The official website for Solano County 2021 Redistricting information.

RAC21 Committee Meeting – 009

Sep 16 2021

 

Solano County

RAC21

Redistricting Advisory Committee 2021


COMMITTEE MEMBERS REDISTRICTING TECHNICAL TEAM
District 1 Tiffanee Jones (D1 Lead) County Staff
Alex Matias Michelle Heppner
Cassandra James Stewart Bruce
District 2 Chris Angle (D2 Lead) Allan Calder
Stephanie Cobb Bernadette Curry
Mina Diaz Bill Emlen
District 3 Delon Jackson (D3 Lead) Ryan FitzGerald
Mike Nail Timothy Flanagan
Debra Russo John Gardner
District 4 Shawn Smith   (D4 Lead)
Steve Greenberg Consultants
Vacant Paul Mitchell
District 5 Jim McCully (D5 Lead) Chris Chaffee
Lisa Donahue Sophia Garcia
Rosie Enriquez Kimi Shigetani

September 16, 2021

6:00 p.m.

 

Virtual Meeting via Microsoft Teams

Click this Link to join the Team

Or call in (audio only)

Phone: +1 323-457-3408, Phone Conference ID: 134 333 514#


Agenda

        1. Roll Call (Committee Members) – RAC21 Chair
        2. Comments from the Public (Guests) – RAC21 Chair
        3. Discussion Items
          • Community Input Received (Matrix attached – no new input received virtually) – All
          • Report to the Board of Supervisors – All
          • Meetings – All
        4. Future Scheduled Meetings:
          • Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. (Last meeting before the Board presentation)
        5. Adjourn

 

RAC21-Agenda-for-September-16-2021.pdf
May 13, 2021
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RAC21-Agenda-for-September-16-2021.pdf
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Question 1
What is the nature of the common social or economic interest of your community? You can describe what the common interests of your community are and why or how they are important
Question 2
Where is your community located? You can define it by neighborhood, streets, address, proximity to a key landmark (such as a school of community center), or other boundaries.
Question 3
What are the geographic definers/boundaries of your neighborhood? Examples of definers/boundaries could be highways, roads, rivers, hills, or parks.
Question 4
What is the rationale for your community of interest to be used in this redistricting effort? Please describe how boundary lines might have a unique impact on your group.
Question 5
What do you like about the current district lines? What do you dislike about the current district lines?
Additional Comments
1 The term of art “Common Social or Economic Interest” is new to me, and I’m uncertain of its definition (I googled the term and found no definition…). Given my own interpretation, I reckon these are common “interests” in my neighborhood, though the role of county (vice city) government in these are also uncertain, to wit:
1. K-12 Education. My understanding is that county’s involvement lies mostly in special needs students. If county government plays any role in distribution of education funding, special effort needs to be exerted to change the underfunding of school districts that have poor tax bases, the result, often, of the historical disadvantaging of communities of color.
2. Infrastructure 3. Health Care 5. Agriculture Water Policy
Vista de Vallejo, historically (1932) bounded by Amador Street, Camino Alto, Tuolumne Street and Fleming Street. This development was originally advertised promoting its proximity to Vallejo Junior High School, Vallejo High School, and the adjacent Vallejo Golf Course. N/A I think our community has a pretty clear sense of the history of the “Vista”, as it’s commonly referred to. Splitting the community for boundary reasons would be opposed, I think, by politically sentient community members. I think that the modern Vista boundaries, which extend along the northern extension of El Camino Real and its adjacent extension west to just beyond North Camino Alto, are just fine. Our community falls comfortably within District 1 boundaries, and should not change, as we (personally) are very comfortable with the representation we currently enjoy. I’ll be interested to learn what impact census data have upon proposed district boundary changes.
2 The common social and economic interest that is important to me is that the City of Vallejo be held together in one piece. I want to lift our entire city and public waterfront up. We all have an interest in the entire Western waterfront for conservation, public health, tourism and economic development in Vallejo. We moved to Vallejo because of the diversity of people, fabulous public waterfront, and the wonderful potential Vallejo has. I realize that you have population limits to consider, but if the new census data allows, please include at least the South western portion of Vallejo in District 1. Vallejo city limits, and that little pocket of Solano County that is within Vallejo City limits. Key landmarks is the entire north and south western public waterfront. Option 1 — All of Vallejo City Limits, including the unincorporated pocket within Vallejo City limits (I realize that may be too many people)

Option 2 — Current District 1 plus the southern portion of Vallejo that is west of highway 80 so that all of the north and south western waterfront of Vallejo is in one district

