Several public commentators at the Pasadena City Council meeting on March 4 raised allegations about a local property and criticized Councilman Orlando Ibarra.

A commenter who identified a records request made on Oct. 18 said the city sought an opinion from the Texas Attorney General and read from excerpts, asserting that the AG concluded the city may not withhold certain records under Texas Government Code §§552.128 and 552.101 and cited §418.181 in the same context. The commenter said the city had not produced a work order the AG said could not be withheld and criticized the city attorney’s use of repeated AG opinions. Those remarks were presented as a public-records complaint rather than a council action.

In a separate, extended public-comment statement, a speaker accused Steven Alvarez of constructing an unauthorized two-story apartment above a detached garage in a single-family deed-restricted neighborhood, said Alvarez had been subject to homeowners’ complaints and a court order to fix the property, and alleged Alvarez repeatedly interrupted council meetings and used derogatory speech. The speaker further alleged Alvarez is a financial supporter of Councilman Orlando Ibarra and suggested that relationship explained Ibarra’s support for Alvarez; the speaker characterized the matter as ongoing litigation and contempt-of-court issues.

Why it matters: the remarks raise questions about permit compliance, use of public-records processes, and potential political relationships between a council member and a resident. Council did not take formal action on the allegations during the March 4 meeting.

What was said and by whom

- Public-records concern: a commenter reported making a records request on Oct. 18 and read excerpts from a Texas Attorney General opinion, saying the city had “failed to demonstrate” statutory exemptions and had not produced a work order the AG said could not be withheld. This commenter framed their remarks as a public-records complaint about transparency and the legal department’s handling of requests.

- Property and political allegations: another public commenter alleged that Steven Alvarez misrepresented information on permit applications, converted a structure into a two-story apartment in a single-family restricted neighborhood, and was under court order. The speaker said Alvarez has frequently spoken at council and accused him of abusing the public-comment process. The speaker also alleged a quid-pro-quo political relationship between Alvarez and Councilman Orlando Ibarra but did not present documentary proof during the meeting.

Council response and procedural context

- Councilmembers did not announce any formal investigations or take action on the allegations during the meeting. The meeting record does show that the commenter citing the Attorney General opinion said the city had requested an AG opinion and that the AG’s text contained findings that, in the commenter’s view, the city had not rebutted.

- The transcript records heated exchanges in the public-comment period; the comments include allegations and personal criticisms. None of the allegations were the subject of a council motion or vote at the March 4 meeting.

Ending

The matters raised in public comment on March 4 were recorded in the meeting transcript but the council took no formal action on them during the session. If further action is taken the council would need to place the matter on a future agenda for formal consideration.