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Montebello council adopts resolution, rescinding prior action, and approves a policy on investigations
Summary
The City Council voted to adopt a resolution (listed as Resolution 2054 in the meeting) and rescind an earlier measure while approving a policy intended to guide investigations; council debate included questions about staff capacity to investigate elected officials and a public comment calling for accountability.
The Montebello City Council on Jan. 8 adopted a resolution (identified in the meeting as Resolution 2054) and rescinded a prior resolution referenced as 20273, and approved a policy intended to provide a framework for investigations of officials and staff.
The item followed earlier evaluation work staff described as related to an outside review (referred to in the meeting as the Dominion report). Delia Delgado, a member of the public, urged the council to hold former city management accountable: "These actions should not go unpunished," she said, urging investigation into the conduct of a prior city manager and his associates.
Council discussion noted the unusual nature of establishing investigative procedures concerning elected officials. The city manager and city attorney cautioned that while the policy is intended to set best-practice procedures, staff investigators typically handle employee matters and that investigating council members presents separate legal and procedural complexities.
Council member Scarlett Peralta moved to adopt the resolution and policy. The mayor Pro Tem and others discussed whether to approve the policy immediately or return it for additional work with human resources. The city attorney noted the policy is not an ordinance and can be revised by council later. The motion to adopt both the resolution and the policy passed on roll call: Mayor Pro Tem Tamayo voted yes; Council member Peralta voted yes; Mayor Melendez voted yes.
The council instructed staff to coordinate with human resources to align the policy with existing staff investigative processes and to return to the council if revisions are necessary. The action rescinds the prior resolution noted in the staff report and establishes the new policy as council direction; staff said the policy and resolution may be revised and brought back to the council for further adjustment.
