolution.
Aurelio Gonzalez thanked Mayor Orozco for bringing the resolution for consideration and requested Council support it. He agreed with previous speakers and expressed concerns with actions taken by the Federal Administration.
Oscar Rios thanked Mayor Orozco for bringing the item for consideration and expressed agreement with previous speakers. He spoke about the importance of approving the resolution.
Pete Howley invited the Council and public to attend the No Kings Protest on Saturday at the City Plaza and requested Council to approve the resolution unanimously.
Bernie Gomez expressed appreciation for the proposed resolution. He spoke about the negative impacts poverty had on immigrant communities.
Kirby Harris, District 7, thanked Council for the proposed resolution and urged them to approve it. She invited Council to attend the rally at the City Plaza on Saturday in support of protecting all people.
4) MOTION: It was moved by Member Quiroz-Carter, seconded by Member Montesino to approve the resolution listed under Item 2.a.6. below.
5) City Council Deliberation on Motion
Member Quiroz-Carter stated it was time to act and expressed support for Los Angeles. She spoke about the importance of defending democracy and thanked the community for attending the meeting.
Member Parker expressed concerns with the utilization of the National Guard by the Federal government to enforce immigration laws, spoke against violence in protests, and stated her support for the proposed resolution.
Member Dutra stated his disagreement with children being taken into custody by immigration officials and recalled experiences with immigration enforcement during his childhood. He stated his displeasure with actions taken by the Federal Administration’s stance on immigration enforcement. He stated he would support the resolution.
Mayor Orozco stated the proposed resolution reaffirmed Council’s values of dignity, democracy, and compassion.
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MOTION: The above motion was carried by the following vote.
AYES: MEMBERS: Clark, Dutra, Montesino, Parker, Quiroz-Carter, Orozco NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: Salcido
6) RESOLUTION NO. 154-25 (CM)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE
DENOUNCING THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IMMIGRANT
COMMUNITIES AND PEACEFUL PROTESTORS IN CALIFORNIA, RECOGNIZING
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF IMMIGRANTS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, AND AFFIRMING WATSONVILLE’S COMMITMENT TO DIGNITY, DEMOCRACY, AND
COMPASSION
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
______________________________
Maria Orozco, Mayor
ATTEST:
____________________________
Irwin I. Ortiz, City Clerk
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