Recommend the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with National Demographics, Inc., to provide district election services including preparation of district election maps, district plan development, plan presentation and plan implementation. 

If the City Council directs staff to initiate procedures to transition from at-large to district-based elections pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10010, the City must retain and work with a demographer to provide a detailed analysis of the City's current demographics, and any other information or data necessary to prepare a map that divides the City into voting districts in a manner consistent with the intent and purpose of the California Voting Rights Act and the Federal Voting Rights Act.  National Demographics has advised numerous local public agencies within California who have converted to by-district elections.

The districting project elements include the following:

• development of a redistricting database including census and California statewide election information;
• geographic data (often including important local landmarks or local neighborhood boundaries);
• creation, hosting, and updating of a project information website;
• creating 2 to 4 initial draft maps for Council and public consideration;
• analysis and preparation for Council consideration of all whole or partial plans submitted by the public;
• conversion of all maps and reports to web-friendly versions for online posting;
• in-person presentation at five City Council meetings, facilitation of public forums, and/or any other requested meetings;
• election sequencing;
• working with the Placer County Registrar of Voters to implement the final adopted plan for the November 2020 election.

Not applicable.

The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to activities that will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, or is otherwise not considered a project as defined by CEQA Statute §21065 and CEQA State Guidelines §15060(c)(3) and §15378.  Staff's request to hire a professional demographer meets the above criteria and is not subject to CEQA.  No additional environmental review is required.

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Dominick Casey, City Manager