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Public commenter raises ethics concerns about a council member; mayor cites limits while litigation is pending
Summary
A public commenter asked why the council appears unable to act on allegations involving Council Member Janet Garcia; the mayor clarified that because there has been no trial the member remains presumed innocent and the council's options are limited while litigation is pending.
During public comment Maria Alvarado raised concerns about elected officials’ behavior and referenced a six-page city code of conduct while alluding to published allegations involving Council Member Janet Garcia. Alvarado questioned why the council seemed unable to take action and urged accountability.
Mayor Peneva responded that the comment referred to pending litigation and that the council cannot take disciplinary action in the absence of a trial or a finding of guilt: "She's not been found guilty of anything yet. At this point in time, she's considered innocent." He said the council’s statement that it was "tied" in that specific circumstance reflected limits imposed by pending legal proceedings.
The exchange was part of a broader public comment period that included community service announcements and prayer. Council members did not propose disciplinary action during the meeting; the mayor said he would be mindful of the constraints imposed by active legal matters.
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