Moving the boundary lines south to include more of Vallejo means that we include more Vallejoans who are in poverty, and who need more access to grocery stores, and who want their city streets clean, and who want to attract new small businesses. We also need all of the south western waterfront included because we need to improve the north and south western waterfront as a whole. A clean public waterfront with small businesses and recreation activities will improve Vallejo’s economy and public health. If the south western waterfront is cut out — as is currently — the waterfront improvement needs of the South west will be diluted as it is in the current district lines. I like that the current lines leave most of Vallejo together. I dislike that the current district lines leave out the Southern portion of Vallejo. The most important part of southern Vallejo to include, if we cannot include all, is the south western part of Vallejo because the entire city needs to be free from poverty and to improve the entire public waterfront. Thank you for this opportunity to comment. I want Vallejo and Vallejo’s entire waterfront to be welcoming to everyone so that we improve public health, economic vitality, and make Vallejo a destination for all bay area residents.
3 I think what is important to address within Dixon, is accessible housing, the climate crisis, improving local economy from local businesses, improving education, police reform. These are important because Dixon suffers from perpetual apathy when it comes to civic engagement and we do not make proactive efforts to improve our town. Dixon, ca. The town is small enough that to bifurcate it further is unnecessary. The climate is becoming more arid and the lack of greening and wide black streets is exacerbating the heat island effect in the area. I don’t any group needs to qualify there needs; we need to address every group as being impacted and unique with adjudicating requirements that are not equitable. I think we need to do a better job with districting to make sure that are communities and demographics are being accounted for appropriately. No Response
4 Educational excellence not influenced by political ideologies. Academic excellence, teaching the Constitution, respect for authority. Support for the police; law and order, working towards building community, offering support for kids” programs that provide safe and fun recreation Vacaville, Browns Valley Hills, hwy 80 Schools None that I’m aware of I would like to learn more about what are the issues in my community and how I might be able to help
5 Resources like rent assistance job assistance program food program Rio Vista Highway 12 No Response No Response No Response
6 Tourism/travel to and from the rest of the Bay Area. My town, Benicia, aspires to be an historic travel destination. Neighboring Vallejo offers a ferry terminal. My town (largely) rejects major commercialization and the south side of Vallejo is less developed than other parts. I think our reliance on local economy to establish a culture (+ travel destination) makes us unique. Lower Eastside of Benicia Martinez Bridge, First Street, Military East We can focus on keeping money (+talent + resources) within a large neighborhood to attract local tourists District 2 goes too far Northeast- our needs and interests are more closely aligned with the edges of Vallejo No Response
7 Safety, cleanliness, local commerce District 1, old city Downtown, curtola parkway, Tuolumne St and Tennessee St Representation access, and it could impact our elected official No Response No Response
8 I think Vacaville city and Rural Vacaville should be in one district because it is in the same community.near 4283 CANTELOW RD Near City of Vacaville Vacaville should be all one Community. I don’t. They don’t fit. They separate the Vacaville Community. The Community should have one goal and work together on that goal. Also the person who represent us should have our same vision.
9 We are in hopes that our English Hills Community doesn’t grow to quickly. When we moved here we really liked the rural atmosphere. We moved here for the country setting, to be able to enjoy the rural countryside, nature and our animals. We moved here to get away from clumped homes, crowds, noise cars people and to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the country. Zoning has been changed to RR 2.5. Currently new building sites are having large structures built on them with multiple homes and prpopane tanks . We would love to keep our community rural and continue to enjoy it! English Hills & Cantelow Area – Rural Vacaville we reside on Pippo Lane. 505 off of Midway/ Timm Road/Cantelow/ Gibson Canyon /English Hills / Peaceful Glen Area. English Hills Creek We should be included in all planning for Fire Departments / Medical / Ambulance / Fire Abatement / Cal Fire etc. No Response No Response
10 DEIA – Thank God, the population of Solano County is getting more and more diversified. The other side of any line, no matter where you draw it, is only a step over it. Therefore, respect the borders in the spirit of DEIA since these vital concepts must continue to be advanced in Solano County. Fairfield “Flower” Community. The Neighborhood streets are named after a Flower North Texas and I-80. Ensuring equal population also ensures equitable electoral opportunity for all. Need more information. It would be beneficial if the existing boundary map included dotted lines depicting the proposed changes so that the changes could be easily identified. Add a call-out next to the dotted lines indicating why and/or how the proposed change will benefit each district. Let’s get a better understanding of the various issues that lead to inequities in our districts (economic, occupational, health, and education) then hold ourselves, others accountable during course correction. We’ll be successful if we work together.
11 Common interest is being a resident of unincorporated Solano County, instead of a resident of a Solano County City. The commonalities are: a) we seek less governmental cost and regulation that found in a city; and b) we prefer living in a more rural environment. Upper Green Valley – North of the City of Fairfield. Northern and Western Boundaries are Napa County, Eastern Border is Rockville Regional Park and Southern Boundary is the City of Fairfield. Residents of unincorporated Solano County, based on their choice of residency in the County rather than any city, share common interests in a more rural environment and less cumbersome regulatory oversight. A District boundary should be set to encompass ONLY residents of unincorporated areas of Solano County, which could easily include the upper or Northern sections of Suisun Valley, Gordon Valley, Pleasant Valley and Browns Valley as a contiguous whole. I have NO likes for the current district lines. My dislikes are that they appear to be gerrymandered for political reasons and fail to provide me with a District Supervisor with whom I have common interests as a resident of rural, unincorporated Solano County. If you would like my specific recommendations on creating a NEW rural, unincorporated Northern Solano County District, please advise.
12 No Response landmark (such as a school of community center), or other boundaries.
88 BANBURY WAY, Benicia
Located near the western edge of Valero Refinery’s buffer zone.
White Chapel Drive
Chelsea Hills Drive
Banbury Way
Carlisle Way
Open space behind/around the streets
Southampton Park
I hope my community of interest, my neighborhood, would not be split into 2 different districts! The impact on my neighborhood would be negative. I want my neighbors who live within a 5-mile radius of where I live to be in the same district as I am because we share the same community interests. What I dislike most about the current district lines is that Districts 3, 4, and 5 are disproportionately conservative. The supervisors from those 3 districts control the whole county. Districts 1 and 2 have more equal representation among conservative and progressive.
Solano County needs to emerge from 1950s into the 21st Century. Progressive points of view in Districts 3, 4, 5 need more competitive representation.
No Response
13 Crisis to water supply**
It’s best not only should we continue to address the need to preserve water, we should also be prepared this rainfall season to storage double the amount of rainfall. I am not sure if this is something that is already being done, but this should be addressed to all the districts and the local farmers.
Agricultural water policy (for district 1 and 4)
Due to the water allocation policy that was unanimously approved, there should be an added amount of rainfall storage separately and specifically for the agricultural irrigation.
In district 2 I am not familiar with the geographic definers. I aim to do everything i can to use my voice to make Solano county a better place to live for all the members of the community. I like how the district lines are equally assigned to each district supervisor, I dislike how the lines look like they were created out of gerrymander and split cities into two different districts causing inconvenience to the members of communities/neighborhoods. ADD. COIs Food pantries & soup kitchens District 2 My  community is in need of more resources,  like Christian help center, On specific days and times for example breakfast and dinner. 3-7 days a week.
District 5(S vallejo) needs an inexpensive
14 make a tool that the members of the community can access to see how many homeowners and renters live in each district .
(District 1,2,3,4)
Make a “G.I.” Or a heat map that shows the members of the community how many homeowners and renters live in each neighborhood
District 2 I am not familiar with the geographic definers. I aim to do everything i can to use my voice to make Solano county a better place to live for all the members of the community. I like how the district lines are equally assigned to each district supervisor, I dislike how the lines look like they were created out of gerrymander and split cities into two different districts causing inconvenience to the members of communities/neighborhoods. Homes in alleyways clean their side of the alley clean.
This includes landscape, trees are growing into the telephone poles, and rose bush vines on ground. Also Marina of Benicia needs landscape maintenance weeds growing out of rocks.
COI-Comments-Received-online-as-of-September-13-2021.pdf
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COI-Comments-Received-online-as-of-September-13-2021.pdf
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Minutes – September 16, 2021 RAC21 Meeting

1. Roll Call (Committee Members) – RAC21 Chair

COMMITTEE MEMBERS  
District 1 Tiffanee Jones (D1 Lead) P
Alex Matias P
Cassandra James P
District 2 Chris Angle       (D2 Lead) P
Stephanie Cobb P
Mina Diaz A
District 3 Delon Jackson (D3 Lead) P
Mike Nail A
Debra Russo P
District 4 Shawn Smith   (D4 Lead) P
Steve Greenberg A
Vacant
District 5 Jim McCully     (D5 Lead) P
Rosie Enriquez P
Vacant

2. Comments from the Public (Guests) – RAC21 Chair
There were no members from the public present.

3. Discussion Items

  • Community Input Received (Matrix Attached) – All

Committee reviewed the matrix of input received to date.  Acknowledged receipt. Noted they would like to see additional input.

  • Report to the Board of Supervisors – All

Michelle requested feedback from the group on the template provided to them. Tiffanee confirmed they just needed to provide the text so they don’t have to do the design.  Shawn requested confirmation on what parts of the report they must concentrate on.  Michelle noted the input by district and any themes in the data.  There was discussion on the deadline to get the report to the Board.  Michelle noted the presentation could be pushed to the October 5th meeting if needed.

4. Adjourn
Meeting adjourned at 6:47 p.m.


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