March 6, 2025 — The Clovis City Council meeting on March 4th featured a mix of community celebration and crucial civic decisions. The evening began with heartfelt tributes to a local institution and transitioned into a detailed discussion on the city’s transition to district-based elections.
The council presented a proclamation honoring the Liberta family for their 50 years of ownership and operation of Luna’s Pizzeria, a beloved Italian restaurant in Old Town Clovis. The proclamation served to highlight Libertas’ journey from Italy to New York and eventually to Clovis, where they opened their restaurant in 1969.
Franco and Carmela Liberta’s dedication and hard work turned Luna’s into a Clovis landmark. The restaurant has served generations of local families, hosted countless celebrations, and provided many Clovis residents with their first jobs. Bert Liberta, who has continued his parents’ legacy as manager and operator, was present to accept the proclamation.
Council members shared personal stories and memories of Luna’s, emphasizing the restaurant’s significant role in the community’s fabric. “You are part of our fabric, the fabric of our community,” one council member remarked, while another shared a cherished memory of their first date with their wife at Luna’s. The council expressed gratitude for the Liberta family’s commitment to Clovis and their contribution to its unique character.
Following the celebration, the council delved into the final public hearing regarding the city’s transition to district-based elections. City Clerk Brianna Parra introduced the item, explaining that the council would review six draft district maps and select a final map for adoption.
City demographer Jeff Tilson presented the maps, detailing their compliance with federal and state laws, including the Federal Voting Rights Act and California’s Fair Maps Act. The maps aimed to create five voting districts of equal population, with a target of 24,092 residents per district, based on the 2020 census.
The council discussed the merits of each map, focusing on factors such as geographic contiguity, avoidance of neighborhood divisions, and easily identifiable boundaries. Council members raised questions about the criteria for map selection, particularly regarding the weight given to different factors like major street boundaries versus neighborhood street boundaries, and the consideration of future population growth.
During the public comment period, several residents expressed their opinions on the proposed maps. Steve Trevino questioned the involvement of out-of-town map submissions and raised concerns about the representation of different socioeconomic areas within the districts. Eric Rollins, a resident of District 5, offered observations on the demographics and housing types within the proposed districts.
The council acknowledged the public’s input and continued their discussion, aiming to select a map that best serves the Clovis community.
The council will now deliberate on the presented maps and finalize their decision on the district boundaries and election sequence. The transition to district-based elections is scheduled to begin in November 2026.
This decision marks a significant change in Clovis’s electoral process, aiming to ensure equitable representation for all residents. The council’s commitment to transparency and community engagement was evident throughout the meeting.