2018-05-01 Regular - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mayor Pro Tem Martinez opened the Hearing. Clerk of the Council Maria confirmed the written communication was received and circulated to council. Councilmember discussion ensued: Councilmember Tinajero, opined need to maintain what is currently in place, draw lines after election takes place without removing elected Councilmembers, and to move forward to ensure ward elections are on November ballot. Noted waiting until after election would provide more time to make a better decision and would bring stronger democracy to residents by giving them more of a voice through the ward election process. Councilmember Sarmiento, referenced minimum legal requirement to have five public hearings and need to go above and beyond the minimum requirements to address community groups, neighborhood associations, and advocacy groups. Noted many ways to define community of interest, population vote diluted by at large system currently in place, encouraged public to participate, need to be explicit to what is on the ballot, and need to have ability allow individuals to draw their own maps on city website. Further discussion ensued. Councilmember Benavides, inquired what numbers will be used to determine population size. Noted 2020 Census results will not come out until 2022, steps taken towards new ward boundaries is a remedy to address ongoing California Voters Rights Acts litigation filed against the City of Santa Ana, 2010 census numbers were very likely undercounted, and anticipation that 2020 census will be more skewed given the climate and potential questions that are being presented by the current administration. Consultant, 2010 census will define population number, 2010 census was faulty because it there was a significant undercount in the City of Santa Ana, American Community Survey will define the ethnic composition of citizen voting age population, and various data that can help inform the process but doesn't have legal standing. The following speakers commented on said item • Theresa Le, expressed disappointment in the underrepresentation of the Vietnamese community. Opined attention has been drawn towards politics at the loss of what is important and the election system leaves most of the population feeling poorly unrepresented. Urged City Council to move towards a fair and inclusive process for a new district election system. • Dave Hoen, opined we have run out of excuses and need to go towards a fair representation of all residents. • Miguel Hernandez, on behalf of Santa Ana Fair Election Coalition, echoed statements made by Theresa Le. Opined need to move forward with redrawing of the maps to ensure the Vietnamese community is represented CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 52 MAY 1, 2018