CITY OF BELMONT
CITY COUNCIL AND BELMONT FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
www.belmont.gov
1. ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Persons wishing to orally address the Council on the items of business listed below will be given an opportunity to do so before or during the Councils consideration of the item.
2. PUBLIC HEARING
A. District Elections Map, At-Large Mayor, and Sequence of Elections
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
5:30 PM
City Council Chambers
City Hall, One Twin Pines Lane, Belmont, California
TELECONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS
Councilmembers will participate by teleconference under Government Code Section 54953(e), and City Council Resolution 2021-007. All votes shall be by roll call.
The meeting will be broadcast live to Belmont residents on Comcast Cable Channel 27, streamed live via the City’s website at www.Belmont.gov. The public may also attend the meeting in the City Council Chambers and address the council from the chambers. Social distancing must be practiced, and seating will be limited.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
To maximize time for live public comment, we encourage members of the public to provide comments by joining the City Council meeting via Zoom: For web, visit https://belmontgov.zoom.us/ select “Join” and enter Meeting ID: 95745673035. Use the Raise Hand feature to request to speak. You may rename your profile if you wish to remain anonymous.
For dial-in comments, call *67 1-(669) 900-6833 (your phone number will appear on the live broadcast if *67 is not dialed prior to the phone number), enter Meeting ID: 95745673035, and press *9 to request to speak. All public comments are subject to a 3-minute time limit unless otherwise determined by the Mayor.
If you wish to submit written public comment, you may send an email to [email protected] before the council considers the item. Please indicate the agenda item topic or agenda item number you wish to comment on in your email’s subject line. Any public comment regarding agenda items that are received from the publication of the agenda through the meeting date will be made part of the meeting record, but will not be read during the Council meeting.
1 Recommendation: The Council may at this public hearing meeting:
1) Select a map establishing council districts after presentation 2) Decide on the term of the at-large Mayor and whether the first mayoral election is in November 2022 or 2024
3) Decide which district seats will be up for election in November 2022 and 2024 4) Introduce an ordinance establishing a by-district system of electing four members of the City Council and an at-large Mayor
Attachment(s):
Staff Report
Draft Districting Ordinance
Belmont Draft Plan G
Belmont Draft Plan H
Belmont Draft Plan I
Draft Map Presentation #3 March 8th
3. ADJOURNMENT
If you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at (650) 595-7413. The speech and hearing-impaired may call (650) 637-2999 for TDD services. Notification in advance of the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
Meeting information can also be accessed via the internet at: www.belmont.gov. All staf reports will be posted to the web in advance of the meeting, and any writings or documents provided to a majority of the City Council/District Board or Commission regarding any item on this agenda will be made available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Of ice, One Twin Pines Lane, during normal business hours and at the Council Chambers at City Hall, Second Floor, during the meeting. 2
Districting Study Session - Staff Report
STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: March 8, 2022
Agency: City of Belmont
Staff Contact: Jozi Plut, City Clerk/Communications Coordinator, [email protected], 650-595- 7408
Agenda Title: District Elections Map, At-Large Mayor, and Sequence of Elections Agenda Action: Discussion & Direction
Recommendation
The Council may at this public hearing meeting:
1) Select a map establishing council districts after presentation 2) Decide on the term of the at-large Mayor and whether the first mayoral election is in November 2022 or 2024
3) Decide which district seats will be up for election in November 2022 and 2024 4) Introduce an ordinance establishing a by-district system of electing four members of the City Council and an at-large Mayor
Strategic Focus Area
Fiscal and Organizational Sustainability
Background
The members of the Belmont City Council are currently elected at-large. In an at-large election system, every voter in the City votes for each member of the City Council, regardless of where the voter or the candidate resides.
On July 30, 2021, the City received a letter from Kevin Shenkman, of the law firm Shenkman & Hughes, alleging that the City's at-large election system violated the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 (CVRA) on behalf of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project alleging violation of California Voting Rights Act demanding the city change to its at-large method of electing councilmembers.
