11A - ORDINANCE SECOND READING NEW CITY COUNCIL WARD BOUNDARY LINES

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of how numerous representatives have not helped combat problems that weaken our entire city. As City Council members, you are well aware of how public input can affect electoral representation. Some council members participated in recent public hearings that were conducted to determine federal representation. Under the City Charter, the council has until April 8, 2012, to conduct a more thorough, transparent process to determine council representation that will affect the city for a decade. In a city with low voter turnout and low median income, we must do more than just the bare minimum to encourage public participation in such a critical decision. Our Coalition recommends the following: 1. Two public hearings to get more public participation 2. Subsequent public meetings in which various proposals are considered 3. Greater dissemination of information about these hearings, their purpose and the long-term effect of redistricting. This effort would include press releases to Spanish and Vietnamese-language media, letters to all residents and emails to all registered voters. 4. Consideration of a Coalition map, which would leave Wards One and Three the same, make slight changes to Ward Two and retool Wards Four and Five. This map was submitted to City Clerk Maria Huizar. We look forward to your timely reply to tell us how this process will be modified to ensure the broader public participation. Thank you for your consideration of this very important issue. Sincerely, Alfredo Amezcua on behalf of the Santa Ana Coalition for Better Government CC: Mayor Miguel Pulido Mayor Pro Tern Claudia Alvarez City Council Member Michele Martinez City Council Member Sal Tinajero City Council Member David Benavides City Council Member Carlos Bustamante City Council Member Vincent Sarmiento Andrew Galvin, OC Register Nicole Santa Cruz, LA Times Adam Elmahrek, Voice of OC Gustavo Arellano, OC Weekly American Civil Liberties Union 11A-12