HomeMy WebLinkAbout2A CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: February 24, 2022 PUBLIC HEARING
SUBJECT: REDISTRICTING 2021: PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING REDISTRICTING
OF CITY COUNCIL BOUNDARIES, ADOPTION OF A DISTRICT
BOUNDARIES MAP, AND INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE
ADJUSTING ELECTION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AS REQUIRED BY
ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 21601 ET SEQ
FROM: Justin Clifton, City Manager
BY: Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk
SUMMARY:
On February 10, 2022, the City Council narrowed its focus to Map Option J and requested
staff evaluate additional modifications as directed. Staff has developed two additional
maps consistent with the City Council’s input, and their key differences are highlighted
below:
• Under Map Option K, the District 3 boundary meets District 5 at Alejo Road and
N. Palm Canyon Drive.
• Alternatively, Map Option L extends the District 3 boundary to W. Tahquitz Canyon
Way and N. Palm Canyon Drive, ensuring that the Old Las Palmas neighborhood is
not split between two districts.
• The overall impact is a population deviation level of 6.92% under Map Option K or
7.55% under Map Option L.
Both map options are within the 10% population deviation permitted by law and maintain
District 1 as a majority/minority district. Click here to access the online mapping tool
containing Map Options K and L.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Conduct a public hearing to receive public input on district boundaries.
2. Select Map Option K or L for approval and introduce an Ordinance entitled “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
AMENDING PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.02.005(B)
REGARDING BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS, ADJUSTING THE BOUNDARIES OF
CITY COUNCIL ELECTION DISTRICTS AND CONFIRMING SUCH REVISED
COUNCIL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES, AS REFLECTED IN THE ATTACHED MAP.”
Item 2A - 1
BACKGROUND:
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 a nearly equal population. The
redistricting process for the City of Palm Springs must be completed by April 17, 2022.
On December 9, 2021, the City Council adopted the following Statement of Principles to
guide the redistricting process:
• Goals:
o Maximize the goals of the CVRA, including civil rights, equality, and inclusion.
o Prioritize the creation of majority/minority districts.
o To the extent practical, keep organized neighborhoods intact.
o Maintain the principle that the best interest of the City as a whole remains the
first responsibility of all elected officials.
• Process:
o Encourage and work through communication platforms to obtain participation
from as many residents and stakeholders as possible in the process.
As the FAIR MAPS Act required, the City Council conducted three public hearings on
November 4 and December 9, 2021, and February 10, 2022, to receive community input
on district boundaries. On February 24, 2022, the City Council will conduct its fourth
required public hearing and, if ready, may adopt a final District Map and introduce the
necessary Ordinance. Throughout the redistricting process, the City’s consultant drafted
eight (8) maps (Map Options A-E and J-L), and the public submitted four (4) maps (Map
Options F-I).
You may view all of the draft maps using our online mapping tool:
1. For Map Options A-E
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1ZbYIzU2eLu6cQjPz_GnXCyD
5DJfn_Gg8&ll=33.81136476826782%2C-116.55600453882683&z=12
2. For Map Options F-L
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1diV-026fsSoyvYwmambezLO-
5JLNcqy1&ll=33.805997128326176%2C-116.46737325577526&z=11
Item 2A - 2
Community Outreach Efforts:
To increase community awareness about the redistricting process, staff engaged in a
robust community engagement campaign summarized below:
1. Citywide Mailer: In October 2021, staff caused a bilingual (English/Spanish) full-page
mailer to be mailed to every residence within Palm Springs outlining the schedule of
Public Hearings and Community Workshops. In addition, the flyer was available in
English, Spanish, and Tagalog at City Hall, Library, and Community Centers.
2. Bus Shelters: Staff caused an advertisement on redistricting to be placed in every
available bus shelter throughout the City.
3. Radio Advertisements: Staff caused English and Spanish radio advertisements to be
placed in the local radio market, K-News and KUNA – La Ponderosa.
4. Channel 17, PSCTV: Staff caused notice of the redistricting process to be displayed
in English, Spanish, and Tagalog on Channel 17, Spectrum.
5. Digital Media Campaign: Staff engaged in a digital media campaign utilizing polygon
technology to ensure that such advertisements reached people within the City limits
with a guarantee of 133,000 impressions per month.
6. Community Workshops: Staff coordinated Community Workshops between
December 13-17, in each district, to review the redistricting process. However, the
December 14 session in District 2 was canceled due to inclement weather.
7. Dedicated Website: A dedicated website, www.psdistricts.com, was established to
inform the community regarding upcoming meetings and to provide access to the
online mapping tools.
