Loading...
Res 17-046RESOLUTION NO. 17-046 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POWAY, CALIFORNIA, EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S INTENTION, PURSUANT TO ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 10010(e)(3)(A), TO INITIATE PROCEDURES FOR ESTABLISHING AND IMPLEMENTING BY -DISTRICT ELECTIONS FOR CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WHEREAS, the City of Poway, California ("City") is a general law city, duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; WHEREAS, four of the members of the Poway City Council are currently elected in at -large elections, in which each City Council member is elected by all registered voters of the entire City, with the mayor being separately elected by all registered voters of the entire City, pursuant to California Government Code sections 34871 and 34900 et seq.; WHEREAS, section 34886 of the Government Code authorizes any city to change to a by -district system or by -district system with an elective mayor without the need to put such a change to voters; WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that it is in the best interest of the City to move from its current at -large electoral system to a by -district election for members of the City Council, in furtherance of the purposes of California Voting Rights Act; WHEREAS, the City intends to make this transition from an at -large system to a by -district system in accordance with the procedural rules outlined in Government Code section 34886 and Elections Code section 10010; WHEREAS, the City received a letter threatening action under the California Voting Rights Act on June 7, 2017, less than forty-five (45) days before the date of this Resolution; WHEREAS, the City will begin by working with an experienced demographer to assist the City in establishing maps for a by -district electoral system; WHEREAS, before drawing a draft map of the proposed boundaries of the districts, the City will hold at least two (2) public hearings over no more than thirty (30) days, at which time the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts; WHEREAS, the City will then publish and make available for release at least one (1) draft map of the new electoral districts, including the potential sequence of elections shown; Resolution No. 17-046 Page 2 WHEREAS, once the draft map has been publicized for at least seven (7) days the City will hold at least two (2) additional public hearings, over a period of no more than forty-five (45) days at which time the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft map and the proposed sequence of elections prior to the public hearing at which the City Council adopts a map; WHEREAS, if a draft map is revised at or following a public hearing, the revised map will be published and made available to the public at least seven (7) days before the City chooses to adopt it; and WHEREAS, in determining the final sequence of staggered district elections, the City Council will give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act, and will take in to account the preferences expressed by the members of the districts. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Poway, California, as follows: Section 1: The above recitals are true and correct and are incorporated herein by this reference. Section 2: The City Council hereby resolves, pursuant to Elections Code section 10010, to adopt a by -district election system by ordinance as authorized by California Government Code section 34886, for use in the City's General Municipal Election for City Council Members. Section 3: The City Council further resolves to retain a qualified demographer, hold at least five (5) public hearings and publish at least one (1) draft map and staggering sequence, pursuant to the proposed hearing schedule attached hereto as Exhibit "A". Section 4: The City's redistricting/demographic consulting firm, acting under the supervision of the City Manager, is hereby authorized to direct and formulate one or more electoral district scenarios for review by the public and City Council at two or more public hearings if necessary, in accordance with the city's proposed timeline. Section 5: Working with the demographic consulting firm, staff is directed to publicize relevant maps, information, notices, agendas and other materials regarding by - district elections and to establish means of communication to answer questions from the public. Section 6: All public hearings shall be noticed as follows: posting on the city's website at least ten (10) calendar days in advance of the hearing and publication at least ten (10) days in advance of the hearing in the newspaper adjudicated to provide notice within the City. Section 7: The City Manager is authorized to take any and all other necessary actions to give effect to this Resolution. Resolution No. 17-046 Page 3 Section 8: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon its adoption. PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Poway, California, at a regular meeting this 18th day of July 2017. Steve Vaus, Mayor ATTEST: � !j NahcyAe fell CMC, City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) SS COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO) I, Nancy Neufeld, City Clerk of the City of Poway, California, do hereby certify under penalty of perjury that the foregoing Resolution No. 17-046 was duly adopted by the City Council at a meeting of said City Council held on the 18th day of July 2017, and that it was so adopted by the following vote: AYES: CUNNINGHAM, GROSCH, MULLIN, LEONARD, VAUS NOES: NONE ABSENT: NONE DISQUALIFIED: NONE uC aN f d, CMC, City Clerk City of Poway Resolution No. 17-046 Page 4 Exhibit "A" District Election Timeline June 7, 2017 City receives letter alleging violation of California Voting Rights Act July 18, 2017 Public Hearing City Council adopts resolution setting forth intention and timeline for adopting by -district elections. August 1, 2017 @ 7 p.m. Public Hearing Regular City Council Meeting Overview of the process and city demographics. Gather input from public to be used in establishing options for district boundaries. Adopt resolution setting forth mandatory and permissive districting criteria. August 8, 2017 @ 7 p.m. Public Hearing Special City Council Meeting Second hearing to gather input from public to be used in establishing options for district boundaries. August 11, 2017 Draft maps available for public review. August 18, 2017 @ 6 p.m. Public Hearing Special City Council Meeting Public hearing to discuss and take public comment on draft maps and proposed sequence of elections. August 31, 2017 @ 7 p.m. Public Hearing Special City Council Meeting Public hearing to discuss and take public comment on draft maps and proposed sequence of elections. September 19, 2017 @ 7 p.m. Public Hearing Regular City Council Meeting Introduce ordinance for first reading establishing district boundaries and transition plan/sequence of elections. October 3, 2017 Public Meeting Regular City Council Meeting Second reading and adoption of ordinance establishing district maps and transition plan/sequence of elections. All public hearings will lake place in the City Council Chambers, 13325 Civic Center Drive, Poway, CA 92064