CC 2021-07-27_09b District Based Election System
MEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: TIMOTHY J. CARMEL, CITY ATTORNEY
JESSICA MATSON, LEGISLATIVE & INFORMATION SERVICES
DIRECTOR/CITY CLERK
SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY
REGARDING THE CREATION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION
SYSTEM
DATE: JULY 27, 2021
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Presentation regarding the creation of a district-based election system and public hearing
to receive community input. This public hearing is the first of at least four (4) hearings that
will be conducted to complete the process to create district-based elections in the City.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
There is no financial impact from the recommended action. However, transitioning to
district elections required the City to retain the services of a demographer. The cost of
such services are projected to be approximately $24,000 and have been budgeted in the
FY 2021-2023 Biennial Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the Council 1) Receive a report from the consultant and staff on the
districting process and permissible criteria to be considered to create district boundaries;
2) Conduct a public hearing to receive public input on district boundaries; and 3) Approve
the timeline for developing and approving a Council district map.
BACKGROUND:
On October 22, 2019, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 4949 (Attachment
1) declaring its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections for the
City Council commencing with the General Municipal Election in November 2022.
Elections Code Section 10010 provides that, before any map or maps of the
boundaries for the proposed districts are drawn, the City must conduct two (2) public
hearings over a period of no more than thirty (30) days, at which time the public is
invited to provide input regarding the composition of said districts.
Since adoption of the Resolution of Intention, the City has secured demographer
National Demographics Corporation (NDC) to assist the City in the districting
Item 9.b. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE
CREATION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM
JULY 27, 2021
PAGE 2
process. NDC previously assisted the Cities of Paso Robles and Santa Maria with
their City Council districting process and is currently working with the City of Grover
Beach, the Oceano Community Services District, and the Lucia Mar Unified School
District on their districting processes. The City has also initiated outreach efforts to
inform the public about district elections and the process associated with developing the
Council election districts. The Public Hearing Notice for this hearing was published in
the Tribune and a district elections page has been created on the City’s website at
www.arroyogrande.org with initial information about the districting process and how the
public can be involved.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The purpose of this public hearing is to inform the public about the districting process and
to hear from the community on what factors should be taken into consideration while
creating district boundaries.
The public is requested to provide input regarding communities of interest and other local
factors that should be considered while drafting district maps. A community of interest is a
neighborhood or group that would benefit from being in the same district because of
shared interests, views, or characteristics. Possible community features include, but are not
limited to:
A. School attendance areas;
B. Natural dividing lines such as major roads, hills, or highways;
C. Areas around parks and other neighborhood landmarks;
D. Common issues, neighborhood activities, or legislative/election concerns; and
E. Shared demographic characteristics, such as:
(1) Similar levels of income, education, or linguistic insolation;
(2) Languages spoken at home; and
(3) Single-family and multi-family housing unit areas.
The City must ensure compliance with the following State and federally-mandated criteria
when creating voting districts:
• Each district shall contain a nearly equal population.
• Each district shall be drawn in a manner that complies with the Federal Voting
Rights Act.
• Each district shall not be drawn with race as the predominate factor in violation
of the principles established by the U.S. Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno, 509
U.S. 630 (1993), and its progeny.
Proposed Timeline and Public Participation
• At the August 10, 2021 City Council Meeting, the City Council will conduct Public
Hearing #2 to seek public input and provide direction on criteria to be considered
while drafting district maps.
Item 9.b. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE
CREATION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM
JULY 27, 2021
PAGE 3
• Following that August 10th hearing, draft district maps and proposed election
sequencing will be posted to the City website and available at City Hall on or before
August 17.
• The draft district maps (and any possible new or revised maps) will be discussed
at Council hearings on February 22, 2022 before the anticipated introduction of an
ordinance on March 8, 2022 with second reading and adoption on March 22, 2022.
• At the February 22, 2022 City Council Meeting, the City Council will conduct
Public Hearing #3 to seek public input on the content of draft district map(s) and
sequence of elections.
• On March 8, 2022, the City Council will conduct Public Hearing #4 to adopt a
preferred district map and introduce an ordinance to transition to a district-based
electoral system.
• The Second reading and adoption of the ordinance is scheduled to occur on March
22, 2022, and the City Clerk and demographer will then work with the County
Elections Office to have the district maps integrated into the countywide voting
system.
• The first district election for Arroyo Grande will be held November 8, 2022.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council’s consideration:
1. 1) Receive a report from staff on the districting process and permissible criteria
to be considered to create district boundaries; 2) Conduct a public hearing to
receive public input on district boundaries; and 3) Approve the timeline for
developing and approving a Council district map;
2. Do not approve the timeline for developing and approving a Council district
map; or
3. Provide other direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Approving the recommendation will allow staff to continue the process towards district-
based elections and engage with the public.
DISADVANTAGES:
No disadvantages have been identified.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
No environmental review is required for this item.
Item 9.b. - Page 3
CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE
CREATION OF A DISTRICT-BASED ELECTION SYSTEM
JULY 27, 2021
PAGE 4
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance with
Government Code Section 54954.2.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 4949
2. Proposed Calendar of Public Hearings
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Attachment 1
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Date Time Location Meeting Type
July 27,
2021
6:00 PM Council
Chambers /
Virtual
Public Hearing 1
Held prior to release of draft maps. Receive
input on composition of districts.
August 10,
2021
6:00 PM Council
Chambers /
Virtual
Public Hearing 2
Held prior to release of draft maps. Receive
input on composition of districts.
Census Data Release
August 16, 2021
Census Bureau releases official 2020 Census
population data.
California Data Release
Early October 2021
California Statewide Database releases
California’s official ‘prisoner-adjusted’ 2020
population data.
Release Draft Maps Must be posted 7 days prior to Public Hearing 3.
February 22,
2022
6:00 PM Council
Chambers /
Virtual
Public Hearing 3
Discuss and revise the draft maps and discuss
election sequence.
March 8,
2022
6:00 PM Council
Chambers /
Virtual
Public Hearing 4
Discuss draft maps and election sequence. Final
map selection and introduce ordinance.
March 22,
2022
6:00 PM Council
Chambers
Map adopted by ordinance
Adoption deadline: April 17, 2022
Attachment 2
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