Strange Brew Simmering on Chula Vista Council
- Susan Heavilin
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Sudden Special Council Meeting scheduling might suggest an alternative motive . . .
I discovered the February 2, 2026 Special Meeting of the Chula Vista Council when preparing to publish the agenda of the Regular Council Meeting. The February 3, 2026 regular meeting had been cancelled. The Special Meeting had been scheduled Friday for a Monday meeting. That in itself caught my attention.
I have found in my journalistic experience that it is a common maneuver in government agencies to sneak something in at the last minute on a Friday afternoon. Residents are looking forward to enjoying their weekend and don't notice a change.
The other curious addition to this scheme was that Mayor John McCann was away. The Resolution stated the action was unanimous but it was only unanimous between the councilmembers present: Deputy Mayor Cesar Fernandez, Carolina Chavez, Jose Preciado and Michael Inunza. Mayor John McCann was not present as he is a Commander in the United States Navy Reserves and had been called to duty.
Commander McCann was deployed in the action of serving his Country while Deputy Mayor Cesar Fernandez, Carolina Chavez, Jose Preciado and Michael Inunza are stirring up a cauldron of condemning Federal law.
The council unanimously passed the resolution, although Mayor John McCann was away as part of a deployment with the U.S. Navy Reserves.—FOX 5 San Diego
The second item of suspicious note is that I could not locate the recording. Just days ago, I had seen a "Special City Council Meeting". I finally found it and they had changed the name to just City Council Meeting though inside is referred to "Special". Are they trying to keep the public from finding it?
You may find the video here.
Deputy Mayor Cesar Fernandez started the meeting by telling how his own family has been deeply affected.
Twenty-six speakers had requested permission to speak so their times were shortened from three minutes to two minutes.
00:04:15 Supervisor Paloma Aguirre (for)
00:06:30 Jose Rodriguez, National City Councilmember (for)
00:08:20 Robert Johnson (against)
00:10:35 Gale Moriarity (against)
00:12:50 Robert Moriarity (against)
00:15:27 Ansermio Estrada (for)
00:17:08 Marco Brianes, San Diego Labor Council (for)
00:17:57 Brigette Browning, President of San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council (for)
00:20:08 Admiral Rivera, veteran
00:22:37 Chrisofero Gomez, Union Organizer (for)
00:23:48 Pedro Rivas, Border Program (for0
00:25:47 Chuck Sanfilippo (against)
00:27:13 Calia Dillion (against)
00:28:49 BB (against)
00:30:47 Greg Martinez, "Meeting raises serous concerns . . . " (against)
00:33:05 Ms. Strange (against)
00:34:45 Martin Trim, Canadian immigrant (strongly against)
00: 36.07 Mary Davis, Government Watch Dog (against)
00:38.20 Lisa Schmitt, works for Assemblyman Alvarez (for)
00:40:06 Kelly King (for)
00:41:57 Aldo Banvia? (for)
00:43:06 Laura D (against)
00:45:23 Nona Aguilar (against)
00:47:14 Shawn Tiven (for)
00:49:30 Ian Fergoso, District Director for Steve Padilla (for)
00:51:25 Anjelica Martinez, in Spanish with a translator (against)
00:55:59 James Moffitt (for)
There were 27 oral comments. Thirteen in support and 13 in opposition (plus one no opinion).
There were 52 written comments. Twenty-four in support and 26 in opposition with two of no opinion.
In total, 34 people spoke (oral or written) in support of the Resolution / flag lowering. In total, 39 people spoke (oral or written) in opposition of the Resolution / flag lowering.
There were more people in opposition yet the Council voted 4-0 to approve the Resolution and flag at half mast for Renée Good and Alex Pretti.
So I guess the Chula Vista Council doesn't listen to their constituents but votes as they wish.
But the most interesting thing to me was the Councilmembers' speeches. Michael Inzunza stated "You bet your ass it's political!"
