On Tuesday Brentwood City Councilmember Jovita Mendoza called for the censure of Councilmember Tony Oerlemans.
The request comes after Oerlemans became upset during the April 25 meeting (see video below) after items on the consent calendar were requested to be pulled, however, they were not and instead were voted on.
“You don’t understand anything. I am disgusted with the ability for you to push something forward to make it appear that it’s a fair and judicial way of handling an item on a council where we are supposed to be heard… you are going to sit here and look me in the face and tell me oh it was a mistake. That is garbage. That is garbage,” stated Councilmember Tony Oerlemans. “That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard. That is pathetic, that is the most pathetic thing I have ever heard in my entire life.”
On Tuesday, Oerlemans took several attacks by members of the public during public comments for his behavior, as well as his stance on a sound wall. Several people called for either a censure, resignation or recall–even comparing him to Donald Trump.
One public commenter, who is known to carry a large knife according to several sources, even shared he was scared of Oerlemans because he is a cop and didn’t know if he left the meeting to go grab a firearm and return.
During Tuesdays meeting, Mayor Joel Bryant lost control of public comments allowing public commenters to address certain councilmembers vs. the mayor and allowing the public to speak on items outside specific agenda items.
Mendoza made the request under future agenda items.
“We need to talk about censuring councilmember Tony Oerlemans. I wasn’t sure about it but after public comment today, I think we need to have a bigger discussion about what we are going to do about it,” said Mendoza.
Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer stated she would be a second on the item request as long as they could look at a sanction.
Mendoza stated they could discuss it.
Katherine Wisinski, assistant city attorney, shared they have a city policy on censure and would follow up with the maker of the motion offline.
Mendoza replied, “we are going to talk about censuring councilmember Tony Oerlemans.”
Staff said they understood that but wanted to discuss the policy in place.
“I thought we could come directly here if there is two people, so I have talked to Susannah Meyer. You can tell me about the policy and I will go through it this way or that way, whatever works for you,” said Mendoza.
City Manager Tim Ogden stated that since its been made a public issue, they will work within the policy to make it work and bring it back to council.
It’s not known when the item will return.
Rodriquez Sanctioned last Fall
Last September, Councilmember Mendoza called on then Vice Mayor Johnny Rodriquez to be censured. It took several meetings to get the item on the agenda as council had to adjust its policy. In November, Rodriquez was sanctioned in a split 3-2 vote.
Tuesday will be the fifth meeting in which actions by Vice Mayor Rodriquez has come up to the council.
- Sept. 13 – councilmember Jovita Mendoza called for censure of Rodriquez while attempting to make changes to the Ethics and Conduct Policy.
- Sept. 27 – Council agreed in a 5-0 vote to move forward with a future agenda item to discuss Council Ethics and Conduct Policy.
- Oct. 11 – tweaked policy to allow members who have discussed an item to bypass the Mayor and go to the city manager to place an item on the agenda—the goal was to prevent a Brown Act Violation. The council also agreed to a future community forum to discuss councils ethics and conduct policy.
- Nov. 8 – future agenda item request made by Rarey stating the allegations against Rodriquez.
- Nov. 15 – Rodriquez Sanctioned. Rarey accused Rodriquez of sharing information
7 comments
Of course Mendoza calls for the censure after public comment, its all her comrades from the alliance speaking out because they are full of sour grapes half the time. She is such a fake. If the mayor ran a good meeting, this all could have been avoided.
I wonder why no one is calling for Mendoza to be censured for her treatment of staff the past two years or her shouting at Pa’tanisha Pierson. Post that video Mike.
Of course Jovita calls to quiet a Councilmember. No one is to have their own thought process. She’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I was hoping Susannah was going to be a stellar voice and stand on her own and instead she’s just fallen in line with the ringleader and smiles through the crazy. Councilmember Orelemans was trying to be transparent. Although delivery was not great, he made a point, that our council is a mess and needs some guidance. Antioch 2.0.
I think you left a few things out. First. Councilman Oerlemans broke Protocol by his actions on April 24th. This is a fact. No One in the 4 years I’ve participated in council meetings EVER demonstrated such disrespect
You also failed to mention why a person was fearful. Oerlemans left the council chamber. Oerlemans demonstrated a series of violent behaviors. Oerlemans carries a fire arm
With the fact that everyday this year there has been an Active Shooter event in this country; it is reasonable to think that things could have been much worse
With respect to Johnny. We DON’T know what caused the chain of events other than “Sharing of information”. But to compare his actions to Oerlemans is not the same. We have ALL of Oerlemans actions on tape. His actions are not in dispute
Was a firearm brandished? What makes you think this would’ve become an active shooter event?
I’m reminded of children not playing nicely together.
Definitely Oerlemans need to be censured! Such a horrid exhibit of his meltdown infused rude behavior in front of everyone! What a shame!!!
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