SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Zoom
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5lM2R1dHNFbVJoVXJBckdmQT09 Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
The Special City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Salinas at 5:30 p.m. The City Council held a hybrid meeting in the Council Chambers and virtually via Zoom.
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Bonilla Jr.
ROLL CALL
Present: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño MAYOR Salinas
Absent: NONE
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
PUBLIC HEARING
1. Public Hearing No. 4 to Consider Draft City Council District Maps Prepared by the Demographers Based on Input from the Community for Establishing District -Based Elections Beginning in 2026 and Provide Direction to Demographers Regarding the Draft Maps; Discussion of Election Seq uencing for District-Based Elections Beginning in 2026 PH 24-038
Staff report submitted by City Attorney Lawson, dated
September 3, 2024, was filed.
Interim City Manager Claussen announced the item and introduced Demographer Karin Mac Donald who provided an overview of the five basic, ranked criteria used for drawing the six districts. Steven Ochoa with Q2 & Research LLC provided an overview of the three draft plan maps: Draft Plan 1 , Draft Plan 2 , and Draft Plan 3 , all which included six districts labe led District A through District F.
Mayor Salinas opened the public hearing at 6:03 p.m.
Chuck Purvis expressed support for Draft Plan 2 for its effectiveness in keeping the Mt. Eden and Glen Eden neighborhoods intact and not splitting downtown Hayward into two along Mission Boulevard, which is a major flaw in Draft Plan 1; noted that Districts B, C, and D are renter-majority households; and noted that Draft Plan 3 creates three districts that are plurality of Asian voting age population and creates two districts that are plurality of Latin voters; various versions of District F has plurality of white non-Hispanic voters; and District E makes good sense in all three alternatives ; recommended Draft Plan 2, Draft Plan 3 and 2 |S e p t e m b e r 03 , 202 4
Draft Plan 1 if ranked -choice voting was used; and recommended border adjustments to Draft Plan 2 with Districts B and D.
Dave Robinson expressed support for Draft Map 1, citing its more compact districts and the use of natural boundaries such as creeks; suggested that train tracks be used more as boundaries and proposed modifying the Jackson Triangle area; addressed concerns about candidate pipelines in new districts by adopting maps on schedule and allowing two years to cultivate candidates, forming district council forums to create interest, and adopt ing single-winner ranked -choice voting within districts , which would require a change of the settlement agreement.
Carlos Archuleta expressed concern for the lack of public awareness and involvement in the redistricting process; and stressed that local leaders should be promoting the issue on social media.
Mayor Salinas closed the public hearing at 6:17 p.m.
Council Member Syrop acknowledged the public comments received; emphasized that extensive outreach had been done to engage the community; expressed his preference for Draft Map 1, which he felt most accurately reflected the feedback from residents, particularly in keeping the Southgate and Jackson Triangle communities intact; noted the benefit of having two council members represent the downtown area; noted District A does not divide Hesperian Boulevard by the Interstate 92; and proposed adjustments to Draft Map 1, such as shifting neighborhoods between districts to balance populations.
Council Member Roche highlighted the extensive public outreach done during the redistricting process, including public hearings, workshops, street parties, social media posts, and newsletters , to engage the community; expressed a preference for Draft Map 1, appreciating how it kept Southgate intact and suggested tweaks to District E related to Fairway Park to align with the recommendation offered by Council Member Syrop ; and mentioned the challenges of population balancing between districts.
Council Member Zermeño thanked the public for their input ; highlighted the outreach conducted related to the districting process noting residents are more concerned with issues such as public safety and traffic rather than redistricting ; and expressed support for Draft Map 1 without any changes, noting it keeps the western section of Hayward intact.
Council Member Bonilla Jr. expressed general support for Draft Map 1 but called for better population balance between Districts D and E; highlighted how Draft Map 1 keeps Southgate and Jackson Triangle together and maintains an Asian Pacific Islander (API) majority district; suggested adjusting District D's underpopulation by possibly shifting some of District F's population in Draft Map 2; noted both Draft Map 1 and 2 protect Latino voting demographics; did not support how Draft Map 3 separates District A and B and splits west Hayward and does not keep Southgate intact; and supported Draft Map 1 with Council Member Syrop's recommended modifications.
