Agenda Item

1. THIRD PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY REGARDING THE TRANSITION FROM AT-LARGE TO DISTRICT ELECTIONS, THE CONTENT OF DRAFT MAPS, AND THE PROPOSED SEQUENCE OF DISTRICT ELECTIONS The City received a letter from the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF) asserting that the City's at-large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). MALDEF threatens litigation if the City declines to voluntarily convert to district-based elections. On August 3, 2021 the City Council adopted Resolution 21-64 declaring its intention to transition from at-large to district-based elections, and to complete the transition in time for the 2022 General Municipal Election. By voluntarily proceeding to transition to district-based elections, the City benefits from a "safe harbor" provision in the CVRA that maximizes community control and self-determination over the process of establishing districts and district boundaries. The district transition process required two public hearings be held prior to consideration of any draft maps. The first two public hearings occurred on September 7th and September 17th. Additionally, two community workshops occurred on August 31st and September 22nd. Two additional public hearings on the draft map(s) are required and scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 9th and 7:00 p.m. on October 25th. During this third public hearing, the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps of proposed district boundaries (as posted on DrawTustin.org on October 1, 2021) and the proposed sequence of district elections.