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• Jeff LeTourmeau, noted both the California State Democratic Party and <br />the Orange County Democratic Party strongly supports a move toward <br />district elections. <br />• Joese Hernandez expressed support towards the Vietnamese <br />communities right to have real representation. Opined the City of Santa <br />Ana is the largest city to not have a district election process and need to <br />let the voters decide. <br />• Dr. Long Pham, opined district elections not only would save the City <br />from a lawsuit, but would allow Councilmembers to work more closely <br />with people in their district. <br />• Phat Bui, Chairman of the Vietnamese American Federation of Southern <br />California, opined Vietnamese community longing to have a fair <br />representation, belief that voting by district is not just designed to help <br />candidates, but to help residents to be well represented in their district, <br />and district election would benefit not only the Vietnamese community <br />but also the Hispanic residents. <br />• Ken Nguyen, expressed support toward district elections. <br />Councilmember Benavides, opined that in the past be believed that the City <br />had the best of both worlds by having nomination by Ward and elected at <br />large, but recently more and more cities have moved to District based <br />elections to have true representation— merit in changing; vote should not be <br />diluted with votes from throughout the City; vote should have more impact <br />in their community. Asked City Attorney address the letters received in <br />relation to matter. <br />City Attorney Carvalho, noted that City received City expressing concern for <br />vote dilution, but different than the one received today which is official <br />demand/strict liability; option is to take action within 45 days or to take <br />immediate action and reduce exposure to litigation; noted that no City <br />throughout the State has been successful in defending similar demands. <br />Councilmember Sarmiento, thanked all speakers; reflects diversity of <br />community; supports commitment to represent all residents; time sensitivity <br />to approve matter; Santa Ana is one of last remaining large cities that does <br />not have ward (district) based elections. <br />Councilmember Tinajero, noted that Ad Hoc Committee <br />actions for the voters of the City to decide on ho <br />representatives; ward based elections will have better <br />officials. <br />recommended <br />w to elect their <br />access to their <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 13 MARCH 6, 2018 <br />