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
777 B Street, Hayward, CA 94541
Council Chambers and Zoom
https://hayward.zoom.us/j/83639328548?pwd=ZUdDZE5lM2R1dHNFbVJoVXJBckdmQT09 Tuesday, September 3, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
Council Member Andrews highlighted upcoming dates for the redistricting process, including the deadline for submitting community interest maps (September 10), the posting of final maps (September 17), the final hearing and ordinance introduction (October 1), and ordinance adoption (October 8); encouraged the public to sign up for City agendas online ; acknowledged the work of staff, including providing interpreter s; expressed support for Draft Map 1, emphasizing the importance of keeping the Southgate community and Jackson Triangle together, and agreeing with some of the modifications suggested by her colleagues; and also highlighted the need to adjust the boundary between Districts B and D for clarity.
Council Member Goldstein expressed appreciation for the mapping efforts; commented on the lack of public interest, despite the process being open and transparent; supported Draft Map 1 with Council Member Syrop’s modifications but raised concerns about the Mission/Garin area, noting that it shares more issues, such as fire preparedness and crime patterns, with the Hayward Highlands; and suggested potentially redrawing the boundaries to include this area with Hayward Highlands. After reviewing the possible adjustment with Steven Ochoa, it was found that the change would overpopulate District F, making the proposal unfeasible.
Council Member Roche inquired about a squiggly line on the west side of District D that Council Member Andrews brought up and asked for clarification on why those boundaries were drawn that way to which Steven Ochoa explained that the line was based on population needs and attempts to follow major roads where possible, with also input from Southgate community members; and expressed interest in hearing from the community on the boundary.
Council Member Andrews added that the boundary might be influenced by a large parcel containing a church and school, which could allow the line to be adjusted along Gading Road.
Mayor Salinas reopened the public hearing at 6:53 p.m.
Pauline Wong expressed concern about the forced nature of the redistricting process in Hayward; mentioned it was the first time she had heard about the lawsuit and found the redistricting process to be expensive; and asked for guidance on where she could find more information regarding the lawsuit behind the process.
Archuleta Family expressed concern over the low public attendance and involvement regarding the redistricting process compared with the Hayward Unified School District’s districting process; and noted that public interest is strong when barriers to access, such as difficult Zoom links and inadequate promotion, are removed.
Mayor Salinas closed the public hearing at 6:58 p.m.
4 |S e p t e m b e r 03 , 202 4
Mayor Salinas directed Pauline Wong to the maphayward.org website and provided more information about the lawsuit and redistricting process; stressed the importance of keeping the identifies of neighborhoods intact , understanding that might not be accomplished through this process ; acknowledged the adjustments in Draft Map 1 suggested by Council Member Syrop ; discouraged consideration of ranked choice voting due to its complexity ; expressed concern that Draft Map 3 splits the west side; was in agreement with the modified Draft Map 1; and thanked the consultants for creating maps that included community input.
Council Member Roche confirmed support for Draft Map 1, with the modifications.
Member Syrop suggested advancing Draft Map 1 as the finalist map for further public input.
There was clarification that the Council could make Draft Map 1 with adjustments the finalist map, while sequencing discussions addressed at the next hearing. Public input about the finalist map and/or other maps and communities of interest would still be considered until September 10, 2024, before posting the final maps on September 17, 2024.
It was moved by Council Member Syrop, seconded by Council Member Roche, and carried by the following roll call vote to advance Draft Map 1 with the modification to the finalist maps.
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS Andrews, Bonilla Jr., Goldstein, Roche, Syrop, Zermeño
NOES: MAYOR Salinas
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Salinas adjourned the special City Council meeting at 7:20 p.m.
APPROVED
__________________________________________________________ Mark Salinas
Mayor, City of Hayward
ATTEST:
__________________________________________________________ Miriam Lens
City Clerk, City of Hayward