Council appoints Giovanni Chavez to Rental Housing Board after heated debate

The Santa Ana City Council approved the appointment of Giovanni Chavez to the Rental Housing Board after debate over whether commissioners who are also candidates for elected office should be appointed.

Councilmember Hernandez initially moved to withhold the appointment, citing ethical concerns about appointing a candidate who is actively campaigning and the potential appearance of using a commission as a campaign platform. "I do have ethical concerns when we are in the middle of political season," Hernandez said, urging caution about appointments of candidates.

Councilmember Becerra and Mayor Pro Tem Penalosa argued appointments should not be broadly prohibited and noted prior instances where commissioners went on to run for office. The council considered a substitute motion by Mayor Pro Tem Penalosa to appoint Giovanni Chavez; the substitute motion passed 5–2 (nays from Councilmembers Hernandez and Vasquez).

Giovanni Chavez was invited forward and took the oath of office after the council vote.

Why it matters: The appointment highlighted differing views on commission service and campaign activity; supporters argued that serving on commissions can be a form of public service and training for elected office, while opponents warned of potential misuse of public platforms during campaign seasons.

Vote and next steps: The council recorded the motion to appoint Giovanni Chavez with 5 ayes and 2 nays; Chavez was sworn in and will serve the partial term identified in the staff report. Councilmembers requested future policy discussion if they wanted a formal rule about appointing candidates to commissions.

Sources: Public debate, substitute motion, roll call vote, oath of office (discussion began at SEG 1354; oath at SEG 1679).