TITLE:
title
SECOND PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT REGARDING PROPOSED DRAFT DISTRICT MAPS FOR THE 2021 REDISTRICTING PROCESS
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DEPARTMENT: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE/CITY CLERK DIVISION
PRESENTED BY: BRENDA GREEN
CONTACT INFORMATION: BRENDA GREEN, (714) 754-5221
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Receive proposed 2021 City of Costa Mesa Redistricting maps.
2. Conduct a public hearing and receive public input and feedback on proposed 2021 City of Costa Mesa Redistricting Maps.
3. Direct staff to make modifications to maps as needed.
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BACKGROUND:
Every ten years, cities with by-district election systems must use new census data to review and, if needed, redraw district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. This process, called redistricting, ensures all districts have nearly equal populations. The redistricting process for the City of Costa Mesa must be completed by April 17, 2022.
On April 6, 2021, the City Council selected National Demographics Corporation (NDC) for the demographics analysis of census data and to engage the public in the redistricting process.
In November 2016, Ordinance 16-05 was approved by the voters that amended the City’s method of electing members to the City Council commencing in November 2018. Pursuant to the approved Ordinance, the City is now divided into 6 geographic districts, with a Mayor elected by voters citywide. The districts must now be evaluated using the 2020 census data and in compliance with the Fair Maps Act, which was adopted by the California Legislature as AB 849 and took effect January 1, 2020.
Under the Act, the City Council shall draw and adopt boundaries using the following criteria in the listed order of priority (Elections Code 21601(c) for general law cities):
Comply with the federal requirements of equal population and the federal Voting Rights Act
1. Geographically contiguous
2. Undivided neighborhoods and “communities of interest” (socio-economic geographic areas that should be kept together)
3. Easily identifiable boundaries
4. Compact (do not bypass one group of people to get to a more distant group of people)
5. Shall not favor or discriminate against a political party
Once the above prioritized criteria are met, other traditional districting principles may be considered, such as:
1. Minimize the number of voters delayed from voting due to a change of their district
2. Respect voters’ choices /continuity in office
3. Future population growth
By law, the City must hold at least four public hearings that enable community members to provide input on the redistricting process. The process involves the following requirements:
• One hearing must occur before the City draws draft maps - held 10/19/2021
• Two hearings must happen after the drawing of draft maps (11/16/21 & 2/15/22)
• Hearing to discuss and select final map, introduction of Ordinance (2/15/2022)
• Second reading and final adoption of map (3/1/2022)
ANALYSIS:
The community was encouraged to submit proposed maps for the November 16, 2021 public hearing for the City Council’s initial consideration and discussion. A total of seven (7) public submittals were made by individuals. The city’s demographer, Dr. Justin Levitt, also prepared three (3) draft City Council district boundary maps based on the legal criteria outlined in past meetings, including consideration of communities of interest. The draft maps are intended for discussion purposes only; the demographer is not recommending approval of any proposal. Dr. Levitt reviewed each map and prepared a demographic summary for each public submittal.
The city continues to encourage residents to submit draft boundary proposals, revisions to submitted maps, or offer comments on any maps. The city’s demographer will continue to review all submissions and make revisions as necessary, based on Council direction and community input.
The next steps are to conduct public workshops to seek additional public input on the draft district maps. The following dates are scheduled:
• Wednesday, December 1, 2021, 6:00 p.m. at the City Hall Community Room
• Saturday, January 8, 2022, 10:00 a.m. Location TBD.
In addition, the City has a dedicated webpage that includes online mapping tools and an Interactive Review Map. The draft district maps are also posted on the webpage at Redistrict Costa Mesa <https://redistrictcostamesa.org/>
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may discuss and take other action related to this item.
FISCAL REVIEW:
Funding for the 2021 proposed redistricting maps is included in the City Clerk’s FY 2021-2022 Approved Budget.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this report and approved it as to form.
CITY COUNCIL GOALS AND PRIORITIES:
This item is administrative in nature.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Receive proposed 2021 City of Costa Mesa Redistricting maps.
2. Conduct a public hearing and receive public input and feedback on proposed 2021 City of Costa Mesa Redistricting Maps.
3. Direct staff to make modifications to maps as needed.