MEETING DATE:
DECEMBER 14, 2021
SUBJECT:
Title
PUBLIC HEARING #2 FOR REDRAWING OF SAN MARCOS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER DISTRICT BOUNDARIES
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
1. RECEIVE a report from staff and the City's redistricting consultant on the redistricting process and permissible criteria to be considered to redraw district boundaries; and
2. CONDUCT a public hearing to receive public input on district boundaries.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not Applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Good Governance
Relevant Department Goal
Not Applicable
Executive Summary
Every 10 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 a nearly equal population. The redistricting process for the City of San Marcos must be completed by April 17, 2022. The City conducted the first of four required public hearings on October 26, 2021.
Discussion
The City adopted its current district boundaries in 2016 based on 2010 census data as required by law. The first district election was held in 2018 for districts 1 and 2. The districts must now be redrawn using the 2020 census data and in compliance with the Fair and Inclusive Redistricting for Municipalities and Political Subdivisions (FAIR MAPS) Act, which was adopted by the California legislature as AB 849 and took effect January 1, 2020.
Under the Act, the City Council shall draw and adopt boundaries using the following criteria in the listed order of priority (Elections Code 21621(c)):
1. Comply with the federal requirements of equal population and Voting Rights Act.
2. Be geographically contiguous.
3. Maintain the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community, and "communities of interest" (socio-economic geographic areas that should be kept together), to the extent practicable.
4. Display easily identi...
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