2011051609 - California Redistricting Commission - Community of Interest ResolutionSD' Op MEETING DATE: May 16, 2011
ITEM NO:
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
�S GAtO
DATE: May 12, 2011
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARS ON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT:. ADOPT RESOLUTION STATING THE TOWN'S POSITION THAT IT BE
CONSIDERED A "COMMUNITY OF INTEREST" AS DESIGNATED BY
THE CALIFORNIA CITIZEN'S REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION
That Council adopt the attached resolution stating the Town's position that it be considered a
"Community of Interest" as designated by the California Citizen's Redistricting Commission.
BACKGROUND
Every ten years, the US government conducts a nationwide census to determine the population.
With the updated census numbers, legislative districts are redrawn to reflect changes in
population. As a result, Santa Clara County has created a Citizens Redistricting Commission to
redraw the boundaries for the five supervisorial districts. Concurrently, a statewide California
Citizens Redistricting Commission has been established to redraw state and federal district lines
(previously, these had been determined by legislature). How the lines are drawn may impact
Los Gatos and the Town's ability to influence regional, statewide and national issues.
DISCUSSION
The work of both commissions is underway, with the County Commission expected to make
recommendation to the Board of Supervisors in June; the State Commission has tmtil August 15
to approve district lines. Both commissions seek public input as part of their deliberations.
PREPARED BY : Regina A. r
Comm rcr,s Director
Reviewed by: f j_ Assistant Town Manager k )- Town Attorney -
Clerk Administrator Finance mmunity Development
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: ADOPT RESOLUTION STATING THE TOWN'S POSITION THAT IT BE
CONSIDERED A "COMMUNITY OF INTEREST" AS DESIGNATED BY
THE CALIFORNIA CITIZEN'S REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
MAY 16, 2011
Staff recoimnends that Council adopt the attached resolution stating our request that the West
Valley Cities (Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, Campbell, and Cupertino) be considered a
"Community of Interest" and that the West Valley municipalities be kept whole individually
and together in the creation of legislative districts. This request is made in recognition of the
following:
a Mutual boundaries
a Shared key natural geographic features
a Common transportation network
a Shared resident service delivery
a Served by overlapping public school districts
Shared and coordinated governance
CONCLUSION
If adopted, the Mayor will be authorized to communicate the Town's position to the California
Citizens Redistricting Conmiission.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
The recommended action is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
Attaclunents:
Resolution Stating the Town's Position that it be Considered a "Conununity of Interest" as
Designated by the California Citizen's Redistricting Commission
RESOLUTION 2011-
RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
STATING THE TOWN'S POSITION THAT IT BE CONSIDERED A "COMMUNITY OF
INTEREST" AS DESIGNATED BY THE CALIFORNIA CITIZEN'S REDISTRICTING
COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the independent California Citizens Redistricting Commission, pursuant to
Proposition 11 in 2008 and Proposition 20 in 2010, is determining new electoral district lines for
California Assembly, Senate, Congressional and Board of Equalization Districts;
WHEREAS, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission is actively seeking
individual and organizational information and input regarding redistricting, particularly as it
relates to Communities of Interest as specified in redistricting;
WHEREAS, the West Valley municipalities of Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga,
Campbell and Cupertino are a clearly and long established broad Community of Interest;
WHEREAS, the West Valley municipalities share mutual borders and are, in large part,
surrounded by either the City of San Jose or unincorporated Santa Clara County;
WHEREAS, the West Valley municipalities share key natural geographic features,
including the northwestern slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains and multiple watersheds;
WHEREAS, the West Valley municipalities share a common transportation network,
including Highways 9, 85 and 17, as well as major arterials and boulevards;
WHEREAS, the West Valley municipalities share resident service delivery in terms of
sewer, water, fire, police, solid waste and /or recreation;
WHEREAS, overlapping public school districts serve the West Valley municipalities;
WHEREAS, the West Valley municipalities share similar housing, employment and
media providers with an increasingly diverse population; and
WHEREAS, the West Valley municipalities share and coordinate governance through
monthly Mayors & Managers meetings, joint oversight of shared services, appointrient of
sub - regional representatives to regional transportation and public safety agencies, and common
approaches to broader and regional issues;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE that the West Valley municipalities be hereby considered a
"Conuliunity of Interest" as designated by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the West Valley municipalities be kept whole individually and
together as the West Valley in the creation of legislative districts; and
BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor of each West Valley municipality is hereby
empowered to communicate and advocate for the consolidation of the West Valley municipalities
into as few legislative districts as possible.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California, held on the 16 ° day of May, 2011, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
kl 'Z.
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CLERK ADMINISTRATOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA