Summary

Data center restrictions move forward

Monterey ParkFeb 4, 20264 min read

At a glance

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The City Council directed staff to explore options to prohibit data centers citywide and to gather community input before bringing recommendations back for council consideration.

Committees mentioned

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City Council

Topics discussed

CommerceEnvironmentalHousing

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What this means

Residents raised concerns about data centers, and the council responded by asking staff to study ways to ban them citywide. The council did not adopt a final ban at this meeting. It also approved routine consent items, including a monthly investment report showing $79,773,412.67 in invested city funds as of December 31, 2025.

Key decisions

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Directed staff to explore options to prohibit data centers citywide for future City Council consideration and to collect input from community members.
Approved the consent calendar, including minutes from prior meetings and a monthly investment report.
Approved locations for future murals at Barnes Park and Sierra Vista Park.
Approved a letter of support for Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment’s grant application to the California Air Resources Board.
Waived second reading and adopted Ordinance No. 2273 designating the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals for California Building Standards Code appeals.

Timeline & follow-ups

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Meeting information

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City Council Regular Meeting

Feb 4, 2026, 6:30 PMCity Hall Council Chambers,, 320 W. Newmark Ave., Monterey Park CA 91754completed

Agenda

1. Call to Order
Mayor
2. Flag Salute
The Monterey Park Fire Explorers
3. Roll Call
Henry Lo, Vinh Ngo, Jose Sanchez, Thomas Wong, Elizabeth Yang
4. Telecommunications Announcement, if requested
5. Agenda Revisions and Additions
6. Public Communications
7. Staff Communications
A. City Manager's Office
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
B. Fire Department
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
C. Public Works
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
D. Library
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
E. Recreation and Community Services
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Staff Communications
8. Presentation
A. Recognition of 2025 Congressional App Challenge Third Place Winners: Drexel Ngo, Alina Ramos, Evan Lau and Athicha Chanpradub
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable.
Decision: Presentation
9. Old Business
A. Consideration and possible action to direct the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare a ballot proposition to prohibit data centers citywide and allow housing development within Saturn Park
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Directing the City Manager and City Attorney to draft a ballot proposition for City Council consideration at the March 4, 2026 City Council Meeting; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | reports=1
Decision: Old Business
10. Consent Calendar
All items under the Consent Calendar are considered by the City Council to be routine and will be enacted by one motion. Specific items may be removed from the Consent Calendar at the request of any member of the City Council for separate consideration.
A. Minutes
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Approving the minutes from the special meeting of December 17, 2025 and the regular meeting of December 17, 2025; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
B. Monthly Investment Report
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Receiving and filing the monthly investment report; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
C. Approve locations for a future mural celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial at Barnes Park and a mural honoring the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Gabrieleno/Tongva, at Sierra Vista Park.
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Approving locations for future murals celebrating the United States Semiquincentennial at Barnes Park and a mural honoring the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, Gabrieleno/Tongva, at Sierra Vista Park; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
D. Consideration of Sending a Letter of Support on Behalf of Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment as a Sub-Applicant to the California Air Resources Board for their Application for the 2025 Planning and Capacity Building Grant
It is recommended that the City Council consider: If desirable, sending a letter of support on behalf of the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment’s grant application to the California Air Resources Board’s 2025 Planning and Capacity Building Grant; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
E. Waive further reading and adopt an Ordinance amending Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapters 1.10, 2.56, 4.20, and 4.30 to designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals to consider appeals arising from application of the California Building Standards Code
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Waiving the second reading, and adopting the proposed Ordinance amending Monterey Park Municipal Code Chapters 1.10, 2.56, 4.20, and 4.30 to designate the Planning Commission as the Board of Appeals to consider appeals arising from application of the California Building Standards Code; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
F. Annual Weed Abatement Declaration List
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Adopting the attached Resolution with the Declaration List; and/or Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=2 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
G. Black History Month Resolution
It is recommended that the City Council consider: Approving the attached resolution; and Taking such additional, related, action that may be desirable. | attachments=1 | reports=1
Decision: Consent Calendar
11. Public Hearing
12. New Business
13. City Communications (City Council) / Future Agenda Items
14. Closed Session (if Required; City Attorney to Announce)
15. Adjournment