HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem VAGENDA REPORT
DATE:
May 29, 2001
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU:
John B. Bahorski, City Manager
FROM:
Lee Whittenberg, Director of Development Services
SUBJECT:
City Council Redistricting
SUMMARY OF REOUEST:
City Charter and State Election Code provisions require the City Council to consider
redistricting based upon the results of the 2000 Census. Appoint committee composed of
two Council Members, in accordance with Section 515 of the Charter of the City of Seal
Beach and set dates for required public hearing(s) pursuant to State Elections Code.
BACKGROUND:
Overview of 2000 and 1990 District Populations:
Staff has received the 2000 Census information by Census Block and
converted the
information to match the existing City Council District boundaries established in 1991after the
1990 Census. Provided below is a summary by City Council District of that
information in
bold, with the current population numbers and difference from the current averages indicated
in parenthesis:
Council +/- Difference % +/- (Average)
Difference
District Population (Median) (Median)
% (Average)
1 4938 (5158) 99 2.05% 106.6 (108)
2.21% (2.75%)
2 4736 (4911) -103 - 2.13% -95A ( -109)
.1.97% (- 2.17 %)
3 4839 (5078) 0 0.00% 7.6(58)
0.16% (1.16 %)
4 4842 (5024) 3 0.06% 10.6(4)
0.22% (0.07 %)
5 4802 (4927) -37 - 0.76% -29.4 ( -93)
- 0.61% (- 1.85 %)
,2Z! /s7
Average Median
4831.4 (5,020) 4839
Agenda
Item
C:Wy Ew men612f100 R st mnglCily Cwncil Sniff Repon l.dm\LVA05 -21 -01
City Council Redistricting Process
City Council Staf jRepon
May 29, 2001
As can be seen, there is very little difference in population utilizing the existing district
boundaries, with the current district populations being closer to the average than were the
populations at the time of the 1991 redistricting. Nevertheless, provisions of the City Charter
require the establishment of a "Redistricting Committee ". After receiving a report from the
Committee, the Council has the discretion to leave the boundaries as they exist, or, after
conducting two public hearings, change them.
Overview of City Charter and State Elections Code Provisions:
Section 515 of the Official Charter of the City of Seal Beach provides:
"Counci /manic Districts. The five members of the City Council shall
be elected by districts the boundaries of which shall be as defined by
ordinance adopted by the City Council.
In 1980 and each 10th year thereafter, the City Council shall
appoint a committee to study and report on the advisability of redistricting
the City. Upon receipt of any such committee report, and at any other
time deemed necessary or desirable in order that the district boundaries
be in accordance with constitutional requirement, fair and logical, the
City Council may be ordinance change and redefine the boundaries of any
of all of such districts. The boundaries so defined shall be established in
such manner that the district shall, as nearly as practicable, constitute
natural areas of contiguous and compact territory and provide fair
representation on the City Council. Any territory hereafter annexed to or
consolidated with the City shall, at the time of annexation or
consolidation, be added by ordinance of the City Council to an adjacent
district or districts. "
The Charter does not stipulate the make -up of the committee. In 1990 the City Council
appointed a 10- member committee, consisting of 5 members and 5 alternates. Given the
minor changes in population within the established councilmanic districts, with the
population in each district being closer to the average than existed at the time of the 1991
redistricting, staff is recommending that the City Council appoint a committee composed
of two City Councilmembers.
Provisions of the California Elections Code relative to Charter City councilmanic district
elections and adjustments to district boundaries are set forth in Elections Code H 21620
and 21620. 1, and are provided for the information of the City Council as Attachment 1.
These sections stipulate requirements in establishing districts and adjusting boundaries of
established districts, and most importantly, require a public hearing on proposed
boundary adjustments prior to, and an additional public hearing when the City Council
could vote to approve or defeat the redistricting proposal.
City Council Staff Report 1
City Council Redumcling Process
City Coa d StafjRepon
May 29, 2001
Recommended Process:
Given the above information regarding the current balance of population within the
existing City Council districts, staff would recommend the Council establish a committee
composed of two Councilmembers to review and recommend to the full Council any
redistricting proposals. In lieu of councilmembers, the City Council could appoint
residents. Regardless of the composition of the committee, the timeline presented below
would need to be followed to complete the process in time to allow for the proper
printing of election materials for the 2002 election, in the event the Council chose to
redistrict.
Upon receipt of a recommendation of the committee, staff would then schedule a public
hearing before the City Council to consider any recommendations submitted by the
committee. In the event the Council would be considering an adjustment to the
boundaries, a second public hearing would be scheduled before the City Council to
consider adoption of the required ordinance to adjust councilmanic district boundaries
based upon the recommendation of the committee or input from the initial public hearing.
