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Public speakers press council on Community Media governance and seek memorial for Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez
Summary
At the Feb. 3 Monrovia council meeting, members of the public alleged mismanagement at Community Media of the Foothills and urged action; other speakers urged the council to denounce ICE actions and pursue a permanent memorial for Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez. City staff said the CHP investigation report has been requested but not released.
During the public-comment period on Feb. 3, members of the public raised two distinct issues: alleged mismanagement at Community Media of the Foothills (referred to in comments as KHM TV/KHMTV) and a request for the city to act on the death of Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez and to install a permanent memorial.
A speaker who addressed the council said "several of us do not believe the current leadership at Community Media of the Foothills is legitimate" and alleged "financial mismanagement over several years." The speaker said they would provide documents, video and audio recordings to support their claims and supplied an email address: cmfboardmonrovia@gmail.com. The city did not take action on the allegation at the meeting; the speaker said the effort was intended to educate both the council and voters.
Other commenters pressed the council on ICE operations and the city's response to the death of local resident Carlos Roberto Montoya Valdez. Sherry Lochner criticized recent federal immigration enforcement and asked "When are you, as our elected leaders, going to speak truth to power?" She said organizers had repeatedly reinstalled a memorial for Carlos and urged a permanent tribute.
City Manager Dylan Feek responded to those requests: city staff have requested the California Highway Patrol investigative report into the death but had not received it. "His counsel is aware, we have requested the investigative report into his death, which is being conducted by CHP," Feek said. He said the city has sent letters to the governor's office and the attorney general's office at the council's direction and that staff have been meeting with local clergy about possible mural locations and design options. Feek noted that approval and funding responsibilities differ depending on whether artwork is proposed for public versus private property.
The council did not take formal action on either the public'comment allegations about the nonprofit or on memorial requests during the meeting; staff indicated they would continue to respond to inquiries and that organizers could submit a formal proposal if they seek city funding or placement on public property.
Provenance: Public-comment allegations begin SEG 381 and continue through SEG 471 (media concerns) and SEG 473-561 (ICE and memorial comments); city manager response SEG 651-674.
