Minutes
City of Soledad
Joint City Council/Successor Agency/Housing Authority/Successor Housing Agency/ City of Gonzales
Special Joint Meeting
December 14, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez called the Joint City Council/ Successor Agency/ Housing Authority/ Successor Housing Agency/ City of Soledad and City of Gonzales Special Joint Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
The Following City Councilmembers/Agencymembers were present when the meeting was called to order:
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Ben Jimenez, Jr.
Councilmember/Agencymember Alejandro Chavez
Councilmember/Agencymember Maria Corralejo
Councilmember/Agencymember Fernando Cabrera
THE FOLLOWING COUNCILMEMBER WAS ABSENT
Mayor/Chair Anna M. Velazquez
ROLL CALL
City of Gonzales Mayor Jose L. Rios took roll call for the City of Gonzales City Council. The Following Councilmembers were present when the meeting was called to order:
Mayor/Chair Jose L. Rios
Councilmember/Agencymember Liz Silva
Councilmember/Agencymember Lorraine Worthy
Councilmember/Agencymember Maria Orozco
THE FOLLOWING COUNCILMEMBER WAS ABSENT
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Scott Funk
City of Soledad & City of Gonzales City Council/Successor Agency Special Joint Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2022.
Soledad resident Benito thanked the council for the presentation which explains the districting.
He has similar concerns; Carmel, PG, and Salinas are allowed to elect their own Mayor and he would not want to see Soledad step away from a system that enables community members to directly pick who they want to be led by, instead of city council members or five members, being able to pick who will have that position. He agrees the Mayors position should stay at large. He knows the fair maps act requires this type of engagement with communities and he suggest having the meetings in person, at churches or at schools, to get more people to come out at more reasonable times. He knows there is a template that needs to be posted on the internet, and be made available in public areas, not just at the city council office. He looks forward to the redistricting in Soledad. He lives by Fred Ledesma Park and he hopes for someone from that community will get to represent his family and himself, and the things they have in mind for Soledad. He thanked the council for their time and the work that is being done in the City.
Councilmember Worthy asked if it is the decision of the council on whether or not the Mayor position is at large, or is that made by the community.
Dr. Justin Levitt said each City has the option of how that will be done.
Councilmember Silva asked since both towns are required to have districts in their school district, can the city district replicate what has already been done.
Dr. Justin Levitt said the council can request that to see if it is feasible. The school district has different boundaries.
Councilmember Silva said she does understand that, and she understands the City can select to only go to four districts, but if it can somehow replicate, not exact, that would be good.
Dr. Justin Levitt said the City of Soledad school district is going through the districting right now, so it is still unknown how the boundaries will end up.
Councilmember Silva said the City of Gonzales school district has already finished the district elections in November, but she doesn't know what that map looks like yet.
Councilmember Orozco asked what the time frame is for this project.
Dr. Justin Levitt said the law states that a jurisdiction has 90 days to finish this process. There can be an extension agreed on, but that will need to be discussed with the City Attorney.
Councilmember Cabrera asked regarding the election of the Mayor, who decides that, is it the population or the council who decides.
Dr. Justin Levitt said the council can make that selection. State law provides the options of either having four districts and an at-large Mayor, or five districts. It is up to the council to decide, and most cities decide that at the council level. It helps residents to be able to know what they are expecting.
City of Soledad & City of Gonzales City Council/Successor Agency Special Joint Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2022.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tem Jimenez adjourned the meeting at 6:49 p.m.
Minutes Approved anuary 04, 2023
BEN JIMENEZ, JR! Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair
DARLENE NORIEGA, Deputy City Clerl