Open Letter to Mayor Brock: Special Council Meeting Needed to Settle Voting Rights Case

Dear Santa Monica Mayor Brock,

In light of the recent court hearing regarding the California Voting Rights Act case, I am writing to request that you immediately call a special City Council meeting for the public to express their views on the prospect of funding the case for another four years, and so that the Council upon hearing public input by the taxpayers and voters can decide whether to settle the case.

It is the Council's fiduciary duty to Santa Monica taxpayers to seriously consider a settlement if the public expresses they do not wish to continue to fund a case that is said to already have cost in excess of $14M. Our taxpayer dollars would be far better spent addressing Santa Monica's public safety and community services needs instead of continuing on the same costly litigation path for another four years.

In the interest of democracy and transparency the public must be allowed to express their wishes regarding this case at a Council meeting to their elected representatives. The City's budget is funded by all the taxpayers, not just the seven Council Members. A decision whether to settle the case or not should not be made through behind-the-scenes speculation on how the different Council Members might vote regarding a potential settlement. The Council Members must face their constituents on this issue before they decide whether to settle this case or not.

This is also to request that you, as the Mayor, advocate for City Council to quickly settle the case through mediation, as recommended by the Court at the most recent hearing.

It was disappointing not to see you, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete, or any other Council Member besides Oscar de la Torre, at last week's Court hearing regarding the CVRA lawsuit. Why did you not find it important enough to attend?

You have strangely remained silent on this extremely important issue that has racially polarized and unfairly marginalized the Pico Neighborhood with its predominantly Latino and Black population. As of today, under your mayorship, the City of Santa Monica stands out as a sole city in the state of California resisting district elections after being sued under the California Voting Rights Act.

During the 2020 Council campaigns you, Mayor Brock, and Council Members Christine Parra and Oscar de la Torre, committed to settling the CVRA case.

Lana Negrete committed to settling the case as a condition to her appointment to the Council in 2021, which then allowed her to run as an incumbent in 2022.

Mayor Brock, please do not renege on your promise, and remind Council Member Negrete of her promise that allowed her to be elevated to a council seat in the first place.

Please show courage and take a stand during your final days as Council Member and as current Mayor, and keep your promise. The community is looking to you for leadership on this issue. This could be your legacy in Santa Monica City government.

Respectfully,

John Alle