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Montebello council appoints Rick Alonso to fill District 5 vacancy after David Torres resignation
Summary
At an adjourned Montebello City Council meeting, council members moved to fill a District 5 vacancy created by a formal resignation. The city attorney said two members constituted a quorum for the appointment; the motion to appoint Rick Alonso carried after a roll call in which Councilmember Peralta was recorded as voting yes.
At an adjourned meeting in Montebello, the City Council voted to appoint Rick Alonso to the District 5 seat that became vacant after Councilmember David Torres submitted a formal resignation the day before the meeting, council members said.
The appointment came after the city attorney told the council that, based on a prior outside legal opinion and cited California case law and attorney general opinions, two members of the current council constitute a quorum for the narrow purpose of filling the vacancy. The city attorney read from that analysis, saying, "two of the three constitute a quorum for that purpose."
The council moved quickly to consider the appointment after a councilmember said the city must act under the state's government code and a council resolution adopted earlier this month. That councilmember argued a special election would cost "hundreds of thousands of dollars," would leave District 5 without representation for at least six months and would fill the seat only until the 2026 election.
A councilmember who introduced the motion described Rick Alonso as a long-time District 5 resident with local business ties and technical experience in aerospace and government contracting. The councilmember said, "Rick's knowledge of the issues facing South Montebello combined with his professional expertise and genuine commitment to public service make him qualified to represent District 5." The same speaker also urged respect for candidates and warned against personal attacks, saying, "Leadership requires showing up even when the decisions are tough."
The motion to appoint Alonso was seconded. The city clerk conducted a roll call; the transcript records Councilmember Peralta as voting yes. After roll call the clerk said, "That motion carries." The meeting was then adjourned to the council's next regular meeting on Feb. 12, 2025.
Votes at a glance: Appointment of Rick Alonso to District 5 — Outcome: approved (motion carried). Roll call details: Councilmember Peralta recorded as "yes"; full roll call details were not specified in the record.
The record shows the council considered the legal question of quorum and the financial and timing implications of a special election before proceeding with the appointment. The transcript does not specify an effective start date for Alonso's service or other administrative steps required to confirm the appointment.
