Milpitas walks back censure process for councilmember, asks for apology

"After deliberations that stretched out over two meetings this week, Milpitas City Council narrowly voted Friday to ask Councilmember Evelyn Chua to apologize for an incident that nearly broke state law and allegedly breached several city codes. The City Council also asked for more training and improved policy and procedures on handling similar situations and Councilmember Hon Lien walked back the censure process that began earlier this week."

"We have rules for a reason, said Mayor Carmen Montano at Friday's meeting. I feel that it was an honest, honest mistake We just need to move forward for the good of the city. For her part, Chua thought the issue had gone on long enough. What happened is already disparaging, said Chua. My reputation has been prematurely tainted, and that's very big to me, because I've been in public service for a long time."

"The situation came to light after city documents were released in advance of this Tuesday's City Council meeting. According to the documents, Chua nearly violated the law by requesting a meeting of the City Council without properly announcing it to the public. Under the California open meetings law known as the Brown Act, meetings of public bodies like city councils must be announced to the public, even if they are held behind closed doors."

The Milpitas City Council narrowly voted to request an apology from Councilmember Evelyn Chua after an incident that nearly violated the Brown Act and allegedly breached multiple city codes. The council requested additional training and revisions to policies and procedures for handling similar matters. Councilmember Hon Lien withdrew the earlier censure action. City records show Chua requested staff to poll council members to schedule an interview with a city attorney candidate and instructed that staff not be involved. The city manager informed Chua that holding the meeting without public notice would be illegal, and Chua acknowledged understanding while reportedly disagreeing.

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