DATE:
March 1, 2022
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Nils Bentsen, City Manager
BY:
Melinda Sayre, Director of Government Services/City Clerk Erin Baum, Assistant City Clerk
SUBJECT:
Fourth Public Hearing – Redistricting due to 2020 Census
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council 1.) Conduct the fourth public hearing, receiving input from the community on draft maps and the redrawing of election district boundaries; and 2.) Provide direction to staff regarding which map should be considered for inclusion in the Ordinance to adopt new district boundaries for the City of Hesperia; and 3.) Place on first reading Ordinance 2022-03 amending Hesperia Municipal Code 1.09 adopting revised City Council District Boundaries.
BACKGROUND
Redistricting is the process of adjusting City Council voting districts so that each district has substantially the same number of voting-aged residents. Cities with voting districts are required to update district maps following the release of the decennial US Census data. Due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the release of US Census data, which would normally be released in March 2021, is now expected to be released on October 10, 2021. The deadline for the City to adopt new district maps is April 17, 2022.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
On June 6, 2017 the City Council approved Ordinance 2017-09 establishing a by-district election system including five (5) districts, each having one (1) City Council seat representative and each serving a four (4) year term with a rotating appointed mayor. By-district elections were implemented in a staggered manner with the first by-district election held in 2018 for districts two (2), three (3) and four (4). In 2020, by-district elections were held for districts one (1) and five (5).
In July the City contracted National Demographic Corporation (NDC) to coordinate the City’s redistricting process and required community outreach. Assembly Bill 849, known as the “Fair and Inclusive Redistrict for Municipalities and Political Subdivisions (FAIR MAPS) Act in 2019 requires cities to engage communities in the redistricting process by holding a minimum of four (4) public hearings and/or workshops. Public hearings to allow for the public to provide input were held at the regular City Council meetings on September 21, 2021, October 19, 2021, and January 18, 2022. In addition, outreach during was conducted throughout this period of time via the City’s website and social media accounts. District map creation kits were also made available to the public on paper and on the City’s website.
The purpose of this fourth public hearing is to allow the public to provide input regarding the composition of one or more council districts and receive direction from the Council regarding which final map the City Council chooses to consider for adoption. If a final draft map can be selected that does not require modification, introduction and first reading of the proposed ordinance can take place this evening. If the draft map or maps that the City Council would like to consider for adoption need modification, then the City will hold a fifth public hearing on March 15, 2022. In order to meet the April 17, 2022 deadline for adoption, allowing for first and second readings, a map must be chosen and be placed on first reading no later than the March 15, 2022 regular City Council meeting.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Map 101b
2. Map 101c
3. Map 101d
4. Map 101e
5. NDC 101 Map January 18, 2022 Third Public Hearing
6. NDC 102 Map January 18, 2022 Third Public Hearing
7. NDC 103 Map January 18, 2022 Third Public Hearing
8. Ordinance 2022-03
9. Attachment 9 – Exhibit A Map to be selected at meeting City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council Members
Fourth Public Hearing - Redistricting
March 1, 2022