REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Public Hearing Pursuant to Elections Code Section 10010(a)(2) to Receive Public Comment Regarding the Content of the Refined Draft City Council Districting Maps Published on October 29, 2019, and the Proposed Sequence of Elections
Report
BACKGROUND
The City began exploring changing from the City's current at-large with numbered seats system for electing City Council members to a district-based form of elections (RTC No. 18-0776) in the fall of 2018, shortly before receiving a letter from a potential plaintiff alleging the City's current electoral system violates the California Voting Rights Act ("CVRA") because it "dilutes the voting power of Asian American voters."
Council adopted a resolution of intent to change to district-based elections in November 2018 and adopted an amended Resolution of Intent on March 19, 2019 (Resolution No. 907-18) declaring its intent to place a charter amendment measure on the March 2020 ballot to transition to district-based elections.
After a robust community outreach effort, on June 18, 2019 (RTC No. 19-0362) Council directed staff to move forward with a six-district model with a directly-elected, at-large mayor. The Community-Driven Mapping process began in July with support from National Demographics Corporation (NDC). NDC provided an online mapping tool using 2010 census, 2012-2016 American Community Survey (ACS), and California Statewide Database data. Residents were given training and access to the online mapping tool to develop proposed 6-district maps. A total of 26 maps were submitted by the public. Council has received public input and narrowed the preferred district maps to four maps: 107A, 120A, 120C, and 121A. The public was given the opportunity to submit refinements of these maps by October 25, 2019.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a "project" with the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sec...
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