Correspondence
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1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 7:56 AM
To: Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess
Cc: June Catalano; Geoff Gillette; Juanita Davalos; Janet Coleson Subject: ALC's CVRA letter - Deanna Kitamura
Attachments: cvra letter.pleasant hill.feb13.2023.pdf
From: Deanna Kitamura <deannak@advancingjustice‐
alc.org>
Sent: Monday, February 13, 2023 11:29 AM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: ALC's CVRA letter
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers:
Attached, please find a letter addressing the City's pending CVRA decision.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Deanna Kitamura
--
Deanna Kitamura
Senior Staff Attorney, Voting Rights
_______________________________
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 10:21 AM
To: Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess
Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: Pleasant Hill District Elections - Anne Granlund Mayor Flaherty and Councilmembers,
The letter was sent as an image (png) is too large to send via email so I’ve uploaded it to WeTransfer. After you click on the link at https://we.tl/t‐ec80QUoKUE, on the left side of the webpage, there should be a blue button with “Download” in white (you should not have to sign in); please click on that button and let me know if you have any issues accessing the letter (image).
Thank you,
Danielle
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 12, 2023 12:41 PM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council If you are having problems viewing this HTML email, click to view a Text version.
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Name:* Anne Granlund
Street Address:* 500 St. Mary's Road, #14
City* Lafayette
Phone Number: 925-330-4852
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* Pleasant Hill District Elections
Question or Comment: Please see attached letter.
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http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Admin/FormHistory.aspx?SID=16721 The following form was submitted via your website: Email the City Council 2 Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt.
Code Section 6250, et seq.):
Name:: Anne Granlund
Street Address:: 500 St. Mary's Road, #14
City: Lafayette
Phone Number:: 925-330-4852
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: Pleasant Hill District Elections
Question or Comment:: Please see attached letter.
Upload File Attachment here: Letter to PH City Council 2-12-2023.png Additional Information:
Form submitted on: 2/12/2023 12:41:27 PM
Submitted from IP Address: 24.7.40.151
Referrer Page: No Referrer - Direct Link
Form Address: http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Forms.aspx?FID=137
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 4:06 PM
To: Matt Rinn; Sue Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess; '[email protected]' Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: Elections by district - Daniel Safran
From: Safran Daniel <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 3:26 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: Elections by district
Hello City Council,
Like many Pleasant Hill residents, I was surprised to learn that our city will have to establish districts for City Council elections. I hope it will achieve the goal of more representative governance.
As with other California municipalities, this is likely to be a difficult procedure. I am writing to ask that you establish an independent redistricting commission to assure that local districts are fairly drawn so as not to favor or disfavor any current or future city council member. I would expect an independent redistricting commission to hire a professional demographer to develop maps that would adequately reflect Pleasant Hill's various neighborhoods. These maps should then be presented to the public.
I hope you will study how other California municipalities adapted to the need for district elections and allow Pleasant Hill voters to make the final choice.
Thank you.
Daniel Safran
105 Rolling Green Circle
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2023 11:44 AM
To: CityCouncilPH
Cc: Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson
Subject: redistricting - Marjorie Durbow
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2023 11:43 AM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council If you are having problems viewing this HTML email, click to view a Text version.
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Name:* Marjorie durbrow
Street Address:* 887 Camelback Pl.
City* Pleasant Hill
Phone Number: 925-349-4514
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* redistricting
Question or Comment: Please appoint an independent commission to draw new districts.
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http://pleasanthillca.org/Admin/FormHistory.aspx?SID=16736 The following form was submitted via your website: Email the City Council Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt.
Code Section 6250, et seq.):
Name:: Marjorie
durbrow
Street Address:: 887 Camelback Pl.
2 City: Pleasant Hill
Phone Number:: 925-349-4514
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: redistricting
Question or Comment:: Please appoint an independent commission to draw new districts.
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Form submitted on: 2/23/2023 11:42:38 AM
Submitted from IP Address: 18.144.166.109
Referrer Page: No Referrer - Direct Link
Form Address: http://pleasanthillca.org/Forms.aspx?FID=137 1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 9:07 AM
To: CityCouncilPH
Cc: Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson
Subject: District Elections - Mary Boegel
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2023 10:02 PM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council If you are having problems viewing this HTML email, click to view a Text version.
