Capitola City Council 4/30/26

The Capitola City Council held a special meeting on April 30, 2026, primarily to discuss transitioning from at-large to district-based elections in response to a California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) challenge. The Council reviewed a tentative timeline for public hearings, map drawing, and adoption of district maps, aiming for district elections to commence in November 2028. They emphasized community outreach and transparency, including public input on district composition and map proposals. The Council also approved contracting with National Demographics Corporation as the demographer to assist with map creation and legal compliance, with a proposed budget amendment of $45,000 to cover consultant fees and public notification costs, funded from contingency. The resolution to initiate the transition process and the proposed timeline was unanimously approved. Public comments highlighted concerns about the pace of the process, the impact of recent Supreme Court rulings on voting rights, and the importance of community involvement and clear residency requirements for candidates.