Residents try to recall Salinas Councilman for a second time

UPDATE 7/7/15: A group of residents is trying to recall Salinas Councilman Jose Castaneda for a second time. Tuesday night, Castaneda was served with a notice to recall just before the City Council meeting.

The group behind the papers said it’s not satisfied with Castaneda’s work and Tuesday night the city council said they’re not happy either.

According to witnesses, Tuesday marked the second time Castaneda refused to accept them. He was elected to represent District 1 in 2012. But some who attended the City Council meeting backed Castaneda’s work.

“I think he’s doing a lot of work that people aren’t paying attention too. And I think all the rest of it shouldn’t matter,” resident Angelica Hernandez said.

The recall was signed by 16 people, according to a group organizer. The recall papers kick start a petition effort.

On Tuesday, Salinas City Council voted to respond to a Monterey County Grand Jury report about Castaneda. The report recommended he pay a $5,000 fine for refusing to step down from his elected seat on the Alisal Union School Board at the same time he was elected to the City Council.

“It’s like any one of us. If we were going to obey the laws and the court tells us, it is our responsibility. If we don’t have the full amount, make a payment plan of some sort. But address the issue, instead of ignoring it,” Councilman Tony Barrera said.

The city said the process to get him to pay the fine is costing taxpayers.

“He should move forward with this matter so it’s out of our hands and we’ve moved on,” Mayor Joe Gunter said.

“I would hope they would get over their personal issues and work better together and find issues they can agree on and move forward with those,” resident Julian Garcia.

There’s more ahead for Castaneda. In mid-August, City Council is expected to censure him, meaning they don’t approve of his behavior and recent actions. Councilmembers were planning to hold that discussion Tuesday night, but they decided to hold off because Castaneda hired a lawyer.

PREVIOUS STORY: A second recall effort is being launched against Salinas councilman Jose Castaneda. A notice of the recall washand delivered to Castaneda at the Salinas City Council meeting Tuesday, according to resident Juan Sandoval.

This recall is by the same group of people in his district who tried to recall him last year. Sandoval saidthey’re trying to recall Castaneda again because they’re dissatisfied with his work. Sandoval said 16 people signed the recall this time and now they will file a petition with the city clerk. Once that petition is approved, their recall effort can move forward.

Sandoval said the last recall effort fizzled because they wanted to give Castaneda a chance to pay the $5,000 fine he still owes for holding two elected seats at the same time during his first few months in office.

Castaneda is facing several allegations of misconduct during his time in the position since he was elected to the position November 2013. Those claims will be discussed at the Salinas City Council meeting Tuesday.

In a letter signed by Mayor Joe Gunter, the letter states five specific areas of disapproval in his behavior and failure to follow guidelines for public decorum and order.

Castaneda was fined $5,000 for not stepping down from his seat on the Alisal Union School District Board before being elected to City Council. But Castaneda has said he can’t afford to pay it.A Monterey County Grand Jury report recommended the city use legal power to make him pay or face consequences.

NewsChannel 5 has tried to speak with Castaneda about these claims but he hasn’t responded yet.