Remarks by Christi Fraga
2,372 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 49 of 95
“Thank you, Councilman Pinero. Any questions or comments? Motion. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Reynoso. Second by Councilman Pinedo. I just want to thank Councilman Pinedo for bringing this item up. I think this is extremely important, and I think that it's prudent for us to codify an ordinance with these regulations. It's obviously something we've been asking for, and we have been restricted from the state. So with the new legislation that gives us the authority to do that, I think it's wonderful. So I hope to see this come back as soon as possible. Thank you. Thank you. All right, Madam…”
“Second. There's a motion on the table and a second. I have a comment. Yes, Councilwoman Reynoso. Through the mayor, city manager, or deputy city manager,”
“Thank you, Councilwoman. Any other comments? Councilman Pinedo?”
“Thank you, Councilman. I'd like to make some comments as well. If I may? Oh, sure, go ahead. Sure, so thank you.”
“agree with Councilman Cabral on some of these issues. So first, you know, again, congratulations. It's an incredible experience and honor to be a mother and to go through this period of your life. And we want to support that as best as possible. I share on both sides many of the same concerns. And as someone who was an elected official through my pregnancy, and worked the entire time. I think that there is definitely a middle ground and I understand the concern. First, I want to say being pregnant is not a disability. It's not a disability. Being a mother is not a disability. We come and we…”
“But the charter does say you cannot have four consecutive absences.”
“Okay, so the other thing I just wanted to confirm, and I know the manager confirmed it, is we are not considered employees. So while the employees get four weeks of paid leave, and Councilman Cabral, to your point, Our employees do get up to 12 weeks of paid leave, and their job is secured, but they have to take the FMLA, which is accrued time, PTO, and all these things. So we do do that already, and I agree with Councilman Pinedo. I think it's really important to have consistency in how we treat our employees. We're no different, I think, in how we should treat ourselves and govern ourselves…”
“We can also extend that courtesy in one of those meetings. So if you take December and then you want to participate in January via phone, we can consider that as well. What I say is there's a lot of options to make this amicable and work. And we want to support you in this journey. But I think that requesting five months of parental leave of absence is really I think it is a borderline violation of the charter. I also think that it's very aggressive and sends a wrong message to our staff. So I made an amendment to your motion if you're willing to take that.”
“OK, so I have another. Since that's not one you're willing to take, I have another amendment to the motion in that case. So my other amendment to your motion would be that you relinquish all activities, meaning we will not see you at any city event. We will not see you at any of our city participating in any of the city activities, as well as council meetings, and you will relinquish your pay for four months.”
“So it's not the matter that we don't want to see you. As a matter of fact, we want you here. That's exactly what we're saying. We want you to be here and participate. But I think it's unfair to say you want us to pre-approved five months of absences of the council, but you're going to go to events. Because if you can be out there at events and interacting with the public, then you can be here doing the work of the public. So that's my position on this. And I'm sorry that you won't take the friendly amendment, because I really do want to support this for you. But I think that what you're doing…”
“Actually, one second. You're not recognized at this time.”
“So we're going to take a second round of questions. Is there any questions? I know you had one, no? Councilwoman Reynoso and then Councilwoman Cabral.”
“But the purpose that that's in the charter is because we need to be present. That's what we're elected for.”
“I understand that you're very, you know, hectic with this, but...”
“OK, so I have a couple of comments again. First, I'm going to try and keep this as concise as possible. But to sit here and say that we don't support family or that this is a challenge, you didn't support family or you didn't care about family when you fired a mother of four just a year ago without caring about what that was going to do to that family. And you attacked my assistant the entire time she was pregnant to the point that she gave birth early and had to take FMLA. and basically was on medical leave. And oh, Maggie, who is our director of public affairs, you want to fire the entire…”
“Okay, I would now like to place a motion on the table that Vice Mayor Porras will have an excused absence in December. or January she will notify the council which one she wants to take an excused absence and then we will take every other month of her absence on a case by case scenario as per the code and please reference the code.”
“Second by Councilman Pinedo. Madam Clerk, when you can, please call the roll.”
“Okay. Perfect. So you have one month excuse absence pre-approved. Please let us know when you would like to take it. You can email my office and then we will take each other one up. I'm very sorry that you did not want to give yourself parental leave.”
“All right, this item is Councilwoman Reynoso.”
“Thank you, Councilwoman Reynoso. Any questions? Any questions? Yes, Councilman Pinero.”
“Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. second by Councilwoman Reynoso. I think this is a fabulous idea. Actually, like Councilman Pinero just said, the farmer's market that we had for a little time period, I was a big part of and also brought the ordinance that we have in the books for farmer's markets. So I think it's a great community initiative.”
“Yeah. I think that's great. All right. We look forward to seeing it come to fruition. We can get some fresh fruits and vegetables.”
“Okay, Council Member Reynoso, this is also your item.”
“Motion to approve by Councilman Pinedo. Second. Second by Councilwoman Reynoso. Any comments? Councilman Pinedo?”
“Oh yeah, sure. Awesome, okay. Please add Councilman Pinedo as a co-sponsor. Thank you very much, Councilman Reynoso, for bringing this forward. I think we've all followed the Dignity Act, and we're hoping that there is a positive outcome at some point, and we're ready to support. Thank you. Any other questions? Madam Clerk, please call the roll.”