To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: Yvonne Shu 565-1739, Christel Querijero 565-7071
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
8:45 A.M. Public Hearing on the 2021 County Redistricting Process
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Conduct a public hearing for the Board to identify a preferred map and provide direction on map modifications.
end
Executive Summary:
On November 2, 2021, the Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC) presented their recommended draft map to the Board of Supervisors, and the Board provided direction on exploring modifications to the ARC-recommended map and other map options. The goal of today’s public hearing is to identify a preferred map among the previously presented maps and among the additional maps produced since the November 2nd meeting, and provide direction on map modifications. On December 7, 2021 the Board will conduct a final public hearing to introduce and adopt an ordinance to approve the final map of supervisorial district boundaries in compliance with federal and state laws. The final date for ordinance adoption is December 15, 2021.
Discussion:
Every 10 years, the United States Census Bureau conducts a nationwide census to enumerate the country’s population. The Federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the California Elections Code Section 21500 mandate that the Board of Supervisors adjust supervisorial district boundaries within the County to reflect the new census data and to keep supervisorial districts substantially equal in population. In addition to those mandates, Elections Code Section 21500(c) requires the supervisorial district boundaries to use the following criteria as set forth in order of priority:
1. To the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be geographically contiguous.
2. To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of any local neighborhood or local community of interest shall be respected in a manner that minimizes division.
3. To the extent practicable, the geographic integrity of a city or census designated place shall be respected in a manner that minimizes its division.
4. Supervisorial district boundaries should be easily identifiable and understandable by residents. To the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be bounded by natural and artificial barriers, by streets, or by the boundaries of the county.
5. Where not in conflict with the preceding criteria listed above and to the extent practicable, supervisorial districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness in a manner that nearby areas of population are not bypassed in favor of more distant populations.
The 2020 Census data was significantly delayed this year due to the pandemic. While the initial federal data was released on August 12, the official California data was released September 20, 2021. The new district boundaries must be approved no later than December 15, 2021.
Draft Maps
At the third public hearing on redistricting, held on November 2, 2021, the Chair and Vice Chair of the Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC) presented the ARC’s recommended draft map (“51162 NDC-D”). The draft map represents high-level themes from public testimony and are the culmination of many hours of meetings, engagement and learning about the redistricting process. The presentation included a comprehensive overview of the rationale and criteria considered for the recommended draft map, including the ARC’s equity focus and the California FAIR MAPS Act approved in October 2019, otherwise known as the Fair and Inclusive Redistricting for Municipalities and Political Subdivisions Act.
Also, at the November 2 public hearing, the Board provided direction on exploring modifications to the ARC-recommended map and other map options for the fourth public hearing on November 16, 2021. Comments included:
• Identify alternatives for picking up population count for the proposed District 5 in map “51162 NDC-D” from the north part of the county instead of from Rohnert Park
• Explore feasibility of combining both Cotati and Rohnert Park into District 5
• Explore boundary alignment along Sonoma Mountain down to the raceway
• Consider bringing Taylor Mountain Regional Park into District 3
• Consider representation of fire survivors in the District 4 and 5 boundary modifications proposed in “51162 NDC-D”
• Revisit lines around Forestville and consider it as a community of interest, with less emphasis on physical boundaries
• Revisit east Cotati corridor line proposed in “51162 NDC-D”
• Consider Bennett Valley in northeast Santa Rosa as a community of interest that connects with Sonoma Valley
• Propose map that includes all of Rohnert Park in District 3. If a version of this map is able to include Roseland/Moorland, all of Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa, yet displaces a supervisor, also consider it
The County’s redistricting consultant and demographer, National Demographics Corporation (NDC), will produce additional maps for the next public hearing on November 16, 2021. While the Board’s comments have been noted, the feasibility and practicability of each will be determined as the additional maps are created. The next set of draft maps is expected to be posted on November 9, 2021.
Timeline
The original timeline presented by staff on November 2 stated that a public hearing would be conducted to introduce an ordinance to update the supervisorial district boundaries on December 7, 2021, and then that ordinance would be considered for final adoption on December 14, 2021. However, staff has since been made aware of a one-step ordinance adoption process. Because a public hearing is required by statute before a map can be approved, if the Board agrees on the map presented at the December 7 meeting, the ordinance to approve the final supervisorial districts map would be both introduced and adopted on December 7. Should the Board request additional, minor changes, the introduction and adoption of the ordinance would occur on December 14.
