HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - February 13, 2018 SMLODI CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
CARNEGIE FORUM, 305 WEST PINE STREET
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2018
A. Call to Order / Roll Call
The Special City Council meeting of February 13, 2018, was called to order by Mayor Nakanishi
at 7:00 a.m.
Present: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Kuehne, and
Mayor Nakanishi
Absent: Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce
Also Present: City Manager Schwabauer, City Attorney Magdich, and City Clerk Ferraiolo
B. Announcement of Closed Session
B-1 Threatened Litigation: Government Code §54956.9(b); One Case; Potential Suit by the
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) against the City of
Lodi Based on Alleged Violation of the California Voting Rights Act (CM)
C. Adjourn to Closed Session
At 7:00 a.m., Mayor Nakanishi adjourned the meeting to a Closed Session to discuss the above
matter. The Closed Session adjourned at 7:16 a.m.
D. Return to Open Session / Disclosure of Action
At 7:16 a.m., Mayor Nakanishi reconvened the City Council meeting, and City Attorney Magdich
disclosed the following action.
Item B-01 was discussion only with no reportable action.
E. Regular Calendar
E-1 Public Hearing to Take Further Input Regarding Draft Voting District Maps and Potential
Sequence of District Elections as Part of Transition to By-District Elections for City Council
Members (CA)
Notice thereof having been published according to law, an affidavit of which publication is on file
in the office of the City Clerk, Mayor Nakanishi called for the public hearing to consider further
input regarding draft voting district maps and potential sequence of district elections as part of
transition to by-district elections for City Council Members.
City Attorney Magdich provided a presentation regarding draft voting district maps and potential
sequence of district elections as part of the transition to by-district elections. Specific topics of
discussion included fifth public hearing; February 21, 2018, public hearing to introduce ordinance
and adopt map; five focus maps from prior meetings and 18 revised maps, for a total of 23 maps
for consideration at this hearing; receipt of map from the Mexican-American Legal Defense and
Education Fund (MALDEF) and Map 121, both of which are new and cannot be discussed until
they are posted for seven days; previous revised 16 maps that did not move forward because
they were either not population balanced or had four Council districts; 11 maps with a
majority/minority voting district of 50 percent or greater, as well as multiple representation in the
downtown and Heritage District; staff recommendation to limit discussion to the 11 maps and
ultimately designation of one map as final map; and preparation of draft ordinance for district map
and sequencing based on Council's direction. Ms. Magdich summarized that the 11 maps with a
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majority/minority of 50 percent or greater voting population include Maps 105b, 105e, 108b, 117b,
117c, 117d, 117f, 118b, 119b, 119d, and 119e.
Council Member Kuehne suggested further narrowing down the 11 maps to those that also have
the least deviation, in addition to the largest percentage. Ms. Magdich concurred, stating the goal
is to have no more than a 10 percent deviation, but closer to 5 percent.
Shalice Tilton, representing National Demographic Consulting, confirmed that all of the maps
labeled with "b" match the footprint of MALDEF's map with minor exceptions, as do some of the
maps labeled with "c".
Council Member Kuehne stated he has narrowed his selection to one map -- Map 119d -- based
on the fact that it has the least deviation and the largest percentage of the Latino vote.
Council Member Chandler stated that he came to the same conclusion and expressed his support
for Map 119d.
Mayor Nakanishi opened the public hearing for public comment.
Mike Carouba expressed his opinion on the maps being considered, stating that Map 108
presents a challenge in continuity of government; 117 is a cynical-looking map and is not
supported by the public; and Maps 119b, 119d, and 119f seem to be good maps that accomplish
the goal and look like reasonable districts. Mr. Carouba stated he supports Map 119d and
believes the public would stand behind it as well.
Ms. Magdich pointed out that Map 119d also has three districts representing the downtown area
and three districts touching the east side Heritage District, in addition to meeting the population
percentage and deviation requirements.
William Mitchell stated that, at this stage, it is important to have defined districts, which will lead to
more people being active in government and running for office. He agreed that Map 119d meets
the criteria of a district.
Pat Patrick stated the hope is to keep the neighborhood feeling when drawing districts.
There being no further public comments, Mayor Nakanishi closed the public hearing.
Council Member Kuehne suggested moving forward with Map 119d.
Council Member Johnson concurred, stating that Map 119d touches all bases.
With regard to sequencing, Ms. Tilton stated that typically districts are first matched with a single
incumbent where a term matches.
Council Member Chandler made a motion, second by Council Member Kuehne, to move
Map 119d forward as the preferred (final) voting district map for consideration at the final public
hearing on February 21, 2018.
VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Kuehne, and
Mayor Nakanishi
Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce
Council Member Kuehne made a motion, second by Council Member Chandler, to
recommend the sequence of district elections for City Council Members to be Districts 1, 2, and 3
in November 2018 and Districts 4 and 5 in November 2020 for consideration at the final public
hearing on February 21, 2018.
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VOTE:
The above motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Council Member Chandler, Council Member Johnson, Council Member Kuehne, and
Mayor Nakanishi
Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tempore Mounce
F. Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the City Council, the meeting was adjourned at
7:51 p.m.
ATTEST:
Jennifer M. Ferraiolo
City Clerk
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