ANALYSIS:
The City adopted its current district boundaries in 2018, based on 2010 census data as
required by law. The districts must now be redrawn using the 2020 census data and in
compliance with the FAIR MAPS Act, adopted by the California legislature as AB 849 and
took effect January 1, 2020. One of the key requirements under the FAIR MAPS Act, and
the federal Voting Rights Act, is that districts be population balanced. In addition, maps
may not intentionally seek to dilute or minimize the minority vote, and if there is an ability
to create majority/minority voting districts, the agency must strive to do so. At present, the
population deviation between the least populated district to the most populated district,
compared to the ideal population (1/5 of the total City population), is 12.135%. One of the
goals of redistricting is to reduce total deviation to as close to zero as possible; however,
the courts have ruled that a deviation of 10% or less is generally acceptable.
The purpose of this public hearing is to share proposed map options and receive feedback
and direction on the maps presented. The maps are noted whether they were prepared
by the consultant or submitted by the public. If the City Council is prepared to approve
one of the draft maps at this hearing, it is recommended that the City Council introduce
the attached Ordinance with the preferred map as directed.
Item 2A - 3
Map Options K and L
Following input from the City Council, two new maps are presented for City Council’s
consideration. Map Option K is based on Map Option J with the following modifications:
1.Move the Desert Aids Project campus from District 3 to District 2 to avoid splitting
the Rogers Ranch neighborhood.
2.Split a Sunmor neighborhood census block to move three residences from District 4
into District 1, ensuring all of the Sunmor neighborhood is within District 1.
3.Move the open space area west of the Old Las Palmas neighborhood from District
5 to District 3.
These changes are reflected in Map Option K, which exhibits a deviation of 6.92%.
In addition to the changes noted above, Map Option L also moves the commercial area
in the Old Las Palmas neighborhood from Alejo Road, east of N. Palm Canyon Drive, and
W. Tahquitz Canyon Way from District 5 to District 3. This map exhibits a total deviation
of 7.55%. In addition, approximately 80 people will move election cycles, however, this
group of people will move into an earlier election cycle.
All maps have been posted on the City’s dedicated redistricting website for a minimum of
seven days, as required by the Fair Maps Act. The City Council and community are invited
to comment on the proposed maps and/or suggest revisions at this hearing. The Council
may also introduce the Ordinance approving the final map.
Item 2A - 4
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Previously Considered Maps
The community may view previously considered maps by downloading the
February 9, 2022, Staff Report:
•https://destinyhosted.com/agenda_publish.cfm?id=72567&mt=CC&get_month=2
&get_year=2022&dsp=agm&seq=3586&rev=0&ag=1351&ln=13988&nseq=3587
&nrev=0&pseq=&prev=#
Or, may view all of the draft maps using our online mapping tool:
1.For Map Options A-E
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1ZbYIzU2eLu6cQjPz_GnXCyD
5DJfn_Gg8&ll=33.81136476826782%2C-116.55600453882683&z=12
2.For Map Options F-L
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1diV-026fsSoyvYwmambezLO-
5JLNcqy1&ll=33.805997128326176%2C-116.46737325577526&z=11
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
REVIEWED BY:
City Clerk: Anthony J. Mejia
City Attorney: Jeffrey S. Ballinger
City Manager: Justin Clifton
ATTACHMENTS:
A.Map Options K & L and Demographics.
B.Draft Ordinance.
Item 2A - 5
Map Option K
Item 2A - 6
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Item 2A - 7
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1 8,863 -93 -1.04%44.14% 64.33% 30.61% 58.22% 26.63% 51.49%
2 8,743 -213 -2.38%23.20% 35.81% 18.73% 32.35% 15.74% 25.91%
3 9,363 407 4.54% 25.47% 38.06% 19.67% 33.62% 15.81% 25.62%
4 9,005 49 0.54% 19.00% 30.39% 15.25% 27.05% 16.64% 24.29%
5 8,808 -148 -1.66%12.39% 21.21% 10.52% 19.18% 11.23% 16.02%
Total 44,782
Ideal 8,956 Deviation 6.92%
Item 2A - 8
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Item 2A - 10
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1 8,863 -93 -1.04%44.14% 64.33% 38.11% 58.22% 26.63% 51.49%
2 8,743 -213 -2.38%23.20% 35.81% 20.53% 32.35% 15.74% 25.91%
3 9,419 463 5.17% 25.40% 38.03% 21.64% 33.59% 15.82% 25.64%
4 9,005 49 0.54% 19.00% 30.39% 16.31% 27.05% 16.64% 24.29%
5 8,752 -204 -2.28%12.39% 21.14% 10.97% 19.12% 11.19% 15.94%
Total 44,782
Ideal 8,956 Deviation 7.55%
Item 2A - 11
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ORDINANCE NO. _______
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 2.02.005(B)
REGARDING BY-DISTRICT ELECTIONS, ADJUSTING THE
BOUNDARIES OF CITY COUNCIL ELECTION DISTRICTS,
AND CONFIRMING SUCH REVISED COUNCIL DISTRICT
BOUNDARIES, AS REFLECTED IN THE ATTACHED MAP
City Attorney’s Summary
Starting with the November 2019 Municipal Election, the City
Council has been elected by five (5) geographical election
districts. This Ordinance amends Section 2.02.005(B) of
Chapter 2.02 of the City’s Municipal Code adjusting the
boundaries of the City’s five (5) City Council election districts
to keep them “substantially equal in population” based upon
the 2020 United States Decennial Census, as required by
Federal and State law.
