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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - February 7, 2018 C-19 PH/ERCITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA ITEM C-/9 TM AGENDA TITLE: Set Public Hearing for February 21, 2018, to Receive Public Comment on Final Map of Voting District Boundaries and Election Sequencing as Part of Transition to By -District Elections for City Council Members MEETING DATE: February 7, 2018 PREPARED BY: City Attorney RECOMMENDED ACTION: Set Public Hearing for February 21, 2018, to receive public input on final map of voting district boundaries and election sequencing as part of the transition to by -district elections for City Council members. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: On October 31, 2017, the City received a letter from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), threatening to sue the city for alleged violations of the California Voting Rights Act (the "CVRA") (Elec. Code §§ 14025-14032), unless the city voluntarily converts to a "by -district" election system. MALDEF's letter asserts that the City's at -large system for the election of city council members results in Latino vote dilution and prevents Latino voters from electing candidates of their choice. MALDEF has served similar letters and subsequently filed lawsuits against cities for alleged CVRA violations. On December 12, 2017 the City Council adopted a resolution initiating procedures for establishing and implementing by -district elections for City Council members. Council's adoption of the resolution was not based on any admission or concession that the City would ultimately be found to have violated the CVRA; rather, the risks and costs associated with protracted CVRA litigation, particularly in light of results in all other cities that have fought to retain at -large voting. Pursuant to Elections Code Section 10010, five public hearings need to be held to provide the public with an overview of the process required to transition to by -district elections, receive public input, and establish boundaries and compositions of districts to be established. The first public hearing was held on December 20, 2017, the second on January 17, 2018, and the third and fourth public hearings on January 31, 2018, and February 7, 2018, respectively. Staff recommends that the City Council set the fifth and final public hearing for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, a regular Council meeting, to receive public input on the final map of voting district boundaries and election sequencing as part of the transition to by -district elections for City Council members pursuant to Elections Code Section 10010. FISCAL IMPACT: The cost to publish the notice of public hearing. FUNDING AVAILABLE: City Clerk's Elections Budget (10005000.72450) nice Magdich, City Attorney APPROVED: aue9r, City Manager PUNTO DE ORDEN DEL DIA CITY OF LODI COMUNICACION DEL CONSEJO TM TITULO DE AGENDA: Audiencia Publica programada para el 21 de Febrero de 2018 para obtener comentarios del Publico pertinente al Mapa Final sobre las demarcaciones de los Distritos Electorales y sobre el proceso de las Elecciones como Parte de La transicion a Elecciones Por Distrito para la Votacion de los Miembros del Consejo Municipal FECHA DE LA JUNTA: 7 de Febrero de 2018 PREPARADO POR: El Fiscal Municipal ACCION RECOMENDADA: Audiencia Publica programada para el 21 de Febrero de 2018 para obtener opiniones del publico pertinente al mapa final sobre las demarcaciones de los distritos electorales y sobre el proceso de las elecciones como parte de la transicion a elecciones por-distrito para la votacion de los miembros del Consejo Municipal. ANTECEDENTES: El 31 de Octubre de 2017, el Municipio recibio una carta del Fondo Mexico-Americano de Defensa Legal y Educacion (MALDEF por sus siglas en Ingles), amenazando con demandar a la Ciudad por presuntas violaciones de la Ley de Derecho al Voto de California ("CVRA") (Codigo de Elecciones §§ 14025-14032), a menos que el Municipio se convierta voluntariamente a un sistema de elecciones "por distrito". La carta de MALDEF afirma que el sistema de elecciones generales de la Ciudad, para la eleccion de los miembros del Consejo Municipal resulta en la dilucion del voto latino e impide a electores