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Name:* Mary Boegel
Street
Address:*
2256 Lisa Lane
City* Pleasant Hill
Phone
Number:
530-412-4299
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* District Elections.
Question
or
Comment:
Mary L. Boegel, M.D. 2256 Lisa Lane Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 February 24, 2022 Pleasant Hill City Council 100 Gregory Lane Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 Dear Mayor Flaherty and City Council Members: I understand that the issue of changing elections in Pleasant Hill to move from at large to district elections for city council has been brought to your attention. I want to voice my support for district elections. As a resident of Pleasant Hill, I would prefer to have one council member represent my area so that the concerns of me and my neighbors could be more deeply heard, more fully appreciated, and more strongly represented. I support the council empowering an independent districting body to create districts that will fairly represent the various communities within our city.
I understand that the state of California requires this type of fair representation at the city level.
Thank you for considering my thoughts on this matter. I do intend to follow your progress on this issue. Sincerely: Mary L. Boegel, M.D.
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http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Admin/FormHistory.aspx?SID=16738 2 The following form was submitted via your website: Email the City Council Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt.
Code Section 6250, et seq.):
Name:: Mary Boegel
Street Address:: 2256 Lisa Lane
City: Pleasant Hill
Phone Number:: 530-412-4299
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: District Elections.
Question or Comment:: Mary L. Boegel, M.D.
2256 Lisa Lane
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
February 24, 2022
Pleasant Hill City Council
100 Gregory Lane
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Dear Mayor Flaherty and City Council Members:
I understand that the issue of changing elections in Pleasant Hill to move from at large to district elections for city council has been brought to your attention. I want to voice my support for district elections.
As a resident of Pleasant Hill, I would prefer to have one council member represent my area so that the concerns of me and my neighbors could be more deeply heard, more fully appreciated, and more strongly represented. I support the council empowering an independent districting body to create districts that will fairly represent the various communities within our city. I understand that the state of California requires this type of fair representation at the city level.
Thank you for considering my thoughts on this matter. I do intend to follow your progress on this issue.
Sincerely:
Mary L. Boegel, M.D.
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Form submitted on: 2/24/2023 10:02:07 PM
Submitted from IP Address: 76.21.48.105
Referrer Page: https://www.pleasanthillca.org/64/City-Council Form Address: http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Forms.aspx?FID=137 1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2023 9:54 AM
To: CityCouncilPH
Cc: Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson
Subject: By-District Elections - Karen Yapp
From: Karen Yapp <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2023 7:34 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: By‐District Elections
Dear Council Members
This letter concerns the upcoming issue of by-district elections for City Council members. The City received a demand letter from the legal firm Shankman & Hughes, asking you to begin the process of moving to by-district elections by March 4th.
I believe the City has no choice but to proceed with the change to by-district elections. As I’m sure you know, not a single California city has prevailed in their legal actions to avoid this. It has just cost them a lot of time and money.
I urge you to move ahead with this process. As I am writing this, I am hoping the item will be on the agenda for the next meeting – February 27th.
This districting has to be done fairly, correctly, and without bias. There needs to be an independent districting commission established to do this work. The City Council cannot determine district boundaries. We currently have 4 out of 5 council members who potentially live in the same district! That is an extreme conflict of interest.
Please look at what Martinez did. First, in 2017, the Council did the wrong thing. They set their own boundaries, snaking through the city in order to retain 3 council member seats. When they were sued, the judge called the districts “absurd”.
Martinez then did the right thing. They established a totally independent districting commission with 9 members (7 regular and 2 alternates). The Council did not even vote on the final map. They let the commission decide.
How did they establish an independent commission? First, they split Martinez roughly into 4 quadrants. (It was 4, not 5, because they decided to have a full time at-large mayor.) They established a pool of volunteers. The first 4 Commissioners were randomly drawn, one from each Quadrant of the City. The first 4 Commissioners discussed and selected the next 3 Commissioners from the pool of applicants. Finally, another random drawing was undertaken to determine the final two Alternates from the remaining pool of qualified applicants.
