Monterey Aldermen tabled a decision Monday night to nominate a new member to the town’s Civil Service Board.
The Civil Service Board handles the hiring and firing processes for the town. The town has an empty seat following Connie Bishop’s May resignation. Alderman Kevin Peters nominated Mayor Alex Garcia to take the seat, as Garcia is close to the town’s day-to-day operations.
“I know people think that you are not supposed to be on the board,” Peters said. “But if you read that stipulation in there, that person should come from this board, and the employee, it should be an employee, and then the two are the ones that pick the third one.”
Monterey Chief Financial Officer Ella Dishman said Garcia’s inclusion would be an issue since he in mayor. The aldermen ultimately tabled the decision and requested to review the rules of the Civil Service Board with the town’s attorney.
Dishman said she recalled MTAS stating that Garcia would not be allowed since he is the mayor.
“When we first got civil service, we were advised that an employee could not be on the civil service because that is a conflict, and neither could a board member because that was a conflict, taking it out of the board’s hands at that time,” Dishman said.
Dishman said the Civil Service Board was created to prevent an alderman and city employees from becoming members.
“When we did it was to take it out of the board’s hands, because we had new boards that would come in and fire people just because,” Dishman said
Alderman Jim Whitaker said he was not for Garcia being on the Civil Service Board.
“I think we need to get our lawyer involved,” Whitaker said. “I mean, I definitely don’t think the mayor should be on there, I’ll put it that way.”
In other business, the beer board approved a beer license for Monterey Discount Liquor and Wine. Garcia said the approval was needed as the business has changed ownership.
The aldermen approved an ordinance on the third reading to change the zoning classification for approximately 27,500 square feet located on the northeast corner of North Elm Street and East Crawford Avenue intersection from C-1 to R-1 low-density residential district.
The aldermen approved an ordinance on third reading to adopt the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget and tax levy.
The aldermen approved an ordinance on third reading to amend title 17 of the Monterey City Code regarding refuse collection fees.
A resolution to approve the loan for two fire trucks was approved. Garcia said the resolution was needed for TML to send to the comptroller’s office.
The board approved surplus red lights from the Fire Department and Police Department.
The board approved a new payroll software called Edmunds Group. Garcia said he has spoken with Baxter officials as they use the software and say it’s much better than Local Government’s payroll software. Garcia said the software will cost an estimated $19,700 per year, not including the one implementation fee.
The board approved to close Depot Street from Holly Street to Poplar Street for an event that will take place on June 21 from 10am-4pm.