Jose Preciado (01:16:14) began his speech in Spanish. Unless you speak espanol, you will have no clue what was said. The second part of his speech (01:17:12) was in English and he scolded the audience rather than speaking to them. There was an edge of spitefulness in his voice and he was extremely disrespectful to the audience. He called them hypocrites and told them that they better pray and repent. When the residents responded in anger, the Deputy Mayor threatened to clear the room.
Here's the final vote:
Here's a 2-1/2 minute recap from Fox 5 San Diego News.
The public debate was heated, some residents supporting ICE and the Constitution while others were opposed and stated that we needed to "protect our brothers and sisters."
The resolution criticizes federal immigration operations that city leaders say have resulted in loss of life and a lack of transparency, particularly referencing recent incidents in Minnesota involving the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti during protests connected to immigration enforcement. As part of the resolution, the council also called for the city's flag to be flown at half-staff in their honor."—Richard Allyn, CBS8
In absence of Mayor McCann, Councilmember Cesar Fernandez conducted the meeting in his Deputy Mayor role.
"The resolution reflects Chula Vista's values and responsibility to speak out. When enforcement becomes deadly and lacks transparency, it erodes public trust. And it is not enough for local governments to be silent."—Deputy Mayor Cesar Fernandez
Richard Allyn of CBS8 attended the meeting and reported the following:
The vote came amid growing national scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices, but the issue deeply divided members of the public who addressed the council.
Several residents and speakers opposed the resolution, arguing that it undermines federal authority and the U.S. Constitution. Gale Moriarity, one of several critics, called the council's action "wrong," saying local leaders should uphold federal law rather than publicly condemn it.
"It is absolutely wrong for leaders of our community to suggest the Constitution is not important enough to follow."—Gale Moriarity
Other opponents expressed concern over the proposal to lower the city flag in honor of Good and Pretti, noting that investigations into the Minnesota incidents are ongoing. Greg Martinez told the council that honoring individuals involved in violent confrontations with law enforcement before investigations are complete sends the wrong message.
"When the council rushes to honor individuals involved in violent confrontations with our police officers, it sends a message that violent conduct is being minimized and excused."—Greg Martinez
Supporters of the resolution, however, argued that immigration enforcement has long caused fear and harm in immigrant and working-class communities. Ansermio Estrada told the council that the issue goes beyond safety concerns.
"This has never been about safety. This has always been about terrorizing working-class communities, communities like Chula Vista."—Ansermio Estrada
Brigette Browning, president of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, emphasized the role immigrants play in the nation's economy.
"Our economy does not exist without immigrants. None of us should be okay with a country that treats people this way."—Brigette Browning, President of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council
Despite the divided public comment, council members were united in their final vote.
Councilmember Michael Inzunza said the resolution was intended to reassure residents that they are welcome and protected, regardless of immigration status.
"Nobody up here wants protests or civil unrest. But what we do want is to ensure that every resident living in this city, documented or otherwise, feels protected and safe."—Michael Inzunz, Councilmember
Mayor John McCann was absent from the meeting due to his active-duty service overseas with the U.S. Navy Reserves.
City officials emphasized that the resolution itself does not carry legal authority.
However, Councilmember Carolina Chavez stated during the meeting that she would like to take the issue further by introducing an ordinance that could formally incorporate related policies into the city's municipal code.
Such a move would require the proposal to be placed on a future council agenda and approved through a separate vote. Council members indicated that discussion of a possible ordinance could potentially occur as soon as the next scheduled council meeting on Feb. 10.
The City of Chula Vista and the County of San Diego have already declared themselves "Sanctuary Cities / Counties." This puts a bullseye on those areas and a possibility of Federal Funds being cut. Some reports indicate that this could happen as early as this month.
Limiting cooperation with ICE, Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers, could put a second focal point on the area.
The County complains of not having funds to fix anything that we want repaired (roads, watersheds, river flows, general improvements). If they lose the grant money from the Federal Government, they might as well just lock the County Office doors.
The United States might consider abandoning civil law and returning to common law, which might not be such a bad thing for the residents.
Article published at 8AM was republished at 9:52AM with additional information.
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