Moreno Valley council excuses mayor's Feb. 4 absence; members debate need for formal rules

The City Council voted to excuse Mayor Carlos Cabrera's absence for the Feb. 4 meeting but acknowledged the city lacks a formal policy specifying valid reasons for excused absences.

At the meeting the council took a voice vote to excuse the mayor. Council Member Shailinda Bernard, Council Member Delgado and Council Member Gonzales voted yes; Mayor Pro Tem Baca Santa Cruz voted no. The motion carried.

During discussion, several council members said there is no written policy for excused absences for the council; the clerk noted the city had been applying guidance meant for boards and commissions. Council Member Gonzales said the body has "no guidelines" and urged staff to return with a formal document. Council Member Delgado said the council previously discussed the issue and described the lack of a durable rule as a failure to resolve the matter.

Council Member Bernard requested the item be brought back at a future meeting so the council can adopt clear guidelines. The discussion also included testimony from a council member who said that under state law an elected official may be absent up to 60 days before a vacancy process could begin and that some members prefer not to have their absences excused so voters remain informed.

The vote took place by voice; no written roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript beyond the yes/no responses noted above. No ordinance or resolution was adopted; councilmembers directed staff to return with a proposed policy for future consideration.