Recommended Timeline
Date Action
May 29, 2001 City Council considers staff report and appoints committee
June 2001 Committee meets and prepares recommendation by June 22, 2001
July 9, 2001 City Council public hearing to receive public comments on
recommendation of committee
July 23, 2001 (In the event an adjustment is being considered) a second City
Council public hearing to receive public comments and consider
introduction of ordinance to amend councilmanic district
boundaries based upon the recommendation of the committee and
input from the initial public hearing
August 13, 2001 Second reading of ordinance
September 12, 2001 Effective date of ordinance
City Council Sniff Report I
City Council Redistricting Process
City Council Staff Report
May 29, 200/
FISCAL IMPACT:
Minimal allocation of staff resources to prepare appropriate documents for
implementation of any redistricting program.
Appoint committee composed of two Councilmembers and direct staff to provide
necessary technical assistance to assist committee in completion of report by June 22,
2001. Authorize staff to take appropriate actions to complete redistricting review process
in accordance with suggested timeline.
Whittenberg 'r�
Director of Development Services
NOTED
Bahorski, City Manager
1: California Elections Code, Section 21620 - 21620.1
City cmndl stiff a ,on 1
City Councd Redistricting Process
City Council StafjRepon
May 29, 200!
ATTACHMENT 1
CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS CODE
SECTION 21620- 21620.1
"21620. If the members of the governing body of a chartered city are
nominated or elected "by districts" or "from districts," as defined in
Section 34871 of the Government Code, upon the initial establishment
thereof, the districts shall be as nearly equal in population as may be
according to the latest federal decennial census or, if the city's charter so
provides, according to the federal mid- decade census or the official census
of the city, as provided for pursuant to Chapter 17 (commencing with
Section 40200) of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 4 of the Government Code,
as the case may be. After the initial establishment of the districts, the
districts shall continue to be as nearly equal in population as may be
according to the latest federal decennial census or, if authorized by the
charter of the city, according to the federal mid- decade census. The
districts shall comply with the applicable provisions of the federal Voting
Rights Act of 1965, Section 1973 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as
amended. In establishing the boundaries of the districts, the council may
give consideration to the following factors: (1) topography, (2) geography,
(3) cohesiveness, contiguity, integrity, and compactness of territory, and
(4) community of interest of the districts.
21620.1. The governing body shall hold at least one public hearing on any
proposal to adjust the boundaries of a district prior to a public hearing at
which the council votes to approve or defeat the proposal."
City Council sunaepnn t
+�F SEAL Bar
9 O Q
o`' ° "�``\ , Memorandum
To: Joanne Yeo, City Clerk
John Bahotski, City Manager p
From: Lee Whitt®berg, Director of Developmental Services.;�/�
CC: Quinn Barrow, City Attorney
Date: May 17, 2001
Subject REDISTRICTING PROCESS
Staff has received the 2000 Census information by Census Block and converted the
information to match the existing City Council District boundaries established in 1991after the
1990 Census. Provided below is a summary by City Council District of that information in
bold, with the current population numbers and difference from the current averages indicated
in parenthesis:
Council +/- Difference % +/- (Average) Difference
District Population (Median) (Median) % (Average)
1 4938 (5158) 99 2.05% 106.6 (108) 2.21% (2.75 %)
2 4736 (4911) -103 - 2.13% -95.4 ( -109) - 1.97% (- 2.17 9/6)
3 4839 (5078) 0 0.00% 7.6(58) 0.16% (1.16 %)
4 4842 (5024) 3 0.06% 10.6(4) 0.22% (0.07%)
5 4802 (4927) -37 -0.76% -29A ( -93) -0.61% (- 1.85 %)
Average Median
4831.4 (5,020) 4839
As can be seen, there is very little difference in population uhh2ing the existing district
boundaries, with the current district populations being closer to the average than were the
populations at the time of the 1991 redistricting. Nevertheless, provisions of the City Charter
require the establishment of a "Redistricting Committee', and eventual approval by City
Council ordinance of new district boundaries, after a public hearing before the Council.
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Memonon,h m re: City Council RedisMcImgProcesa
May I7, 2001
Provided below is a brief summary of the anticipated process with anticipated action dates:
City Council appoints "Redistricting Committee” (May 29 or June 11, 2001):
• Committee established pursuant to Section 515 of the Charter.
• Redistricting also required pursuant to Elections Code Section 35102
• Establishing Committee will be an Agenda Item on the May 29 Agenda
❑ Previous committee existed to 10 members, five members and five alternates.
Alternates could only vote in the absence of the member from that particular
district
Committee Meetings (June -July 2001):
❑ Initial Committee Meeting
❑ Selection of Chair and Vice -Chair
❑ Review of Elections Code and Charter Provisions
• Review of existing district boundaries and 200 Census population of existing
districts
• Consideration of district boundary amendments
❑ Determination of future meeting dates and times,
7 Subsequent Committee Meetings as needed
City Council Actions (August - September, 2001):
• Receive Committee Report — Council has option to receive report and then conduct a
study session or schedule the required public hearing pursuant to the Elections Code
• If district boundaries are proposed to be revised, or are proposed to remain as
established, prepare the necessary implementing ordinance for introduction and
eventual adoption.
I will be preparing a City Council Staff Report for May 29 for establishing the "Redistricting
Coaunittee ", and will provide that document for your review by Tuesday, May 22,
RMim =, Memo 1