Councilman ‘in shock’ after mayor’s recusal on motorcycle rally

Councilman Victor Gomez told fellow officials he was “in shock” when newly elected Mayor Ignacio Velazquez announced Monday he would recuse himself from any discussions or decisions regarding a potential motorcycle rally.

Velazquez made the announcement at Monday’s council meeting prior to an update from City Manager Clint Quilter on talks of reviving the rally in July 2013.

The mayor said he had a conflict because he could potentially benefit financially from a motorcycle rally due to his ownership of The Vault building downtown. 

Elected officials are barred from an official consideration that could have a certain level of impact on personal finances.

Velazquez’s support for a rally return was a central campaign issue in his run to become Hollister’s first at-large mayor elected by the entire citizenry. Hollister council members canceled the sanctioned event after the 2008 rally that resulted in a loss of more than $200,000 for city coffers.

During his mayoral campaign, Velazquez indicated he was expecting to make business arrangements so that he would not have a conflict of interest. This week, he said he had yet to complete those arrangements but hoped to do so in time.

“I have a conflict on this item so I’m going to recuse myself and have the vice mayor take over on this item,” Velazquez announced Monday.

Velazquez left the room. Gomez then responded, saying he had a concern and a question. 

“The mayor just recused himself for one of the things he championed during his campaign,” Gomez said. “I’m kind of in shock right now. I mean, what’s the conflict?”

City Attorney Stephanie Atigh explained that Velazquez still owns the liquor license for The Vault property.

“I have a business in Hollister, too, and it impacts my business as well,” Gomez said regarding his Papa Murphy’s franchise.

On Tuesday, Gomez said he was surprised by the Velazquez announcement because he had not been aware of it before the meeting.

Gomez acknowledged there are “probably some supporters” of Velazquez who would be concerned that the mayor cannot even officially discuss the prospect for a rally. 

The councilman also said he was now in the process of examining whether his ownership of a Papa Murphy’s – he said he would lose business during a rally because the take-home model isn’t conducive for out-of-town visitors – should preclude him from the consideration as well.