City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JANUARY 11, 2022
FROM: CITY CLERK WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: REVIEW THE REDISTRICTIN G PLAN AND APPROVE REDISTRICTING
CRITERIA AND TIMELINE
ISSUE:
Riverside City Charter, Section 402 requires a review of Ward boundaries at least every ten years upon completing the federal decennial census dat a. City Council shall det ermine the proposed steps, timing, criteria, and public outreach for the City's 2022/2023 redi stricting process. The City
must adopt its ward boundaries no later than August 2023.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
1. Determine whether
the City Council will oversee the redistricting process; defer the process to a Standing Committee; or establish a Resi dent-led Advisory Redistricting Commission, as set forth in Elections Code sections 23002.
2. Approve the proposed redist ricting timeline for the City’s Redistricting plan.
3. Provide further direction as the City Council deem s appropriate for the establishment of the City’s Redistricting Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On October 12 and November 16 , 2021, the City Council met and conferred on the procedural requirements for the Redistricting process. During the presentation, the City Council was advised on the City'
s proposed plan for community engagement, a tentative timeline for establishing the ward boundaries, a comprehensiv e report on the California Vo ting Rights Act and the three redistricting commission methods.
Riverside City Charter Section 402 requires City Council, by an ordinance, to divide the city boundaries into seven wards, review the boundaries of those wards every ten years, and adjust, by ordinance, those boundaries to provide for a substantially equal number of residents in each ward. The resulting redistricting ordinance become s effective thirty days after it is adopted, and the existing ward boundaries are to be used until that redistricting ordinance establishes new ward Date: 1-11-22
Item No.: 15a
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Redistricting Report ● Page 2
boundaries. Under California Election Code Div
ision 21, Chapter 7, Article 2, new wards
established generally may not be changed until after the next decennial census in 2031. However, Riverside City Charter states that ward boundary adjustments may occur more frequently as determined necessary upon receipt of official cens us data. As discussed below, the City must adopt its ward boundaries no later than August 2023.
The substantive requirements of the Fair Maps Act for drawing ward boundaries are outlined in the California Elections Code §21621. To the greatest extent practicable, the City is required to adopt district boundaries using the criteria in the following order of priority:
1. Equal population of residents (+/- 10% ) in each ward based on census data.
2. Comply with the United Stat es and California Constitutions, including the Federal and California Voting Rights Acts (FVRA and CVRA).
3. Council wards shall be geographically contiguous.
4. The geographic integrity of any local neigh borhood or local community of interest should be respected and included within a single ward for its effective and fair representation in a manner that minimizes its division.
5. Council wards should be easily identif iable and understandable by residents.
6. Council wards shall be drawn to encourage geogr aphical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.
7. Council ward boundaries shall not be established for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party.
Riverside City Charter Section 402 sets forth an additional criterion that Council ward boundary adjustments during a Councilmember’s term shall not result in disqualification for membership on the Council during such term.
DISCUSSION:
On November 16, 2021, City Council continued this item to consider selecting the redistricting format of a City Council-led advis
ory committee or a Resident-led Advisory Commission for developing the new city ward boundaries.
Redistricting Format Options:
Method 1: City Council-Led
The City Council has complete discretion in leadi ng the redistricting proc ess without any format of a redistricting commission. Proceeding with this method, City Council may direct staff (with the assistance of an expert demographer) to lead community outreach efforts a nd workshops. City
Council conducts of all the requir ed public hearings, receives public input, receives draft maps, instructs the demographer to make revisions (if necessary), and approves the final map.
Method 2: Standing/Advisory Committee – City Council Partially Led Alternatively, like the Cit y's 2012 redistricting efforts, the Cit y Council may refer the redistricting process to one of its standing co mmittees (such as the Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee), which comprise three City Council members.
The Standing Committee functions as a City Counc il Advisory Committee (CCARC), overseeing community outreach efforts and workshops. The Committee shall host at least one public hearing 15a - 2
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before draft maps are drawn, receives public input, receive draft maps, instructs the demographer to make revisions (if necessary), and refer alternative maps to the City Council for consideration.
At which time, City Council would conduct the remaining three public hearings, receive public
input, receive the referred maps by CCARC, in structs the demographer to make revisions (if necessary), and approve the final map.
Method 3: Advisory Redistricting Commission – Resident Led City Council has the option of establishing a re sident-led Redistricting Commission. Contrasting the other two methods above, the California Election Code section 23002 sets forth the statutory authority for an Advisory Redist ricting Commission (ARC). However, the City Council maintains control over the establishment and process for selecting and appointing its members.
