HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-13 - MINUTES - SPECIAL (CVRA HEARING)CITY OF SANTA C LARITA
City Council
Special Meeting
—Minutes—
Thursday, April 13, 2023
CITY CLERK ANNOUNCEMENT
City Council Chambers
Deputy City Clerk Amanda Santos 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 6:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmembers were present.
FLAG SALUTE
Councilmember Miranda led the flag salute.
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER FORMATION OF CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS
The City's demographer, Douglas Johnson with National Demographics Corporation, reviewed
maps as proposed by members of the public.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR AGENDIZED ITEMS
Addressing the Council via Zoom were Scott Rafferty regarding the importance of districts,
requirements of the CVRA in creating district boundaries, and addressed PuNic comments of the
collaborative maps; Susann Rizzo regarding support of the initial map due to balanced voting
districts; and Judy Taylour with questions regarding the Oakgrove development in Canyon
Country being split among two districts.
Addressing the Council in person were Peter Warda, representing SCV Chamber of Commerce,
suggesting minor boundary line cleanups along Skyline Ranch, Circle J Ranch, Shadowbox
Studio, and Linda Vista Street; Alan Ferdman regarding map 108 prepared in his name and
removing Happy Valley from District 1; Elaine (no last name provided) regarding separating
people by districts and disagreeing with creating districts; Tony Maldonado identifying himself
as author of maps 101 through 106 and questioning the higher deviation figures shown for his
proposed maps, opposing districting, commenting a gerrymandered map will lead to
disenfranchisement, and recommending maps 102, 103, 104, 105, and 106; Missy (no last name
provided) regarding penalties from the lawsuit and the plaintiffs' settlement claims; Diane
Trautman regarding the benefits of districts including giving a voice to more people and changes
mentioned at the meeting should be negotiated; Steve Petzold regarding the definition of plaintiff
in the settlement agreement, stating the community chose at large elections in 1987, viewing
incumbents' location on the district mapping tool, and labeling "L" for the remedial district;
Homer Temple regarding racial gerrymandering and cutting up a united city; Nancy (no last
name provided) regarding Districts 1 and 2 are too large, making it difficult for candidates to
campaign, and creating fair maps; Duncan Mandel regarding complying with the voting rights
act and supporting the compromised map; and Lynne Plambeck regarding supporting the
negotiated map, not supporting placing Shadowbox Studio in one area, and supporting maps 107,
108, and 109.
One written comment was received by Sandra Cattell, supporting the compromised map with
minor variations.
Mr. Johnson and the City's litigation counsel, Kahn Scolnick, addressed the public speakers'
comments and concerns.
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Council discussed the next steps and considered the proposed maps. Council agreed to moving
forward with creating two maps: one with incorporating changes suggested to map 107 by the
SCV Chamber of Commerce, along with minor adjustments identified by the demographer; and
the second additional map, if necessary, incorporating only the changes the plaintiffs agree with.
ADJOURN
Mayor Gibbs continued the public hearing to May 1, 2023, and adjourned the meeting at 7:28
p.m.
ATTEST,
CITY CLERK
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