CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA
Special Meeting
Thursday, February 10, 2022
5:00 PM
PURSUANT TO AB 361 AND CATHEDRAL CITY RESOLUTION 2022 -06, THIS
MEETING MAY BE CONDUCTED BY VIDEOCONFERENCE OR TELECONFERENCE
AND THERE WILL BE NO IN -PERSON PUBLIC ACCESSTO THE MEETING LOCATION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND THE MEETING VIA ZOOM PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO REGISTER IN ADVANCE:
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MAYOR
Ernesto Gutierrez
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tem
Rita Lamb
Councilmember
Mark Carnevale
Councilmember
Nancy Ross
Councilmember
Raymond Gregory
• CALL TO ORDER
• ROLL CALL
1. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required by Elections Code
Recommendation: 1. Receive a report from staff and the City’s redistricting consultant on the redistricting process and permissible criteria to be considered to redraw district boundaries; and
2. Conduct a public hearing to receive public input on district boundaries.
3. Review draft maps.
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ADJOURN
NOTES TO THE PUBLIC:
The City of Cathedral City complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you require special assistance to participate in this meeting, please call the City Clerk’s Office at (760) 770-0322 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Any documents provid ed to a majority of the City Council regarding any item on this agenda will be ma de available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s office at City Hall located at 68 -700 Avenida Lalo Guerrero during normal business hours. In addition, such documents will be posted on the City’s website at www.cathedralcity.gov.
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Staff Report
City Council
Item No. 1.A
Meeting Date: February 10, 2022
From: Charles McClendon, City Manager
Title: Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required by Elections Code
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Receive a r eport from staff and the City’s redistricting consultant on the redistricting process and permissible criteria to be considered to redraw district boundaries; and
2. Conduct a public hearing to receive public input on district boundaries.
3. Review draft maps.
BACKGROUND:
Every 10 years, following the decennial census, 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 red istricting, ensures all districts have a nearly equal population. The redistricting process for the City of Cathedral City must be completed by April 17, 2022. The City held the first of four required public hearings on December 8, 2021 , and the second pub lic hearing on January 26, 2022.
This workshop public hearing is the third in the series.
DISCUSSION:
The City adopted its current district boundaries in 2017, following the transition to district-based elections and based on 2010 census data as required by law. The districts must now be redrawn 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 21621(c)):
1. Comply with the federal requirements of equal population and the Voting Rights Act
2. Be geographically contiguous
3. Undivided neighborhoods and “c ommunities of interest” (socio -economic geographic areas that should be kept together)
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4. Display easily identifiable boundaries
5. Be compact (do not bypass one group of people to get to a more distant group of people)
6. Shall not favor or discriminate against a political party
Once the prioritized criteria are met, other traditional districting principles can be considered, such as:
1. Minimize the number of voters delayed from voting in 2022 to 2024
2. Respect voters’ choices/continuity in office
3. Future population growth
Analysis of the City’s current district boundaries, adjusted for the 2020 Census data, shows the districts are no longer population -balanced. The City’s population is 51,683.
The ideal district population is one-fifth of that number, or 10,337.
Determining population balance is done by measuring the spread, or deviation, between the least populated district and the greatest populated district. Deviations of 10% or less are generally considered acceptable under U.S. Supreme Court rulings on equal protection.
The current population of District 3 is measurably over the ideal at 6.15% while District 4 is somewhat under the ideal at -4.09%. Combined, those deviations bring the City’s current total deviation to 10.24%. As su ch, the district boundaries should be adjusted to achieve a population balance with less than a 10% deviation.
Another consideration is the distribution of minority voters throughout the City, and whether there is a possibility of creating a majority/mino rity voting district as required under the federal Voting Rights Act. This analysis involves reviewing the ethnicity demographics from the census data, specifically citizens of voting age populations (CVAP). Upon review of the City’s CVAP data, creation of a majority/minority voting district (a district in which an identified minority comprises the majority of voting age population) is possible while remaining in compliance with regard to the other mapping requirements noted above. Currently Districts 1 an d 4 are majority/minority Hispanic voting districts. A complete demographic breakdown of the existing districts is attached to this report.
The purpose of this public hearing is to review draft maps, to inform the public about the districting process, an d to hear from the community on factors that must be taken into consideration for district boundaries. The public is requested to provide input regarding communities of interest and other local factors that should be considered for district maps. A communi ty of interest under the relevant Elections Code for cities (Section 21621(c) is, “a population that shares common social or economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation.”
