sr-062811-13c (2)13-C
June 28, 2011
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE -MEMORANDUM
To: City Council
From: Mayor Bloom and Mayor Pro Tem Davis
Date: June 28, 2011
13-C: Request of Mayor Bloom and Mayor pro Tem Davis that staff be directed to
advocate to the Citizen's Redistricting Commission
(www.wedrawthelines.org) that the City of Santa Monica be included in a
congressional district whose communities of interest include communities
within and adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains and the area served by
the Westside Cities Council of Government cities of which we are a part,
rather than cities and communities including Palos Verdes Peninsula and
beach cities south of Santa Monica. Moreover, under the proposed map,
the City of Santa Monica would no longer be represented by its long term
representative in Congress, Congressman Henry Waxman,.who has been a
proactive and effective representative for Santa Monica and the
surrounding Westside communities who share mutual interests and
challenges. Request is also made that staff be directed to advocate to the
Citizen's Redistricting Commission (www.wedrawthelines.org) that the City
of Santa Monica be included in a State Senate district whose communities
of interest include communities within and adjacent to the Santa Monica
Mountains and the area served by the Westside Cities Council of
Government cities of which we are a part, rather than cities and
communities including Palos Verdes Peninsula and beach cities south of
Santa Monica. Moreover, under the proposed map, the City of Santa
Monica would no longer be represented by its long term representative in
13-C
June 28, 2011
13-C
June 28, 2011
the State Senate (and, previously, State Assembly), Senator Fran Pavley,
who has been a proactive and effective representative for Santa Monica
and the surrounding Westside communities who share mutual interests
and challenges.
13-C
June 28, 2011
2
Department of Records and EledionServices
(City Clerk)
1665 Main Street, Room 102
PO Box 2200
Santa Monica, California 90407-2200
To Whom It May Concern
I, Denise Anderson, Assistant City Clerk of the City of Santa Monica certify that the following action was
taken by the Santa Monica City Council at a regular meeting held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011:
13. COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS:
13-C: Request of Mayor Bloom and Mayor pro Tem -Davis that staff be directed to advocate to
the Citizen's Redistricting Commission (www.wedrawthelines.orcl) that the City of Santa
Monica be included in a congressional district whose communities of interest include
communities within and adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains and the area served by
the Westside Cities Council of Government cities of which we are a part, rather than
cities and communities including Palos Verdes Peninsula and beach cities south of
Santa Monica. Moreover, under the proposed map, the City of Santa Monica would no
longer be represented. by its Tong term representative in Congress, Congressman Henry
Waxman, who has been a proactive and effective representative for Santa Monica and the
surrounding Westside communities who share mutual interests and challenges.
Request is also made that staff be directed to advocate to the Citizen's Redistricting
Commission ( .wedrawthelines.orp) that the City of Santa Monica be included in a
State Senate district whose communities of interest include communities within and
adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains and the area served by the Westside ,Cities
Council of Government cities of which we are a part, rather than cities and communities
including Palos Verdes Peninsula and beach cities south of Santa Monica. Moreover,
under the proposed map, the City of Santa Monica would no longer be represented by its
long term representative in the State Senate (and, previously, State Assembly), Senator
Fran Pavley, who has been a proactive and effective representative for Santa Monica and
the surrounding Westside communities who share mutual interests and challenges.
Motion by Mayor Bioom, seconded by Councitmember O'Connor, to approve the request. The motion
was unanimously approved by voice vote with Councitmembers McKeown and Shriver absent.
Sincerely,
~~-P,i'LI~2~ ~ of ~VJV G'iG'~~-
Denise Anderson-Warren, CMC
Assistant City Clerk
Cify of Santa Monica
tel: 310 458-8219 • fax: 310 394-2962
('j Printed on 100°lo post-consumer PCF paper
,Mayor Richard gloom
~°_°`~ Mayor Pro Tempore Gleam Davis
Counrilmembers
_~vA.~`•• Rob@rt Holbrook
~;,,~ ~,. Kevin McKeown -
~iaen~a ~laradea" Pam O'Connor
T@rry O'Day
Bobby fJrirlV@P
June 28, 2011
Citizens Redistricting.Commission
via email: votersfirstaccrc.ca.gov
Re: "LA$CV"
Dear Chair and Commissioners:
The Santa Monica City Council on June 28, 2011 will consider a formal position that the
City of Santa Monica be included in a State Senate District whose communities of interest
include communities within and adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains and the area
served by the Westside Cities. Council of Government cities of which we are a part, rather
than cities and communities including Palos. Verdes Peninsula and beach pities south of
Santa Monica. Moreover, under the proposed map, the City of Santa Monica would no
longer be represented by its long term representative in the State Senate (and, previously.
