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Councilmember Villegas, commented that there are 19 different ways to <br />establish ward based elections; concerned that matter not properly vetted; <br />currently represents the whole City, but changing to ward based elections <br />will have narrow representation. <br />Councilmember Benavides motion to approve item, seconded by <br />Councilmember Sarmiento. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Martinez, noted that she is not opposed to ward based <br />elections; currently 408 cities elected at large; 122 cities with Charter that <br />do not have to follow State regulations; 11 large cities and 7 of them are <br />district based elections, but have various forms including run off process; <br />proposed charter amendment not clear on method; opined that plurality vote <br />will continue to win; requested clarification from City Attorney on reset <br />clause on term limits. <br />City Attorney Carvalho, read the term limit language of Charter Section 401; <br />noted that current or proposed language do not provide for reset clause. <br />Councilmember Tinajero, clarified that plurality will be by ward/district and <br />not the whole City; asked Mayor Pro Tem that is proposed language <br />included run-off provision would be supportive of item. <br />Councilmember Solorio, spoke about politics of inclusion; noted that large <br />sums of campaign funds needed to run a raise; intent is not to extend the <br />term of any councilmembers; supports matter. <br />Mayor Pulido, noted that if matter considered in November will only cost <br />$30,000 and appropriation adjustment requires five votes; currently <br />councilmembers represent the interest of all citizens of the City; supports <br />deliberative discussion of options; asked if demographer made any <br />conclusions. <br />City Attorney Carvalho, noted that easy test to prove disenfranchised voter; <br />elections code allows for city council to adopt letter of intent within 45 days <br />of receiving letter of demand and include outline of steps to be considered. <br />Also, if open discussion of demographer findings would require vote to <br />waive privileged information. <br />Mayor Pro Tem Martinez, proposed motion to include a councilmember and <br />mayor to be elected at -large in addition to by ward councilmembers in <br />addition to run-off election process; recommend independent commission <br />to review and propose map redistricting and campaign reform; addressed <br />loop -hole of campaign independent expenditures. <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES 14 MARCH 6, 2018 <br />