CC MIN 03012022 - Laserfiche WebLink

Councilmember Balch inquired if any of the maps will prohibit any of the City Councilmembers from running for office. Thomas Willis, Olson Remcho, advised the maps will not prohibit anyone from running for office but it is just an issue of when they run. John Bauer reported he sent an email to the City Council expressing his opinion of the vote. He reported the Tangerine Map prevailed by a 3-2 vote and noted it is obvious that some of the City Council do not agree with the map. He advised the discussion of gerrymandering came up last Thursday and encouraged the City Council to vote unanimously to accept the democratic vote taken last Thursday. Vicki LaBarge expressed concerns regarding the Tangerine Map and is appalled that Mayor Brown and Councilmembers Testa and Arkin think dividing a neighborhood is acceptable when there are options in the Lime and Green Maps that do not divide neighborhoods. She referenced the district formation criteria and noted the State law shall not adopt district boundaries to favor or discriminate against a political party. She advised on February 3rd the City Council agreed that neighborhoods should not be divided but now agreed to divide Ventana Hills and Mission Park. She encouraged the City Council to not adopt the Tangerine Map but to adopt the Lime or Green Map. Justin Brown expressed concern for accepting the Tangerine Map as the districting plan for the next 10 years. He advised his concern with the Tangerine Map is that it fails to preserve known communities of interest. He noted Ventana Hills should neither be divided along a secondary road nor should it be separated from Mission Park. He advised the counterargument that residents are receiving more representation is simply untrue. He noted the Tangerine Map is not easily identifiable and understandable by residents. He encouraged the City Council to delay the vote to modify the Tangerine Map or select a map that satisfies the requirements. Kelly Cousins expressed support for the Tangerine Map and the district election sequencing. She trusts the opinion of the consultants who have deemed the map is fully compliant with State and Federal voting laws. She commended the City Council for providing a fair and transparent process. Jocelyn Combs reported she had submitted a map similar to the Tangerine Map but believes the Lime Map is a better match for Pleasanton. She encouraged the City Council to adopt the Lime Map. Mayor Brown closed the public hearing. Councilmember Arkin inquired if the maps submitted by Mr. Wagaman were in legal compliance with the law and the process. Mr. Willis confirmed the maps are legally compliant with the California Fair Maps Act. Councilmember Testa inquired if any of the maps were gerrymandered or manipulated by outside influences. Mr. Willis reported he does not believe the maps to be gerrymandered. Councilmember Testa referenced Mr. Willis's comments at the previous City Council meeting that there is no legal risk to the City with any of the maps that had been drawn up by the consultant demographer and the conditions that exist that would normally create that risk do not exist in Pleasanton. Mr. Willis explained he cannot guarantee if someone will sue but advised he did state that when someone challenges a map the claims most often seen are not seen in the maps for Pleasanton. Councilmember Testa reiterated the City Council did not initiate this process. She inquired if the factors that this process was designed to correct do not exist in Pleasanton. Mr. Willis advised the standard claims that are often brought forward by redistricting are not present in his opinion. He noted a particular neighborhood may feel harmed but that is the nature of making the maps. City Council Minutes Page 10 of 12 March 1. 2022