File #: 15-232    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Public Hearing Item Status: Passed
File created: 9/10/2015 In control: City Council/Public Finance and Economic Development Authority/Parking Authority
On agenda: 10/5/2015 Final action: 10/5/2015
Title: SUBJECT: Consideration of City Council District Maps Recommended by the Independent Districting Advisory Commission and Determination When Council Members Will Be Elected from New Districts REPORT IN BRIEF Review City Council district map recommendations submitted by the Independent Districting Advisory Commission. Through the adoption of an ordinance, the City Council will make its selection of one map for the area of the City north of the Burlington/Santa Fe railroad tracks (three City Council districts) and one map for the area of the City south of these railroad tracks (three City Council districts). In addition, through the adoption of this ordinance, the City Council will determine which three of the new City Council districts will be up for election in 2016 and which three will be up for election in 2018. RECOMMENDATION City Council - Adopt a motion introducing Ordinance 2449, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adding Chapter 1.17 E...
Attachments: 1. 1.Belluomini North Adjusted Map (north of BurlingtonSanta Fe railroad tracks).pdf, 2. 2.NDC-C North Adjusted Map (north of Burlington/Santa Fe railroad tracks), 3. 3.NDC-C South Adjusted Map (south of Burlington/Santa Fe railroad tracks), 4. 4.Palma South Adjusted Map (south of Burlington/Santa Fe railroad tracks), 5. 5.Draft Ordinance adopting City Council Districts

Report Prepared by: Kenneth Rozell, Senior Deputy City Attorney, City Attorney's Office

Title
SUBJECT: Consideration of City Council District Maps Recommended by the Independent Districting Advisory Commission and Determination When Council Members Will Be Elected from New Districts

REPORT IN BRIEF
Review City Council district map recommendations submitted by the Independent Districting Advisory Commission. Through the adoption of an ordinance, the City Council will make its selection of one map for the area of the City north of the Burlington/Santa Fe railroad tracks (three City Council districts) and one map for the area of the City south of these railroad tracks (three City Council districts). In addition, through the adoption of this ordinance, the City Council will determine which three of the new City Council districts will be up for election in 2016 and which three will be up for election in 2018.

RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion introducing Ordinance 2449, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Merced, California, Adding Chapter 1.17 Entitled "City Council Districts" to the Merced Municipal Code.

Body
ALTERNATIVES

1. Approve modified City Council districts, subject to making one or more findings that the modifications are necessary to ensure full compliance with the California Voting Rights Act or the federal Voting Rights Act and related court decisions.

AUTHORITY
Merced City Charter, Sections 400 and 1000
California Election Code Section 21620

CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Adopting a District Election Map and Ordinance is listed as one of Council's administrative priorities.


DISCUSSION

Background

On November 4, 2014, Merced voters approved an amendment to Section 400 of the City's Charter (Measure T) that changed the way in which members of the City Council will be elected - from an at-large election of Council Members to an election of Council Members by district. Starting in November 2...

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