State .Assembly}, Senator Fran Pavley, who has been a proactive and effective
representative fcr Santa Monica and the surrounding ll~iestside communities who share
mutual interests and challenges. Due to the press of time of the Commission and that the
City Council holds night meetings. ! am farvvarding this letter on behalf of the Crty. The City
wii(foliow-up with confirmation of Council action on this matter.
The criteria for establishing the new district lines require that they respect tt?e community's
dependence an common institutions and services as well as other common interests. As
currently proposed, the Senate District designated as LASCV does not respect the criteria
established for .the formation of the new districts, as the Santa Clarita Va(iey has no
common relationship with the communities of the Santa Monica Mountains and coastal
areas such as Malibu and Pacific Palisades.
The tASCV also lacks compactness as it stretches from the coasf at Malibu to the Kern
County line, a distance of approximately 110 miles round trip. This would make it
imprac#icai for constituents and elected officials to attend meetings and conduct business
during a normal business day. The ability io interact with our elected officials and
communities of interest is at the heart of a robust democratic dialogue.
Community of interest is most keenly realized in wark to solve common problems and rise
to their challenge collectively. The Westside of Los Angeles. Santa Monica Mountains, and
the Santa Monica Watershed have been effective as communities of interest through the
focus on common environmental and quality of life issues. Transportation projects that
16$5 Main Street o PO Box 2200 . Santa Mon;Ca . CA 904072200
tal;3?045$-$20? fax:310458.1629 a-maii:council~smgov.net
Page 2
June 28,2051
Citizens Redistricting Commission
have tremendous benefit to the region grew out of a concern with the environmental
consequences of the Westside choking in trafFc. Both the Exposition Light Rail project and
the Westside extension of the subway area result of close col!aboraiion within the
Senatorial District. These projects are warranted by the levels ofi congestion, employment,
and eoonomic contribution ofi the Westside Cities within the region. State legislation
created the Expo Light Rail Authority which is charged with the design and build of the light
rail. Measure R, its funding source, +.vas authorized by similar concerted advocacy. Most
importantly, it was through years of colleotive advocacy at the State .level that this transit
improvement is being realized. The Senatorial District area matched the definition of the
problem and defined the solutions that are now in hand.
Sased on the aforementioned considerations, it is requested that the Commission
reconsider the boundaries for Senate District LASCV. It is suggested in keeping with the
Redistricting Commission criteria, to use the two prapos®d Assembly boundaries LAMWS
and LAVSF encompassing the `West Side -Santa Monica' and the "Thousand Oaks -
Santa .Monica Mountains° as a nest for the Senate District to optimally reflect the
interconnected cammunities.
Very truly yours,
r-,;
~`~'
Richard Bloom, Mayor
Ci#y of Santa Monica
Mayor Richard Blaom
~`"'""'°~~ Mayor Pro Temnore Gteam Davis
Courrcrlmembers
~.~~ Robert Holbrook
~,~_~~ - KevinRHcAeovm
dran4a 9;<trrt5ae~' PamO'Cannor
Terry O'Day
Bobby Shriner
June 28, 201 i
Citizens Redistricting Commission
via email: votersfirstact{a?crc.ca.aov
Re: `"V71. L.A - Downtown" and "Pales Verdes Est -Beach Cities" CongressienaP Districts
Dear Chair and Commissioners,
The Santa Monica City Council on June 28, 2fl11 will consider a formal positicn that the Cify of
Santa Monica be included in a Gongressionai Dis"erica whose communities of interest include
communities within and adjacent to the Santa Monica Mouhtains and the area served by the
+Nes"aside Cities Ccuncil of Governments cities of which we are a part.. rather than cities and
communities including Palos Verdes Peninsula and beach cities south of Santa Monica. Moreover;
under the proposed map, the City of Santa Monica would no longer be represented by its long term
representative In Congress, Cangressman Henry 4~Jaxman; who has been a proactive and effective
representative for Santa nrtonica and the surrounding 'vl+estsida communities whe share mutual
interests and challenges. Due to the press of time of the Commission and that the City Ccuncil
holds night meetings, I am forwarding this letter on behalf of the City. The City wilt follow-up with
confirmation of Council action on this matter.
