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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 24 Clerk of the Council Office www.santa-ana.org/cc Item # 24 City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report October 5, 2021 TOPIC: First Public Hearing: Redistricting Ward Boundaries AGENDA TITLE: Hold First Public Hearing Regarding Redistricting Ward Boundaries RECOMMENDED ACTION Open and close the first public hearing seeking input regarding possible changes to the wards boundaries before proposed ward map(s) are drawn. DISCUSSION Pursuant to Santa Ana Charter Section 101.4, on September 21, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution of Intention No. 2021-053, setting forth public hearing dates to consider changes to boundary lines of wards, and fixing the date, time and place of said hearings thereon. Pursuant to California Election Code, the process must be completed and the adoption of the new ward boundary map must occur by April 17, 2022, which will be utilized in the November 2022 General Municipal Election. To assist in the redistricting process, demographic and outreach consultants have been secured. The City is working with demographer Paul Mitchell, Redistricting Partners, who also assisted the City during the re-boundary process and first ward-based election in 2020. Assembly Bill 849 – The Fair Maps Act The Fair Maps Act, effective January 1, 2020, creates a standardized redistricting criteria aimed to keep communities together and to prohibit partisan gerrymandering. It also contains expanded community outreach and public hearing requirements and timelines. In the re-drawing of ward boundaries, the City Council must ensure compliance with state and federally mandated criteria by adopting boundaries that contain a nearly equal population, based upon total population of residents of the City as determined by the most recent census, adjusted by California to count state prisoners at their “last known home address” rather than at the prison. The City Council must also adopt maps that comply with the Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. First Public Hearing Redistricting Ward Boundaries October 5, 2021 Page 2 2 1 4 4 Constitution. Wards must not be adopted for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against a political party, and are not designed with race as the predominate factor. Additionally, the Fair Maps Act now requires the City Council to adopt ward boundaries using specific criteria as set forth in the following order of priority: 1. To the extent practicable, City Council wards shall be geographically contiguous. Areas that meet only at the points of adjoining corners are not contiguous. Areas that are separated by water and not connected by a bridge are not contiguous. 2. To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division. A “community of interest” 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. Communities of interest do not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates. 3. City Council ward boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, City Council wards shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the city. 4. To the extent practicable, and where it does not conflict with the preceding criteria in this subdivision, City Council wards shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations. Procedural Requirements for Redistricting State law authorizes the City Council to draw its own map. This can include a process of draft map submissions from the public and demographer for City Council review and consideration. In addition, the Fair Maps Act provides specific procedural requirements the City Council must meet before adopting a final map of ward boundaries for the redistricting process. The City must hold at least four public hearings that enable community members to provide input regarding the composition of the City Council wards. These hearings shall consist of: At least one public hearing before the City Council draws draft map(s). At least two public hearings after the City Council has drawn draft map(s). At least one public hearing or public workshop shall be held on a Saturday, on a Sunday, or after 6 p.m. on a weekday Monday through Friday. The Fair Maps Act also outlines requirements to increase accessibility and participation at the public hearings. A public hearing must be held at its noticed time if it is consolidated with another regular or special meeting, must be held in an accessible facility, and translation services must be provided for “applicable languages” if it is requested at least 72 hours before a public hearing. The California Secretary of State, per the Fair Maps Act, is required to list the applicable languages for all cities. The California Secretary of State listed Spanish and Vietnamese as the “applicable languages” for the City of Santa Ana. The City of Santa Ana will provide Spanish and Vietnamese translation services at all public hearings, as well as at any community redistricting workshops, and translation First Public Hearing Redistricting Ward Boundaries October 5, 2021 Page 3 2 1 4 4 services in other languages, upon request to the Clerk of the Council’s Office at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in order to make the reasonable arrangements. Timeline and Next Steps A timeline of scheduled events is listed below as a reference to engage the community and solicit public input in the redrawing of the City’s ward boundaries. This public hearing is for the City Council and the public to receive a report on the redistricting process and the criteria for redistricting boundary lines; and to provide initial input on the ward boundaries. In efforts to fully engage the community, during the next few months, the Clerk of the Council Office is prepared to conduct in-person and virtual community meetings throughout the City, solicit input, educate the community on the redistricting process, and provide training on how to use the mapping tools once the redistricting data is released. Public Input Workshops: Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. - Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave. Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. - Pentecostal Church of God, 1025 W. Memory Lane Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. - Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W McFadden Ave Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. - Salgado Recreation Center, 706 N. Newhope St. Friday, October 29, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. - El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W Civic Center Dr. Saturday, October 30, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. - Memorial Community Center, 2102 S Flower St. October 5, 2021: The City will hold its first public hearing before maps are drawn. October 19, 2021: The City will hold its second public hearing at 7:00 p.m. to present 2020 Census findings to the City Council during a regular meeting, including redistricting process updates. November 2, 2021: The City will hold its third public hearing at 7:00 p.m. to present staff recommended initial draft map (or maps) and accompanying technical report to City Council during a regular meeting, along with public comment and submitted proposed maps analysis, and conduct the first public hearing on the draft map. November 16, 2021: The City will hold the fourth public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on the draft map. First Public Hearing Redistricting Ward Boundaries October 5, 2021 Page 4 2 1 4 4 December 7, 2021: Present staff recommended final map for approval as the fifth public hearing at 7:00 p.m. Adoption of final map and first reading of ordinance by the City Council. December 21, 2021: Adoption of final map and second reading of ordinance by the City Council. Public Outreach and Communication The Clerk of the Council’s Office is committed to taking steps to have a robust and diverse community participation in the process for redrawing ward maps for future City Council elections. The goals in the outreach plan are to educate residents about the redistricting requirements, ensure participation from a wide range of residents, and build community awareness and understanding of the process. During this process, staff seeks public input regarding what communities of interest exist, how to re-draw the ward maps to maintain existing communities, along with suggestions and preferences. The Clerk of the Council Office is using the following community outreach plan: Public messaging via social media, City’s website, press releases, newsletters, and other public communications, in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese Dedicated webpage for redistricting updates and information: www.santa- ana.org/redistricting Press releases sent to various outlets and groups Collateral material available at city facilities and other City meetings/events Marketing video in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese Advertisements on City’s local public network channel and YouTube ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT There is no environmental impact associated with this action. FISCAL IMPACT There is no fiscal impact associated with this action. EXHIBIT(S) 1. Presentation Submitted By: Daisy Gomez, Clerk of the Council Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager City of Santa Ana Redistricting Redistricting 101 October 5, 2021 Redistricting Partners Redistricting Partners is a firm that focuses on redistricting, demographics and Voting Rights Act analysis. Our partnership with the City of Santa Ana includes: -Helping with outreach meetings -Generating draft maps based off public input and census data -Training staff and Council Members on the redistricting process and best practices -Analyzing qualitative and quantitative data for the City to use during the redistricting process Overview This presentation will cover a range of topics regarding the redistricting process, traditional redistricting principles, and the timeline. Including: -What is Redistricting? -State and Federal Voting Rights Act -Traditional Redistricting Principles -Timeline -Current Demographics What is Redistricting? Redistricting is at its core the act of equalizing population among districts. This is important in order to meet two requirements -one constitutional, one from Supreme Court precedent: -Equal Representation (14th Amendment) -how effective any resident can be at advocating for themselves or being represented within a jurisdiction. -One Person One Vote -equal ability to elect a candidate of choice. What is Redistricting? Redistricting has changed significantly over the years as federal and state laws, norms, best practices, and public opinion has transformed. In Public Opinion / Media: -97% of Voters