Montebello · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Montebello public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Employee termination appeal
A city employee is appealing a termination, and the Civil Service Commission is the body deciding whether the firing stands. The hearing continued in closed session, so the public won't see the evidence or arguments until a final decision becomes public.
Street repaving and rehabilitation projects
Consent items put $640,000 of SB1 gas-tax money into rubberized asphalt street resurfacing and $287,354 into emergency-vehicle signal preemption (Opticom GPS).
Lincoln Avenue fire hydrants and water main
Lincoln Street has no fire hydrants — a serious gap in a mutual threat zone. A partnership with San Gabriel Valley Water will install them, with surveys underway and completion expected in 2027.
Citywide prohibition on AI data centers
A resident warned the council about a proposed 250,000-square-foot AI data center in Monterey Park near the Montebello border, citing water, power and emissions concerns and urging the city's SCAG representative to raise it.
Prohousing Designation Program participation
Speakers described homelessness and the lack of wheelchair-accessible, affordable housing in Montebello, urging the council to act despite community opposition to new housing projects.
Zoning Updates: ADUs, Landscaping, and AI Data Center Ban
Staff announced a special Planning Commission meeting on February 10 to present the city's comprehensive rezoning ordinance — the first real zoning overhaul since the zoning map was drawn in 2014 and the code tied to a 1973-era General Plan. It's meant to bring zoning in line with the current General Plan and streamline development review.
District 2 fire station facilities
Council Member Peralta flagged that her district's fire station is the oldest and smallest and may not fit new equipment or provide facilities for women firefighters; she asked for future planning discussions.
Police recruitment incentives reinstated
The council considered continuing a recruitment incentives program to help the police department attract qualified officers and dispatchers amid ongoing staffing challenges.
Business license and administrative appeal procedure reforms
The temporary freeze on new business licenses, in place since March 2021, is officially over — a signal the city is open for business again.
Fire Station 56 remodel completion
Chief Pelaez reported the department is at about 100 employees, manages $15 million in grants, and expects Fire Station 4 in the hills to be built within one to two years with six to eight staff — pending more grant funding.
Red-light traffic safety cameras
Council Member Alonzo pushed for data safeguards in the new Obvio Inc. camera contract: citation footage erased within six months, unused video within 15 days, and no AI training on driver-facing footage.
Congestion at Marketplace Drive and Paramount Boulevard and speeding on Lincoln Avenue
Two neighbors described dangerous lane-jumping and blocked turn lanes at the Marketplace Drive intersection near the 60 freeway since the 2018 shopping center opened, proposing a second right-turn arrow or a combined straight/right lane.
Crossing guard at South 5th Street and West Los Angeles Avenue
The city wants a crossing guard at this intersection near Montebello Christian School and drafted a letter to the school district — but who pays (police budget vs. district vs. private school) still needs sorting out with the City Council.
Blue curb disabled parking requests at 320 Morris Place and 425 North 16th Street
Two residents got approved ADA parking spots — one at 753 Bradshaw (no driveway) and one at 1345 Caribbean (driveway under 14 feet wide).
Barbering trade school and workforce development
A local barbershop is becoming a state-licensed barber school, giving residents and high schoolers a chance to train for a trade close to home. Students will also offer discounted haircuts as part of their training.
Preferential Parking on W. Victoria Avenue
Residents of W. Victoria Avenue say overflow parking from nearby apartments, Wilcox Elementary, and a gym leaves them unable to park at home, with trash, vandalism, and hit-and-runs in the mix. The commission recommended a permit-parking district; the City Council makes the final call.
Flock camera privacy oversight
Speakers split sharply on proposed Flock surveillance cameras — one resident supported them for safety despite privacy fears, while another denounced them as racist surveillance.
Capital Budget Carryover and Grant Funding
Consent items would roll over unspent capital project money into the new budget year and pursue grant funds for the Bluff Road slope stabilization storm drain project, plus police technology and traffic safety grants.
Capital improvement projects for 2026-27
A resident found a nearly $2.5 million gap between two funding tables in the carryover budget item. The council continued the item to reconcile the numbers before approving.
Whittier Boulevard paving project
The main Paving the Way project will resurface Whittier Boulevard end to end, starting around November and finishing by June 2027, with outreach to businesses to keep access open during construction.
New Cal Water drinking water wells at 716 Washington Boulevard
Cal Water will build two new wells and an equipment building on a vacant commercial lot to pump more local groundwater instead of buying imported water. The company says this cuts costs and keeps water flowing during droughts and disasters. Nearby apartment residents get noise buffers — sound enclosures, mature trees, and 24/7 monitoring — as conditions of approval.
Fire Engine Fleet Replacement
Three of the city's six engines are 17–24 years old. New Pierce Enforcers will cost about $3.6 million over a 10-year lease, with delivery around 2029 due to nationwide backlog.
Court-ordered approval of 301 Jackamar housing project
A judge ruled the city's denial of developer Bill Molinari's project violated the Housing Accountability Act, so the council had to implement the court order approving it. Residents are furious — many collected hundreds of signatures against the 15-unit project and feel the city's legal defense failed them.
Pedestrian Safety at Washington Elementary School
Redundant signs near Washington Elementary will come down, and stop signs on W. Madison Avenue get solar-powered blinking LEDs to grab drivers' attention during school rush times.
All-Way Stop Request at Rio Del Sol Avenue and Rancho Drive
Data says no crashes and 23 mph speeds, so staff recommended denying the all-way stop and adding red curb instead. But weekend park crowds weren't counted, so the study is being redone across all seven days.
