Agenda Item
City Council
Item #: 10.1. 2/8/2022 File #: 22-0067
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Thomas R. Hatch, Interim City Manager
FROM: Gary A. Sheatz, City Attorney
1. SUBJECT
Public Hearing to Review Draft Focus District Maps and Public Maps.
2. SUMMARY
A public hearing to review draft focus district maps revised by the City’sdemographics consultant, National Demographics Corporation (NDC) using City Council and public input and public maps drawn by community members.
3. RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Conduct a public hearing to review draft focus district maps and public maps.
2. City Council may select a final map from the draft maps presented or direct modifications to any of the draft maps presented for future hearing and consideration.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
Goal 4: Provide outstanding public service
a: Obtain, implement, and evaluate public input into our services and programs.
6. DISCUSSION AND BACKGROUND
In October 2019, the City of Orange transitioned from an at-large election system to a district-based election system for the election of City Council members. The City Council adopted a final District Elections map that was comprised of six districts. The Mayor remains directly elected by the voters of the City. The first City Council election under the new District Elections map was held on November 3, 2020, with four Council District seats on the ballot. In compliance with federal and state law, the City must now undergo a redistricting process based on new 2020 US Census demographic data.
In April 2021, the City Council approved an agreement with National Demographics Corporation (NDC) to guide and support the City through the redistricting process. Following the approval of this agreement, as part of the redistricting process, the City Council approved an agreement with Tripepi, Smith, & Associates, Inc. (Tripepi Smith) to assist with public outreach and meeting facilitation for the creation of the district maps in accordance with state law. The initial part of this process required the establishment of a tentative schedule of community meetings and hearings. The City Council City of Orange Printed on 2/3/2022Page 1 of 2
powered by Legistar™
Item #: 10.1. 2/8/2022 File #: 22-0067
establishment of a tentative schedule of community meetings and hearings. The City Council adopted the tentative schedule at its meeting of August 10, 2021.
The City held its first community meeting on August 25, 2021 and attendees provided valuable input regarding criteria for redrawing the district boundaries and identifying communities of interest. The City Council reviewed this input and received a presentation from NDC at its Public Hearing regarding redistricting held on October 13, 2021. At this meeting, the City council directed NDC to begin creating initial maps for review and consideration. Additionally, the public was encouraged to draw new district maps for equal consideration.
At its public hearing on December 14, 2021, the City Council reviewed 19 draft maps, created by both the public and NDC. Through its discussion, the Council narrowed its selection down to four focus maps, numbers 105, 108, 109, and 119. During the public hearing, Council offered NDC input for revising these maps and directed the demographer to return with modified focus maps for further discussion and/or possible adoption at the next public hearing, scheduled for February 8, 2022.
At tonight’s public hearing, the City Council is asked to take two actions:
1. Conduct a public hearing to review draft focus district maps and public maps.
2. Either select a final map from the draft maps presented, or direct modifications to the draft maps presented for future hearing and consideration.
The next step in this process depends upon Council’sdirection during this public hearing. Should the Council further refine the focus maps or the maps presented this evening, additional public hearings would be required to adopt a map prior to the adoption deadline of April 17, 2022. Alternatively, if the Council selects a new district map this evening, staff will return to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting of March 8, 2022, with a resolution certifying the City Council’sselection. The City will then submit the map to the County Registrar of Voters for certification ahead of the April 17, 2022, deadline.
The following is attached for your reference: the revised draft focus district maps, redistricting public outreach update, and public comments sent to the City Manager’s Office and the City Clerk.
7. ATTACHMENTS
· Revised Draft Focus District Maps
· Redistricting Public Outreach Update
· Public Comments sent to the City Manager’s Office and the City Clerk City of Orange Printed on 2/3/2022Page 2 of 2
powered by Legistar™