1 Kristina Santana
From: Andrew Wong <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2022 3:59 PM
To: Kristina Santana
Subject: Public Comment - City Special Meeting 2/17 tonight CAUTION: This message originated outside of our City of Diamond Bar network.
Hello Ms. Kristina - please see below.
Thanks,
Andrew
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Honorable Mayor, Honorable City Council, and Honorable City Management:
With regards to the transitioning from At-Large to By-District elections, I’m deeply concerned that the redistricting would not be fairly administered and will not accurately represent all constituents within the City in an equitable manner.
I’m deeply concerned about this significant move in electing city council officials, as there is a lack of clarity with how the Consultant’s report arrive to such a conclusion; references and evidence that support such an assertion. With that said, I am respectfully requesting that the Consultant’s report be made available to the public for review. In an effort of maintaining transparency, this would create a better understanding for the general public.
I’m also concerned that the two public hearings for public input on district boundaries and two public hearings on draft district maps is sufficient in making a careful decision that serves in the best interest of all constituencies.
My recommendation is that a 10-person Ad Hoc Commission be appointed (2 per councilmember) to serve as an ad hoc advisory board that is independent from City Management and City Council. In addition to City Council and City Management, these appointed individuals will be responsible in providing an additional voice and some authority with the involvement and understanding to how the re-districting will take place. To ensure fairness, a plurality of different races/gender/location of residence should be considered.
I firmly believe that the more people involved, we will have a greater buy-in on this critical change to how city councilmembers are to be re-elected and elected.
2 I recognize that costs can have a bearing on this matter as with the examples of lawsuits with other cities cited. But ensuring fair elections and adequate representation is much more important than cost savings. The faith and trust of the people of Diamond Bar is much more intangibly valuable than saving money.
Leaning on City Council and Consultants alone on this critical matter gives the appearance of insufficient informed decisioning. More stakeholders need to be involved on this critical matter. A vote (although more expensive) by the residents of Diamond Bar in determining would be much more ideal.
Thank you for leadership, service, time, and consideration.
Warm regards,
Andrew Wong
1 Kristina Santana
From: Ybanez_Sandra <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2022 5:56 PM
To: Kristina Santana
Subject: Public Comment
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Completed
CAUTION: This message originated outside of our City of Diamond Bar network.
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I am not in agreement with the adoption of a resolution stating the City's intent to transition from at-large to by-district elections pursuant to California's Elections Code Section 10010(e)(3)(A).
Sandra Ybanez