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CC SR 20210720 08 - Redistricting Letter Report CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 07/20/2021 AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Regular Business AGENDA TITLE: Consideration and possible action to send letters to the California and Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commissions describing the City’s preferences for regional representation. RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION: (1) Authorize the Mayor to sign letters to the California and Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commissions describing the City’s community and preferences for regional representation alongside the northerly South Bay cities; and, (2) Direct Staff to circulate a draft to the Peninsula cities for a joint-Peninsula letter, and authorize the Mayor to sign the joint letter, should the other cities agree. FISCAL IMPACT: None Amount Budgeted: N/A Additional Appropriation: N/A Account Number(s): N/A ORIGINATED BY: McKenzie Bright, Administrative Analyst REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: A. Draft letter to the California Citizens Redistricting Commission (page A-1) B. Draft letter to the Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission (page B-1) C. Draft Peninsula cities letter (page C-1) D. Comments on the redistricting of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, dated April 21, 2011 (page D-1) BACKGROUND: In November 2008, California voters passed Proposition 11, the Voters FIRST Act, authorizing the creation of the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to draw 1 new legislative district lines, transferring the job from the California Legislature to the citizens. In November 2010, Proposition 20, the Voters FIRST Act for Congress, additionally granted the responsibility of drawing U.S. Congressional districts to the Commission. Every 10 years, after the federal government releases updated census information, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts to correctly reflect the state’s population. The 14-member California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) must draw the district lines in conformity with strict, nonpartisan rules designed to create districts of relatively equal population that will provide fair representation for all Californians. To assist with this process, the Commission holds public meetings to solicit and receive public input as they determine which communities share common interests and should share common representation. The Commission is soliciting testimony describing communities, including what connects the people and why it’s important that they be kept together during redistric ting. The Commission will be holding a Communities of Interest Public Input Meeting for the Los Angeles region on July 30. After the Commission receives the 2020 census data, it will hold additional Public Input Meetings and Line Drawing Sessions from Octo ber 2021- January 2022. Final district maps are expected to be released in February. Similarly, the Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission is also soliciting testimony as it determines which communities should share common representation within the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The L.A. Country Commission will hear public testimony for the southwestern coastal section of the county on August 19. DISCUSSION During the 2010 redistricting process, the City requested that the City be districted with the coastal cities of the South Bay, generally northward from the City, located west of the I-110 and I-405 freeways and south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This districting is due to shared transportation, economic, and cultural factors (see Attachment D). In previous years, the City tended to be districted, along with other Peninsula cities, toward Long Beach. The proposed letters seek to maintain the current district distribution, including the Peninsula cities and the South Bay cities, including Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, among other communities. The different representative districts since 1992 are illustrated on the next page. 2 Rancho Palos Verdes Representative Districts CA Senate CA Assembly US Congressional 2011- 2021 2001- 2011 1991- 2001 The City of Rancho Palos Verdes, along with the Peninsula and South Bay cities, are primarily residential communities and share a common affinity and appreciation of our location's unique physical and cultural environment along the coast. The City frequently works with the other cities on the Peninsula, sharing a school district, library district, local transit authority, land conservancy, and issuing joint statements. The cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates additionally share a regional contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement, and the four cities contract with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The four cities on the Peninsula work together when it comes to emergency preparedness, public safety, and other shared concerns. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes also works closely with the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and considers itself an integral part of the South Bay. The attached letters (see Attachments A and B) describe the characteristics of the City and request that the City continue to be districted with the more northern South Bay cities. Staff recommends the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the letters t o be transmitted to the Redistricting Commissions in advance of their regional hearings and to provide Staff direction on circulating regional letters for joint-Peninsula community recognition (Attachment C). 3 ALTERNATIVES: In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available for the City Council’s consideration: 1. Identify revised language to add to the letters. 2. Direct Staff not to send the letters. 3. Take other action, as deemed appropriate. 4 July 20, 2021 Via Email California Citizens Redistricting Commission 721 Capitol Mall, Suite 260 Sacramento, CA 95814 SUBJECT: City of Rancho Palos Verdes Community Dear Commissioners: The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County. The City shares the Peninsula with the cities of Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates. The Peninsula is currently represented by the 33rd U.S. Congressional District, the 26th State Senate District, and the 66th State Assembly District. The Peninsula cities share one school district, one library district, one local transit authority, one land conservancy, and frequently work together on areas of mutual interest such as emergency preparedness and public safety. The cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates additionally share a regional contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement, and the four cities contract with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has been intimately tied to the coastal cities and communities of the South Bay region, including, but not limited to, the Peninsula cities, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo , many of which are within the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission. We share with our northerly South Bay neighbors a dependence upon a common transportation network for access to the rest of the Los Angeles region , and share many economic and cultural factors. We are primarily a residential community and share a common affinity and appreciation of the unique physical and cultural environment afforded by our location along the coast. Many of the prominent regional community organization s serve the area extending northward from Rancho Palos Verdes toward Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The City of Rancho Palos Verdes considers itself to be an integral part of the South Bay, as evidenced by its active participation in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG). A-1 California Citizen’s Redistricting Commission July 20, 2021 Page 2 Following the 2010 Census, the City was realigned