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San Gabriel council approves foreign-funded trip to Taiwan after tense debate, members direct staff to develop travel policy
Summary
The San Gabriel City Council voted 5-0 on April 15 to approve a city-sponsored visit to Taiwan paid for by foreign hosts, rejecting a motion to postpone while several members pressed for a formal travel policy and clearer disclosures.
The San Gabriel City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to approve a city-sponsored trip to Taiwan paid for by an overseas host, approving consent calendar item F after extended questioning and floor debate. Mayor Denise Menchaca and four council members voted to authorize the visit; no city funds will pay for the travel, staff said.
Council Member Herrera Avila raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest and asked for legal guidance. "Can the city attorney advise whether council member, Wu and mayor Menchaca should be required to recuse themselves from voting on this item?" she asked during debate. Herrera Avila also moved to postpone the item and direct staff to return with a formal travel policy; that motion failed for lack of a second.
City staff and the city attorney told the council the proposed trip falls under existing authority for sister-city exchanges and is permissible under state law and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) rules, though council members repeatedly asked for clearer documentation in the staff report. The staff report cited government code language related to exceptions for third-party travel; one council member said the code citation in the written report appeared incorrect, and the city attorney confirmed staff had reviewed the applicable statute and FPPC guidance.
Despite the objections, the council approved the travel request by a voice vote that was recorded as 5-0. The approved item authorizes the two named council members to accept travel paid by the foreign host; staff said the host covers flights, lodging and some event costs. Council discussion included requests for post-trip disclosures, including completion of Form 700 filings and detailed reports on meetings and contacts made while abroad.
The council also directed staff to develop a formal policy for third-party-sponsored travel and to return to the council with recommended thresholds, required disclosures, and approval procedures. During the city manager's report later in the meeting, several council members reiterated their support for drafting a travel policy to reduce future confusion and improve transparency.
The decision came after more than an hour of questions from council members about legal standards, optics, and the level of detail in the staff report. Several council members emphasized that the trip would not use city general-fund dollars; several also said they wanted the policy to require a written post-trip report outlining who was met and what was discussed.
Votes at a glance - Consent calendar item F (authorizing council travel to Taiwan, funded by foreign host): Approved, 5-0. - Motion to postpone item F and direct staff to return with a formal travel policy: Failed (no second).
What happens next: Staff will return with a draft travel policy for council consideration and will provide post-trip disclosures after the Taiwan visit, including FPPC/Form 700 filings and a written summary of meetings and outcomes.