An “at-large” system of elections is subject to legal challenge under the CVRA if that method of election impairs the ability of a protected class to elect candidates of its choice or its ability to influence the outcome of the election, as a result of the dilution or the abridgment of the rights of the voters who are members of the protected class. The threshold of proof to establish a violation is low and does not require discriminatory intent.
Many dozens of cities and other public agencies in California have been sued under the CVRA. Prevailing CVRA plaintiffs are guaranteed to recover their attorneys’ fees and costs. With the exception of one case still in litigation, all public entities that have tried to contest the conversion to elections by district have either lost or have agreed to make the transition. In either instance, these jurisdictions have paid at least a portion of the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees and costs. Further, those cities that have litigated CVRA cases 3
District Elections Study Session Districting Study Session - Staff Report have paid millions of dollars in fees and were still forced to transition to by-district elections.
The Council met in closed session on October 26, 2021, to consider the litigation threat and held a public study session on November 2, 2021, to consider transitioning to district-based elections and whether to directly elect the mayor at-large. The Council concurred to transition to district elections with four districts and an at-large Mayor. At a regular Council meeting on November 9, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 2021-096 outlining the city’s intent to change the City's system of election for the City Council from an at-large system to a district-based system by adoption of an ordinance. The district-based elections system will be in use in the City's General Municipal Election for City Councilmembers beginning in November 2022.
The City Council authorized the City Manager to retain legal, demographic, and communication services to assist the City in its transition to a district-based elections system for the election of City Council members. The City Manager retained the services of Hanson Bridgett LLP, who retained Redistricting Partners to assist the City in its transition to district-based elections by providing a detailed analysis of the City’s current demographics and other information or data necessary to prepare a draft map or maps that divide(s) the City into voting districts in a manner consistent with the intent and purpose of the CVRA, the Federal Voting Rights Act, and all other federal and state laws.
The City Council held initial informational public meetings on this matter on January 11 and 25, 2022.
Simultaneously staff began an outreach campaign including but not limited to dedicated website creation, social media posting, e-newsletters, mapping workshop and pop-up informational booths throughout the City.
On February 8, 2022, the City's consultant created three draft district maps for City Council and public review and discussion. The maps are drafted based on traditional districting criteria as established by the Fair Maps Act including those districts are of relatively equal size, contiguous, maintain "communities of interest", follow city and census designated place boundaries and keep districts compact.
On February 22, 2022, after further public comments through online tools, email correspondence and in person the City's demographer made another round of map presentations for further input from the Community. It was determined that with the constrained timeline, the Council should hold a study session for a focused discussion on a final district map and discussion on the at-large Mayor.
Analysis
The City continued to receive public input on the maps online and through community workshops held on February 19 and various pop up events. The Council will hold the third public hearing to receive public input regarding the draft maps of four districts and provide direction for development of a revised final map. Over 50 district maps were submitted prior to the public hearing tonight. Based on Council feedback and further community input the City’s demographer has prepared three additional proposed draft maps for Council and public input. The City Council may proceed with further deliberations on those maps or make further revisions to any map (if desired), and select a map as the final district elections map and adopt the map by resolution on March 22nd.
Considerations on Drawing the Draft Maps
The demographer has drawn and evaluated these draft maps to ensure compliance with the above criteria. 4
District Elections Study Session Districting Study Session - Staff Report The City is using the latest 2020 Census data provided by the Statewide Database, as required under the Fair Maps Act. These maps use the underlying Census tract geography to establish the boundaries of individual City Council districts. In drawing these maps, every care was taken to honor neighborhoods and communities of interest. However, please note that sometimes Census blocks do not perfectly align with known neighborhood boundaries or streets. Some census blocks follow natural geographic boundaries, such as a turn in a creek, or open spaces which may be why some notches or boundary lines do not precisely follow neighborhood borders or roads.
