Morgan Hill Council Censures Martínez Beltrán 4-1 Amid Fairness Fight

Morgan Hill's City Council formally censured Councilmember Yvonne Martínez Beltrán on Sept. 16, 2026, weeks before a November election in which she is on the ballot. The 4-1 roll call vote followed nearly an hour of debate over intimidation claims, due process and political timing. The council also unanimously renewed its pause on data centers and battery storage and approved more money to move PG&E lines underground on Hale.

• Censure passes 4-1 after an outside counsel presentation and a split public comment period

• Most public speakers opposed the censure, citing timing, process and retaliation; three backed it

• Data center and battery storage moratorium re-adopted 5-0 after a procedural gap; staff returns Oct. 21

• $388,390 PG&E undergrounding deal approved; Hale reopens fall 2026, but signal waits until early 2027

A Rare Rebuke, Weeks Before the Ballot

The council adopted a resolution censuring Martínez Beltrán, who represents District B. The resolution also reshapes her outside assignments.

Why it matters: Censure is rare. This one arrives shortly before voters weigh in on her seat, so the debate over fairness is unlikely to end with the vote.

Where things stand: Outside special counsel Shalene Bennett of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore made the case on three grounds. She cited Martínez Beltrán's report to police about Mayor Mark Turner, an independent investigator's finding that her racism and sexism allegations lacked merit, and colleagues' reports of intimidation and bullying.

"Your council should adopt the resolution that is before you this evening," said Shalene Bennett, outside special counsel.

The other side: Martínez Beltrán challenged the evidence, the timing and the process.

"I ask you tonight to reject this censure because the allegations failed to meet our policy's explicit standard of proof," said Councilmember Yvonne Martínez Beltrán.

She tied the dispute to a disagreement over a VTA agenda and argued that a two-month delay was timed to the election. She also pointed to the city's $33.5M structural deficit and said she had been excluded from closed session. Martínez Beltrán said she ran out of her allotted 7 minutes.

Bennett answered that notice and the two-month timeline were reasonable. "There is no due process that is required," she said.

Public comment tilted against the censure. Dan Cloutier, speaking for Democracy Defenders, called the timing and motives suspect and asked the council to withdraw the resolution. Armando Benavides, an attorney who said he witnessed the interaction, said 7 minutes was not a meaningful opportunity to respond and that he saw nothing alarming. Patrick McGarrity, speaking on behalf of County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas, urged reconsideration on First Amendment and election-timing grounds. Susan Manteghi-Safakishian asked councilmembers who felt intimidated to describe the specific conversations.

Supporters were fewer. Chris Rebell cited a pattern of conduct and the investigator's findings. Kathy Sullivan said Martínez Beltrán should resign. Brian Sullivan pointed to repetitive questions and their drain on staff time.

On the dais: Colleagues framed the vote around civility and hurt.

"I believe the first step toward changing the narrative is to speak clearly and consistently against intimidation and bullying," said Councilmember Soraida Iwanaga.

Councilmember Miriam Vega set aside her prepared remarks. "I just don't feel like whatever I say, there's a winning side," she said. Mayor Pro Tem Marilyn Librers said Martínez Beltrán is "unfortunately … not a team player."

Turner rejected the fairness critique. "Selective concern is itself a form of political gamesmanship," said Mayor Mark Turner. Martínez Beltrán responded, "This is a political hack job."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: The resolution passed (For: 4, Turner, Vega, Librers, Iwanaga; Against: 1, Martínez Beltrán; Absent: 0). Turner noted she would typically recuse herself. She voted instead: "I wish that my council members had integrity, but no." The vote leaves a fractured dais heading into budget pressures, and a District B seat whose voters must now weigh the dispute.

What's next: The fight now shadows the November election.

Data Center Pause Gets a Procedural Fix

The basics: An interim urgency ordinance temporarily freezes certain land use applications while a city drafts permanent rules. This one covers freestanding data centers and grid-scale battery energy storage systems, known as BESS.

Why it matters: The re-adoption closes a legal gap and keeps the pause in place while Morgan Hill decides how to regulate facilities that strain power, water and neighbors' patience.

Where things stand: On Aug. 26, the council introduced the urgency ordinance 5-0, but that action did not include a separate adoption step. Staff brought back a slightly revised version with a published notice of public hearing. The ordinance's findings cite energy strain, water use and noise.

The notice also changes how the pause can be extended. The city can now grant one extension instead of two shorter ones, which avoids repeated advertising costs.

"Now that we've noticed it, it's a single extension for 22 months and 15 days, but it doesn't have to last that long," said Jennifer Carman, Development Services Director.

Carman said staff will draw on other communities' experience rather than commission local studies. Martínez Beltrán noted the re-adoption restarts the 45-day clock.

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Item 12.2, the ordinance, passed on a roll call vote (For: 5, Turner, Vega, Librers, Iwanaga, Martínez Beltrán; Against: 0; Absent: 0). Related items 12.1, 12.3 and 12.4 passed by unanimous voice votes.

Industry and neighbors are both angling for a seat at the table:

• Eric Negron of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group offered the industry as a resource. He said well-run facilities bring tax revenue and water-saving solutions.

• Armando Benavides backed the pause and urged standards on electricity, water, cooling, noise and backup generators, citing Gilroy.

• Sharon Luna called for coordination among Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin and the county.

What's next: Staff returns Oct. 21 with a proposed extension.

PG&E Costs Climb on Hale Project

Where things stand: The council unanimously approved an additional $388,390 agreement with PG&E by voice vote. The money covers undergrounding dry utilities between Wright and Main avenues for Phase 2 of the Upper Yagas Creek flood control project.

City Manager Christina Turner said Valley Water's construction is scheduled to finish by January. Under a 2022 contract, PG&E found additional design, construction and easement work. She acknowledged frustration with the delays but said "it's the necessary work that needs to be done to underground these utilities."

Decisions and stakeholder impacts: Librers pulled the item from consent to ask about the signal and sidewalks.

• Road: Hale is on schedule to reopen in fall 2026.

• Signal: The new signal depends on PG&E work and is expected in early 2027. It will have a push button and countdown timer.

• Sidewalks: Sidewalks are under construction except on the east side of Hale, where a grant is pending.

"The sidewalks will be completed at that intersection, and they're actually completing them right now," said Chris Ghione, Public Services Director.

Minor Items

• Consent calendar: Approved unanimously, minus item 7. It included the city's position on AB 1821. Christopher Bell supported extending records deadlines from 10 calendar days to 14 business days, if handled in good faith.

• ICE amicus brief: Dan Cloutier asked for a public vote on joining a brief against the Hoss Claw Road ICE detention facility. He noted more than 80 days have passed since a June 24 closed session ended with no reportable action.

• Groundwater and land acknowledgment: Sharon Luna of San Martin asked for a review of cumulative water capacity. Kathy Chavez Napoli urged an Amah Mutsun land acknowledgment.

• City announcements: A Greater Downtown Specific Plan workshop, with Spanish interpretation, will gather input on updating the 2009 plan. The Centennial Recreation Center marks its 20th anniversary Oct. 10.

• Proclamations: The mayor recognized Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, honoring Jacob's Heart Children's Cancer Support Services, and National Preparedness Month.

Looking Ahead

The moratorium extension returns Oct. 21. On Nov. 3, voters decide whether Morgan Hill's city treasurer should be elected or appointed. Turner also requested a future agenda item on organized bicycle and e-bike street takeovers.