CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Special Meeting March 11, 2022
5:15 P.M. Council Chambers
5:15 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING/STUDY SESSION
Mayor Thorpe called the meeting to order at 5:15 P.M., and City Clerk Householder called the roll.
Present: Council Members District 1 Torres-Walker, District 3 Ogorchock, District 4 Wilson (attended via Zoom), Mayor Pro Tem (District 2) Barbanica and Mayor Thorpe
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Thorpe led the Pledge of Allegiance.
SM-1. REDISTRICTING: RECEIPT OF PUBLIC INPUT AND SELECTION OF FINAL MAP
City Attorney Smith presented the staff report dated March 11, 2022, recommending that the City Council receive public comment and select the final redistricting map redefining the boundaries of all City Council electoral districts of the City.
Laurie Ratterree stated she was disappointed with the redistricting process . She spoke in support of draft map 91 and questioned why it was not supported by the majority of Council.
Kathy Cabrera, Antioch resident, expressed concern there was not enough advanced notice for this meeting and it was scheduled at a time when residents were unable to attend. She spoke in support of draft map 521 because it followed the guidelines of the Fair Maps Act. She encouraged residents to sign the recall initiative.
Lindsay Amezcua stated she was disappointed with the redistricting procedures and felt the public had been left out of the process.
Mary Rocha stated she was disappointed with the redistricting process and felt actions previously taken favored a Councilmember.
Allen Payton requested Council support draft map 521 because it followed major thoroughfares, did not divide communities of interest, and had a small population deviation. He felt draft map A modified was drawn to move Councilmember Ogorchock out of her district.
Sandy Hartrick stated she was disappointed with the redistricting process and felt modified draft map A did not meet criteria of the Fair Maps Act. She requested Council select the map drawn by residents and cautioned that if they chose not to, they would be exposing themselves to a lawsuit.
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Tom Hartrick expressed concern regarding the start time of the meeting noting many residents were unable to attend. He felt public opinion was being ignored and Council had not followed criteria of the Fair Maps Act except for the population deviation percentages. He also believed modified draft map A was drawn by Councilmembers to place certain people in specific districts.
Kerry Abfaulter stated Council was not representing the citizens of Antioch and expressed concern that this meeting was scheduled outside of the regular Council meeting time.
At the request of Mayor Thorpe, Ms. Hood displayed and made additional modifications to modified draft map A.
A motion was made by Councilmember Barbanica, seconded by Councilmember Ogorchock to adopt draft map 521 as the permanent redistricting map. The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Ogorchock, Barbanica Noes: Torres-Walker, Wilson, Thorpe
A motion was made by Councilmember Torres-Walker and seconded by Councilmember Wilson to adopt draft map A modified (attachment A of the staff report).
Councilmember Ogorchock thanked the public speakers this evening. Speaking to the motion, she expressed concern that lines were drawn to accommodate population deviation percentages and no other criteria of the Fair Map s Act. She also expressed concern regarding comments made by Ms. Mac Donald and quoted in the East Bay Times, in reference to the Fair Maps Act.
She questioned why Councilmember Torres-Walker moved lines up Montara Drive.
Councilmember Torres -Walker responded that she was unaware of where Councilmember Ogorchock lived when she adjusted the lines for modified draft map A.
Councilmember Ogorchock stated she believed the residents who had participated in the redistricting process were being ignored. She felt modified draft map A was created to move her into another district and noted if it were adopted, she would be running for Council for District
4. She cautioned Council that they would be exposing themselves to a lawsuit.
Councilmember Torres-Walker expressed concern that some of the negative public comments this evening appeared to be directed towards people of color serving on Council.
Councilmember Barbanica spoke in support of draft map 91. He commented that modified draft map A was a disservice to the community since it divided well established neighborhoods and communities of interest . He noted if the motion passed, Council had not listened to the community.
Mayor Thorpe commented Councilmembers represented the entire city. He discussed the original districting process and noted that he had not questioned if Councilmember Ogorchock created a map that deliberately removed Councilmember Wilson from a District.
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Councilmember Wilson reported she had received an equal number of comments in support of all maps. She stated she had had false accusations directed toward her and had witnessed gerrymandering during the previous d istricting process. She thanked Councilmember Torres - Walker for her comments this evening.
A vote taken on the previous motion to adopt draft map A modified (attachment A of the staff report), passed. The motion carried the following vote:
Ayes: Torres-Walker, Wilson, Thorpe Noes: Ogorchock, Barbanica
PUBLIC COMMENTS
In response to Councilmember Ogorchock, Mayor Thorpe stated she had three minutes to make a public comment.
Councilmember Ogorchock stated as a Councilmember she had the right to speak without a time limit. She requested an evaluation of Interim City Manager Johnson.
Mayor Thorpe asked for a motion to adjourn.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion by Councilmember Torres-Walker, seconded by Councilmember Wilson the City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:03 P.M. the motion carried the following vote:
Ayes: Torres-Walker, Wilson, Thorpe Noes: Ogorchock, Barbanica
Respectfully submitted:
Kitty Eiden
KITTY EIDEN, Minutes Clerk