Furthermore, each City Council map plan must be below 10% total deviations between the largest to smallest district by population. Deviation is calculated by first determining the ideal population for each district. In Belmont’s case, the ideal population is 7,090 residents per district. The total deviation is determined by adding together the deviations of the largest and smallest districts from that ideal population size. For example, if your largest district is 5% larger than the ideal population and the smallest district is 3% smaller than the ideal population, then the total deviation is 8%. As achieving near population equality between districts is the first criteria that must be met, some known neighborhoods will be split between districts.
Because of the need to meet the required deviation standard, adjusting any one line may have a ripple effect that results in the need to adjust another boundary elsewhere in the map.
Governance and District Representation
Members of the public have raised questions about what moving to district elections means for their representation on the Council. All Belmont residents will continue to be represented by the entire City Council, which is the legislative body for the City. The only difference between the at-large and by-district election systems is in how council members are elected to the City Council. Instead of voting for all five council members, voters will only vote for one council member who lives in their district and a mayor elected at large.
Governance of the City will not change due to the transition to district elections. Council members and the Mayor will continue to have equal voting power and will consider the entire City when deciding matters. Council members will also continue to take input from all constituents, not just from members of their district.
Next Steps
The Council should introduce an ordinance establishing a by-district system of electing four members of the City Council and an at-large Mayor at tonight’s meeting. establishes the sequence of elections and term of the mayor at its Council should consider adopting the final district map by resolution at the March 22nd meeting. Under State law, the City is required to include the potential sequencing of district elections when publishing draft maps. For the purposes of this legal requirement, City Council should receive public testimony and have discussion regarding the sequencing of the district elections before approving the final map on March 22nd and should introduce an ordinance establishing the sequence of elections and term of office for the mayor after approving the final district map on March 22.
Specific Direction on Maps
The City Council is being asked to provide specific direction at this public hearing on:
5
District Elections Study Session Districting Study Session - Staff Report • Is there a preferred map?
• Are there any specific boundary adjustments that should be made? • Direct staff and the demographer to prepare a final preferred map for consideration on March 22, 2022.
• Direct staff on sequencing
Alternatives
1. Defer to Staff for Further Information
2. Take no Action
Attachments
A. Draft Maps PDF
Map Weblinks- Map G, Map H, Map I
B. Draft District Election and At-Large Mayor Ordinance Fiscal Impact
☐ No Fiscal Impact
☒ Funding Source Confirmed:
City Council approved appropriation of $180,000 at its October 26, 2021 meeting that is included as part of the mid-year budget review to cover costs associated with this process
Source: Purpose: Public Outreach:
Staff Statutory/Contractual Requirement Posting of Agenda *Public Outreach also conducted at a public workshop and informational pop-ups in various locations throughout the City, on City’s social media platform’s, banner across Ralston Avenue, the Weekly Update newsletter and item specific news blasts and press releases. 6
ORDINANCE NO. ______
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BELMONT CHANGING THE METHOD OF ELECTING RESIDENTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM AT-LARGE TO BYDISTRICT WITH AN ELECTED MAYOR WHEREAS, the City Council is the legislative body governing the City of Belmont and consists of five members including a mayor; and,
WHEREAS, councilmembers are elected by all of the voters of the city, a process known as atlarge elections, and the mayor is appointed annually by the city councilmembers; and, WHEREAS, the city clerk received a letter by certified mail dated July 30, 2021, from the law firm of Shenkman & Hughes, P.C. asserting that the election of councilmembers at-large in Belmont violates the California Voting Rights Act (“CVRA”) and threatening litigation against the city if the city does not voluntarily change its at-large system of electing councilmembers; and,
WHEREAS, the Council believes at-large elections in Belmont are consistent with applicable law, including the CVRA, but given the risks and costs of potential litigation challenging the current at-large election process, the Council feels compelled to transition to a by-district (district based) method of election in order to avoid exposure to excessive litigation costs including a significant attorney’s fee award against the city that could not readily be absorbed; and, WHEREAS, the Council finds the most suitable by-district method of electing councilmembers is to divide the city into four districts and have the residents of each district elect a resident who resides in their district to the Council and have all the residents of the city elect a mayor; and, WHEREAS, Government Code Sections 34871 and 34886 authorize a city council to adopt an ordinance that requires councilmembers to be elected by district with an elective mayor without submitting the ordinance to the voters for approval when the change in election method is made in furtherance of the purposes of the CVRA; and
WHEREAS, the Council held a study session on November 2, 2021, to consider transitioning to district-based elections and whether to directly elect the mayor at-large; and, WHEREAS, at a regular Council meeting on November 9, 2021, the Council adopted Resolution 2021-096 outlining the city’s intent to change the city's system of election for the City Council from an at-large system to a district-based system.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELMONT DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS
The City Council adopts this ordinance changing the method of electing residents to the city council from at-large to by-district with an elected mayor in accordance with Government Code Sections 34871 and 34886. The Council declares this change is being made in furtherance of the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001.
