The censure is the first in Morgan Hill in nearly three decades, when Councilmember Bev Freeman was disciplined in 1998 for using a racial slur.<\/p>\n
Outside counsel was brought in to review the case and relayed its findings Wednesday, noting Martinez Beltr\u00e1n has been accused by other councilmembers, including Miriam Vega and Soraida Iwanaga, of being unprofessional, getting in their faces and yelling. Both have claimed Martinez Beltr\u00e1n confronted them separately as recently as June 3.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Martinez Beltr\u00e1n alleged Turner, who she reportedly called racist and sexist, pushed her in the stomach in February 2025. Police deemed her story was inconsistent with other parties<\/a> and had video evidence. Based on the information, the outside counsel recommended approving the censure.<\/p>\n Turner said with unprofessional behavior happening for more than a year, something had to give.<\/p>\n \u201cShe has been badgering, belittling and intimidating people for years, not just on the council, but on staff and the community,\u201d Turner told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cIt was a difficult decision, but the right decision and hopefully going forward Councilmember Martinez Beltr\u00e1n will consider the consequences of her actions before she acts.\u201d<\/p>\n In the aftermath of Martinez Beltr\u00e1n\u2019s claims against Turner, the council last August voted along the same lines \u2014 4-1 with Martinez Beltran the lone dissenter \u2014 to remove her from her mayor pro tem post and elevate Councilmember Marilyn Librers to the position.<\/p>\n Iwanaga said there is a clear line between challenging an idea and a personal attack. She said councilmembers can question decisions, demand accountability and disagree passionately without degrading someone\u2019s character or attempting to silence them.<\/p>\n \u201cWe agreed not only to the standards of behavior, but also to the consequences when those standards were violated,\u201d Iwanaga told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cWe did not create a new standard or punish someone simply for political reasons or disagreeing, we enforced the commitment we had already made to one another and to our community.\u201d<\/p>\n Martinez Beltr\u00e1n, who is seeking reelection to the city council Nov. 3 in District B, broke down in tears at the meeting. She said she had tried to build better rapport with the councilmembers after she was caught off guard once the censure item was made public on the city agenda.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is political maneuvering three weeks before ballots drop,\u201d Martinez Beltr\u00e1n told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cThey knew I just had a successful kickoff this Sunday with amazing speakers endorsing me. That\u2019s the problem, I guess I\u2019m campaigning too well.\u201d<\/p>\n While the dais was one-sided in favor of the censure, residents who attended the meeting were split on what the council should do.<\/p>\n Resident Chris Robell was in favor of the council\u2019s decision and said the issue was not about policy views, but with misconduct and behavior. A year ago, Morgan Hill councilmembers agreed to a code of civility holding them accountable for certain standards of behavior, with consequences to come from those who violate the standards.<\/p>\n \u201cYou already know you\u2019re on thin ice, and to not be belt-suspenders careful is alarming,\u201d Robell told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cOur community has enough serious problems and we need to focus on those and stop the circus acts that cost everyone a lot of money and time.\u201d<\/p>\n Resident Zain Yahya agrees with Robell that this is a waste of taxpayer money and time, but is aligned with Martinez Beltr\u00e1n in thinking this is something along the lines of personal drama with the councilmembers.<\/p>\n \u201cBickering over personal differences led to this flawed decision,\u201d Yahya told San Jos\u00e9 Spotlight. \u201cThese elected officials should be focused on keeping the character of our city and protecting our immigrant communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Martinez Beltr\u00e1n said the censure vote was held from June despite two subsequent meetings that took place after she was issued a memo about it. She said it was brought to the agenda only after the election nomination period closed in August, and Turner and Librers have strong challengers this election cycle.<\/p>\n Turner is seeking reelection in the mayoral race, with Kristopher Clayton and Deborah Africa<\/a> challenging him. Librers is the incumbent in District D running against Dolores Alvarado. Martinez Beltr\u00e1n is looking to retain her District D seat, with Steven Hayes<\/a> challenging her.<\/p>\n \u201cWith my campaign so strong, if I win my seat again it will no longer be a 4-1 vote,\u201d Martinez Beltr\u00e1n said. \u201cIf I win and (the challengers) win, council majority changes overnight. That\u2019s a lot at stake. It\u2019s a political hack job.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5015-1024x768.jpeg\")
The Morgan Hill City Council said Councilmember Yvonne Martinez Beltr\u00e1n\u2019s unprofessional behavior toward her colleagues had been ongoing for more than a year. Photo by Giovanni Albanese Jr.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5017-1024x768.jpeg\")
Many Morgan Hill residents came out in support of Councilmember Yvonne Martinez Beltr\u00e1n. Photo by Giovanni Albanese Jr.<\/p>\n![\"In-line](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1789765694_944_interactive-321838904008.png\")
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