The deadline to receive public comment on the preferred/final map is November 19, 2021. The public may submit feedback to Redistricting2021@sonoma-county.org <mailto:Redistricting2021@sonoma-county.org>. The final map is expected to be posted on November 30, 2021.
This table is a summary of redistricting public meetings, including key dates for the remainder of the process:
|
Date |
Public Meeting |
|
June 8 |
Board appointed 14 commissioners |
|
June 28 |
ARC meeting #1: redistricting overview, tools overview |
|
July 20 |
Board expanded the ARC from 15 to 19 members and appointed remaining 5 commissioners |
|
July 26 |
ARC meeting #2: redistricting overview, tools overview, input |
|
August 23 |
ARC meeting #3 / Hearing #1: redistricting overview, tools overview, input |
|
September 1 (added) |
ARC meeting #4 - training |
|
September 13 (added) |
ARC meeting #5 - equity |
|
September 15 (added) |
Redistricting town hall |
|
September 20 |
Official California redistricting data released |
|
October 5 |
Board of Supervisors (with ARC) / Hearing #2 |
|
October 18 |
ARC meeting #6: draft maps |
|
October 19 |
Board filled vacant District 5 commissioner seat |
|
October 22 |
ARC meeting #7: focus maps |
|
October 25 |
ARC meeting #8: focus maps |
|
November 2 |
Board of Supervisors / Hearing #3. Receive ARC’s recommended maps; direction on map modifications |
|
November 4 |
Last day to receive input for next revision of maps |
|
November 9 (subject to change) |
Next set of maps posted |
|
November 16 |
Board of Supervisors / Hearing #4. Identify preferred map; direction on map modifications |
|
November 19 |
Last day to receive input for final map |
|
November 30 (subject to change) |
Final map posted |
|
December 7 |
Board of Supervisors / Hearing #5. Introduce and adopt ordinance |
|
December 14 |
If needed |
|
December 15 |
Deadline to adopt maps |
Next Steps
After the supervisorial district map is approved by the Board in compliance with federal and state laws on December 7, 2021, County Permit Sonoma Surveyor staff will prepare a written description to reflect the approved district boundaries. County staff will return to the Board on consent calendar to update Sonoma County Code, Section 1-8, with the supervisorial district boundaries’ written description.
Prior Board Actions:
11/2/21 Conducted a public hearing to receive and consider a draft redistricting map recommended by the Advisory Redistricting Commission
10/5/21 Conducted a public hearing to receive an update on the 2021 redistricting process and 2020 Census data
7/20/21 Expanded the number of members of the Sonoma County Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC) from 15 to 19; appointed the remaining five commissioners; and authorized the use of $53,800 from contingency funds for stipend expenditures for the additional members of the ARC, development of English and Spanish videos that explain the redistricting process and tools, and a 20% contingency for future miscellaneous expenses that may be incurred in connection with the redistricting effort
7/13/21 Moved to continue the ARC agenda item of approving the 15th member to July 20, 2021, and directed staff to return with a resolution amending the ARC, increasing the commission size from 15 to 19 members and filling the remaining five seats with people whose applications were previously received
6/8/21 Appointed 14 members of the ARC; authorized the use of $20,000 from contingency funds for stipend expenditures
4/20/21 Adopted resolution establishing a stipend for ARC members; authorized the use of $40,000 from contingency funds for media production and placement costs for public outreach; authorized the execution of a contract for redistricting services for an estimated contract value of $120,000
2/23/21 Adopted resolution establishing the Sonoma County Advisory Redistricting Commission (ARC); directed staff to solicit interest in serving on the ARC; authorized the use of $130,000 from contingency funds to procure specialized redistricting facilitation and training services, interactive mapping technology, and unanticipated translation and interpretation services to support the redistricting process.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
To date, $243,800 in contingencies have been requested and approved by your Board in support of the redistricting effort. These contingencies will be fully expended by the end of the project.
§ 7/20/21: Board authorized the use of $53,800 from contingency funds for stipend expenditures for the additional members of the ARC, development of English and Spanish videos that explain the redistricting process and tools, and a 20% contingency for future miscellaneous expenses that may be incurred in connection with the redistricting effort
§ 6/8/21: Board authorized the use of $20,000 from contingency funds for stipend expenditures
§ 4/20/21: Board authorized the use of $40,000 from contingency funds for media production and placement costs for public outreach
§ 2/23/21: Board authorized $130,000 from contingency funds to procure specialized redistricting facilitation and training services, interactive mapping technology, and unanticipated translation and interpretation services to support the redistricting process
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
1-Draft maps
Note: The draft maps are expected to be available and posted on November 9, 2021.
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None