Title
Staff Report for the Second Reading and passage of an Ordinance of the City of San Leandro City Council Amending Title I, Chapter 1 of the San Leandro Municipal Code Relating to Council Member Districts
Staffreport
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The proposed changes to the Council district boundaries were reviewed by the City Council, the Rules Committee and three community meetings were held to gather input on the proposed new Council district boundaries. Staff recommends that the Council pass-to-adopt an ordinance establishing the new Council district boundaries.
BACKGROUND
Section 230 of the City of San Leandro Charter requires district boundaries to be drawn whenever the results of the federal census show an increase of five percent (5%) or more since the last redistricting. The City Council last approved new Council district boundaries in 2011, following the 2010 federal census. The 2020 census data, released in August 2021, reveals population growth of 7.13% Citywide, triggering the Charter requirement for the Council’s review of its district boundaries.
On January 26, 2022, the City Council Rules Committee received the proposed timeline criteria and outreach plan for the development and approval of new Council district boundaries.
On February 7, 2022, the City Council reviewed, adopted the criteria, timeline, and public outreach plan to be used in the redistricting process.
On February 12, 2022, February 15, 2022, and February 17, 2022, staff held community workshops to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn. The meetings were advertised on the City website, and a press release was issued.
On February 24, 2022, the City Council Rules Committee discussed and recommended referral of 2 different map configurations for City Council consideration. There was not unanimous consensus on a recommendation. The two map configurations included Scenario 1 and a new Scenario 3A. Following the committee meeting, it was determined the new Scenario 3A does not meet the criteria pursuant to the City Charter requirements. Staff prepared an additional Scenario 3B based on the discussion at Rules committee for City Council consideration.
At the City Council’s regular March 7, 2022 City Council meeting, the Ordinance was introduced. The City Council discussed and recommended adoption of Scenario 1 and approved that the ordinance be passed to print. The ordinance was printed in the Daily Review on Friday, March 11, 2022.
Current City Council Policy
Section 230 of the City of San Leandro Charter addresses the City Council district boundary requirements.
Summary of Public Outreach
On February 12, 2022, February 15, 2022, and February 17, 2022, staff held community workshops to receive public input on where district lines should be drawn. Comments and questions presented by the community included the following:
o The Manor neighborhood is split between two districts but is a very large neighborhood.
o District boundaries will be even more important if the City moves from at large voting to voting by district. It would be helpful to address redistricting early enough to consider large changes after the 2030 census.
o How did these boundaries get laid out originally, was it based on some historical bias?
o What is the significance of districts if they are voted at large and there is no money specifically allocated to specific districts for their needs?
o Inequities between the two school districts within the City.
Community recommendations were:
o Use scenario 1 as it is the simplest change to meet the criteria and seems "the way to go."
o Update boundaries to put industrial more evenly across the districts instead of concentrating them in District 3 and 6. This will require large changes and can be addressed with a future evaluation of the district layout after the 2030 census.
o Move boundary between District 1 and District 2 along Sybil Ave to the south of San Leandro High School. Move boundary between District 2 and District 3 to Washington Ave. Adjust other boundaries as necessary to accommodate the change.
During its March 7, 2022 regular City Council meeting, the City Council held a public hearing to review the ordinance where public comment was received.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council adopt the Ordinance that includes the Scenario 1 map presented at the March 7, 2022 regular City Council meeting that amends Title I, Chapter 1 of the San Leandro Municipal Code Relating to Council Member Districts.
PREPARED BY: Kelly Clancy, Acting City Clerk
Frances Robustelli, City Manager