7
SECTION 2. COUNCIL DISTRICTS
The geographic area of city is divided into four council districts the boundaries of which the council shall determine by resolution in accordance with the law.
SECTION 3. BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS AND AT-LARGE MAYOR
(a) The City Council of the City of Belmont consists of five councilmembers including a mayor. (b) Beginning with the general municipal election to be held in November 2022, and ending with the general municipal election to be held in November 2024, the election of city council members shall transition to by-district elections with four members elected by-district and a mayor elected on a citywide basis by the voters of the entire city. (c) The City Council shall determine which districts hold initial by-district elections in November 2022 and November 2024 and whether the mayor is first elected in November 2022 or 2024 in manner that does not shorten the existing term of office of any councilmember. * * *
The City Council of the City of Belmont, California introduced the foregoing ordinance, on [insert date] and adopted the ordinance at a regular meeting held on [insert date] by the following vote:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
ATTEST:
City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
8 City of Belmont
Draft Plan G from 113992
9 City of Belmont
Draft Plan G from 113992
A B C D
Population 7,190 7,056 6,994 7,120
Deviation 100 -34 -96 30
Deviation % 1.4% -0.5% -1.4% 0.4%
Other 4,055 4,335 4,325 3,428
Other % 56.4% 61.4% 61.8% 48.1%
Latino 762 817 830 1,124
Latino % 10.6% 11.6% 11.9% 15.8%
Asian 2,298 1,842 1,739 2,451
Asian % 32.0% 26.1% 24.9% 34.4%
Black 75 62 100 117
Black % 1.0% 0.9% 1.4% 1.6%
2020 Census
A B C D
Total CVAP 4,770 4,678 4,386 3,916
Other CVAP 3,101 3,028 3,118 2,212
Other CVAP % 65.0% 64.7% 71.1% 56.5%
Latino CVAP 531 516 450 534
Latino CVAP % 11.1% 11.0% 10.3% 13.6%
Asian CVAP 1,100 1,126 765 991
Asian CVAP % 23.1% 24.1% 17.4% 25.3%
Black CVAP 38 8 53 179
Black CVAP % 0.8% 0.2% 1.2% 4.6%
Citizen Voting Age Population (CVAP)
10 City of Belmont
Draft Plan G from 113992
District A
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,190 100 1.4% 4,055 56.4% 762 10.6% 2,298 32.0% 75 1.0% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,770 3,101 65.0% 531 11.1% 1,100 23.1% 38 0.8% 11
City of Belmont
Draft Plan G from 113992
District B
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,056 -34 -0.5% 4,335 61.4% 817 11.6% 1,842 26.1% 62 0.9% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,678 3,028 64.7% 516 11.0% 1,126 24.1% 8 0.2% 12
City of Belmont
Draft Plan G from 113992
District C
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 6,994 -96 -1.4% 4,325 61.8% 830 11.9% 1,739 24.9% 100 1.4% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,386 3,118 71.1% 450 10.3% 765 17.4% 53 1.2% 13
City of Belmont
Draft Plan G from 113992
District D
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,120 30 0.4% 3,428 48.1% 1,124 15.8% 2,451 34.4% 117 1.6% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 3,916 2,212 56.5% 534 13.6% 991 25.3% 179 4.6% 14
City of Belmont
Draft Plan H from ID 114486
15 City of Belmont
Draft Plan H from ID 114486
A B C D
Population 7,045 7,074 7,131 7,110
Deviation -45 -16 41 20
Deviation % -0.6% -0.2% 0.6% 0.3%
Other 4,192 4,100 4,432 3,419
Other % 59.5% 58.0% 62.2% 48.1%
Latino 627 891 884 1,131
Latino % 8.9% 12.6% 12.4% 15.9%