Chet Hollyfield Park Water Conservation and Improvement Project
The council authorized applying for a $3 million state grant to fund major park improvements at Chet Holifield Park on the south side.
Police Department Operational Update & Staffing
Police Chief Luis Lopez reported that the police department is fully staffed at 119 employees, highlighting low response times, new community resource centers, and expanded specialized units.
City-Owned Billboard Policy & Fee Structure
The council established rules and discounted advertising rates for local nonprofits and schools on the city's new digital billboard at Rio Hondo.
Urban forest management and tree planting
West Coast Arborists presented an update on the city's urban forest inventory, noting over 11,000 trees and outlining plans to plant 500 new street and park trees along with distributing 250 fruit trees.
Utility Box Beautification Program
The city is launching a new round of its utility box art program, inviting local artists and students to submit Montebello history-themed designs for display across town.
California State Audit
The council discussed the ongoing state audit in closed session; no action was taken and details were not made public.
Montebello Bus Lines Grant Application and Fund Exchange
The city is seeking $9.1 million in federal money for new CNG buses. Speakers used the item to share negative experiences riding Montebello buses and to call for free or reduced fares for homeless and low-income riders.
Round One Entertainment at The Shops of Montebello
Round One wants to open a Japanese food hall and arcade venue with a full liquor license at the mall, filling a big vacant tenant space. It's being framed as a way to bring families, jobs, and foot traffic back to a mall that many residents remember from its busier days.
Federal grant application for City Park upgrades
The city is applying for a National Park Service grant to add a soccer field, parking, paths, restrooms, and court renovations at City Park — and the potential Section 108 loan could double as the required match.
Bus Stop Improvement Project cancelled over $9.6M deficit
The citywide bus stop upgrade project — new shelters, benches, ADA improvements at up to 100 stops — was cancelled because the construction estimate hit $12.3 million against a $2.7 million budget. Staff plans a peer review of the numbers and will hunt for grants before bringing back a reworked version. Nothing gets built for now.
$3.1M park loan proposal for six city parks
The city floated a low-interest federal loan to fund park walking paths, playgrounds, shelters, ADA upgrades, and a big City Park parking lot. Councilmembers mostly loved it — except Alonzo, who objected that Chet Holifield Park didn't qualify under federal income rules. Final decisions come early next year.
Senior Center Basement Remodel moves to bid
After two failed rounds of bidding, the senior center basement finally gets rebuilt with a fitness room, computer lab, ADA restrooms, and multipurpose space. Construction could wrap by fall 2027. It's funded with Measure A and transit money, not the general fund.
MCAP homeless outreach program showcase
The city's fire-department-based homeless outreach team got a spotlight, including a former resident who credited the program with getting her housed, into school, and reunited with family. The Operation Stay Safe tiny homes program houses 30 participants.
Bellaverde Golf Club Driving Range Reopening
The driving range reopened February 7 after a full overhaul — new netting, turf, irrigation, and an automated ball machine that needs no staff on site. It's open seven days a week and generating revenue for the city.
Aquatics Programming and Adaptive Recreation
Staff gave updates on youth basketball, aquatics, Concerts in the Park, and the Downtown Street Fest. The newly filled ad hoc committees will help plan arts and special events programming going forward.
Summer Events Season
The Downtown Street Fest drew roughly 10,000 attendees, and residents told the commission they enjoyed the event and felt safe. A strong sign the city's community events programming is landing.
Walking and biking path on SCE property; Ashiya Park lease
The city is pursuing use of Edison-owned land for a walking and biking path with water-saving landscaping, and renewed its lease to keep operating Ashiya Park.
Sidewalk repairs and trip-and-fall liability
The city faces frequent trip-and-fall claims from broken, lifted sidewalks and currently only applies makeshift asphalt ramps. A new Cement and Concrete Worker classification would let Public Works repair sidewalks, curbs and ADA ramps in-house at a fraction of contractor cost.
Montebello Bus Lines Fleet Modernization and Wayfinding
The council accepted $2.3 million in federal grants for bus tire leases and preventive maintenance, and moved to apply for a hydrogen fueling infrastructure grant. This keeps Montebello Bus Lines running and moving toward cleaner fuel.
2026 Speed Limit Survey
The council adopted a new engineering and traffic speed survey covering ten street segments, keeping local speed limits legally enforceable by state law.
Homeless services funding from Los Angeles County
The city accepted about $753,000 in county funding across two agreements for homeless services and prevention programs in FY 2026-27.
SB 79 Moratorium on Washington Boulevard Transit-Oriented Development
The city has a temporary 45-day freeze on accepting, processing, or approving certain SB 79-related development applications within the Washington Boulevard Transit-Oriented Development Specific Plan area. Tonight's vote just filed the legally required status report — the pause itself remains in effect.
New Planet Fitness at Montebello Mix Shopping Center
A 24/7 gym is filling the long-vacant former Rite Aid space, adding jobs and foot traffic to the center. A nearby resident raised concerns about bright signage on Montebello Boulevard affecting her home; that signage will go through a separate permit review.
Alcohol license upgrade at Montebello Jr. Market
The family restaurant on Whittier Boulevard can now round out the dining experience with beer and wine served with meals, keeping a long-time restaurant location active.
Utility Box Replacement
Vice Chair Jimenez asked when the city will replace utility boxes that are faded and damaged. Residents see these around town, so it's partly a neighborhood-appearance issue.