Residents demand probe of Cesar Chavez advisory committee, citing procedural failures

Several members of the public used the July 7 public-comment period to press the City Council to investigate the Cesar Chavez advisory committee’s recent actions and to redo a survey about renaming a park.

Alberto Aguilar told council that a group of residents filed a formal complaint with the city clerk on July 1, 2026 alleging the committee failed to follow required rules and procedures. He asked the council to nullify the committee’s June 4 recommendation and to require committee members to receive training or to create a new volunteer committee. Aguilar said the committee was chaired at one meeting by director Chris Orr and assisted by assistant city manager Thomas Gaffrey, whom he described as nonmembers, and argued the committee made recommendations without public input.

A second speaker, who corrected the mayor’s initial name-calling and identified themself as Lydia, pressed council to stop the committee’s survey, calling it a "fraud" and alleging multiple Brown Act violations captured on a June 4 recording. Lydia said the survey listed four preselected name options and used the 93274 ZIP-code footprint, which she said inappropriately broadened participation beyond the immediate community; she said opponents will circulate their own petition and would display video evidence in public venues.

Council members acknowledged receipt of multiple emails and a letter related to the topic and said staff would note the complaints. The council did not take immediate action to rescind the committee’s recommendation during the meeting but discussed follow-up and record review.

The public comments named committee participants, the city clerk as the depositary of records, and the local school board as a related body; speakers said they plan to amend and refile complaints within the 30-day window provided by city rules.