Submitted by: Laura Reams
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Presentation
Item Title:
title
Redistricting 2022
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
Presentation
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Summary Background:
Every ten years, after the Census, the City must use the new census data to review its ward boundaries, and if needed, redraw the boundaries between wards in order to reflect how the local populations have changed. The authority for the modification of ward boundaries is found in the City Charter, § C4-17.
The redistricting process is done with the primary goal of creating wards which have substantially equal populations. The widely accepted standard for population variation between the largest ward and the smallest ward is that there should not be a greater than 10% difference. Additional criteria for consideration throughout the redistricting process is listed below.
• Wards must be comprised of contiguous territory and as geographically compact as possible.
• Wards shall, as much as possible, be bounded by natural boundaries, street lines, and/or City boundary lines.
• Wards must be drawn to provide fair and effective representation for all residents of the City, including racial, ethnic, and language minorities. Additionally, to the extent possible, wards should preserve identifiable communities of interest. The redrawing of the City’s ward boundaries should be designed to ensure that our elected body is representative of the City’s diverse population.
• Wards most likely to be impacted by future development may be smaller by design in order to minimize impact of population growth on future redistricting.
The City’s last redistricting occurred in 2012 and was effective for the 2013 City election. The process was accomplished by a Council appointed committee which reviewed proposed maps and made recommendations to the Council. Opportunities for public engagement were provided at the committee meetings and via a public hearing. Staff recommends following a similar process for the 2022 redistricting which would be effective for the May 2023 City election with enhanced opportunities for public engagement utilizing the newly acquired online citizen engagement platform.
A proposed timeline is below.
• Council Presentation: May 2, 2022
• Council Action to Establish Ad Hoc Task Force: May 16, 2022
• Appointments to Ad Hoc Task Force: June 2022
• Kick Off Meeting: June 2022
• Task Force Meetings & Public Engagement - Summer 2022
• Presentation of Proposed Maps - September 19. 2022
• Public Hearing on Proposed Maps - October 3, 2022
• Adoption of Redistricting - Charter Amendment Section C4-16 - November 2022
• Public Education on New Ward Boundaries - Winter 2022 - 2023
• Mayoral Election - May 9, 2023
Next Steps:
Council discussion and establishment of the Ad Hoc Task Force.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
City Administrator Comments:
For presentation.
Community Engagement:
The City foresees being able to utilize some of the newly acquired communications tools, such as the online civic engagement platform to assist with community outreach during the redistricting process.
Strategic Goals:
Goal 5 - Strengthen the City’s Identity as a Diverse, Creative, and Welcoming Community
Legal Review Required?
Complete