REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Approving the Proposed Charter Amendment to enact Council District elections and Introduction of an Ordinance Establishing District Boundaries to conduct By-District Elections in Santa Clara
Report
COUNCIL PILLAR
Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency
BACKGROUND
A court order mandated that the City be divided into six City Council Districts through the November 2020 election and that only residents of each district vote for one Councilmember to represent them. While the Court ruling implemented district-based elections with six Council Districts and enjoined holding at-large elections of City Councilmembers, it did not amend the language of the City Charter, which currently states City Councilmembers are to be elected "at-large." The City has now entered into a Settlement Agreement with the plaintiffs in the Yumori-Kaku lawsuit which requires the City Council to adopt a resolution to place a measure on the ballot to amend the Charter to be in conformance with the six district election process ordered by the Court for the election of Councilmembers. The Settlement Agreement requires that the resolution proposing the ballot measure for the charter amendment measure be adopted by June 1, 2021.
At its May 4th meeting, Council considered alternatives that would be included in the Charter amendment and directed that staff bring back a resolution to approve a ballot measure in accordance with the Settlement Agreement.
DISCUSSION
1. Ballot Measure
The attachment shows the changes to the current Charter language that would be made in order to eliminate language to the current at-large by-numbered seat system and to clearly indicate the requirement to hold Council District elections for the election of members of the City Council and to have an at-large election of the Mayor.
The proposed charter amendment would include the following language:
Sec. 700.1 Elections - City Council Districts.
Members of ...
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