Recommend the City Council conduct Public Hearing 1 - a hearing to receive and consider input concerning transitioning to by-district elections.  The City Council is also requested to receive a presentation from National Demographics, Inc. who will provide information and criteria for the future creation of by-district maps.

On September 4, 2019, the City Council adopted a resolution of intention to transition from at-large to by-district elections.  Pursuant to California Elections Code §10010, this is the first of two public hearings to inform the public about the districting process, present options available to the city, receive community input, and receive a presentation from National Demographics on the criteria for drawing the boundaries of the voting districts, prior to drafting district map boundary alternatives. 

In order to conform with the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA), the city will begin the transition to by-district elections within the required timeframe in preparation for the 2020 General Election.  Pursuant to Elections Code §10010, the city is required to hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days before any map or maps of the boundaries for the proposed voting districts are drawn.  At the public hearings, the community is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts.  Following the public hearings, the City Council will then define the criteria used to create one or more proposed district maps, and present the draft map or maps for public comment and review in two subsequent public hearings.

The City Council will then provide further direction to finalize the map, which will be presented to the City Council for a final vote.  The City Council is the final decision-making body on adopting district boundaries.  To ensure a prospective plaintiff cannot challenge the city's compliance with §10010 of the Election Code (known as the "limited safe harbor" provision), adoption of the ordinance must occur by November 20, 2019.

Following this initial public hearing, the city has scheduled the next required public hearings as follows:

All hearings will be held in the Civic Center City Council Chambers, 311 Vernon Street.  Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.

To increase public awareness of the transition to district elections, the city will be using a variety of public communication channels to engage members of the community.  Districting information will be featured on the city's website and social media channels (e.g. Facebook, Twitter).  In the near future, the city's website will be populated with "public participation kits," and frequently asked district questions.  

The next public hearing to receive and consider further input from the public concerning the composition of voting districts is scheduled for October 2.  The public is encouraged to provide input via emails to cityclerk@roseville.ca.us.  Input may also be dropped off at the City Clerk's Department at 311 Vernon Street or mailed to the City Clerk at the following address:

City of Roseville

Attn: City Clerk

311 Vernon Street

Roseville, CA 95678

The fiscal impact is estimated to be between $35,000.00 to $50,000.00.  This includes an increased and recurring cost from the Placer County Registrar of Voters for conducting by-district elections, as opposed to an at-large election.  Costs also include the contract for a demographer which was approved at the September 4, 2019, City Council meeting with a cost not to exceed $30,750.00.  There will also be costs for time spent by the City Clerk's Department and the City Attorney's Office.  Funds are available in the City Manager's Contingency budget to pay for these costs.

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 for public input and information on district-based elections meets the above criteria and is not subject to CEQA.  No additional environmental review is required.

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Dominick Casey, City Manager