The San Gabriel City Council on Tuesday introduced an ordinance to raise councilmember pay to $1,275 per month under Senate Bill 329, advancing the measure by a 4-1 vote.

Chief City Clerk Clark presented Ordinance No. 7-24, citing Senate Bill 329 (effective Jan. 1, 2024) as the enabling statute and explaining three calculation methods the law permits. Council members were shown three illustrative amounts: Option 1 (up to $1,275 per month for cities in the 35,000–50,000 population range), Option 2a (a 5% annual adjustment measured from the last salary change in 2009, calculated in the staff report as $1,608.66 per month) and Option 2b (an adjustment tied to the California Consumer Price Index, estimated at $942.85). Clark said any ordinance must include findings required by SB 329 and that per state and local rules the increase could not take effect until at least one council member begins a new term after the next municipal election.

"If we want good leadership, we need to make sure that it reflects diversity," Mayor Denise Menchaca said during deliberations, arguing the change would broaden the pool of people who could afford to serve. Menchaca proposed adopting Option 1, $1,275 per month, and moved the ordinance at the meeting.

Council member Wu offered a contrasting view, proposing to reduce the stipend to zero and saying, "first we should ask ourselves that if we have done enough to deserve it," citing earlier campaign misinformation concerns and defending the council's recent financial performance. Wu cast the lone vote against the motion.

Other members cited workload differences, including that San Gabriel operates its own police and fire departments and holds at-large seats rather than district-based representation. Vice Mayor Chan and Council members Herrera Avila and Ding supported the increase; Herrera Avila said modest compensation helps offset out-of-pocket costs such as travel and meals and can encourage broader participation.

Staff outlined the fiscal impact: Option 1 would increase annual payouts across all five seats by $22,878; Option 2a would raise annual payouts by $42,897.60. Clark said there would be no fiscal impact in the current fiscal year and funds would be included in the FY 2026–27 budget. Clark also advised that any increase beyond the statutory cap would require voter approval via a ballot measure.

The council voted 4-1 to introduce and waive full reading of Ordinance No. 7-24 selecting Option 1 ($1,275 per month). Council member Wu voted no. The council scheduled a second reading and potential adoption for the Nov. 18, 2025 meeting. If adopted at the second reading, the increase would take effect the first full pay period after newly elected or re-elected members are seated following the November 2026 election.

The meeting also included ceremonial proclamations for Native American Heritage Month and Lung Cancer Awareness Month, routine consent-calendar approvals and staff updates on Dia de los Muertos events and a forthcoming Veterans Memorial design review.