Read about the Martinez process:
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/martinez-city-council-approves-new-voting-districts/ 2 Another article about how “Martinez did it best”.
https://contracostaherald.com/analysis-with-redistricting-martinez-has-it-best-brentwood-is-a-close-second/ I think it is critical to be as impartial as possible in setting up the commission. A random selection is the best option. The qualifications for applications should be minimal in order to encourage a diverse group. If you get too complicated, with detailed written questions, you will discourage some potential members.
I suggest these criteria to qualify for the commission.
1. Currently lives in, and has lived in Pleasant Hill at least 2 years,
2. Voted in at least one of the last 2 elections,
3. Agrees to commit to X hours per week for X weeks or months The first randomly selected members of the Commission can decide if they want additional information from the other candidates. They can interview, or ask for written questions. It would be their decision. And they would work entirely from the original pool of applicants.
The Commission and City then needs to hire a professional demographer who will propose map alternatives.
That company should be able to provide online tools where Pleasant Hill residents can view maps and even create their own maps. The online site also needs to provide updated information for residents to check on progress.
Please see the Martinez website: https://redefinemartinez.org/ Clearly, this will take time. Martinez selected their first 4 commissioners on August 4, 2021 and the final district map was approved on April 6, 2022 – 8 months later. Pleasant Hill should expect a similar amount of time.
I look forward to participating in public hearings and in the formation of these districts. I see this as an opportunity to hear from every part of Pleasant Hill to find out what issues and concerns are important in different parts of our town.
Karen Yapp
36-year resident of Pleasant Hill
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:17 AM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: California Voting Rights Act mandate - William Nownes From: WILLIAM NOWNES <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, February 24, 2023 2:34 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: California Voting Rights Act mandate Good Afternoon Members of the Pleasant Hill City Council, The State, via the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), has mandated that all city council positions must be elected "by-district".
In January, did the Pleasant Hill received a "demand letter" demanding we switch to by-district elections? Is it true that the city has 45 days to respond to that letter by either agreeing to change, or deciding to fight in court? Is the deadline to respond March 4th?
I learned about this mandate by reading a 'League of Women Voters' flyer at the Pleasant Hill Library. I was unable to watch the zoom presentations provided by the League.
My questions are:
What is your plan for addressing this State of California requirement? How will the details of your plan be shared with the citizens of Pleasant Hill? Has a plan already been developed, approved, and presented by the City Council, and I just can't find it? (seriously, I miss a lot of announcements)
Thanks, - William Nownes
130 Byron Ct.
Pleasant Hill, Ca.
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:34 AM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: Public Comment: Regular Meeting - Michelle Simone Mayor Flaherty and Councilmembers,
The correspondence below will be reported for the public at tonight’s regular meeting as having been received under “general” public comment.
Danielle
From: Michelle Simone <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 12:59 PM
To: City Council <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: Public Comment: Regular Meeting
City Councilmembers,
During the last special session the Mayor and Councilmembers expressed clear disdain that people living outside Pleasant Hill, and groups including labor unions and nonprofits speak up about issues in Pleasant Hill.
Have you ever asked yourselves why residents are asking people outside Pleasant Hill to speak out on their behalf? If you would have attended one of the Districting Sessions put on by the League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley you would have quickly come to the conclusion, it is because many Pleasant Hill residents do not feel their voice will be heard by this Council. Others do not feel safe expressing their opinion for fear of retaliation by Councilmembers.
On February 12, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley sent this Council a letter urging the City to be transparent and notify residents of a potential lawsuit should the City of Pleasant Hill continue at-large elections. The League asked the City to publicly share the two meetings they planned, advertised, and put on for Pleasant Hill residents to ensure an active community engagement prior to the March 4th response date and **the City declined to do so.**
On Feb 13, Asian Americans Advancing Justice sent this Council a letter advising Asian Americans and Latine communities of color shared concerns that the lack of diverse representation on the elected body may result in the failure to address needs and issues of underrepresented communities and that the composition and representation on city council may unevenly skew policy-making. AAPI community members expressed a desire for election reform to enhance representative democracy in Pleasant Hill.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice is an arm of Asian Law Caucus, a national legal and civil rights organization. If they couldn’t get this Council to even add a districing discussion item to the agenda, do you really think a single member of the community or a small community group should believe they would be successful?