Asian 2,172 2,003 1,716 2,439
Asian % 30.8% 28.3% 24.1% 34.3%
Black 54 80 99 121
Black % 0.8% 1.1% 1.4% 1.7%
2020 Census
A B C D
Total CVAP 4,885 4,493 4,349 4,023
Other CVAP 3,354 2,824 2,996 2,285
Other CVAP % 68.7% 62.9% 68.9% 56.8%
Latino CVAP 459 566 508 498
Latino CVAP % 9.4% 12.6% 11.7% 12.4%
Asian CVAP 1,049 1,070 822 1,041
Asian CVAP % 21.5% 23.8% 18.9% 25.9%
Black CVAP 23 33 23 199
Black CVAP % 0.5% 0.7% 0.5% 4.9%
Citizen Voting Age Population (CVAP)
16 City of Belmont
Draft Plan H from ID 114486
District A
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,045 -45 -0.6% 4,192 59.5% 627 8.9% 2,172 30.8% 54 0.8% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,885 3,354 68.7% 459 9.4% 1,049 21.5% 23 0.5% 17
City of Belmont
Draft Plan H from ID 114486
District B
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,074 -16 -0.2% 4,100 58.0% 891 12.6% 2,003 28.3% 80 1.1% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,493 2,824 62.9% 566 12.6% 1,070 23.8% 33 0.7% 18
City of Belmont
Draft Plan H from ID 114486
District C
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,131 41 0.6% 4,432 62.2% 884 12.4% 1,716 24.1% 99 1.4% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,349 2,996 68.9% 508 11.7% 822 18.9% 23 0.5% 19
City of Belmont
Draft Plan H from ID 114486
District D
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,110 20 0.3% 3,419 48.1% 1,131 15.9% 2,439 34.3% 121 1.7% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,023 2,285 56.8% 498 12.4% 1,041 25.9% 199 4.9% 20
City of Belmont
Draft Plan I from 114575
21 City of Belmont
Draft Plan I from 114575
A B C D
Population 7,014 7,128 7,107 7,111
Deviation -76 38 17 21
Deviation % -1.1% 0.5% 0.2% 0.3%
Other 4,039 4,312 4,383 3,409
Other % 57.6% 60.5% 61.7% 47.9%
Latino 612 903 884 1,134
Latino % 8.7% 12.7% 12.4% 15.9%
Asian 2,292 1,848 1,742 2,448
Asian % 32.7% 25.9% 24.5% 34.4%
Black 71 65 98 120
Black % 1.0% 0.9% 1.4% 1.7%
2020 Census
A B C D
Total CVAP 4,604 4,748 4,397 4,001
Other CVAP 3,024 3,025 3,163 2,247
Other CVAP % 65.7% 63.7% 71.9% 56.2%
Latino CVAP 425 537 537 532
Latino CVAP % 9.2% 11.3% 12.2% 13.3%
Asian CVAP 1,121 1,174 655 1,032
Asian CVAP % 24.3% 24.7% 14.9% 25.8%
Black CVAP 34 12 42 190
Black CVAP % 0.7% 0.3% 1.0% 4.7%
Citizen Voting Age Population (CVAP)
22 City of Belmont
Draft Plan I from 114575
District A
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,014 -76 -1.1% 4,039 57.6% 612 8.7% 2,292 32.7% 71 1.0% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,604 3,024 65.7% 425 9.2% 1,121 24.3% 34 0.7% 23
City of Belmont
Draft Plan I from 114575
District B
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,128 38 0.5% 4,312 60.5% 903 12.7% 1,848 25.9% 65 0.9% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,748 3,025 63.7% 537 11.3% 1,174 24.7% 12 0.3% 24
City of Belmont
Draft Plan I from 114575
District C
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,107 17 0.2% 4,383 61.7% 884 12.4% 1,742 24.5% 98 1.4% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,397 3,163 71.9% 537 12.2% 655 14.9% 42 1.0% 25
City of Belmont
Draft Plan I from 114575
District D
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
2020 Census
Other % Latino % Asian % Black %
Citizen Voting Age Population
Population Deviation Deviation % Other Other % Latino Latino % Asian Asian % Black Black % 7,111 21 0.3% 3,409 47.9% 1,134 15.9% 2,448 34.4% 120 1.7% Total CVAP Other CVAP Other CVAP % Latino CVAP Latino CVAP % Asian CVAP Asian CVAP % Black CVAP Black CVAP % 4,001 2,247 56.2% 532 13.3% 1,032 25.8% 190 4.7% 26
