Mayor Proposes Opening MOU Negotiations to Public

A hot debate ensued at the Oct. 2 City Council meeting regarding Mayor Manuel Lozano's request to make public the ongoing negotiations with the Baldwin Park Peace Officers' Association.

The mayor wants "all aspects" of negotiations with the city conducted in public so that citizens are aware of what is being offered and what is being asked during the negotiation process.

The request initially only specified the POA regarding the ongoing negotiations with the police department, but strong concerns and disagreement amongst some of the City Council Members forced Lozano to add all bargaining teams to the request.

Council Member Susan Rubio is against the request, citing that every bargaining team has a right to negotiate in good faith and to make such a request would be taking that right away.

"I think there has been a lot of information that's been provided and, because it's closed session, we can't give you that information. Since a lot of it does leak out, I want each and every one of you to know exactly what was discussed, what was given to us to consider and what the actual vote itself was behind closed doors," Lozano said.

Mayor Pro Tem Monica Garcia spoke in favor of the request and for a need to publicly prove the City's support of transparency. Garcia accused Council Member Pacheco of previously denying the negotiations were done in good faith.

Pacheco had a sharp rebuttal.

"Council member Garcia, you're lying, you're not telling the truth. The city is three or four years in negotiating with the POA. That's not doing negotiations in good faith. We should work with them to come to a reasonable negotiation," Pacheco said.

Vice Chair Garcia read a letter from the attorneys representing the POA. Garcia read that "the association has steadfastly maintained that the city needs better transparency and accountability and that the leadership needs to prioritize the manner in which they spend money to enhance the public's trust."

Lozano, Pro Tem Garcia and Council Member Marlen Garcia voted in favor of the request, with Pacheco and Rubio voting against.

The request will be sent to each bargaining team to seek their consent.