The City’s current district boundary map is illustrated below:
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The City’s Redistricting consultant initially prepared two draft map options for Council’s consideration at the public hearing on January 26, 2022. Following the hearing and receiving Council inp ut, an additional map was prepared. Further, a member of the public also submitted a map. Each map is summarized below, and accompanying images and demographic information may be found attached to this report (Attachment). An online tool for closely exam ining the boundaries, with zoom and search capabilities, may be found here:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1gakY85gLpJoemSnu9laHwZ4nz tCboSiq&ll=33.823762257171865%2C-116.454539&z=12
Initial Maps
Map Option A
Map Option A is a relatively minor population balance adjustment that closely resembles the current boundary map, particularly with regard to Districts 1 and 2. Option A preserves majority/minority Hispanic voting districts in Districts 1 and 4, while lowering the total deviation to 4 .12%, as compared to the current deviation of 10.24%. The map preserves the core of existing districts, create compact districts to the extent the geography of the City permits, and complies with the requirements of the Fair Maps Act as outlined above.
Map Option B
Map Option B balance the population more dramatically than Option A, making more significant changes to the configuration of the current boundary map. Option B exhibits a total deviation of 3.53%, moving a greater number of residents to achie ve that balance. The map creates more compact voting districts, particularly with respect to Districts 3, 4 and 5. It maintains the core of the existing districts and complies with the requirements of the Fair Maps Act as required. Like Option A, Option B preserves
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majority/minority Hispanic voting districts in Districts 1 and 4.
New Maps for Consideration
Map Option C
Map Option C was submitted by a member of the public and makes fewer changes to the existing configuration of the current boundary map. The map generally creates more compact voting districts, particularly with respect to Districts 1, 2, and 5. District 3 remains largely unchanged. The map respects communities of interest in the areas both north and south of Date Palm Drive. It maintains the core of the existing districts and complies with all requirements of the Fair Maps Act as required. It exhibits a total deviation of 4.05% and creates two majority/minority Hispanic voting Districts. The voting districts are drawn as Districts 2 and 4, whereas in the current map Districts 1 and 4 represent a majority Hispanic citizens of voting age population (CVAP).
Map Option D
Option D was created by the city’s consultant following the second public hearing, and addressed Council’s concern about t he number of residents being moved from one district to another. Minimal changes to the current boundary map were made, resulting in a deviation of 8.56%. Districts 4 and 5 remain essentially intact with the current boundaries with just one small populatio n balancing change made. The neighborhoods in the area between Avenida Maravilla and Date Palm Drive were left in District 5 and the area between Date Palm Drive and Santoro Drive remains in District 3. Districts 1 and 4 are preserved as majority/minority Hispanic voting districts.
Next Steps
Following tonight’s hearing and continued demographic review of the recently released 2020 Census data, the City’s redistricting consultant will revise any maps as directed by the Council, as well as evaluate any maps submitted by the public. The Council may, at this public hearing, narrow their focus and identify a preferred map. In that instance, staff will also include introduction of an Ordinance approving a final map at the fourth public hearing. If at the th ird public hearing the Council requests additional revisions, those revisions will be presented at the fourth public hearing, scheduled for February 23, 2022. Should additional public hearings be necessary to identify and select a preferred map, they will be scheduled accordingly. The deadline for the City of Cathedral City to complete the redistricting process is April 17, 2022.
