YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
Vol. 21, No. 26
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Decision on ULL initiative delayed
East County Real Estate
Ready to be picked
The Press’ special edition has tips, information on East County real estate market. Page 1B
by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
The Brentwood City Council delayed its decision to send to voters a proposed urban limit line (ULL) expansion initiative so they can further study the measure’s potential effects. The proposed initiative — spearheaded by a group of local developers, including longtime Brentwood farmer and developer Ron Nunn — would move the border at which urban development must stop. The change would clear the way for a proposed 815-acre development, including up to 2,400 residential units, along with other elements, and would be situated north of Balfour Road, east of Deer Valley Road and west of the Shadow Lakes and Brentwood Hills neighborhoods. The initiative will now go on the ballot in either September or October of this year, or November 2020, with
Adams’ AllStar Teacher Photo by Tony Kukulich
N
ectarines were at the peak of their season at Mike’s U-pick in Brentwood. Believed to have originated in China over 2,000 years ago, nectarines are a good source of vitamin C, are low in calories and have no sodium or cholesterol.
see ULL page 26A
Council to switch election process by Kyle Szymanski Staff Writer
Brentwood leaders are one move away from changing how future city councilmembers are elected. The city council formally introduced an ordinance this week to shift the city’s current at-large election procedure to one in which councilmembers are chosen by representative districts. The mayor will continue to be elected at-large. The switch comes in response to threats by Walnut Creek attorney Scott Rafferty to sue the city over claims that Brentwood’s voting system violates the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA) by fostering an arrangement that dilutes the Latino vote. The CVRA, signed into law in 2002, bans at-large election meth-
“ Like the vast majority of cities and special
districts that received similar letters, (the council) decided the cost of litigating the demand letter was too great and directed (city staff) to move forward with the process.
” Brentwood City Attorney Damien Brower
ods that impair a protected class’s ability to elect its selected candidates or influence an election outcome. The change’s introduction, approved this week in a 4-1 vote, is slated to be finalized at the city’s July 9 meeting. Councilmember Karen Rarey cast the lone dissenting vote after expressing concerns that one of the city’s likely future voting districts
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(District 3) features a disproportionate number of higher-income homes. But when she looked for support from her fellow council members, they remained silent and the vote proceeded. “It will be my expectation that each person that sits at that dais will represent the entire community,” said Mayor Bob Taylor, who noted the financial burden of fighting and
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possibly losing a lawsuit forced the council to concede to demands. The city’s move means its election map will likely be divided into four areas, beginning with the 2020 election, with candidates chosen by and representing districts in which they live. Candidates in districts 1 and 3 will be elected in 2020, with districts 2 and 4 filled in 2022. Current council members, however, may not have their terms extended or shortened by the process, meaning that 2018-elected council members Joel Bryant and Johnny Rodriguez will retain their at-large seats through November 2022. The terms of fellow council members Claudette Staton and Karen Rarey are up in 2020. see Election page 26A
BART Leadership www.thepress.net/news/webextras
Harriet Richardson named as first BART inspector general.
Adams Middle School teacher Katie Humann wins NBC Sports All-Star Teacher Award. Page 6A
On The Pitch In The Rockies
Impact Soccer Club 14U traveling to Colorado to play a national championship. Page 18A Calendar.............................27A Classifieds..........................22A Cop Logs.............................25A Education.............................6A Entertainment.................... 9A Food....................................... 8A Milestones.........................10A Opinion...............................16A Pets......................................12A Sports..................................18A
A Safe Fourth
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The American Red Cross offers some safety tips for a safe Fourth of July holiday.