Salinas City Councilmember José Luis Barajas returns to City Hall on June 30.

Less than three months after Salinas City Councilmember José Luis Barajas experienced seizures that left him unable to speak for several weeks, he announced he has recovered and plans to return to the council chambers on June 30 and to his full-time job at the Monterey County Business Council. 

“I am grateful to my fellow councilmembers and my constituents for giving me time and grace to recover successfully,” Barajas shared on social media. 

His return is a little earlier than he anticipated. Barajas was expecting to return after the council’s summer break in July. “My doctors have determined that I have fully recovered, and they have cleared me to return to both my full-time job and to the City Council this week," he wrote. "I am prepared to jump back into my District 1 duties a bit early and look forward to participating in the Council meeting on June 30." 

Barajas was elected in 2024. After missing three consecutive council meetings in April, he requested a leave of absence which the council approved on May 5.

(The city charter states that if a member misses three consecutive meetings unexcused, they can be removed from the council.) 

During his absence, several constituents demanded his resignation and expressed discontent with the lack of representation for East Salinas' District 1. During his leave, Barajas continued receiving insurance benefits and compensation.