Report Prepared by: John Tresidder, Deputy City Clerk, City Clerk’s Department
Title
SUBJECT: Appointment to the Vacant Redistricting Advisory Committee District 1 Seat
REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council will appoint an individual to the vacant Redistricting Advisory Committee District 1 seat.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion appointing a qualified applicant to the vacant Redistricting Advisory Committee District 1 seat
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Appoint individual as recommended by staff; or,
2. Return to staff with specific direction for further recruitment of applicants; or,
3. Continue the matter to a future meeting (date specified in motion.)
AUTHORITY
Merced City Charter, Sections 400 and 1000
California Election Code Section 21620
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Adopting a Redistricting Map.
DISCUSSION
Every ten years, cities with by district election systems must use new census data to review and, if needed, redraw district lines to reflect how local populations have changed. This process, called redistricting, ensures all districts have nearly equal population. The redistricting process must be completed by April 17, 2022.
The City adopted its current district boundaries on October 19, 2015. The current district boundaries are based on 2010 census data as required by law. The districts must now be redrawn using the 2020 census data and be in compliance with the FAIR MAPS Act, which was adopted by the California legislature as AB 849 and took effect January 1, 2020.
At the initial Public Hearing for redistricting held on June 21, 2021, the City Council agreed that a committee should be formed to assist the Council in soliciting public participation and to recommend draft maps to the Council at the end of its charge. The Council decided the committee should be a nine member board with one member from each of the six Council Districts, one member at large, and two additional members (one of which shall be from Districts 1-3 and one of which shall be from Districts 4-6).
At the Council Meeting of August 2, 2021, the Council appointed the nine member board but after the initial Redistricting Advisory Committee meeting on August 12, 2021, Diane Mejia resigned from the District 1 seat.
Staff conducted a second recruitment for the vacant seat. Attached are the qualified District 1 applications for Council to consider for appointment to the Redistricting Advisory Committee.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
As provided for in the 2021-2022 budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Roster
2. District 1 Applications