Report Prepared by: Jennifer Levesque, Assistant City Clerk, City Clerk's Department
Title
SUBJECT: Public Hearing (to be Heard at 7PM) to Receive a Report from Staff on the Redistricting Process and Permissible Criteria to be Considered to Redraw the Council District Map, to Receive Input from the Community Regarding the Redrawing of Election District Boundaries, Direction Regarding an Advisory Committee, and Scheduling Remaining Required Public Hearings
REPORT IN BRIEF
Public Hearing to inform Council and the public on the redistricting process, allow community input regarding the redrawing of the Council District Map, provide staff direction on an advisory committee, and scheduling remaining required Public Hearings.
RECOMMENDATION
Receive public input on the redrawing of election district boundaries, provide direction to staff regarding an advisory committee and scheduling the required Public Hearings.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; seek public input on the redrawing of election district boundaries; or,
2. Return to staff with specific direction; or,
3. Deny.
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.
Under the Act, the council shall draw...
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