7 Vol 66 Min-CC012022
MINUTES SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
January 20, 2022 City of Watsonville
Teleconference/Remote Via Zoom Webinar
6:30 p.m.
1. ROLL CALL
Mayor Parker, Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino and Council Members Dutra, Estrada, García and Hurst were present through Zoom webinar.
Staff members present through Zoom webinar were City Manager Pro Tempore Vides, City Clerk Flores, Public Works & Utilities Director Di Renzo, Police Chief Zamora, Fire Chief Lopez, Administrative Services Director Czerwin, Parks & Community Services Director Calubaquib, Airport Director Williams, Assistant City Clerk Ortiz, Executive Assistant Pacheco, Interpreter Landaverry, Special Counsel Willis, and Demographer Wagaman.
1.a. MOTION TO EXCUSE ABSENT COUNCIL MEMBER(S) (None)
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PRESENTATIONS & ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
3.a. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
Steve Trujillo, District 7, expressed concerns over a fight among students that occurred on Watsonville’s Cabrillo College Campus and thanked Police for their intervention. He requested an aviary be added to Ramsay Park.
3.b. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE COUNCIL
Member Hurst spoke about the effects of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases.
Member Estrada spoke about the importance of celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He announced he would not be running for re-election to his Council seat.
Member Quiroz-Carter encouraged social distancing, hand washing, and vaccinations to combat COVID-19. She spoke about her visit to the Resource Center for Non-violence in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. She encouraged the public to order free COVID-19 tests being provided to all households by the Federal Government.
Member Dutra thanked Member Estrada for his service to the community.
Mayor Parker thanked Member Estrada for his service to the community. She spoke about the importance of commemorating Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
PUBLIC INPUT – None
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MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino, seconded by Member Dutra to approve the Consent Agenda.
Member Hurst spoke in support of Item 4.a. He spoke about the importance of equity in health policies.
Member García spoke about her participation in an interview with Senator Laird regarding the importance of Senate Bill 418.
MOTION: The above motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MEMBERS: Dutra, Estrada, García, Hurst, Montesino, Quiroz-Carter, Parker
NOES: MEMBERS: None
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
4.a. MOTION AUTHORIZING LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SB 418 (LAIRD): PAJARO VALLEY
HEALTHCARE DISTRICT TO ADDRESS CLOSURE OF WATSONVILLE COMMUNITY
HOSPITAL
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ORDINANCES, & APPEALS
5.a. PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER REDISTRICTING PLAN
1) Staff Report by Special Counsel Willis & Demographer Wagaman 2) City Council Clarifying & Technical Questions
In answering Member García, Demographer Wagaman spoke about requirements of keeping census blocks together, and the reasons the Rivera Plan moved certain streets from District 2 to District 6.
Demographer Wagaman, in answering Member García, provided the number of registered voters in each district of the Rivera Plan. He added that voter registration numbers were not considered by the Redistricting Committee in making a recommendation.
Demographer Wagaman, in answering Member Hurst, explained the Green Plan proposed moving businesses near Larkin Valley Road, Airport Boulevard, and Westgate Drive to District
4. In answering Member Quiroz-Carter, Demographer Wagaman spoke about differences between the Rivera Plan and Green Plan.
Demographer Wagaman, in answering Member García, spoke about differences between the Rodriguez Plan and the Blue Plan.
In answering Member Estrada, Demographer Wagaman stated the Redistricting Committee considered lowering deviations and considered potential Census undercounts when reviewing plans. Demographer Wagaman spoke about concerns expressed by the Committee regarding the potential impact of changes proposed by the Blue Plan.
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Member García spoke about the redistricting process in 2011. She spoke in support of the Blue and Rodriguez Plans, which would ensure a school in each District.
Demographer Wagaman, in answering Mayor Parker, spoke about deviation percentages in the Rivera, Blue, and Rodriguez Plans.
3) Public Hearing
Steve Trujillo, District 7, spoke about potential undercounts in the 2020 Census. He spoke in support of not making drastic changes to Districts. He spoke about the importance of ensuring a complete count in the next Census.
Daniel Dodge Sr., chair of the Community Redistricting Advisory Committee, spoke about the various factors that were considered before approving the Rivera Plan for recommendation to the Council.
Kristal Salcido, member of the Community Redistricting Advisory Committee, listed concerns with potential undercounts in the 2020 Census. She spoke about criteria considered by the Redistricting Committee and process for selection of a plan.
Eli thanked Council for holding the meeting virtually and asked Council to continue holding virtual meetings to promote accessibility for the public. 4) MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino, seconded by Member Hurst to direct staff to prepare an ordinance using the Rivera Plan to establish new district boundaries for the City of Watsonville.
Mayor Pro Tempore Montesino spoke about his reasons for supporting the Rivera Plan and his concerns with undercounts in the 2020 Census.
Member Dutra spoke in support of the Rivera Plan.
Member Hurst spoke in support of the Rivera Plan.
Member Quiroz-Carter expressed her concerns with the Rivera Plan resulting in the size reduction of District 2.
Demographer Wagaman, in answering Member Quiroz-Carter, spoke about factors considered by the Redistricting Committee in the suggested changes to District 2.
In answering Member Estrada, Demographer Wagaman spoke about areas in the City that were identified as having potential undercounts in the Census.
Demographer Wagaman, in answering Member Estrada, stated race and ethnicity could not be a predominant factor in the redistricting process.
MOTION: The above motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: MEMBERS: Dutra, Hurst, Montesino, Parker
NOES: MEMBERS: Estrada, García, Quiroz-Carter
ABSENT: MEMBERS: None
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6. EMERGENCY ITEMS ADDED TO AGENDA – None
7. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
__________________________ __
Ari Parker, Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________ _________
Beatriz Vazquez Flores, City Clerk
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