City of Belmont Districting
2021- 2022
27 Agenda
Things we will cover:
• Districting Principles
• Public Testimony on Communities of
Interest & Public Maps
• New Draft Maps
• Public Hearing Schedule
28 Traditional Redistricting Principles
There are a number of criteria that have been used nationally and upheld by courts.
• Relatively equal size - people, not citizens
• Contiguous – districts should not hop/jump
• Maintain “communities of interest”
• Follow city/county/local government lines
• Keep districts compact – appearance/function
Drawing New City Council Lines for Fair Representation
29 COI Themes from
DistrictR map
submissions.
• Eastern COI surrounding
Belmont Shores & Sterling
Downs
• Communities defined by their
proximity to parks and schools
Community Submissions
30 From City Council Meeting and the Outreach Hearing
on Saturday, a group of COI themes has emerged.
They include:
• Sterling Downs & Homeview should be united
• Hwy 101, Old Country Road & El Camino are natural
boundaries
• Sterling Downs, Homeview, Belmont Heights, & Plateau
Skymont are areas to kept whole
• An architecture with an eastern, western, and two
central city council districts should be provided
• Areas around parks and schools should be considered
communities of interest
• Look to other government district lines, the new Board of Supervisors & Water District lines
• Some major thoroughfares through the city are not
necessarily appropriate district boundaries
Community of Interest & Public Map Themes
31 Community Submissions
Map Themes
• Keeping Sterling Downs &
Homeview whole
• Keeping Belmont Heights and/or
Plateau Skymont whole
• Keeping areas around schools
and parks together
• Creating an eastern, two central,
and one western district
32 Community Submissions
Map Themes
• Keeping Sterling Downs &
Homeview whole
• Keeping Belmont Heights and/or
Plateau Skymont whole
• Keeping areas around schools
and parks together
• Creating an eastern, two central,
and one western district
33 Community Submissions
Map Themes
• Keeping Sterling Downs &
Homeview whole
• Keeping Belmont Heights and/or
Plateau Skymont whole
• Keeping areas around schools
and parks together
• Creating an eastern, two central,
and one western district
34 Community Submissions
Map Themes
• Keeping Sterling Downs &
Homeview whole
• Keeping Belmont Heights and/or
Plateau Skymont whole
• Keeping areas around schools
and parks together
• Creating an eastern, two central,
and one western district
35 Community Submissions
Map Themes
• Keeping Sterling Downs &
Homeview whole
• Keeping Belmont Heights and/or
Plateau Skymont whole
• Keeping areas around schools
and parks together
• Creating an eastern, two central,
and one western district
36 Draft Map Plans
Each draft plan is provided
with both a PDF and Online
Web-based format
• Draft Map D: from DistrictR ID
113719
• Draft Map G: from DistrictR ID
113992
• Draft Map H: from DistrictR ID
114475
• Draft Map I: from DistrictR ID
114486
37 Draft Map Plans
Each draft plan is provided
with both a PDF and Online
Web-based format
• Draft Map D: from DistrictR ID
113719
38 MAP OF DISTRICT
39 MAP OF DISTRICT
40 MAP OF DISTRICT
The total deviation of the plan is the sum of
the absolute values of the highest and lowest
districts. Here the total plan deviation is 1.3%.
