BY RAYMOND MENDOZA
Walnut – The City of Walnut held their regular City Council meeting on Wed., Sept. 10. Mayor Nancy Tragarz started off the meeting by awarding 20/20 Vision Optometry owner, Dr. Jonathan Joe, with the 2014 Business of the Quarter recognition, thanking him for 17 years of service to the City. Joe, who has performed chart work on more than 10,000 patients during his time in Walnut, said he was happy and honored to receive the award and thanked the Council for the recognition.
Dr. Jonathan Joe of 20/20 Optometry is honored by the council. (Photo Courtesy: Raymond Mendoza)
The String and Bamboo Music group, led by Bin He, was also recognized for their long-standing work in the City as representatives of both music and culture.
Public comment had more discussion pertaining to Mt. SAC’s parking structure, with residents asking the Council to limit construction vehicles around Mountaineer Road, and to consider scheduling its meetings around the Mt. SAC board of trustees meetings.
Following public comment, the Council opened up the public hearing segment for one item, the Metrolink Subsidy Program. The resolution, which was unanimously passed, established the Metrolink subsidy at $32 per pass and a maximum of 300 passes per month to residents, and appropriated $50,400 from the Proposition C Fund balance to make the resolution possible in order to encourage residents to take public transportation to cut down on pollution.
The Council then approved the only item on the consent calendar pertaining to Resolution No. 14-47 for the claims and demands of the City in the amount of $541,692.82.
Council discussions then started with a debate among its members concerning the affirmation, modification or termination of City Attorney Michael Montgomery’s contract with the City. City Manager, Robert Wishner, laid out the options to the council members and noted that if reaffirmed, Montgomery’s contract would be set for two years, which would then end with his retirement. Councilwoman Su offered her opinion, stating that while she thought that Montgomery did make some mistakes during his time as City Attorney, she believed that his experience was a boon for Walnut based on his 33 years working for the City.
“Sometimes we have to wait and see what will be the best for us,” Su said.
Councilmember, Tony Cartagena, said the City has been blessed with Montgomery’s expertise, stating that he saved the City millions of dollars over the years.
Tragarz said while Montgomery has been useful to the City in the past, his lack of malpractice insurance poses possible threats, leaving the City open to damages if poor legal advice is given. She then mentioned that Montgomery has not been covered by malpractice insurance for the last six years and had not notified the Council of his lack of coverage.
Furthermore, Tragarz denied allegations that have been thrown around by unknown parties that she was “after (Montgomery’s) job.” She went on to say that she was making sure that the City Attorney adhered to laws and practices that govern all city attorneys and that not doing so could cause monetary damage to the residents of Walnut.
“I am not trying to be mean, I am not trying to be cruel,” Tragarz said. “All I’m trying to do is look out for the City’s best interest. Our duty is not to Montgomery, it’s to the citizens.”
By 9 p.m., Su excused herself, citing a family emergency concerning her mother.
Following public comments on the matter, Council member Bob Pacheco called to reaffirm the City Attorney’s contract, but the vote failed 2-2, with Ching and Tragarz dissenting. The Council then moved to table the discussion item for a later council meeting, but it failed with another 2-2 vote.
Council then passed on the item, after all three options to reaffirm, terminate or modify Montgomery’s contract were exhausted.
The City Council then adjourned with plans to meet at 7 p.m., Sept. 27, at the City Council chambers at 21201 La Puente Road.
