At a Pasadena City Council meeting, Mayor Thomas Schoenbein directed officers to escort Council Member Bianca Valerio out of the council chambers. The move followed an exchange during public comments with speaker Alisia Cardenas, who addressed social media allegations that she supports the Pasadena Police Department and was speaking against council members who opposed a proposed 6% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
Valerio, who represents District B, raised several points of order during Cardenas's remarks. She then asked whether the speaker had been recruited by the mayor or someone connected to his campaign. Schoenbein then said, "officers, please escort Ms. Valerio out."
The exchange came amid a dispute over the proposed 6% COLA for city employees. At a September 15 budget meeting, Schoenbein moved to amend the fiscal year 2027 budget to include the increase, saying the change would reallocate existing funds. Council Member Jonathan Estrada said he was confused about the motion. The amendment failed to advance after other council members declined to second it, so it did not reach a vote.