41 Draft Map Plans
Each draft plan is provided
with both a PDF and Online
Web-based format
• Draft Map G: from DistrictR ID
113992
42 MAP OF DISTRICT
43 MAP OF DISTRICT
44 MAP OF DISTRICT
Total Plan Deviation: 2.8%
45 Draft Map Plans
Each draft plan is provided
with both a PDF and Online
Web-based format
• Draft Map H: from DistrictR ID
114486
46 MAP OF DISTRICT
47 MAP OF DISTRICT
48 MAP OF DISTRICT
Total Plan Deviation: 1.2%
49 Draft Map Plans
Each draft plan is provided
with both a PDF and Online
Web-based format
• Draft Map I: from DistrictR ID
114575
50 MAP OF DISTRICT
51 MAP OF DISTRICT
52 MAP OF DISTRICT
Total Plan Deviation: 1.6%
53 Next Steps
Upcoming Hearings
January 11, 2022 Public Hearing on Districting
January 25, 2022 Public Hearing on Process
February 8, 2022 Draft Map Presentation
February 19, 2022 Outreach Presentation
February 22, 2022 Second Draft Map Presentation
March 8, 2022 Select a Final Map
54 What’s Next
The City Council can make use
of these mapping options in a
number of ways. • Identify preferred plan(s) with an
understanding that none of theseare
final plans. It is an iterative process.
• Suggest possible changes –adjustments
can be made to any of the draft plans.
• Provide direction for the preparation of
new draft map(s) to be put out for
public input and future review and
adoption.
• All maps for consideration at the March 8
th Hearing will be released by March
4 st 55
56 MAP OF DISTRICT
57 MAP OF DISTRICT
58 MAP OF DISTRICT
59 DistrictR Demonstration
The City of Belmont is using DistrictR as a public mapping tool to allow residents to draw District Maps and Communities of Interest Maps
Drawing a District Map or Your Community of Interest
https://districtr.org/tag/belmont
60 What is Districting
Definition
Districting is the initial process of creating election district boundaries.
These boundaries do not determine:
• How the city decides to govern. The city can still work to achieve goals that benefit the city as a whole rather than the interests of any single district.
• How services or relationships between the city and the public are managed.
61 What is the CVRA?
The California Voting Rights Act takes the principles of the Federal Voting Rights Act and expands it regarding
districted elections in two key ways:
While Federal law uses “majority minority” districts as a standard for vulnerability, the CVRA only requires “ability to influence.” The CVRA requires that plaintiffs get full reimbursement for legal fees associated with any successful challenge.
62 What is the CVRA?
The California Voting Rights Act takes the principles of the Federal Voting Rights Act and expands it regarding
districted elections in two key ways:
While Federal law uses “majority minority” districts as a standard for vulnerability, the CVRA only requires “ability to influence.” The CVRA requires that plaintiffs get full reimbursement for legal fees associated with any successful challenge. These can be lessened or eliminated if the district follows a strict and prompt process for districting.
63