Parlier speakers press council over gym shutdown and call to reopen alleged embezzlement probe

During public comment at a Parlier City Council meeting, several residents pressed the council to intervene after a private-members gym was closed by city code enforcement and a local association demanded the reopening of an alleged embezzlement investigation.

Chris, who identified himself as the owner of BP Gym, told the council his business drew visitors from other states and countries and described a shutdown by code enforcement. "The city code enforcer, mister Juan, Mendez, shut me down even after he stated that my facility was within the zoning," Chris said, adding that he submitted a business permit application and provided the requested insurance and documentation.

Council members and staff said the operator should follow the city's business-license and zoning processes. City staff explained the site lies in an M1 industrial zone that does not allow the gym use as configured and said options include reclassification of uses, a conditional use permit where codified, or a text amendment to the zoning ordinance. Staff said they had provided application steps and fees to the operator and that staff would present zoning options to the business owner.

Council members asked staff and the city manager to follow up and agreed to place the matter on a future agenda so the council can consider whether a conditional use permit or other remedy could allow the gym to operate lawfully. The council did not vote on a permit at the meeting.

Later in the public-comment period, Ben Domenech, president of the Parlier Taxpayer Association, read a letter demanding the council "reopen the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of $20,000 to $25,000 from the fire police department in recent years." Domenech said Chief Jose Garza initiated the investigation but was "unlawfully ordered to discontinue the investigation by mayor Alma Beltran," and said the association would file suit against the City of Parlier if officials did not pursue the matter. He asked for a written response within 10 days under the California Public Records Act.

Megan Barangian, introduced at the meeting as the interim city attorney, acknowledged receiving both letters and said she would respond with the assistance of the city clerk. "As a city attorney, I will respond back to you with the assistance of the city clerk," she said, and added the letter addressed to the mayor would be reviewed and the city would respond in writing.

The meeting grew tense after repeated public remarks; council members reminded speakers about the three-minute limit and decorum rules and briefly recessed the meeting amid heated exchanges.

No formal disciplinary or investigatory action was taken during the meeting. The council instructed staff to brief the operator on permit options and placed the gym zoning question on a future agenda; the city attorney and city clerk said they would respond in writing to the letters demanding an investigation.

Note on names: the public letters read at the meeting referred to a police/fire chief by name (Chief Jose Garza in the letter read aloud) and later referenced a chief by a different surname in related remarks; the city committed to reviewing the letters and responding in writing.