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MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC <br /> 4. Public Comment regarding items not listed on the agenda <br /> John Heath, proponent of the Our Neighborhood Voices initiative, stated the initiative would give cities <br /> and counties the right to override conflicting statements in planning and zoning laws. He noted the <br /> initiative is an attempt to have the State government see its municipalities as collective partners. He <br /> encouraged residents to visit their website for additional information. <br /> Becky Dennis reported she will wait until the next meeting to discuss the Our Neighborhood Voices <br /> initiative. <br /> PUBLIC HEARINGS AND OTHER MATTERS <br /> Councilmember Arkin presented a tribute to the life and legacy of 50-year Pleasanton resident John <br /> Madden who passed away on December 28, 2021. The commendation recognized Mr. Madden's <br /> career, being a good friend and neighbor to the Pleasanton community, and his family's contributions to <br /> the Tri-Valley through investments in the arts and properties such as the Rose Hotel. <br /> 5. Public Hearing — Receive input from the community regarding boundaries and composition of <br /> districts to be established for City Councilmember district-based elections pursuant to Elections <br /> Code section 10010 <br /> City Attorney Dan Sodergren reported in September 2021, the City Council adopted a Letter of Intent to <br /> transition from at-large to district-based elections in conformance with the California Voting Rights Act <br /> (CVRA) with the office of Mayor remaining an at-large election. He advised the City is required to hold <br /> meetings to gather community input before the maps are drawn and tonight represents the first of the <br /> two hearings. <br /> Demographer Michael Wagaman, Principal of Wagaman Strategies, reported the first couple of <br /> hearings are intended to not talk about what makes for the good representation on a broad level. In <br /> addition to the two public hearings to receive input on composition for the maps, there will be two public <br /> hearings after maps are drafted. He explained the tight timeline is determined by State law. <br /> Mr. Wagaman presented the City's demographics based upon the 2020 United States census, <br /> including breakdowns by race and those of voting age. He reported the six criteria governing the <br /> districting process in order of priority, noting there can be a give-and-take if one conflicts with another. <br /> Mr. Wagaman reported the first criterion is having "substantially" equal populations between the <br /> districts with the difference between the largest and smallest districts being within 10%. <br /> The second criterion is adhering to federal law focused mainly on race and ethnicity. He reported race <br /> must not be the predominant factor but it can be considered. He reported Pleasanton has a substantial <br /> Asian and Pacific Islander (API) population but noted it is very evenly distributed throughout the City <br /> and there are very few areas with an API majority. He advised it is unlikely the federal Voting Rights Act <br /> will apply to Pleasanton but it will continue to be monitored. <br /> The third criterion is contiguity which states all parts of a district should be connected. He reported the <br /> fourth criterion is neighborhoods and communities. He noted this is where the public plays a very <br /> important role so they do not draw boundaries dividing communities of interest. He advised a <br /> community of interest is defined as an area with a common social or economic interest that should be <br /> together in a single district for fair and effective representation. communities can overlap or people may <br /> have different definitions of where the community extends. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 2 of 10 January 4, 2022 <br />