Interviews to be Held in Coachella for Vacant City Council Seat
COACHELLA — Eleven people applied to fill the vacant City Council seat but one has moved out of the area, is not registered to vote in Coachella and has been disqualified, according to the city clerk’s office, leaving 10 candidates for the City Council to interview,
Interviews are tentatively scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, June 5 in the city library. Candidate interviews will be live-streamed.
The 10 interviewing for the seat are:
- Jose Torres, maintenance readiness officer
- Juan M. Martinez, real estate broker
- Dr. Sandra Luz Hernandez-Arellano. teacher
- Salem Penalosa, executive casino host
- Martin Pallares Perez, U.S. International Medical Graduate, clinical researcher
- Jonathan Zambrano, Works for a local news network, Daily Dunes
- Andrew Gallegos, no occupation listed
- Isaac Zepeda, no occupation listed
- Yavonne Zapata, financial aid specialist
- Eva Lara, city planner
- Linda Flores, moved out of area, not registered to vote
The appointment is to fill the unexpired term of City Councilmember Frank Figueroa, who was appointed earlier this year to fill the mayor’s seat, with the term ending in November, He was named mayor following Steven Hernandez’s resignation. He resigned after pleading guilty to one felony count of conflict of interest.
To be eligible for the vacancy a candidate must be a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of the city of Coachella and registered to vote in Coachella.
Each Councilmember is expected to attend all City Council meetings regularly scheduled at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Study Sessions and Special Meetings are generally scheduled periodically. Councilmembers also serve on a number of subcommittees, commissions and agency board. Meetings are held in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 1515 Sixth Street, Coachella. Each Councilmembers receives a nominal stipend for service.