As a reminder, the City has launched an online mapping tool which allows the public to draw and submit their own district map s for consideration. Any maps submitted by the public by February 15th will be evaluated and included with any revised maps considered at the fourth public hearing on February 23rd.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
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ATTACHMENTS:
ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1
Public Comments Special Meeting 2-10-22
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ATTACHMENT
Proposed Map Options with Demographic Analysis
Map Option A
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required Map Option A
Demographic Analysis
District
Total
Population
Raw
Population
%
Population Latino
CVAP*19
Total
CVAP19
NL**
White
CVAP19
NL Black
CVAP
Hispanic
CVAP19
Not
Hispanic
CVAP19
NL
AIAN***
CVAP19
NL ASIAN
CVAP19
NL
Hawaiian
CVAP19
NL Other
1 10,223 -114 -1.10% 6,754 6,135 2,545 157 3,205 2,912 - 114 - 48 2 10,106 -231 -2.23% 6,908 5,540 2,598 103 2,486 3,070 24 307 2 11 3 10,532 195 1.89% 4,656 7,420 4,396 305 2,122 5,347 75 431 15 8 4 10,434 97 0.94% 6,993 6,641 1,941 260 3,639 3,005 - 661 21 78 5 10,388 51 0.50% 5,689 7,480 3,292 195 3,041 4,360 124 589 27 19 Total 51,683
Ideal 10,337 Deviation 4.12%
*CVAP = Citizen Voting Age Population
** NL = Non-Latino
***AIAN= American Indian Alaskan Native
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required Map Option B
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required Map Option B
Demographic Analysis
District
Total
Population
Raw
Population
%
Population Latino
CVAP*19
Total
CVAP19
NL**
White
CVAP19
NL Black
CVAP
Hispanic
CVAP19
Not
Hispanic
CVAP19
NL
AIAN***
CVAP19
NL ASIAN
CVAP19
NL
Hawaiian
CVAP19
NL Other
1 10,540 203 1.97% 6,194 6,922 3,632 134 2,991 3,910 2 62 2 41 2 10,311 -26 -0.25% 7,080 5,606 2,513 126 2,526 3,081 27 326 12 13 3 10,379 42 0.41% 5,876 6,486 2,577 275 2,864 3,622 33 604 - 71 4 10,175 -162 -1.56% 5,489 6,841 3,087 425 2,475 4,310 161 457 25 19 5 10,278 -59 -0.57% 6,361 7,361 2,963 60 3,637 3,771 - 653 26 20 Total 51,683
Ideal 10,337 Deviation 3.53%
*CVAP = Citizen Voting Age Population
**NL = Non-Latino
***AIAN= American Indian Alaskan Native
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required Map Option C
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required Map Option C
Demographic Analysis
District
Total
Population
Raw
Deviation
%
Deviation Latino
CVAP*19
Total
CVAP19
NL**
White
CVAP19
NL Black
CVAP
Hispanic
CVAP19
Not
Hispanic
CVAP19
NL
AIAN***
CVAP19
NL ASIAN
CVAP19
NL
Hawaiian
CVAP19
NL Other
1 10,125 -211.60 -2.05% 6,152 6,541 3,290 128 2,961 3,558 2 55 - 41 2 10,276 -60.60 -0.59% 7,780 5,330 1,680 103 3,004 2,329 22 498 - 46 3 10,544 207.40 2.01% 4,939 6,912 3,987 245 2,108 4,809 38 399 14 12 4 10,383 46.40 0.45% 6,408 6,802 2,473 320 3,281 3,476 30 481 21 45 5 10,355 18.40 0.18% 5,721 7,631 3,342 224 3,139 4,522 131 669 30 20 Total 51,683
Ideal 10,337
Total
Deviation 4.05%
*CVAP = Citizen Voting Age Population
**NL = Non Latino
***AIAN = American Indian Alaskan Native
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required Map Option D
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required Map Option D
Demographic Analysis
District
Total
Population
Raw
Deviation
%
Deviation Latino
CVAP*19
Total
CVAP19
NL**
White
CVAP19
NL Black
CVAP
Hispanic
CVAP19
Not
Hispanic
CVAP19
NL
AIAN***
CVAP19
NL ASIAN
CVAP19
NL
Hawaiian
CVAP19
NL Other
1 10,223 -113.60 -1.10% 6,754 6,135 2,545 157 3,205 2,912 - 114 - 48 2 10,106 -230.60 -2.23% 6,908 5,540 2,598 103 2,486 3,070 24 307 2 11 3 9,945 -391.60 -3.79% 4,479 6,622 3,875 236 1,905 4,717 74 396 12 7 4 10,579 242.40 2.35% 6,836 6,888 2,264 280 3,584 3,286 10 593 21 78 5 10,830 493.40 4.77% 6,023 8,031 3,490 244 3,313 4,709 115 692 30 20 Total 51,683 31,000 33,216 14,772 1,020 14,493 18,694 223 2,102 65 164 Ideal 10,337
Total
Deviation 8.56%
*CVAP = Citizen Voting Age Population
**NL = Non Latino
***AIAN = American Indian Alaskan Native
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Attachment: ATTACHMENT - Draft Maps and Analysis-c1 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required
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Attachment: Public Comments Special Meeting 2-10-22 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required
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Attachment: Public Comments Special Meeting 2-10-22 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required
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Attachment: Public Comments Special Meeting 2-10-22 (3113 : Consideration of revised City Council District Electoral Boundaries as required by