CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
City Council
Special Meeting
~Summary~
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 6:00 PM Newhall Community Center
CITY CLERK ANNOUNCEMENT
City Clerk Mary Cusick announced the meeting would be simultaneously translated into Spanish onsite and over Zoom and provided information on how the public may participate and comment; the announcement was repeated by the Spanish interpreter.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Gibbs called the Special Meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
ROLL CALL
All Councilmember were present.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Gibbs led the flag salute.
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER FORMATION OF CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS Douglas Johnson with National Demographics Corporation gave a presentation on the legal requirements for districts, described a starting point map developed between the City and the plaintiffs as required by the settlement and consent decree, discussed multiple ways in which the public may submit proposed maps, and reviewed the timeline.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION FOR AGENDIZED ITEMS
Addressing the Council in person and in a neutral position were Alan Ferdman, representing Santa Clarita Community Council, regarding the original and adjusted proposed maps; Mark White regarding the history and identity of each area of the City and expressing concern with District 1 and 2; Nancy (no last name provided) regarding mirroring the Hart High School district map.
Addressing the Council in person and in opposition were Glenda Yakel regarding consequences of the district map; Cindy (no last name) regarding the creation of racially based voting districts; Daniel Maldonado regarding merging a section of Canyon Country into Newhall and effects of the lawsuit; Tony Maldonado registering a protest on the location of the public hearing and the constitutionality of the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA); Carrie (no last name) regarding racially and culturally dividing the City; Missy (no last name) regarding disenfranchising voters; Elaine (no last name) regarding segregation by culture and color; Diane Zimmerman regarding the damage of districting and opposition to District 1.
Addressing the Council in person and in support were Cheryl Corriveau Cox supporting the suggested map; Kat Walker supporting the inclusive map; Diane Trautman supporting the recommended map and suggesting the demographer speak of statistics and guidelines for the benefit of the public; Valerie Bradford, representing Santa Clarita Valley Chapter of NAACP, supporting the CVRA and in support of the proposed map; Duncan Mandel supporting the proposed map; Scott Rafferty, representing the plaintiffs, regarding the benefits of districting and the process of creating District 1; and Sandra Cattell supporting balanced districts.
One written comment was received by Karen Towles in opposition due to limitation of Councilmember choice.
One written comment was received by Nicole Wilson in support of districts.
ADJOURN
Mayor Gibbs continued the public hearing to April 13, 2023, and adjourned the meeting at 7:16 p.m.