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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/09/2017 - Regular Adjourned Meeting ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2017 CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Amundson called the regular meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. INVOCATION — Mayor Peter Amundson PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Mayor Peter Amundson ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Beck, Chandler, Verlato, Tay, and Amundson ABSENT: None Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(b), Mayor Pro Tern Tay participated via teleconference from 3855 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716, and notice was properly posted as required by law. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto stated there was no supplemental agenda information. PUBLIC HEARING a. Public hearing to receive public comments on transition to district based elections. Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing to receive public input regarding the composition of the districts and provide direction on the number of draft maps and parameters to be considered City Manager Lazzaretto provided the staff report. In response to questions raised by Council Member Verlato, Dr. Justin Levitt, Vice President, National Demographics Corp., explained that the Federal Voting Rights Act does not necessarily require that a district be drawn by majority or minority, etc., but makes sure to respect the needs of protected class groups in two ways (1) to make sure that if there are groups of protected class individuals that there is no intent to either pack them all into one district so that they cannot exert influence elsewhere; and (2) they cannot be diluted in such a way that prevents them from influencing a number of seats, if possible; and explained that as part of their analysis they will be presenting 3 or 4 options that will be legally defensible maps. Mayor Amundson opened the public hearing. Mike Vercillo, an Arcadia resident, appeared and applauded the City Council for moving toward district based elections instead of spending millions of dollars in litigation; he indicated that he was a little concerned with some of the comments made by the City Council about drawing up districts, and in particular, gerrymandering; he provided the City Council with his own map and a summary of those neighborhoods; he had several "what if" questions that he shared with the City Council; and thanked them for the public hearings and allowing the residents to share their comments and concerns. Richard A. McDonald, Esq., representing the Chinese American Equalization Association, appeared and reiterated some of the same suggestions he provided at the August 1, 2017, City Council meeting regarding the creation of at least 3 Asian majority districts, and more simple districts such as north, northeast, northwest, south, southeast, southwest, and central; he presented 2 maps that he spoke about regarding his first and second suggestion (Submission A and Submission B); he suggested creating an independent task force; he indicated that in 2021 the district lines would have to be redone, because of new census data; he further indicated that there was discussion about the dates regarding going to a June or November, and suggested keeping an eye on Senate Bill 568 (Lara) which the legislature is going to change the June primary to March, but was recently amended to allow the governor the discretion to go even earlier in the year. Caroline Blake, an Arcadia resident, appeared and indicated that her comments may change in the future because it is so early in the process, but that her neighborhood is made up of all ethnic groups that seem to get along, which she is pleased about; she is opposed to combining all the HOAs into one district; she proposed that the Village be combined with other R-1 single- story homes; she is in favor of making the population in each of the districts equal; she favors a City Council residency for those running for City Council at 5 years, one year seems short to her; and regarding the under representation of any one ethnic group, she feels that voter records could show the percentages of ethics groups, if there is a problem; she is not in favor of any one specific ethnic group living in any one district, and that she would not want to be represented by 98% of any one specific ethic group; that all neighborhoods in Arcadia have a variety of ethnic groups; and thanked the City Council for allowing her to provide comments. Council Member Chandler made a motion to close the public hearing, and, seeing no objection, Mayor Amundson declared the public hearing closed. City Manager Lazzaretto indicated that the next public hearing was scheduled for September 5; however, the demographer is not available and recommended the City Council set the next public hearing date for September 7, 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber to receive input regarding the draft maps, and stated that the maps will be available on or about August 28. It was moved by Council Member Beck, seconded by Council Member Chandler and carried on roll call vote to set a Public Hearing on Thursday, September 7, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber to receive public input regarding the content of the draft map or maps and the proposed sequence of elections. AYES: Beck, Chandler, Verlato, Tay, and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None In response to City Manager Lazzaretto's recommendation, all Council Members provided their remarks and comments regarding the make-up of the maps to the demographer. City Manager Lazzaretto indicated that all staff reports and proposed maps will be placed on the City's website. In response to Council Member Verlato's inquiry, City Manager Lazzaretto indicated that discussion on the consolidation of the City's election with the County election will be conducted at the September 7 City Council meeting; he further indicated that only an ordinance is required, not a vote of the people since the State is compelling cities to do this, which supersedes the City Charter. PUBLIC COMMENTS — no one appeared. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense[AB 12341) Council Member Verlato only indicated that she missed the Recreation and Parks Commission meeting tonight, but had no comments. Mayor Pro Tern Tay had no comments. Council Member Chandler had no comments. Council Member Beck had no comments. City Clerk Glasco had no comments. Mayor Amundson reported that yesterday the Foothill Unity Center had a great back to school event, that they had about 1,100 students, and served about 500 families; he announced that Thursday is the last concert of the summer series; and commented on an article in today's Pasadena Star News entitled "Meddling Sacramento - Stepping on us as a City". ADJOURNMENT The City Council meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. to August 15, 2017, 5:00 •.m. in the City Council Conference Room. � I Mayor of the City of Arcadia ATTEST: / 1/.11 C ief Tuty City Clerk/ Recor• Manager