agree that “local government should be required to have transparent / open redistricting.” -Media and Community Based Organizations have become much more adept at covering redistricting. What is the Voting Rights Act? The Voting Rights Act is a federal law that seeks to remedy racial disenfranchisement. It has two sections impacting redistricting: Section 2 –Majority Minority Districts Section 5 –Preclearance (inactive) The California Voting Rights Act prohibits the use of at- large election systems in local government if there is proof of racially polarized voting. It does not impact Santa Ana. Traditional Redistricting Principles There are a number of criteria that have been used nationally and upheld by courts. •Relatively equal size -people, not citizens •Contiguous –wards should not hop/jump •Maintain “communities of interest” •Follow city and census designated place boundaries •Keep wards compact –appearance/function Preventing a Ward from becoming a Gerrymander Traditional Redistricting Principles There are a number of criteria that have been used nationally and upheld by courts. •Relatively equal size -people, not citizens •Contiguous –wards should not hop/jump •Maintain “communities of interest” •Follow city and census designated place boundaries •Keep wards compact –appearance/function Preventing a Ward from becoming a Gerrymander Equal Population Utilizing the U.S. Census Decennial File What is “equal” population has been a key subject in redistricting litigation. •Congress: 1 Person •Local Govt: 10% •Legislative/others: 1%-5% or other more restrictive by choice. Traditional Redistricting Principles There are a number of criteria that have been used nationally and upheld by courts. •Relatively equal size -people, not citizens •Contiguous –wards should not hop/jump •Maintain “communities of interest” •Following city and census designated place boundaries •Keep wards compact –appearance/function Preventing a Ward from becoming a Gerrymander Contiguity Two definitions for what is contiguous Contiguity should be thought of as “literal” and “functional.” •An area that is one whole piece is “literally contiguous.” •An area that represents how the population functions or how people are connected is “functionally contiguous.” Traditional Redistricting Principles There are a number of criteria that have been used nationally and upheld by courts. •Relatively equal size -people, not citizens •Contiguous –wards should not hop/jump •Maintain “communities of interest” •Follow city and census designated place boundaries •Keep wards compact –appearance/function Preventing a Ward from becoming a Gerrymander Communities of Interest Bringing like people together for representation What are you looking for in trying to judge the applicability of a Community of Interest to the redistricting process? •Group with shared culture / characteristics •Geographic Nature / Density / Ability to be mapped •Relationship to Agency / Policies Traditional Redistricting Principles There are a number of criteria that have been used nationally and upheld by courts. •Relatively equal size -people, not citizens •Contiguous –wards should not hop/jump •Maintain “communities of interest” •Follow city and census designated place boundaries •Keep wards compact –appearance/function Preventing a Ward from becoming a Gerrymander Protecting Cities & Census Designated Places Bringing like people together for representation FAIR MAPS Act: To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of a city or census designated place shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division. Traditional Redistricting Principles There are a number of criteria that have been used nationally and upheld by courts. •Relatively equal size -people, not citizens •Contiguous –wards should not hop/jump •Maintain “communities of interest” •Follow city and census designated place boundaries •Keep wards compact –appearance/function Preventing a Ward from becoming a Gerrymander Compactness Determining what is “compact” California has a rather elegant/simple definition. •Not bypassing nearby populated areas in favor of more distant populated areas The FAIR MAPS Act adds more criteria to the process. •Not consider Incumbents or candidates. •Not draw wards to advantage or disadvantage a political party. •Hold minimum set of hearings, encourage public engagement. •Posting of all redistricting commission information on a website that is maintained for the next 10 years. Additional Redistricting Rules Criteria required in Santa Ana Beyond Traditional Principles The City of Santa Ana Redistricting Process Timeline September 21st First presentation for the public October 5th Hearing to gather community input October 19th Hearing to gather community input November 2nd Hearing on the draft maps November 16th Hearing on the draft maps December 7th Final Approval of the Map The City of Santa Ana Redistricting Process Community Meetings Ward 6 : September 25, 2021,10:00 a.m. –Delhi Center, 505 E. Central Ave. Ward 3 : October 7, 2021, 6:00 p.m. –Pentecostal Church of God, 1025 W. Memory Lane Ward 2 : October 9, 2021, 10:00 a.m. –Southwest Senior Center, 2201 W. McFadden Ave. Ward 1 : October 23, 2021, 1:00 p.m. –Salgado Recreation Center, 706 N. Newhope St. Ward 5 : October 29, 2021, 6:00 p.m. –El Salvador Community Center, 1825 W. Civic Center Dr. Ward 4 : November 6, 2021, 10:00 a.m. –Memorial Community Center, 2102 S. Flower St.