Resolution No. 6868 78
RESOLUTION NO. 6868
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS
ESTABLISHING AN AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE TO RECOMMEND COMMUNITY
FORUMS ON THE POTENTIAL FOR ELECTING COUNCIL MEMBERS USING A
DISTRICT-BASED SYSTEM
WHEREAS, the State of California enacted the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA)
in 2001; and
WHEREAS, the CVRA disfavors at-large voting that permits voters of an entire
jurisdiction to elect candidates to each open seat; and
WHEREAS, on September 20, 2021, the City received a letter from attorney Kevin
Shenkman of Shenkman & Hughes, PC on behalf of the Southwest Voter Registration
Education Project and its members residing within the City of Cypress alleging voting with
Cypress is racially polarized, resulting in minority vote dilution, and therefore, that the City's
at-large system for electing Council Members violates the CVRA; and
WHEREAS, the City Council met several times in closed session to discuss the
alleged CVRA violation and succeeded in negotiating an extension to the deadline Mr.
Shenkman set for the City Council to voluntarily change its at-large system of electing
Council Members;
WHEREAS, the City Council intends to use this extension to host community forums
on the CVRA; Mr. Shenkman's allegation; the advantages and disadvantages of at-large
election systems;the advantages and disadvantages of district-based election systems; and
to solicit resident input on these issues prior to responding to the alleged CVRA violation.
NOW, THEREFORE, that the City Council of the City of Cypress resolves as follows:
Section 1. Establishment
An Ad Hoc Subcommittee is hereby established for the purpose of recommending
community forums on the potential for electing Council Members using a district-based
election system. Council Members shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the
City Council.
Section 2. Duties of the Subcommittee
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee shall have the following duties:
A. Work cooperatively with the City Manager to recommend community forums
to the City Council, including: the number, time and place of the community forums; the
format of the community forums, including opportunities for presentations from the city and
individual Council Members; and informational material presented at the community forums
and made available through the city's public engagement channels.
B. Reports its recommendations to the City Council by December 31, 2021
Section 3. Composition
The Ad Hoc Subcommittee shall consist of two Council Members. Staff support shall
be designated by the City Manager.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Cypress at a regular
meeting held on the 22nd day of November, 2021. /
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Y• OF '� CITY OF CYPRESS
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CLERK OF.THE CITY OF CYPRESS
79
STATE OF CALIFORNIA }
COUNTY OF ORANGE } SS
I, ALISHA FARNELL, City Clerk of the City of Cypress, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that
the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted at a regular meeting of the said City Council held
on the 22nd day of November, 2021, by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 4 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Hertz, Minikus, Morales and Peat
NOES: 0 COUNCIL MEMBERS: None
ABSTAIN: 1 COUNCIL MEMBERS: Marquez
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CITY CLERK OF HE CITY OF CYPRESS