AgdaPkt 2019-04-08 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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8.A. - Page 2 of 40 The City has established a timeline for conducting a public process to solicit public input and testimony on proposed district -based electoral maps (Attachment A). The timeline includes the dates for the initial five required public hearings and the two additional newly scheduled public hearings. The original safe harbor deadline negotiated with the prospective plaintiff's attorneys' was March 31, 2019. Since the March 11 City Council meeting, the City Attorney negotiated an additional two month extension to continue the transition to district elections. This allows the City Council to consider revised maps that comply with federal and state laws and that address concerns members of the community have raised, and to gain additional community input. The City must complete the transition process by May 31, 2019 to cap the prospective plaintiff's attorneys' fees at $30,000. Pursuant to Elections Code section 10010, regarding the transition to district elections, the City Council held public hearings on October 22, 2018, November 19, 2018, February 11, 2019, February 25, 2019 and March 11, 2019 to receive public input regarding the composition of district maps. In addition, the City Council directed that staff conduct robust public outreach on the district elections transition process. Public Outreach Since the November 19, 2018 meeting, City staff has conducted significant public outreach to seek community feedback. This feedback has been provided through comments at community forums, written comments, and submitted draft district maps. Most comments and questions received were related to the City's district election transition process and how to use the mapping tools. The City created a website accessible in English, Spanish and Chinese that provides information to the public along with options for creating district maps in paper form and using an online districting software tool. In addition to the website and mapping kits, staff published a blog post on the topic, hosted five community forums in January and February, met with the newly formed Latino Leadership Group, conducted an interview with the local Spanish radio station (Casa Circulo Cultural), and provided paper mapping kits to Neighborhood Associations and community partners. Mapping kits were also made available at City facilities and on the City's website, and placed as ads in the San Mateo Daily Journal, the Redwood Shores Pilot newsletter, in the EI Reportero (Spanish), and in the World Journal (Chinese). Furthermore, a dedicated email address (Districtelections@redwoodcity.org) was created to receive community feedback and for the public to submit scans and pictures of their completed mapping kits. For each map submitted, the City's demographic consultants professionally produced the map graphic and generated the map's population and other demographic details. Submitted maps were also posted on the City's District Election webpage. Demographer Reverses Previous Statements and City Council Reopens District Elections Process On March 11, 2019, the City Council took the first step to select a map for district elections, and was scheduled to complete the process of selecting the map at the March 25, 2019 City Council meeting. However, on March 19, in reversal of previous statements, the City's demographer informed the City for the first time that it was possible to address both community concerns and legal obligations related to the maps. Based on this new information, on March 25, 2019 the City Council determined to re -open the process of considering district maps, in an effort to better address community concerns and gain additional community input. This was announced at the March 25, 2019 City Council meeting. On March 26, 2019 the City released a media statement in English and Spanish (Attachment B) announcing the reopening of the process and next steps. Staff also contacted organizations which had provided input on City of Redwood City 1017 Middlefield Road, Redwood City, CA. 94063 Tel: 650-780-7000 www.redwoodcity.org 236