Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ethics Compliance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stanton council removes planning commissioner after repeated training noncompliance
Summary
Council voted to remove Planning Commissioner Hong Tian Tran after staff reported repeated, unsuccessful attempts over 21 months to secure completion of required AB 1234 and AB 1661 trainings; staff said the noncompliance exposed the city to risk.
The Stanton City Council voted unanimously on Feb. 11 to remove Planning Commissioner Hong Tian Tran for failing to complete legally required trainings.
Staff reported that planning commissioners who receive compensation or stipends must complete AB 1234 ethics training and AB 1661 harassment prevention training within six months of appointment and then every two years thereafter. Staff said Commissioner Tran was appointed on March 7, 2023, was notified of the training requirement, and that over the next 21 months staff made more than a dozen attempts by mail, email, phone and in person to obtain compliance. The staff report said a final extended deadline to complete both trainings was Dec. 31, 2024, and that staff received an email on Feb. 7 stating the trainings had been completed.
"At this time, staff is recommending the council remove Commissioner Tran from the planning commission effective immediately," staff said, citing the duration of noncompliance and potential risk and liability to the city.
Council members discussed notification and Form 700 filing obligations that attach to leaving office. A motion to remove the commissioner carried on a roll-call vote of 5-0.
The council directed staff to notify the commissioner of removal and to send required notices to the Fair Political Practices Commission and others as applicable. The council also discussed improving onboarding and follow-up processes to avoid similar problems in the future.
