Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Civic Engagement And Travel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Adelanto council divided on National League of Cities trip after residents question spending and benefits
Summary
Council members argued for attending the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C., citing federal advocacy and networking; residents called for better accounting of past conference benefits and raised ethics concerns during public comment.
Adelanto council members debated attendance at the National League of Cities conference in Washington, D.C. (March 16–18, 2026), with several members urging expanded participation for Hill meetings, policy insight and networking while some residents questioned whether previous trips delivered measurable benefits.
Councilwoman Evans said national engagement yields unique access: "There's far more value at the National League of Cities than what we get at California League of Cities...you can add Hill Day to your registration at no additional cost and meet with members of Congress to leverage critical messaging that communicates the needs of their communities." Several other council members echoed that national presence bolsters the city's profile and offers actionable policy ideas.
Resident concerns and public comment During public comment, resident Diana Esmeralda accused unnamed council members of misusing city resources and cited outstanding Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) debts for two representatives. Esmeralda said: "There's been evidence of council members taking home city vehicles... 1 owes $37,000 to the FPPC, and Steven Evan owes $76,000 to the FPPC." Mayor Reyes asked callers to keep remarks on the agenda item, and the council did not resolve the allegations in open session.
Council remarks and logistics Council members discussed logistics and preconference sessions and several asked staff to pursue National League membership to reduce registration costs and enable participation in committees. Councilwoman Evans and others requested arriving earlier (March 13) to attend preconference programming and advised coordination with the city's lobbyist to maximize Hill meetings.
Outcome There was no formal council motion to deny travel; members expressed support for multiple representatives attending if schedules and budgets allow. Staff was asked to follow up on membership and logistics; no expenditures beyond existing budgets were reported during the meeting.
Why it matters National conferences can provide direct access to federal officials and policy briefings that local officials say helps align city priorities with federal funding opportunities. Residents' public objections reflected concerns about transparency, accountability and the measurable return on travel and conference spending.
What's next Council members who want to attend were asked to notify staff; Virginia (clerk/staff) was asked to coordinate membership and logistics. The council will not make a formal vote on travel at the Jan. 14 meeting.