latinos a elegir candidatos de su eleccion. MALDEF ha entregado cartas similares y posteriormente ha presentado demandas en contra de los Municipios por presuntas violaciones de la Ley de Derecho al Voto de California (CVRA). El 12 de Diciembre de 2017, el Consejo Municipal adopto una resolucion para iniciar el procedimiento para establecer e implementar las elecciones por-distrito para la votacion de los miembros del Consejo Municipal. La adopcion de la resolucion por el Consejo, no fue basada en ninguna admision o concesion de que la ciudad ha contravenido la Ley de Derecho al Voto de California (CVRA), mas bien, son los riesgos y costos relacionados con contiendas alargadas de CVRA—particularmente, en vista de los resultados en otras ciudades que han combatido para retener la votacion de elecciones generales. De acuerdo al Articulo 10010 del Codigo de Elecciones, cinco (5) audiencias publicas se deben celebrar para proporcionarle al publico un resumen del proceso que se requiere para efectuar la transicion a elecciones por-distrito, para obtener opiniones del publico y para establecer las demarcaciones y composiciones de los diestritos que seran instituidos. La primer audiencia publica se celebro el 20 de Diciembre de 2017, la segunda el 17 de Enero de 2018 y la tercera y cuarta audiencia publica el 31 de Enero de 2018 y el 7 de Febrero de 2018, respectivamente El personal recomienda que el Consejo Municipal programe la quinta y Ultima audiencia publica para el miercoles 21 de febrero de 2018 a las 7:00 p.m. una junta regular del Consejo para adquirir una vision general del publico sobre el mapa final demarcando los distritos electorales y la secuencia de las APROBADO: Stephen Schwabauer, Administrador Municipal elecciones como parte del cambio a elecciones por-distrito para la votacion de los miembros del Consejo Municipal de acuerdo al Articulo 10010 del Codigo de Elecciones. IMPACTO FISCAL: El costo para publicar el aviso de la audiencia publica. PRESUPUESTO DISPONIBLE: Presupuesto de Elecciones del Secretario Municipal (10005000.72450) Janice D. Magdich, Fiscal Municipal 2 Please immediately confirm receipt of this fax by calling 333-6702 CITY OF LODI P. O. BOX 3006 LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910 ADVERTISING INSTRUCTIONS SUBJECT: PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL ADOPT A "BY -DISTRICT" ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE VOTING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND THE ELECTION SEQUENCE PUBLISH DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2018 LEGAL AD TEAR SHEETS WANTED: One (1) please SEND AFFIDAVIT AND BILL TO: LNS ACCT. #0510052 JENNIFER M. FERRAIOLO, CITY CLERK City of Lodi P.O. Box 3006 Lodi, CA 95241-1910 DATED: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2018 ORDERED BY: JENNIFER M. FERRAIOLO CITY CLERK ELA M. F RRIS EEPUTY CIT CLERK ELIZABETH BURGOS ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK Verify Appearance of this Legal in the Newspaper — Copy to File LNS Emailed to the Sentinel at classified)@lodinews.com at (time) on Phoned to confirm receipt of all pages at (time) _EB PMF (initials) (date) (pages) forms\advins.doc DECLARATION OF POSTING NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER INTRODUCTION OF AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL ADOPT A "BY -DISTRICT" ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, AS WELL AS THE VOTING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND THE ELECTION SEQUENCE On Thursday, February 8, 2018, in the City of Lodi, San Joaquin County, California, a copy of a Notice of Public Hearing to introduce an ordinance that will adopt a "by -district" election system for electing City Council Members, as well as the voting district boundaries and the election sequence (attached hereto, marked Exhibit "A") was posted at the following locations: Lodi City Clerk's Office Lodi City Hall Lobby Lodi Carnegie Forum WorkNet Office I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on February 8, 2018, at Lodi, California. ELA FA" RIS PUTY C ' Y CLERK ORDERED BY: JENNIFER M. FERRAIOLO CITY CLERK ELIZABETH BURGOS ADMINISTRATIVE CLERK N:Wdministration\CLERK\Public Hearings\AFFADAVITS\DECPOST2.DOC CITY OF LODI Carnegie Forum 305 West Pine Street, Lodi NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Date: February 21, 2018 Time: 7:00 p.m. r l For information regarding this notice please contact: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo City Clerk Telephone: (209) 333-6702 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Wednesday, February 21, 2018, at the hour of 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard, the City Council will conduct a public hearing at the Carnegie Forum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi, to consider the following item: a) Introduction of an ordinance that will adopt a "by -district" election system for electing City Council Members, as well as the voting district boundaries and the election sequence. The City Council adopted a resolution of intention on December 12, 2017, to transition from at -large to by -district elections in order to ensure compliance with the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 ("CVRA") and Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 ("FVRA"). Information regarding this item may be obtained in the Office of the City Attorney, 221 West Pine Street, Lodi, (209) 333-6701. All interested persons are invited to present their views and comments on this matter. Written statements may be filed with the City Clerk, City Hall, 221 West Pine Street, 2nd Floor, Lodi, 952.40, at any time prior to the hearing scheduled herein, and oral statements may be made at said hearing. If you challenge the subject matter in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in this notice or in written correspondence delivered to the City Clerk, 221 West Pine Street, at or prior to the close of the public hearing. By Order of the Lodi City Council: J Ji ifer M. rraiolo Cr y Clerk Dated: February 7, 2018 Approved as to form: Janice D. Magdich City Attorney AVISO: Para obtener ayuda interpretativa con esta noticia, por favor (lame a la oficina de la Secretaria Municipal, a las (209) 333-6702. Public Hearing 5.doc CITY OF LODI Carnegie F�rum 305 West Pine Street, Lodi AVISO DE AUDIENCIA P(JBLICA Fecha: 21 de Febrero de 2018 Hora: 7:00 p.m. Para informacibn pertinente a este aviso por favor contacte a: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo Actuaria Municipal Telefono: (209) 333-6702 1 1 AVISO DE AUDIENCIA PUBLICA POR LA PRESENTE SE NOTIFICA QUE: el Miercoles 21 de Febrero de 2018, a la hora de las 7:00 p.m., o tan pronto sea posible que se pueda oh- este asunto, el Consejo Municipal efectuara una audiencia publica en el Carnegie F�rum, 305 West Pine Street, Lodi, para considerar el siguiente punto: a) Introduccion de la ordenanza que adoptara el sistema de elecciones por-distrito para la votacion de los miembros del Consejo Municipal, al igual que las demarcaciones de los distritos electorales y la sucesion de las elecciones. El Consejo Municipal adopto una resolucion de prop6sito el 12 de Diciembre de 2017, para convertirse de elecciones generales a elecciones por distrito para cerciorarse del acatamiento de la Ley de Derecho al Voto de California del 2001 ("CVRA") y la Ley Federal de Derecho de Votaci6n de 1965 ("FVRA"). Se puede obtener informacibn pertinente a este punto en la Direcci�n del Fiscal Municipal, 221 West Pine Street, Lodi, (209) 333-6701. Toda persona interesada esta invitada a presentar su punto de vista y su comentario sobre el tema. Declaraciones por escrito pueden ser presentadas con el Secretario Municipal en City Hall, 221 West Pine Street, 2do. piso, Lodi 95240, en cualquier momento antes de la audiencia programada en este documento. Declaraciones orales se pueden hacer durante la dicha audiencia. Si desafia el asunto en un tribunal, puede ser limitado a unicamente plantear cuestiones que usted y alguien mfis hayan planteado durante la audiencia ptablica detallada en este aviso o por correspondencia escrita, entregada al Secretario Municipal, 221 West Pine Street, durante o antes que se finalice la audiencia publica. Por Orden del Consejo Municipal de Lodi: Jennifer M. Ferraiolo Actuaria Municipal Fecha: 7 de Febrero de 2018 Aprobado en su formato: Janice D. Magdich Fiscal Municipal OBSERVACION: Si necesita asistencia con la traduccion de este aviso, por favor Ilame a la oficina del Secretario Municipal al (209) 333-6702. Spanish Version Public Hearing 5 Spanish.doc