Montebello council unanimously approves salary increase and term extension for City Manager Raul Alvarez amid public objections

Montebello — The City Council voted unanimously to approve the first amendment to City Manager Raul Alvarez’s employment agreement, a package that both raises his annual compensation (publicly discussed at the meeting as about $40,000) and extends his contract term.

Residents packed the public comment periods to press councilmembers for clarity and fiscal accountability. "Is this an extension or just a pay raise?" asked Will Severo during the closed‑session public comment period, urging the council to be transparent about the terms. Several other speakers voiced opposition to approving a significant raise while some residents face financial strain. "It's not the right time," said Bill Poliso, referencing local economic pressures.

The city attorney told the council the proposed change was "not only a salary adjustment, but it is also a extension of the contract term," and staff materials placed Alvarez’s original contract start date in November 2023. The council also emphasized that the administration completed a structured performance evaluation this year, a process described by Councilmember Scarlett Peralta as more thorough than prior evaluations: "We were given detailed written forms, metrics, and questions that covered every aspect of his performance and leadership."

Finance staff said the new cost would be phased into the current fiscal year. The finance director told the council that because the adjustment will take effect with about six months remaining in the fiscal year and because roughly 25% of the city manager’s salary and related special pay are charged to the transit fund, the immediate budgetary impact is reduced. "So that impact is lessened considerably in the current fiscal year," the finance director said.

Councilmembers credited the manager and executive staff with accomplishments that informed their vote, including filling vacancies in public safety and resolving a multi‑year transit contract issue. Councilmember Peralta pointed to recent employee compensation adjustments and department improvements as part of the council’s broader stewardship.

Despite those endorsements, several speakers warned of perceived inexperience and alleged previous management shortcomings. Linda Nicholas accused the city manager of inexperience compared with former city managers and questioned some litigation costs, asking councilmembers to justify the magnitude and timing of the change. James Santana of Montebello United said he supported a market‑aligned raise "based on the regional average" but criticized a proposed five‑year extension and lack of clearly publicized metrics tied to the increase.

The motion to approve Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement No. 4165 passed on a 5‑0 roll‑call vote. The city attorney recorded that the amendment’s terms generally align with comparable city‑manager contracts and with the terms used by the prior council for the previous city manager.

The council closed the item after the vote; no further administrative steps or implementation dates were announced at the meeting. The staff report before the council outlines specific contract language and comparative salary data; residents seeking the precise contract amendment language were directed to the staff report and agenda packet.

What happens next: Amendment paperwork will be filed as part of the city’s administrative records. The council did not announce any additional public hearings specifically tied to Amendment No. 1, and the city attorney said staff will follow up on report and posting requirements.