The ARC functions like other local boards and commissions, overseeing the community outreach efforts and workshops. The ARC must have at least one public hearing before draft maps are drawn, receives public input, receives draft maps, instructs the demographer to make revisions (if necessary), and refers alternative maps to the City Council for consideration.
Any other meetings and workshops held by the ARC will be in addition to the three public hearings City Council is required to oversee, reminiscent of the CCARC process.
The ARC will recommend one or more district boundary maps to the City Council; however, the Council retains the discretion to approve the final map.
ARC Appointment Process:
City Council may prescribe how members are appointed to t he Commission, the number of members and grant them powers and duties consistent with provisions of state law and the city charter. A person who is an elec ted official, or family member , staff member, or paid campaign staff of elected officials of the city is not eligible to serve on the Commission.
City Council may impose additional requirements and restrictions on members of the Commission other than those prescribed by law.
City Council Rules of Procedure and Order of Business Resolution 23618 prescribes that City Council shall select one of the following options for appointments to resident ad-hoc committees (commissions):
1. The Mayor’s Nominating Screening Committee shall review the applications submitted and identify applicants for an interview with the Mayor and City Council. If desired, the Mayor and City Council may add additional applicants for interviews. The Mayor and City Council shall interview, make appointments, and select a Chair.
2. By formal motion, the City Council can authorize each member of the City Council to select a member from their Ward and the Mayor select two at-large members. The Commission shall elect a Chair from among its members; or
3. By formal motion, any other method of appointment as desired by the City Council. 15a - 3
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Redistricting Timeline
California Election code section 21622(a)(3) states, “redistricting occurring before 2031 a nd where
a city does not have a regular election occurring a fter January 1, 2022, and before July 1, 2022, the boundaries of the Council wards shall be adopt ed by the Council not later than 205 days before the city’s next regular election occurring on or after July 1, 2022.” The City's next regular election to elect the odd-numbered wards is in March 2024. Therefore, the City must adopt its ward boundaries no later than August 2023.
Staff recommends City Council appr ove the tentative timeline set forth below for the City’s Redistricting Plan:
January 2022 - May 2022
City Council adopts the redistricting format (i.e., the establishment of Redistricting Commission)
Staff prepares and issues the RFP to identify and acquire Demography Services Staff prepare a community outreach strategy
A Redistricting website will go live containing the City’s initial timelines and plans June 2022 – September 2022
Orientation meetings for the ARC members will be held (Tentative) City Council/CCARC/A RC conducts at least one public hearing to review overall redistricting criteria, receive public input, and instruct demographers on draft maps. Host a series of workshops throughout the City (at least seven, one in every ward) providing overall redistricting criteria, receive public input, begin instructing the demographer on draft maps, and training for the City’s online interactive tools.
October 2022 – December 2022
City Council/CCARC/ARC host several workshops/public hearings to receive public input, receive draft maps, instruct the demographer to make revisions (if necessary), The CCARC/ARC approves the final draf t map recommendations to City Council and concludes their work/service (if applicable).
January 2023 – March 2023
During this period, City Council conducts at l east three public hearings to receive public input, draw and refine maps, and adopt the final redistricting ordinance (plan):
o 1st Public Hearing: Receive public in put; receive and review the draft maps recommended by the CCARC/ARC and public members; and instruct the demographer on possible revisions.
o 2nd Public Hearing: Receive public input; review revised plans; approve a plan or propose further modifications; and
o 3rd Public Hearing (if necessary): receiv e public input, review revised plans, and adopt the final plan/ordinance.
Redistricting Deadline: The City must adopt its Redistricting Ordinance 205 days before its next regular municipal election, March 2024. The City' s deadline to adopt t he ordinance is August 2023.
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STRATE
GIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
The City’s Redistricting Plan contributes to the City Council’s Envision 2025 Strategic Plan Priority and Goals:
Community Well-Being – Ensuring safe and inclusive neighborhoods where everyone c an thrive
with the following goal:
Goal 2.4 Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust: and,
High Performing Government – Providing world-class public service that is efficient, accessible, and responsible to all, with the following goals:
Goal 5.2 - Utilize technology, data, and process improvement strategies to increase efficiencies, guide decision making, and ensure services are accessible and distributed equitably throughout all geographic areas of the City.
Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making.
The proposed Redistricting format, public outreach, and marketing strategy align with the Envision 2025 Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
1. Community Trust – The establishment of a redistricting format and the outreach strategy that includes workshops in every ward to draft new ward boundaries are resident-led participation and public input, creating sound policy, inclus ive of community engagement in the decision-making process.
2. Equity – Community members will utiliz e interactive tools. Some may participate in a redistricting commission to ensure that newly established ward boundaries comply with federal and state laws that encourage equity for all stakeholders.
