City of Chula Vista

Special City Council Meeting

MINUTES

Thursday, April 04, 2024 at 4:00 P.m. - 7:00 P.m.

Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA

Present:

• Councilmember Chavez, 
• Deputy Mayor Gonzalez, 
• Councilmember Preciado, 
• and Mayor McCann 

Also Present:

• City Manager Kachadoorian, 
• Jill Maland representing Lounsbery Ferguson Altona & Peak LLP, Interim Acting City Attorney, 
• City Clerk Bigelow, 
• and Deputy Director of City Clerk Services Turner 

Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda.

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order at 4:14 p.m.

2.

ROLL CALL

City Clerk Bigelow called the roll.

3.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND MOMENT OF SILENCE

Led by Councilmember Preciado.

4.

ACTION ITEMS

4.1

District 4 City Councilmember Vacancy: Determine Interview Questions, Interview Finalists, Make the Appointment to Fill the Vacancy for the Remaining Term, and Administer the Oath of Office to the Newly Appointed Councilmember

Jessica Sanders

It is important that the City codify a set rules when screening potential candidates for Council vacancies. Also, there should be a set of rules for properly screening members of the Executive Team (City Manager and Deputy City Manager). The City Council should be aware of the amount of staff turn over that is occurring across all City Departments. Also, with pending litigation ERIC CROCKETT vs CITY OF CHULA VISTA, a public entity; MARIA KACHADOORIAN is making Chula Vista look bad in headlines. The new City Attorney needs to form a review committee to investigate the personnel issues at all levels and departments. Seems like there is a lot of nepotism going on. A referral also should be made to the Attorney General since a select group of "chosen ones" are running the City.

Theresa Acerro

A very important question is how long have you lived in District 4 last rep convicted of a felony only lived here minimum month or so before filing papers to run. In past this has happened as well but person did not win. We need someone who understands the pre annexation history of this District and the rotten way we were treated during redevelopment.

Mayor McCann explained the appointment process.

Acting City Attorney Maland spoke regarding the preliminary analysis of the economic interest disclosures.

Michael Hamanaka spoke regarding corruption.

John Acosta, Chula Vista resident, spoke regarding conflicts of interest.

Rudy Ramirez, Chula Vista resident, spoke regarding appointments to City Council.

The following members of the public spoke in support of Rachel Morineau:

• Alma Rincon Gallardo 
• Gaby Hampton
• Salvador Garcia
• Lilian Villarreal 
• Marisela Moreira
• Beatriz Zamora, Chula Vista resident
• David Olivera 
• Gabriela Hernandez
• Isaiah Morineau
• Reverend Hung Nguyen 
• Emilia Cuellar 
• Michelle Rodriguez
• Jose Mireles

Guillermina Valenzuela spoke regarding various topics related to District 4.

The following members of the public spoke in support of Nicholas Segura Jr.:

• Cori Schumacher
• Cristina Marquez
• Beau Coleman
• Anthony Dang, representing the Climate Action Campaign
• Michelle Krug
• Nate Fairman 
• Leticia Segura
• Sandy Keaton
• Nicholas Segura III
• Victor Avina 
• Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez, representing San Diego Building Trades
• AJ Estrada

Tanya Castaneda spoke in support of an appointment being made and spoke in support of Rachel Morineau and Nicholas Segura Jr. 

Ken Muraoka spoke in support of Sharmane Estolano.

Harold DeMoss spoke regarding various issues. 

The following members of the public submitted written communications in support of Nicholas Segura Jr.:

• David Johnson
• Johnny Swanson

Sara Ochoa spoke in support of Rachel Morineau and Nicholas Segura Jr.

Joanne Fischer spoke in support of Christine Brady.

Al Sanchez spoke in opposition to Nicholas Segura Jr.

The meeting was recessed at 6:05 p.m. and resumed at 6:23 p.m..

The City Council discussed and determined the questions that would be asked of each candidate. 

The City Council conducted interviews with the eight finalists: Guadalupe Ruiz, Daniel Zavala-Soto, Christine Brady, Sharmane Estolano, Nicholas Segura Jr., John Volland, Rachel Morineau, and Megan Moore. 

The meeting was recessed at 8:13 p.m. and resumed at 8:24 p.m.

Michael Hamanaka spoke regarding various issues. 

The following members of the public spoke in opposition to Nicholas Segura Jr. 

• Cindy D., and she spoke in support of Sharmane Estolano
• Anna R.,  and she spoke in support of Sharmane Estolano
• John Acosta, Chula Vista resident
• Diana MJC

The following members of the public spoke in support of Nicholas Segura Jr. 

• Cori Schumacher 
• Cristina Marquez
• A.J. Estrada
• Michelle Krug
• Ricardo Sanchez

Delia Dominguez Cervantes spoke regarding conflicts of interest. 

Cheryl spoke in support of Sharmane Estolano.

The following members of the public spoke in support of Rachel Morineau:

• Joseph Wesley
• Barbara Lugo

Estela Stachoritz spoke in support of Sharmane Estolano or someone involved in the community. 

Guillermina Valenzuela spoke regarding various topics related to District 4.

Roberto Ruiz spoke in support of Guadalupe Ruiz.

The following members of the public submitted written communications regarding the item:

• Jessica Sanders
• Theresa Acerro

City Councilmembers each had an opportunity to make a motion and request a second in the pre-determined seniority order of Mayor McCann, Deputy Mayor Gonzalez, Councilmember Chavez, and Councilmember Preciado. The four initial nominations were held without action until each City Councilmember had the opportunity to nominate one finalist. Following the initial four nominations, the City Council voted upon the nominations as follows:

• Moved by Mayor McCann
  Seconded by Councilmember Chavez

  To appoint Rachel Morineau to the office of District 4 City Councilmember for the term expiring December 2024. The motion carried by the following vote:

  Yes (4)

  Mayor McCann, Councilmember Chavez, Councilmember Preciado, and Deputy Mayor Gonzalez

  Carried (4 to 0)

5.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m.

Minutes prepared by: Tyshar Turner, Deputy Director of City Clerk Services