Bell Gardens : Council Postpones 4-Day Plan for City Hall Workers

The City Council has postponed a decision on whether to schedule four-day, 10-hour workweeks for Bell Gardens employees, saying that closing City Hall one day a week would only generate criticism of the council.

The council already is under fire from a group of residents, property owners and business people who have accused the council of ignoring the needs of the community. Four of the five council members have been targeted for a recall election.

City staff members had recommended that the council approve a new schedule in which City Hall would be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday in response to a South Coast Air Quality Management District request that employers reduce the number of trips their employees make to and from work. Huntington Park, Bell, Maywood, Lynwood, Norwalk and Commerce already have instituted similar policies.

The council was to vote on the issue at its meeting Monday, but instead tabled it indefinitely.