WHEREAS, on December 19, 2018, the City Council of the City of Palm Springs
("City Council") held a final public hearing on establishing Council election district
boundaries, received additional public input, and formally selected the voting district map,
set forth in Ordinance No. 1971 which established the current Palm Springs City Council
election districts codified at Palm Springs Municipal Code section 2.02.005(B), which
have been utilized to date in City Council elections; and
WHEREAS, the United States Census Bureau is required by Article I, Section 2,
of the United States Constitution to conduct an accurate count of the population every ten
years; and
WHEREAS, California Elections Code § 21621 requires that following each
decennial federal census, and using that census as a basis, the City Council shall adjust
the boundaries of any or all of the Council election districts of the City so that the districts
shall be substantially equal in population as required by the United States Constitution,
California Constitution, and the Federal Voting Rights Act. In establishing the boundaries
of the districts the Council must give consideration to the following factors in the following
priority: (a) contiguity of districts, (b) respecting communities of interest, (c) drawing easily
identifiable districts through use of natural or artificial boundaries and (d) compactness of
territory in districts; and
WHEREAS, California Elections Code § 21622 requires that the Council adopt an
ordinance or pass a resolution amending Council districts no later than April 17, 2022;
and
WHEREAS, on September 27, 2021, the Census Bureau sent 2020 Census data
to the State of California with an official population estimate of 44,782 residents for the
City of Palm Springs; and
Item 2A - 12
WHEREAS, the City Council held four public hearings on November 4, 2021,
December 9, 2021, February 10, and February 24, 2022, where the Council received
briefings from the City’s staff, legal counsel, and demographic consultant relating to the
redistricting process and state and federal redistricting criteria, including the California
Elections Code, the Federal Voting Rights Act and the United States Constitution, heard
public testimony, and directed staff and the City's demographic consultant to prepare draft
Council district maps for consideration; and
WHEREAS, the City also conducted a series of workshops from December 13
through December 17, 2021, to both educate the public about the redistricting process
and to solicit public input as to where the boundaries of future election districts should be
drawn; and
WHEREAS, in addition, City staff conducted public outreach by way of print, radio,
and digital advertisements. During the public hearings, public comment was received on
redistricting criteria and communities of interest; and
WHEREAS, at the December 9, 2021, February 10, 2022, and February 24, 2022,
public hearings, the Council received and reviewed a total of eight (8) draft maps prepared
by the City's demographic consultant (Map Options A-E, J-L) and reviewed four (4)
additional maps submitted by the public (Map Options F-I) for compliance with applicable
laws and standards; and
WHEREAS, at the February 24, 2022, public hearing, the City Council agreed on
Map Option _____, designating it as the preferred map and directed that it be introduced
and adopted by Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, at each of the public hearings on redistricting, the Council heard
testimony relating to “communities of interest,” which led the Council to reach the
following determinations about communities of interest on the preferred map, as required
under federal and state law:
(1) The election districts are geographically contiguous. The districts are
arrayed in a simple and logical form without any islands and with minimal
intrusions from the area of one district into another;
(2) To the extent practicable, the preferred map respects the geographic
integrity of local neighborhoods and local communities of interest. The
Council heard testimony about what constitutes communities of interest in
the public’s view.
(3) The election districts are easily identifiable and understandable by
residents. The districts in the preferred map form a relatively simple pattern.
Item 2A - 13
-
(4) To the extent practicable, the election districts are geographically compact.
Their configurations for the most part are compact, simple shapes, with
nearby populations included in the same districts.
(5) The election districts are balanced in terms of the total population and
voting-age population. The districts are well within the one-person/one-vote
deviations permitted under federal and state voting rights laws.
(6) The election districts conform to concentration of minority voters. The
preferred map maintains one majority/minority voting district.