The community watched as dozens of individual residents spoke up for a transparent democratic process to appoint Ken Carlson’s vacant seat and saw how this Council brushed all those comments aside. Residents of this town do not believe their public comments matter. **If you don’t want unions, nonprofits, 2 organizations, and political parties involved in City issues- listen and respond to individual residents.**
After the lack of transparency around the threat of litigation about continuing at-large elections and the appointment process for Ken Carlson’s spot, I think it should be your duty to show this community you are infact unbiased and responsive to public input and not only move to by-district elections but appoint an independent commission chosen by an impartial 3rd party to draw district lines.
Sincerely,
Michelle Simone
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:43 AM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: Redistricting - Ashley Gustafson
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 2:10 PM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council If you are having problems viewing this HTML email, click to view a Text version.
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Name:* Ashley Gustafson
Street
Address:*
13 Chadima Court
City* Pleasant Hill
Phone
Number:
9258177303
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* Redistricting
Question
or
Comment:
Greetings, City Council, I'm joining with others to request that an independent commission draws the new district lines. We would like these districts to be well distributed and not need re-drawing in the future. Please consider the positive impact that an independent commission would have for our community's future. Thank you, Ashley G
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Code Section 6250, et seq.):
2 Name:: Ashley Gustafson
Street Address:: 13 Chadima Court
City: Pleasant Hill
Phone Number:: 9258177303
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: Redistricting
Question or Comment:: Greetings, City Council,
I'm joining with others to request that an independent commission draws the new district lines. We would like these districts to be well distributed and not need re-drawing in the future.
Please consider the positive impact that an independent commission would have for our community's future.
Thank you,
Ashley G
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Form submitted on: 2/26/2023 2:09:38 PM
Submitted from IP Address: 66.234.212.175
Referrer Page: No Referrer - Direct Link
Form Address: http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Forms.aspx?FID=137 1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:57 AM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: District Elections - David Warren
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:51 AM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council If you are having problems viewing this HTML email, click to view a Text version.
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Name:* David Warren
Street
Address:*
1102 Black Pine Ln
City* Pleasant Hi;;l
Phone
Number:
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* District Elections
Question
or
Comment:
Regarding the redistricting issue, I believe that PH should adopt abandon the current at-large election of city council members and adopt a district-based system. The voting districts should be determined by an independent commission with current council members, city staff, or council appointed persons excluded. Let's not waste PH city funds trying to fight this issue - it's a losing effort.
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http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Admin/FormHistory.aspx?SID=16740 The following form was submitted via your website: Email the City Council Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt.
Code Section 6250, et seq.):
2 Name:: David Warren
Street Address:: 1102 Black Pine Ln
City: Pleasant Hi;;l
Phone Number::
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: District Elections
Question or Comment:: Regarding the redistricting issue, I believe that PH should adopt abandon the current atlarge election of city council members and adopt a district-based system. The voting districts should be determined by an independent commission with current council members, city staff, or council appointed persons excluded. Let's not waste PH city funds trying to fight this issue - it's a losing effort.
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Form submitted on: 2/27/2023 10:51:21 AM
Submitted from IP Address: 108.66.134.203
Referrer Page: No Referrer - Direct Link
Form Address: http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Forms.aspx?FID=137 1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:18 PM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: public comment about districting - Ena Silva
Mayor Flaherty and Councilmembers,
The correspondence below will be reported for the public at tonight’s regular meeting as having been received under “general” public comment.
Danielle
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 11:28 AM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council If you are having problems viewing this HTML email, click to view a Text version.
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Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt. Code Section 6250, et seq.)
Name:* Ena Silva
Street
Address:*
32 Horten Ct
City* Pleasant Hill
Phone
Number:
9254518634
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* public comment about districting
Question
or
Comment:
City Council has publicly admitted it’s self interest in influencing these district elections when explaining their reasoning for who they selected as their third council member, That is overreach.
The districting process absolutely must be implements by independent third-party entity. I do not trust Pleasant Hill City council to conduct themselves free of their conflicts of interest.
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http://ca-pleasanthill3.civicplus.com/Admin/FormHistory.aspx?SID=16741 2 The following form was submitted via your website: Email the City Council Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt.
