Residents raise concerns about policing, trees and housing during public comment

During the public comment period at the Montebello City Council meeting, several residents raised a range of concerns including calls for more street trees, rent control, and allegations involving police personnel and city governance.

Rosa Tamayo, who identified herself and spoke in Spanish through an interpreter, urged the city to plant more trees in parts of south Montebello that lack canopy, citing air-quality concerns from nearby freeways and local trash-disposal/incineration operations. She also urged consideration of rent control, saying many residents face high evictions and rising rents.

Raul Hurtado made extended remarks critical of the recent praise shown publicly to the police chief by multiple associations. He alleged past misconduct by an officer and said he had filed a formal complaint after a cadet allegedly harassed him; he questioned whether the chief’s appointment had been politicized and said personnel matters are often handled without public investigation.

Linda Nicholas of Match 90640 criticized council appointments and alleged prior illegal contract awards; she said her group provided testimony to a state committee seeking a forensic audit and claimed many past contracts were unlawful. Sheila Gregorian, a longtime resident and breast cancer survivor, thanked the council for recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month and expressed support for patient advocacy.

The mayor and city staff acknowledged the comments and reminded speakers that personnel and investigatory matters may be handled as personnel matters under city policy; no formal council actions followed from the comments during the meeting.