WHEREAS, all information in the staff reports, maps, presentations, Council
debate, and public testimony referenced above is hereby incorporated into this decision
and serves as the evidentiary basis for these findings and legislative decision.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This Ordinance is adopted following four noticed City Council public
hearings as required by California Elections Code section 21627.1.
Section 2. Subsection (B) of Section 2.02.005 (By-District Elections) of Chapter
2.02 (Municipal Elections) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Palm Springs
Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
“2.02.005 By-district elections.
. . . .
B. City Council Districts and District Elections. Effective for all Council offices
newly elected at the November 8, 2022, General Municipal Election and at each
General Municipal Election thereafter, Aall five Councilmembers shall be elected on a
by-district basis from the Council districts shown and numbered on the map titled ‘City of
Palm Springs District Map - 2022’ attached as Exhibit A, a copy of which shall be on file
in the City Clerk’s office. In November, 20192022, and every four years thereafter, the
following three City Council districts shall be elected by-district: District 1; District 2; and
District 3. In November, 20212024, and every four years thereafter, the following two City
Council districts shall be elected by-district: District 4 and District 5. The City Council
may, by future enactment, change the dates of these elections as required and/or
authorized by applicable law. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section,
and pursuant to California Elections Code § 21626 (a) and (b), each of the Council
Members currently in office at the time this Ordinance takes effect shall continue
in office until the expiration of the full term to which they were regularly elected or
appointed. Any vacancy in or recall election for a Council term currently in effect
shall be filled based on the Council districts in effect at the time the current Council
term was last regularly elected.”
Item 2A - 14
Section 3. All ordinances and resolutions, or parts thereof in conflict with this
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 4. The City Manager is directed to take all necessary steps to give effect
to this Ordinance. If necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the City
Manager or his or her designee is authorized to make technical adjustments to the
election district boundaries that do not substantively affect the populations in the districts,
the eligibility of candidates, or the residence of elected officials within any district. The
City Manager shall consult with the City Attorney concerning any technical adjustments
deemed necessary and shall advise the City Council of any such adjustments required in
the implementation of the districts.
Section 5. The City Clerk is hereby directed to provide a certified copy of this
Ordinance to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters for use in subsequent Palm
Springs City Council Elections.
Section 6. Compliance with California Environmental Quality Act. This activity is
exempt from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act
(“CEQA”) (Pub. Resources Code, § 21000 et seq.) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines
(Cal. Code Regs., tit. 14, § 15000 et seq.) sections 15061(b)(3), 15320, and 15378(b)(3).
The redistricting process is an organizational and administrative activity of the City, does
not have the potential to result in either a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect
physical change in the environment, and is therefore not a project for purposes of CEQA.
(State CEQA Guidelines, §§ 15061(b)(3); 15378(b)(5).) In the event the transition
process does constitute a project, it is categorically exempt under the Class 20 (Changes
in the Organization of Local Governments) categorical exemption. (State CEQA
Guidelines, § 15320.) None of the exceptions to the exemptions found in State CEQA
Guidelines section 15300.2 apply. Staff is hereby directed to prepare, execute and file
with the Riverside County Clerk a CEQA Notice of Exemption within five (5) working days
of the adoption of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Integration of Ordinance. If any section, subsection, subdivision,
sentence, or clause or phrase in this Ordinance or any part thereof is for any reason held
to be unconstitutional, invalid or ineffective by any court of competent jurisdiction, such
decision shall not affect the validity or effectiveness of the remaining portions of this
Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have
adopted each section irrespective of the fact that any one or more
subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, or phrases are declared unconstitutional,
invalid, or ineffective.
Section 8. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30)
days from its adoption.
Section 9. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this
Ordinance and cause it, or a summary of it, to be published in a newspaper of general
circulation printed and published within the City of Palm Springs, pursuant to all legal
requirements.
Item 2A - 15
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED BY THE PALM SPRINGS CITY COUNCIL THIS
_____ DAY OF _____________, 2022.
LISA MIDDLETON, MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA, MMC
CITY CLERK
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, ANTHONY J. MEJIA, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, do hereby certify
that Ordinance No. ___ is a full, true, and correct copy, and was introduced by the City
Council at a regular meeting held on the 24th day of February, 2022, and adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council held on the __ day of _______, 2022, by the following
vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of
Palm Springs, California, this ______ day of ______________, 2022.
ANTHONY J. MEJIA, MMC
CITY CLERK
Item 2A - 16
Exhibit “A”
City of Palm Springs District Map 2022
[Council preferred map to be attached]
Item 2A - 17