Code Section 6250, et seq.):
Name:: Ena Silva
Street Address:: 32 Horten Ct
City: Pleasant Hill
Phone Number:: 9254518634
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: public comment about districting
Question or Comment:: City Council has publicly admitted it’s self interest in influencing these district elections when explaining their reasoning for who they selected as their third council member, That is overreach.
The districting process absolutely must be implements by independent third-party entity.
I do not trust Pleasant Hill City council to conduct themselves free of their conflicts of interest.
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Form submitted on: 2/27/2023 11:27:29 AM
Submitted from IP Address: 76.21.51.37
Referrer Page: No Referrer - Direct Link
Form Address: http://ca-pleasanthill3.civicplus.com/Forms.aspx?FID=137 1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:22 PM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: By-district election districts - Norma & William Brink ‐‐‐‐‐Original Message‐‐‐‐‐
From: Jean Brink <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 12:36 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: re By‐district election districts.
Council members, We urge the council members to support an independent commission to draw the new voter districts and show the citizens of Pleasant Hill that you are impartial and fair. So far word has not been shared among the constituents about the impact of the State's mandatory redistricting order but word is getting out there. As more information becomes available to the public we will expect that each member will follow the State directive and not put tax money into a losing lawsuit.
You were elected to do what is the best for the City and all the occupants of the city. Electing at‐large members for City Council is not equal representation. We understand that no city has won their redistricting lawsuit so far and in fact Martinez is now an example of how not to redistrict.
We ask for an independent Commission to draw the new districts that does not include yourselves staff or anyone appointed to a position influenced by the City Council. I will keep this short.
Do the right thing for the City.
Thank you
Norma and William Brink
‐‐
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:51 PM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: Support District City Council Elections - Keisha Nzewi From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 12:41 PM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council If you are having problems viewing this HTML email, click to view a Text version.
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Name:* Keisha Nzewi
Street
Address:*
374 Camelback Rd
City* Pleasant Hill
Phone
Number:
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* Support District City Council Elections
Question
or
Comment:
Members of the City Council, When my family moved to Pleasant Hill nearly 5 years ago, the only thing that bothered me about it was it's lack of diversity that we had been used to. The 2020 Census is a welcome change, showing that the population of people of the global majority has grown. That is a testamant to the welcoming, inclusive nature of our community. Now that the numbers show we are less homogenous than ever, every part of our small city needs to feel like they have a voice.
The time has come to implement district elections for our City Council races. Follow the lead of many cities throughout California, and many of our neighbors. Establish an independent body, whose work is done in a transparent fasion, to draw voting districts free of bias. Allow our residents to provide input and comments before any districts are finalized. Continue our efforts towards inclusivity by making meetings accessible, including simultaneous interpretation for those who communicate best in languages other than English. Please come into compliance with California's Voting Rights Act through a bias-free, transparent, inclusive and accessible process.
Keisha Nzewi
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http://ca-pleasanthill3.civicplus.com/Admin/FormHistory.aspx?SID=16742 2 The following form was submitted via your website: Email the City Council Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt.
Code Section 6250, et seq.):
Name:: Keisha Nzewi
Street Address:: 374 Camelback Rd
City: Pleasant Hill
Phone Number::
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: Support District City Council Elections
Question or Comment:: Members of the City Council,
When my family moved to Pleasant Hill nearly 5 years ago, the only thing that bothered me about it was it's lack of diversity that we had been used to. The 2020 Census is a welcome change, showing that the population of people of the global majority has grown. That is a testamant to the welcoming, inclusive nature of our community.
Now that the numbers show we are less homogenous than ever, every part of our small city needs to feel like they have a voice. The time has come to implement district elections for our City Council races.
Follow the lead of many cities throughout California, and many of our neighbors. Establish an independent body, whose work is done in a transparent fasion, to draw voting districts free of bias. Allow our residents to provide input and comments before any districts are finalized. Continue our efforts towards inclusivity by making meetings accessible, including simultaneous interpretation for those who communicate best in languages other than English.
Please come into compliance with California's Voting Rights Act through a bias-free, transparent, inclusive and accessible process.
