Public comment at the City of Pasadena council meeting on Dec. 17, 2024, focused heavily on the repeated absence of the District B council member and on news reports that the official was arrested on felony drug charges days earlier.

The concerns prompted several residents to ask the council to seek accountability. Taz Smith, who spoke during the citizens-to-address-the-council period, criticized council handling of police oversight and said the city had not acted to address thefts and other public-safety complaints; Smith also told the council, “you still have not done anything to help with police oversight.”

Joseph Thomas, who identified himself as having worked in criminal justice, urged caution about drawing conclusions before a court verdict, saying, “You’re not guilty until you’ve gone through trial.” Several other residents said the councilmember’s repeated absences left District B underrepresented.

Elise Cardenas, identifying herself as a District B resident, said the councilmember’s repeated absences and widely reported arrest left residents without representation and reflected poorly on the district, calling the pattern “a bad example of what we stand for.” Maria Castello, a District C resident, also criticized social-media posts and repeated public disruptions by an individual identified by several speakers as Robert Jeter (or Robert Geter in other remarks), saying the posts and behavior were a distraction from council business.

Council responses varied. Councilman Guerrero acknowledged the situation and thanked residents who raised concerns; several speakers at the meeting urged the council to consider temporary steps while legal proceedings continue. No formal motion to remove or suspend the District B member was introduced during the meeting, and the council took no official action on that personnel matter on Dec. 17.

Why it matters: The repeated public complaints and the apparent news coverage of a criminal charge involving an elected official prompted a wave of public comment and calls for clearer police oversight and accountability measures. Residents said they felt District B had been left without consistent representation and asked the council to address that gap.

The meeting continued with routine business after public comment, including votes on minutes, several ordinances and resolutions, and amendments to professional services agreements.