HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-03-01 - MINUTES - SPECIALCITY OF SANTA CLARITA
City Council
Special Meeting
—Minutes—
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Newhall Community Center
CITY CLERK ANNOUNCEMENT
City Clerk Mary Cusick announced the meeting would be simultaneously translated into Spanish
onsite and over Zoom and provided information on how the public may participate and comment;
the announcement was repeated by the Spanish interpreter.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gibbs called the Special Meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmember were present.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Gibbs led the flag salute.
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER FORMATION OF CIr.'rY COUNCIL ]DISTRICTS
Douglas Johnson with National Demographics Corporation gave a presentarl on can the legal
requirements for districts, described a starting point map developed between thy; City and the
plaintiffs as required by the settlement and consent decree, discussed multiple ways in which the
public may submit proposed maps, and reviewed the timeline.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR AGENDIZED ITEMS
Addressing the Council in person and in a neutral position were Alan Ferdman, representing
Santa Clarita Community Council, regarding the original and adjusted proposed maps; Mark
White regarding the history and identity of each area of the City and expressing concern with
District 1 and 2; Nancy (no last name provided) regarding mirroring the Hart High School
district map.
Addressing the Council in person and in opposition were Glenda Yakel regarding consequences
of the district map; Cindy (no last name) regarding the creation of racially based voting districts;
Daniel Maldonado regarding merging a section of Canyon Country into Newhall and effects of
the lawsuit; Tony Maldonado registering a protest on the location of the public hearing and the
constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA); Carrie (no last name) regarding
racially and culturally dividing the City; Missy (no last name) regarding disenfranchising voters;
Elaine (no last name) regarding segregation by culture and color; Diane Zimmerman regarding
the damage of districting and opposition to District 1.
Addressing the Council in person and in support were Cheryl Corriveau Cox supporting the
suggested map; Kat Walker supporting the inclusive map; Diane Trautman supporting the
recommended map and suggesting the demographer speak of statistics and guidelines for the
benefit of the public; Valerie Bradford, representing Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of NAACP,
supporting the CVRA and in support of the proposed map; Duncan Mandel supporting the
proposed map; Scott Rafferty, representing the plaintiffs, regarding the benefits of districting and
the process of creating District 1; and Sandra Cattell supporting balanced districts.
One written comment was received by Karen Towles in opposition due to limitation of
Councilmember choice.
One written comment was received by Nicole Wilson in support of districts.
ADJOURN
Mayor Gibbs continued the public hearing to April 13, 2023, and adjourned the meeting at 7:16
p.m.
ATTEST:
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