Submitted by: Laura Reams
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Action
Item Title:
title
Hyattsville Resolution 2022-03: Establishing a Redistricting Commission
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move the Mayor and Council adopt Hyattsville Resolution 2022-03, a resolution whereby the City Council establishes a seven (7) person Redistricting Commission to make recommendations on the reapportionment of the City’s five (5) wards based on population data from the 2020 U.S. Census (INTRODUCTION & ADOPTION)
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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.
City staff presented the proposed project plan to Council on May 2 and has been conducting analysis and outreach to City committee members in preparation of appointing members to the Commission. Upon analysis of the Ward makeup of the five proposed participating committees which will make up a portion of the composition of the Redistricting Commission, it was determined that in order to best ensure participation from all five wards, the Education Advisory Committee would be substituted for the Educational Facilities Task Force. Staff has reached out to members of the Election Board, Ethics Commission, Planning Committee, Race and Equity Task Force, and Education Advisory Committee to gauge interest in serving on the Commission.
Upon adoption of the Resolution, staff will bring forward appointments in June 2022, with the kickoff meeting to be held in June. The proposed deadline for the Commission to submit recommendations to the City Council is September 12, 2022, with a planned public presentation for September 19. A minimum of one public hearing must be held but additional methods of engagement are encouraged and will be supported by staff.
Next Steps:
Council discussion and establishment of the Ad Hoc Task Force.
Fiscal Impact:
N/A
City Administrator Comments:
Recommend Support.
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