2011-09-06 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Ramon Becerra (addressed the City Council in Spanish), spoke in support of Mayor Pro Tem; opined that she was voted into Office and only voters have right to remove. • Juan Alvarez (addressed the City Council in Spanish), requested assistance in solving problem with neighbor; would like to avoid confrontation. • Desi Reyes, spoke in opposition to Mayor Pro Tem, offended by comments and actions made in the past; urged the City Council to remove her title and appointed positions. • Ernesto Figueroa, spoke in support of Mayor Pro Tem; noted that many groups discriminated in the past, but urged all to forgive and move forward. AGENDA ITEM TAKEN OUT OF ORDER - CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Pursuant to Santa Ana Charter Section 411, any member of the City Council may place items on the City Council Agenda to be considered by the City Council. 85A CONSIDER POTENTIAL VIOLATION OF THE SANTA ANA CODE OF ETHICS AND CONDUCT BY COUNCILMEMBER AND TAKE REMEDIAL ACTIONS RELATED THERETO (COUNCILMEMBERS BENAVIDES AND BUSTAMANTE) - SANCTIONS AGAINST MAYOR PRO TEM ALVAREZ - GENTRIFICATION - IRVING AND RYAN CHASE - ETHINIC CLEASING The following actions may be considered on the floor and include: 1. Ask for resignation from the City Council. 2. Remove from the Mayor Pro Tern position. 3. Remove from the Public Safety Committee. 4. Remove from the Orange County Water Board. 5. Condemnation of comment made by Councilmember. Council discussion ensued. Mayor Pulido commented on community support and great strides made throughout the City; also noted that Mayor Pro Tem would like to address the matter first. Mayor Pro Tern read Official Statement of apology that included efforts made to rectify matter. She apologized and said that she did not intend to insult anyone; has requested that a mediator be brought in to reach out and meet with Chase family and Anti-Defamation League (ADL); willing to rectify matter, apologized to Downtown merchants for distraction; has received support from community and family and urged all to move forward. Motion by Councilmember Benavides, Seconded by Councilmember Bustamante to take action on Item #2 to remove councilmember from the Mayor Pro Tern position, and Item #5 to hereby issue strong disapproval and condemn comments made by councilmember Alvarez during the meeting of August 24, 2011 where she referenced the business practices of downtown property owners Irving and Ryan Chase as quote "ethnic cleansing" and compared Irving Chase to Adolf Hitler. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 7 SEPTEMBER 6, 2011