AgdaPkt 2019-02-11 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Dear Mayor Bain, Vice Mayor Howard, and Members of the City Council: On behalf of the Redwood City - San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce and our Board of Directors, we would Iike to provide some preliminary comment regarding the ongoing process of transitioning from at - large elections to by -districts elections in the City of Redwood City. It has come to our attention, that despite a timeline which indicates at least two additonal public hearings and long -stated opportunities to continue to accept public comment and draft maps, tonight the City Council in fact will be asked to provide firm direction on preferences for existing maps. We hope this does not supersede the communities expectations that a final map will not be selected until early March. But in the spirit of supporting the City Council, City Manager, and City staff through this difficult process which was forced upon our great community, below are initial comments regarding any preliminary direction the City Council may provide to City staff tonight: • Many Chamber of Commerce members, board members and staff are also residents and registered voters in the City of Redwood City, including ourselves; and therefore our engagement is critical to this process. • The concept of respecting the "will of the voters" is an important factor in selecting final maps; therefore, map options which do not place any of the current seven City Council Members in the same district should be given priority. • Downtown Redwood City should not be "splintered" into multiple districts in some form of pinwheel or pie methodology of forming districts. In addition to this approach being legally questionable, the future representation of Downtown Redwood City as a cohesive neighborhood is as important as any other neighborhood in this process. • Redwood Shores should be kept whole in a single district. • Legally risky or failed strategies that have been the subject of litigation in other California cities should be eliminated, including a mix of district and at -large seats, pie shaped districts, or other questionable approaches. We look forward to the ongoing public hearings and continued opportunities for public comment and new maps as promised by the initial timeline. And we appreciate the dedication of the City Council and City staff in addressing the lawsuit and implementing a process of transitioning from at -large elections to by -districts elections in the City of Redwood City which balances the many needs of residents and business and property owners. Sincerely, Josh Pierry 2019 Chairman of the Board Amy Buckmaster President & CEO Amy Buckmaster President and CEO Chamber Redwood City -San Mateo County