TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file an update on the status of the Independent Redistricting Commission applications. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Independent Redistricting Commission (Commission) was established by initiative Measure DDD in 2018. As required by this amendment to the City Charter (Charter), an application period for residents interested in serving on the Commission opened on April 1, 2020, and will close on June 30, 2020. Charter Section 2505 requires a minimum of 35 qualified applicants, including three from each existing City Council district. As of May 8, 2020, the City has received 154 applications, and has met the Charter’s applicant pool requirement. As a result, the application period will end on June 30, 2020, as it is not necessary to extend the application period.
Commission staff will continue to focus on additional outreach to increase the diversity in the applicant pool. The demographic information of the current applicants, as of May 8, 2020, is included in the Attachment.
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the United States Census Bureau has adjusted 2020 Census operations to protect public health, implement safety guidelines, and to ensure a complete and accurate count of all communities. Operational adjustments include changing the expected date of delivering redistricting counts to states from no later than April 1, 2021 to no later than July 31, 2021. This adjustment has been proposed by the Census Bureau and is pending Congressional approval. As a result, the City’s redistricting timeline in 2021 may be impacted; however, the recruitment and selection process will not change. Commission staff will continue to monitor this development.
This update is required by the Long Beach City Charter Section 2505 to inform the Mayor and the City Council on the Commissioner applications received, and any additional outreach that is being undertaken or planned to ensure the applicant pool has a sufficient number of qualified applicants and reasonably reflects the City’s diversity.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Webber on May 7, 2020 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on May 8, 2020.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 19, 2020, to meet the City Charter requirement of an update to the Mayor and the City Council approximately one month prior to the close of the application period on June 30, 2020.
FISCAL IMPACT
The application process is included in the Independent Redistricting Commission Plan. Costs associated with initiating and implementing the Plan is supported by the General Fund, as approved in FY 20 for these purposes. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MONIQUE DE LA GARZA
CITY CLERK
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER