TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Bonnie Hagan, Acting City Manager
Gary A. Sheatz, City Attorney
1. Subject
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Public Hearing to receive input from the community regarding the redrawing of Election District boundaries.
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2. Summary
A public hearing to solicit testimony regarding criteria to be used for redistricting and identifying communities of interest.
3. Recommended Action
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1. Receive and file the 2020 Census demographic data.
2. Solicit testimony regarding mandatory criteria and traditional criteria to be used for redistricting, adopt criteria for redistricting, and identify communities of interest.
3. Adopt criteria, including identifying communities of interest, for redistricting
4. Instruct the City’s demographics consultant, National Demographics Corporation (NDC) to prepare draft district maps.
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4. Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 4: Provide outstanding public service.
a: Obtain, implement, and evaluate public input into our services and programs.
6. Discussion and Background
In October 2019, the City of Orange transitioned from an at-large election system to a district-based election system for election of the City Council members. The City Council adopted a final District Elections map that was comprised of six districts. The Mayor remains directly elected by the voters of the City. The first city Council election under the new District Elections map was held on November 3, 2020, and four Council Districts seats were on the ballot. In compliance with federal and state law, the City must now undergo a redistricting process based on new 2020 US Census demographic data.
In April 2021, the City Council approved an agreement with National Demographics Corporation (NDC) to guide and support the City through the City Council redistricting process. Following the approval of this agreement, as part of the redistricting process, the City Council approved an agreement with Tripepi, Smith, & Associates, Inc. (Tripepi Smith) to assist with public outreach and meeting facilitation for the creation of the district maps in accordance with state law. The initial part of this process required the establishment of a tentative schedule of community meetings and hearings. The City Council adopted the tentative schedule at its meeting of August 10, 2021.
The City held its first community meeting on August 25, 2021. 22 community members attended this meeting and provided valuable input regarding criteria for redrawing the district boundaries and identifying communities of interest. This input is summarized and attached to the staff report for City Council consideration, and also available on the City’s redistricting website.
At tonight’s public hearing, the City Council is being asked to take four actions.
1. Receive and file the final 2020 Census demographic data.
2. Provide a public forum to solicit testimony regarding criteria to be used for redistricting, especially regarding communities of interest.
3. Based on that testimony, adopt mandatory and traditional criteria, including identifying communities of interest, for redistricting.
4. Direct NDC to prepare draft district maps for consideration, based on the adopted criteria.
In addition to the draft maps created by NDC, the public may submit draft district maps, either hard copy or on-line. The City’s districting website, OrangeDistricts.org, contains information on how to submit draft maps. The public deadline for submission of draft maps is November 15, 2021.
The third, in the series of four public hearings is tentatively scheduled for the regular Council Meeting on December 14, 2021 to review all draft maps.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Summary of public input from the August 25, 2021 community meeting
• Draft maps of “Communities of Interest”
• 2020 Census Demographic Data and updated paper map kits