3. Fiscal Responsibility – Riverside is a prudent steward of public funds and ensures responsible management of the City's financial resources wh ile providing quality public services to all. The City Clerk's Office is committed to exploring services provided internally instead of consultants and lookin g for creative ways to reduce the redistricting program's fiscal impact and outreach efforts.
4. Innovation –. Riverside's Redistricting Framework in cludes a marketing strategy that will consist of non-English language s, including American Sign Language. The redistricting website will host interactive tools promot ing collaborative public partnerships with redrawing ward boundaries.
5. Sustainability & Resiliency – Riverside is committed to meeting the present needs without compromising the needs of the future and ensuring the City's capacity to persevere, adapt and grow during fluc tuating times alike. Reviewi ng the ward boundaries every ten years is essential to maintain sustainab le and resilient representation for a more sustainable future.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact is not yet determined.
Prepared by: Donesia Gause, City Clerk
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
1. City of Riverside Redistri cting Framework Presentation 15a - 6
12/23/2021
1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
January 11, 2022
REDISTRICTING FRAMEWORK
City Clerk Department
RiversideCA.gov
2 Procedural Requirements
(Fair Maps Act)
BACKGROUND
1 2
Date: 1-11-22
Item No.: 15a
15a - 7
12/23/2021
2 RiversideCA.gov
3 REDISTRICTING COMMISSION METHODS
Advisory Redistricting
Commission
City Council Standing/Advisory Committee
City Council Partially Led
3 Redistricting Commission
2 1
Resident Led
RiversideCA.gov
4 1. A person who is an elected official of the City
2. A family member, staff member, or paid campaign
staff of an elected official of the City
3. City Council may impose additional requirements
DISQUALIFICATIONS
PROCESS FOR APPOINTING MEMBERS
Appointment
by Council
City Council selects one of the following options:
1. The Mayor’s Nominating Screening Committee
selects applicants for interview with the Mayor and
City Council. The Mayor and City Council interviews,
make appointments, and select a Chair; or
2. Authorize each member of the City Council select a
member from their Ward and the Mayor select two
at-large members; or
3. Authorize any other method of appointment as
desired by the City Council.
3 4
15a - 8
12/23/2021
3 RiversideCA.gov
5 JAN 2022 –M A Y 2022 JUNE 2022 –S E P T 2022 OCT 2022 –D E C 2022 JAN 2023 –M A R 2023 CC ADOPTS REDISTRICTING
FORMAT
ORIENTATION MEETINGS
FOR REDISTRICTING
COMMISSION (TENTATIVE)
CC/CCARC/ARC HOST
ADDITIONAL WORKSHOPS
AND/OR PUBLIC HEARINGS
CITY COUNCIL CONDUCTS
THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS
STAFF ADMINISTERS THE
RFP PROCESS TO OBTAIN A
DEMOGRAPHER
CC/CCARC/ARC CONDUCT
AT LEAST ONE PUBLIC
HEARING PRIOR TO
DRAWING OF MAPS
CCARC/ARC COMMISSION
APPROVE FINAL MAP
RECOMMENDATIONS
REVIEW PERIOD FOR
PUBLIC INPUT
STAFF PREPARES
REDISTRICTING PLAN AND
CREATES WEBSITE
HOST A SERIES OF
WORKSHOPS IN EVERY
WARD
CCARC/ARC COMMISSION
COMPLETES WORK
ADOPT FINAL ORDINANCE
*SELECTION OF MEMBERS
TO THE ARC COMMISSION
REDISTRICTING TIMELINE
CC = City Council
CCARC = City Council Advisory Committee
ARC = Resident led Advisory Redistricting Commission
*If City Council establishes an ARC
RiversideCA.gov
6 ENVISION 2025 STRATEGIC PLAN
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
• COMMUNITY WELL‐BEING 2.4
• HIGH PERFORMING GOVERNMENT 5.2 AND 5.3
CROSS CUTTING THREADS
1. INCLUSIVITY EFFORTS
2. INTERACTIVE TOOLS FOR INPUT
3. USE OF INTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS TO REDUCE
COST
4. MARKETING STRATEGY
5. 10 ‐YEAR REVIEW
5 6
15a - 9
12/23/2021
4 RiversideCA.gov
7 City Council:
1. Determine whether the City Council will oversee the redistricting process; defer the process to a Standing Committee; or
establish a Resident-Led Redistricting Advisory Commission
2. Approve the Proposed Redistricting Timeline for the City’s Redistricting Plan
3. Provide further direction as the City Council deems appropriate for the establishment
of the City’s Redistricting Plan
REDISTRICTING RECOMMENDATIONS
RiversideCA.gov
8 QUESTIONS
7 8
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