The criteria for establishing the new distrct lines require that they respect the community"s
dependence on oommon institutions and services, as well as ether common interests. Santa
Monica is part of a dense urban environment that extends eastward from our city where the
housinglobs balance is collectively worked on through regional Westside soiuticns like the
Exposition Light Raii line and the VVestside Subvaay Extension. The Commission's pPOpOSed
district, "Palos Verdes Est -Beach Cities" severs Santa Monica from these longstanding
communities.
>~s ourrentiy proposed the Congressional District designated as "Palos Verdes Est -Beach Cities"
does not respect the aiteria established far the formation of the new districts because of its
inclusion of the City of Santa Monica along with South Bay Cities that have little common
relationship with the City ofi Santa Monica.
Moreover, the City of Santa Monica has the greatest common. interest and dependence on common
institutions with cites that are part of the proposed "UV. LR -Downtown" Congressional District.
Santa Monica is part of a Council of Governments with two other incorporated cities within the `W.
LA - Downtowwn° District. The Westside Cities Council of Governments coordinates policy on
transportation issues, social service issues such as homelessness, and more. The east -west
transportation corridors and an under-construction light rail line tie these communities together.
Community of interest is most keenly realized in work to solve common problems and rise tc their
challenge collectively. The vVestside ofi !_os Angeles has been effective through the representation
1685 Main SYrest • PO Box 2200 . Santa Monica . CA 94407-2200
te1:310458-8201 `ax:3 7 0 458-7 62 7 . e-maii;tountil~smc~ov,net
Page 2
June 2S. 201
CiAZens Radisti;ctirg -^,ommissio^
of its Congressional Distract on numerous community issues. Ofi special note, the cities have made
large scale and remarkable achievements on transportation projects that are the only remedies to
the Westside choking in traf;rc. Both the Exposition Light Raik project and the V~destside Subway
Exfehsion are a result of close coliaboraiien with the Congressman. These projects are warranted
by the levels of congestion. employment and economic contribution of the Wastsida Cities within
the region. UVestside Cities are characterized by one of the highest population and employment
densities in Los Angeles County, as well as one of the highest proportions of transit ridership.
Several considerations bind us #cgether (2G06 study dais}:
+ The Westsida economy produces more than 11°lq of jobs in the County and has some of the
highest employment densities (462,467 jobs}.
13°l0 of West-eiders take transit to work, doub'e the County average of 6°/b.
+ Population densihj averages 6.Og6 people per square mile, roughly double the Cdunty
average.
Support for Expo Light Raii and the Wes#side Subway were made possible by identifying these
shared considerations and ini=rests. Most imparartly, it was through years of on;leotive advocacy
at tyre Federal Sevel that these transit improvements are being realized. The Congressional District
area matched the definition of the problem and defined the solutions that are now in hand.
The City of Santa Monica is physically separated from fhe majority of the proposed "Palos Verdes
Est -Beach Cities' District by Marina del Rey, the Baiiona 4'Vetiands and Los Angeles international
Airport.
The inclusion of Santa Monica in the 'W. SA -downtown" District would retain compactness in that
district, whereas the currently proposed "Palos Verdes Est - Beach Cities' District lacks
compactness and cohesion by comparison. as it is nearly tvrice the length.
Based on the aforementioned considerations. it is requested that the Commission reconsider the
proposed boundaries for these Congressional Dis"trios.
Very truly yours,
i
1l
F2icitard Bloom, Mayor
City of Santa Monica