Keisha Nzewi
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Additional Information:
Form submitted on: 2/27/2023 12:40:49 PM
Submitted from IP Address: 24.4.91.194
Referrer Page: No Referrer - Direct Link
Form Address: http://ca-pleasanthill3.civicplus.com/Forms.aspx?FID=137 1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:55 PM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: Public Comment for Today's Meetings - Kathy Gallagher Mayor Flaherty and Councilmembers,
The correspondence below will be reported for the public at tonight’s regular meeting as having been received under “general” public comment.
Danielle
From: Kathy Gallagher <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 12:49 PM
To: City Clerk <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: Public Comment for Today's Meetings
My name is Kathy Gallagher and I live in Pleasant Hill.
I am urging the Council to consider adopting a resolution to move to district elections of Council members. It is important to acknowledge that Pleasant Hill is indeed a vibrant and well-run city. Current and past Council members have kept the advancement of the city, as a whole, uppermost in their priorities. Yet, there are communities of interest in our city that feel underrepresented.
District mapping can create districts, of roughly equal populations, around under-represented minority and ethnic groups, around neighborhood and community centers, educational centers, areas with geographic similarities, and other criteria.
The districting function should be carried out by an independent commission, with reasonable safeguards to avoid conflicts of interest. Many cities in our county have previously adopted district elections, and their processes and experiences can be good models to consider.
Thank you for your consideration.
1 Danielle Navarro
From: Danielle Navarro
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:58 PM
To: Allen Vinson; Matt Rinn; Susan Noack; Tim Flaherty; Zac Shess Cc: June Catalano; Juanita Davalos; Geoff Gillette; Janet Coleson Subject: Re: District Elections - Dave Warren
From: David Warren <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 1:40 PM
To: Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>
Subject: EXTERNAL: Re: District Elections
Good Afternoon,
After reviewing the email I sent this morning, I noticed a couple glaring typos. I generally look over emails before sending, but obviously did not this time. Please correct my comments to the version below:
Regarding the redistricting issue, I believe that PH should abandon the current at-large election of city council members and adopt a district-based system. The voting districts should be determined by an independent commission with current council members, city staff, or council appointed persons excluded. Let's not waste PH city funds trying to fight this issue - it's a losing effort.
Thank You, Dave Warren
On Monday, February 27, 2023 at 10:57:48 AM PST, Danielle Navarro <[email protected]> wrote:
Good morning,
Thank you for your email; it has been shared with the City Council.
Best regards,
Danielle K. Navarro, CMC
Principal Mgt. Analyst/City Clerk
City of Pleasant Hill
2 100 Gregory Lane
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
www.pleasanthillca.org
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:51 AM
To: June Catalano <[email protected]>; Danielle Navarro <[email protected]>; Juanita Davalos <[email protected]>; Geoff Gillette <[email protected]> Subject: EXTERNAL: Online Form Submittal: Email the City Council
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Email the City Council
Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt. Code Section 6250, et seq.)
Name:* David Warren
Street
Address:*
1102 Black Pine Ln
City* Pleasant Hi;;l
Phone
Number:
Email:* [email protected]
Subject:* District Elections
Question
or
Comment:
Regarding the redistricting issue, I believe that PH should adopt abandon the current at-large election of city council members and adopt a district-based system. The voting districts should be determined by an independent commission with current council members, city staff, or council appointed persons excluded. Let's not waste PH city funds trying to fight this issue - it's a losing effort.
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Attachment
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http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Admin/FormHistory.aspx?SID=16740 The following form was submitted via your website: Email the City Council Please note that all emails submitted through this website will be shared with all Councilmembers and certain City staff 3 members. These emails are considered public records under the California Public Records Act (Govt. Code Section 6250, et seq.):
Name:: David Warren
Street Address:: 1102 Black Pine Ln
City: Pleasant Hi;;l
Phone Number::
Email:: [email protected]
Subject:: District Elections
Question or Comment:: Regarding the redistricting issue, I believe that PH should adopt abandon the current at-large election of city council members and adopt a district-based system. The voting districts should be determined by an independent commission with current council members, city staff, or council appointed persons excluded. Let's not waste PH city funds trying to fight this issue - it's a losing effort.
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Form submitted on: 2/27/2023 10:51:21 AM
Submitted from IP Address: 108.66.134.203
Referrer Page: No Referrer - Direct Link
Form Address: http://www.pleasanthillca.org/Forms.aspx?FID=137