In a recent West Covina planning commission meeting, tensions flared over potential conflicts of interest and procedural missteps during the voting process. Commissioner Bracera addressed concerns regarding his participation in the meeting, confirming he received clearance from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to engage in discussions, asserting he had not accepted any donations from the applicant involved.

The meeting saw a proposal for a new application from a long-standing local business owner, which was met with minimal questions from fellow commissioners. However, when it came time to vote, the initial motion to approve the application failed due to a lack of a second. This prompted a heated exchange among commissioners regarding the proper procedure for making motions and the necessity of confirming support for the motion before proceeding.

After clarifying the procedural confusion, a new motion was made to approve the application, which was seconded. During the roll call vote, Commissioner Lewis abstained, citing concerns over potential conflicts of interest, while Commissioner Gutierrez expressed frustration over the mayor's alleged dishonesty regarding the conflict issue.

Ultimately, the motion passed despite the dissenting vote from Chair Williams, allowing the commission to move forward to the next agenda item, which involved a review of an unclassified use permit for the Five Star Inn. The meeting highlighted ongoing tensions within the commission and raised questions about transparency and governance in local decision-making processes.