-Editorial
A proposed amendment to Calexico’s municipal code governing the removal of appointed city commissioners has become an early point of contention ahead of the upcoming City Council election, highlighting growing divisions between two political groups over the role of volunteer commissioners and council oversight.
The City Council voted 3-2 during its July 15 meeting to direct staff to return in September with an ordinance that would establish a formal process allowing any council member to place the removal of an appointed commissioner on a future agenda for discussion and possible action. Councilmembers Diana Nuricumbo and Lisa Tylenda voted against the proposal.
Although the ordinance does not identify any specific commissioners, discussion at the meeting centered on allegations from some residents and commissioners that the proposal could affect three appointees, Eugenio Ramos, Carlos Fonseca and Javier Gonzalez, who have recently gained public attention for organizing community cleanup efforts throughout Calexico.
Mayor Victor Legaspi, who requested the agenda item, rejected claims that the proposal was intended to remove any specific commissioner.
“I have been reading comments on social media platforms suggesting that it is my intention to remove people,” Legaspi said during the meeting. “That is not my intention in placing this item on the agenda, despite the allegations that have been made against me.”
According to Legaspi’s agenda request, the proposed amendment would establish a “clear and transparent process” for the City Council to consider the removal of appointed commission members when appropriate.
Legaspi said the City Council has a responsibility to protect residents, city employees and the city while reducing potential legal liability. He noted that similar provisions exist in other municipalities and said the proposal is intended to provide procedural clarity rather than target individuals.
“This is just to make sure that we are protecting ourselves, the City of Calexico and the citizens of Calexico, so we can move forward,” he said.
He also emphasized that commissioners serve in advisory capacities and encouraged greater collaboration among council members.
“All I am asking is that we work together as one,” Legaspi said. “We need all five of us working together, and that is what I want, for all five council members to work together as one.”
Public comment reflected the broader political divide surrounding the proposal.
Jesus Solano, president of the nonprofit Calexico Volunteer Alliance, supported developing the ordinance, saying the City Council has the responsibility to establish policies and ensure they are enforced. Solano said commissioners should be held accountable when necessary and argued that adopting policies without enforcement would be ineffective.
“You guys are the policymakers,” Solano said. “You guys need to take a stand on this.”
Others urged the council to reject the proposal.
Resident Yolanda Cunningham said the ordinance could further divide the community and argued the council should instead recognize commissioners who volunteer their time to improve neighborhoods. She said commissioners serve without compensation and praised volunteers who have participated in recent cleanup efforts across the city.
Carlos Fonseca, a member of the Calexico Downtown Business Improvement District board, questioned why the council was considering changes to commissioner removal procedures instead of addressing the issues that prompted residents to organize volunteer cleanups. Fonseca said he, Ramos, and Javier Gonzalez have spent months volunteering their own time and resources removing trash, cleaning vacant lots, and painting over graffiti.
Fonseca also expressed concern that proposed changes related to commissioner appointments could make it more difficult to fill vacancies and criticized what he described as limited communication within the Business Improvement District board.
Community Services Commission member Eugenio Ramos also opposed the proposal, describing it as an unnecessary use of city resources. Ramos said the measure has been widely perceived as targeting commissioners who have become active in neighborhood improvement projects.
Ramos said his volunteer work has been performed as a private resident rather than in his official capacity as a commissioner and that he would continue participating in community cleanups regardless of whether he remained on the commission.
The ordinance is scheduled to return to the City Council for consideration in September.
