§ 2.31.030. Eligibility and appointment of redistricting commissioners. (a) Composition of Redistricting Commission. The redistricting commission shall consist of seven commissioners and three to six alternates. The city council will use its best efforts to make appointments that achieve the goal of having at least one and not more than two members per district on the redistricting commission, based on residency at the time of application, and at least one but not more than two alternates per district. However, these numbers are not required if a majority of councilmembers agree to a different composition that achieves the other standards described in this section.
(b) Role of Alternates. Alternates are subject to the same terms of office, qualifications, restrictions, and standards of conduct as other commissioners under this section, and may fully participate in redistricting commission deliberations but may not vote and may not be counted towards the establishment of a quorum except as follows:
(1) Commissioner Absence. If a regular commission member is absent from a meeting of the redistricting commission, an alternate shall fulfill all responsibilities of that commissioner, including voting. Alternates shall be selected to fill the role of an absent commissioner based on the following criteria: (a) if an alternate is present who resides in the same district as the absent commissioner, that alternate shall fill the role of the absent commissioner. However, if more than one alternate resides in the same district, the Mayor shall designate a primary alternate for that district before the first redistricting commission meeting; (b) if there is not an alternate present who resides in the same district as the absent commissioner, the alternate to fill the role of an absent commissioner will be selected based on a ranked list of alternates established by the mayor before the first redistricting commission meeting.
(2) Commissioner Vacancy. If one of the seven commissioners becomes unable to serve for any reason, the Mayor will appoint one of the alternates to fill the vacancy, considering the goal of achieving representation of at least one and not more than two members per district.
(c) Appointment of Redistricting Commissioners. Redistricting commission members and alternates shall be selected and appointed by the city council as provided in this section.
(1) Open Application Process. Commissioners shall be selected through an open application process that aligns with the city council policy for selecting members of other boards and commissions, except: (a) as provided in this section; and (b) that the city council may choose a different voting process than outlined in the policy to achieve the goals described in Section
2.31.030(a). Commissioners and alternates shall be appointed by the city council at a public hearing from the pool of qualified applicants. (2) Desirable Qualifications of Applicants. The city council should select applicants that are best qualified to carry out the redistricting commission's City of Sunnyvale, CA
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duties and that, as a group, reasonably reflect the diversity of the city, provided that no quotas, formulas, or ratios may be applied for this purpose. In evaluating applications, the city council shall consider each applicant's:
(i) Interest in and ability to carry out the responsibilities of the redistricting commission;
(ii) Demonstrated ability to serve with impartiality in a nonpartisan role; (iii) Relevant analytical skills;
(iv) Familiarity with the city's neighborhoods and communities; (v) Appreciation for the diverse demographics of the city, including, but not limited to geography, race and ethnicity, gender, age, and economic class; (vi) Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with other commissioners; (vii) Relevant civic and/or volunteer activities; and
(viii) Ability to devote time required of a commissioner under the approved redistricting schedule and outreach plan.
(3) Required Qualifications of Applicants. To be eligible for appointment to the redistricting commission, a person must, at the time of their appointment, be a resident of the city; have resided in the city for at least one year; and will be at least eighteen years of age by the date of the city council election for which the redistricting will be effective.
(4) Ineligibility to Serve on Redistricting Commission. A person is not eligible for appointment if:
(i) The person or his or her spouse has, in the four years preceding the person's application, served as an officer of, employee of, or paid consultant to, a campaign committee or a candidate's campaign for elective office of the local jurisdiction.
(ii) The person or his or her spouse has, in the four years preceding the person's application, contributed one thousand five hundred dollars or more in a year to any single candidate other than the candidate him or herself, for an elective office of the local jurisdiction, which the city will adjust by the cumulative change in the California Consumer Price Index, or its successor, in every year ending in zero.
(5) Redistricting Commissioner Restrictions During and After Service. To promote public confidence in the redistricting process, redistricting commissioners and alternates shall be designated employees for purposes of the conflict of interest code adopted by the city council and shall perform their service on the redistricting commission with impartiality and integrity. In addition, redistricting commissioners and alternates shall not:
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§ 2.31.030 § 2.31.030
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( Ord. 3174-21 § 1)
(i) While serving on the redistricting commission, endorse, work for, volunteer for, or make a campaign contribution to, a candidate for an elective office of the city.
(ii) Be a candidate for an elective office of the city if less than four years has elapsed since the date of the commissioner's appointment to the redistricting commission.
(iii) For four years commencing with the date of his or her appointment to the redistricting commission, receive a noncompetitively bid contract with the city.
(iv) For four years commencing with the date of his or her appointment to the redistricting commission, accept an appointment to the office of city manager, city attorney, or department head.
(6) Redistricting Commissioner Terms. The term of office of each redistricting commissioner and alternate begins with their appointment to the redistricting commission and ends when a new final district map is adopted.
Commissioners and alternates may be removed in accordance with the city council policy for boards and commissions.
City of Sunnyvale, CA
§ 2.31.030 § 2.31.030
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