TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
SUBJECT: AC Transit Ward Redistricting
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider receiving feedback from the Board on initial Redistricting Plans and set Public Hearings on March 9, 2022 and March 23, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. to receive public input regarding the adoption of a final redistricting plan.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
There is no strategic importance associated with this report.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The cost of publishing the required legal notices for the public hearing is approximately $20,000 and is included in the District operating budget.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Board of Directors has received numerous reports on the Redistricting Process, including an update on the process and timeline, the adoption of a resolution establishing the redistricting criteria, an overview of the current ward boundaries as aligned with the 2020 Census data, and the approval of a Public Outreach Plan. In addition, an overview of two initial draft Redistricting Plans was provided at the December 8, 2021, Board meeting.
Public workshops were held on January 19 (San Leandro), January 20 (Hayward), January 24 (Berkeley) and January 27 (Oakland) to provide information to the public about the redistricting process and criteria and an overview of the draft redistricting plans. In addition, a demonstration of the free, open-source public mapping tool was provided which enables members of the public to submit their own boundary proposals and related data as well community of interest maps. Staff has taken an aggressive approach in reviewing community of interest survey information and other information received from the public and has been doing so on a flow-basis since the end of December. As the deadline for the public to submit maps and community interest surveys is February 9, staff is now in the process of concluding its work to review all the information submitted from the public, which will be used to shape the final recommendations presented to the Board on February 23. At that time, the Board will determine which proposals will be considered at public hearings in March.
In anticipation of the Board’s decision on February 23, staff is requesting to set two public hearings, one on March 9 and the other on March 23 at 6:00 p.m. pursuant to Elections Code Section 22001 to consider the adoption of a final plan. The statutory deadline to submit the new boundaries to the election officials in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties is April 17, 2022.
As part of this staff report, staff is also introducing two new proposals (Plans 3 and 3A) for the Board’s review. Plan 3 combines Plan 1 (for Berkeley, San Leandro and Hayward) with Plan 2 (Oakland only). Proposal 3A is the same as Plan 3 but includes and entirely new configuration for a portion of the Ward 2/3 boundary in Oakland that runs along Fruitvale Avenue to Tiffin Road. This configuration was discussed at the community workshop for Oakland and presents a boundary change between Wards 2 and 3 that is far less extreme than what is proposed in Plans 1 and 2. In addition, staff is also requesting any feedback Board members may wish to offer that may require staff to prepare additional proposals to be presented at the February 23 Board meeting.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
The redistricting process is a mandated activity; therefore, this report does not request an action with notable advantages or disadvantages.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
For reasons stated above, there are no practical alternatives to the course of action recommended in this report.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
Resolution No. 21-033
Staff Reports 21-029, 21-029a, 21-029b, 21-029c
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Draft Public Hearing Notice
2. Plan 1
3. Plan 2
4. Plan 3
5. Plan 3A
Prepared by:
Jelena Harada, Assistant District Secretary
Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
Approved/Reviewed by:
Linda A. Nemeroff, District Secretary
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel
Chris Andrichak, Chief Financial Officer