HomeMy WebLinkAboutSS4 - Councilmanic RedistrictingO42F'W PpRre CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH Hearing Date: December 11, 2001
PLANNING DEPARTMENT Agenda Item No.: SS4
_ S 3300 NEWPORT BOULEVARD Staff Person: Patricia L. Temple
NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658
(949) 644 -3228
(949) 644 -3200; FAX (949) 644 -3250
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
PROJECT: Councilmanic Redistricting
ACTION: Receive and File, and direct the introduction of a Redistricting Ordinance
BACKGROUND
Earlier this year, the City Council established a sub - committee of their members, Councilmembers
Bromberg, Heffernan and Proctor, to study and make a recommendation on the configuration of
City Council Districts in light of the anticipated annexation of Newport Coast and Newport Ridge.
The Committee has now met two times, and presents its recommendation, and three alternatives for
the consideration of the City Council.
The establishment of City Council Districts is governed by Section 1005 of the City Charter, which
states:
• "The City is hereby divided into seven districts, the names and respective
boundaries of which shall be as established by ordinance. No ordinance changing
and redefining the boundaries of any district shall be enacted within six months
prior to any regular Councilmanic election.
In 1959 and each fourth year thereafter the City Council shall appoint a
committee to study and report to the City Council on the advisability of
redistricting the City. Upon receipt of any such committee report, and at any
other time deemed necessary or desirable in order that the district boundaries be
fair and logical, the City Council may by ordinance change and redefine the
boundaries of any or all of the seven districts herein established. The boundaries
so defined shall be established in such manner that the district shall, as nearly as
practicable, constitute natural areas of contiguous and compact territory and
provide fair representation on the City Council. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Section 401, no redistricting shall disqualify any Councilman from serving as
Councilman from the district from which he was nominated or appointed for the
remainder of his term, if elected, or until the next general municipal election, if
appointed. Any territory hereafter annexed to or consolidated with the City shall,
at the time of such annexation or consolidation, be added by ordinance of the City
Council to an adjacent district or districts. (As amended effective June 19,
• 1968). "
In looking at the potential to reconfigure the current City Council Districts, the subcommittee
decided the following to be the key areas of concern:
•
• Placing Newport Coast/Ridge in a single council district
• Limiting the fragmentation of neighborhoods between districts
• Limiting fragmentation of areas with similar key issues
• Balanced population between districts
Additionally, staff was directed to include an option which simply placed all of Newport
Coast/Ridge into District 7.
Using this guidance, staff prepared the attached alternatives. As can be seen by the alternatives, the
implications of balancing district population in association with the addition of Newport
Coast/Ridge results in significant changes to most districts. These are all the result of a greater
weight of population easterly of Upper Newport Bay. Briefly, District 6 would incorporate more of
the Harbor View Area, District 4 becomes located mostly on the east side of the bay, District 3
becomes more focused on the west side on the Upper Bay, and either District 2 or 3 moves into a
part of Newport Heights.
The Committee looked at the consequences of these changes with a view to future annexations
(Santa Ana Height, Bay Knolls, and Banning Newport Ranch). Because these annexations are not
certain at this time, the Committee felt that significant realignment of council districts is not
advisable at this time. Therefore, the Committee recommends that the City Council not realign
Council districts at this time, but direct the introduction of an ordinance to incorporate Newport •
Coast/Ridge into District 7.
Submitted and prepared by:
PATRICIA L. TEMPLE
Planning Director
P��', A L
Exhibits (for City Council Only)
Councilmanic district options
Councilmanic Redistricting
December 11, 2001
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