Salinas council excuses absent member Barajas; public criticism raises transparency questions

The Salinas City Council voted May 5 to excuse Councilmember Jose Barajas for three consecutive missed meetings and approved a leave of absence through June 30, 2026 after staff presented a letter from Barajass legal counsel asking for excusal on medical grounds.

City Attorney said the council received a written request on April 27 and noted that Salinas Charter section 6.2 provides that a member absent from three consecutive regular meetings forfeits the seat unless excused for illness or city business. "Councilmember Barajas has missed 3 consecutive city council meetings including this meeting," the city attorney said, asking the council to act to excuse the absences and authorize leave through 06/30/2026.

Council members asked procedural questions about whether alternates would cover Barajas's outside appointments and whether the member would continue to receive pay and insurance; staff confirmed Barajas remains a sitting councilmember and will continue to receive compensation and benefits while excused.

Public comment at the meeting included sharp criticism from residents who said they had not been informed promptly. Jose Garamont Villac told the council: "It's kinda weird that you guys are all of a sudden hearing that he's ill... If he's not gonna be here, find somebody else." Marisol, joining by Zoom, said the "lack of transparency" when the council and city manager learned of a potential leave eroded public trust and urged earlier public disclosure.

City counsel recorded a roll-call vote on the motion to excuse Barajas and approve leave through June 30; the motion passed with the members present voting to approve and Barajas recorded as absent. The council later continued the remainder of the agenda to the May 12 meeting because of time constraints.

Why it matters: The councils action resolves an immediate procedural question under the city charter but revived community concerns about communication and oversight, including repeated caller demands for better transparency and for the city to engage with state pesticide regulators and restore local air monitoring.

What happens next: Staff said the letter and supporting materials will be made available on the posted agenda and the council indicated it will set up district outreach in the near term to address constituent concerns in District 1.