with the northern coastal cities and communities of the South Bay – located generally west of the I-110 and I-405 freeways and south of LAX. We have appreciated the common representation these districts have provided and would request that the City continue to be districted with the other cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and with the South Bay. Images of maps showing the City’s, Peninsula’s, and SBCCOG boundaries are attached. Thank you for your efforts to draw the new district lines for California. We look forward to continuing being represented alongside other South Bay cities in the new districts. Sincerely, Eric Alegria Mayor, City of Rancho Palos Verdes cc: Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and City Manager Palos Verdes Estates City Council and City Manager Rolling Hills City Council and City Manager Rolling Hills Estates City Council and City Manager Jacki Bacharach, Executive Director, South Bay Cities Council of Governments A-2 California Citizen’s Redistricting Commission July 20, 2021 Page 3 Attachment 1: Map of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes A-3 California Citizen’s Redistricting Commission July 20, 2021 Page 4 Attachment 2: Map of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, Including Peninsula Cities1 1 Peninsula Cities are highlighted in green. Includes portions of unincorporated Los Angeles County. A-4 July 20, 2021 Via Email Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission P.O. Box 56447 Sherman Oaks, CA 91413 SUBJECT: City of Rancho Palos Verdes Community Profile Dear Commissioners: The City of Rancho Palos Verdes is located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The City shares the Peninsula with the cities of Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates. The Peninsula is currently represented by the Fourth Supervisorial District. The Peninsula cities share one school district, one library district, one local transit authority, one land conservancy, and frequently work together on areas of mutual interest such as emergency preparedness and public safety. The cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates additionally share a regional contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement, and the four cities contract with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The City of Rancho Palos Verdes has been intimately tied to the coastal cities and communities of the South Bay region, including, but not limited to, the Peninsula cities, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo many of which are within the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission. We share with our northerly South Bay neighbors a dependence up on a common transportation network for access to the rest of the Los Angeles region. We are primarily a residential community and share a common affinity and appreciation of the unique physical and cultural environment afforded by our location along the co ast. Many of the prominent regional community organizations serve the area extending northward from Rancho Palos Verdes toward Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The City of Rancho Palos Verdes considers itself to be an integral part of the South Bay, as evidenced by its active participation in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG). Due to shared transportation, economic and cultural factors, the City would request to remain aligned with the South Bay cities – located generally west of the I-110 and I-405 freeways and south of LAX. We have appreciated the common representation this district has provided and would request that the City continue to be districted with the B-1 Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission July 20, 2021 Page 2 other cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and with the South Bay. Images of maps showing the City’s, Peninsula’s, and SBCCOG boundaries are attached. Thank you for your efforts to draw the new district lines for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. We look forward to continuing to be represented alongside other South Bay cities in the new district. Sincerely, Eric Alegria Mayor, City of Rancho Palos Verdes cc: Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and City Manager Palos Verdes Estates City Council and City Manager Rolling Hills City Council and City Manager Rolling Hills Estates City Council and City Manager B-2 Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission July 20, 2021 Page 3 Attachment 1: Map of the City of Rancho Palos Verdes B-3 Los Angeles County Citizens Redistricting Commission July 20, 2021 Page 4 Attachment 2: Map of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments, Including Peninsula Cities1 1 Peninsula Cities are highlighted in green. B-4 July 20, 2021 Via Email California Citizens Redistricting Commission 721 Capitol Mall, Suite 260 Sacramento, CA 95814 SUBJECT: Palos Verdes Peninsula Community Dear Commissioners: The Cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates are located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula in Los Angeles County. The Peninsula is currently represented by the 33rd U.S. Congressional District, the 26th State Senate District, and the 66th State Assembly District. The Peninsula cities share one school district, one library district, one local transit authority, one land conservancy, and frequently work together on areas of mutual interest such as emergency preparedness and public safety. The cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills, and Rolling Hills Estates additionally share a regional contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for law enforcement, and the four cities contract with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Peninsula cities are intimately tied to the coastal cities and communities of the South Bay region, including, but not limited to, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and El Segundo, many of which are within the jurisdiction of the California Coastal Commission. We share with our northerly South Bay neighbors a dependence upon a common transportation network for access to the rest of the Los Angeles region, and share many economic and cultural factors. We are primarily residential communities and share a common affinity and appreciation of the unique physical and cultural environment afforded by our location along the coast. Many of the prominent regional community organization s serve the area extending northward from the Peninsula toward Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The Peninsula cities are an integral part of the South Bay, as evidenced by our active participation in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG). Following the 2010 Census, the cities were realigned with the northern coastal cities and communities of the South Bay – located generally west of the I-110 and I-405 freeways and south of LAX. We have appreciated the common representation these districts have provided and would request that the Peninsula cities continue to be districted together and with the South Bay. C-1 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Page 2 Thank you for your efforts to draw the new district lines for California. We look forward to continuing being represented alongside other South Bay cities in the new districts. Sincerely, Eric Alegria Michael Kemps Mayor, City of Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor, City of Palos Verdes Estates Bea Dieringer Steven Zuckerman Mayor, City of Rolling Hills Mayor, City of Rolling Hills Estates cc: Rancho Palos Verdes City Council and City Manager Palos Verdes Estates City Council and City Manager Rolling Hills City Council and City Manager Rolling Hills Estates City Council and City Manager Jacki Bacharach, Executive Director, South Bay Cities Council of Governments C-2 CITVOF TI-IQMAS 0 . LONG, MAYOR ANTHONY M. MISH ICH. MAYOR P RO TEM BRIAN CAMP BELL COU'ICN.HAN DoUGLAS W. STERN, COUNCILMAN SWAN WOu:NVCZ, CouNCILMAN April 21 , 2011 C aliforn ia Citizens Redistricting Commission 1130 'K' St., Ste . 101 Sacramento, CA 95814 RANCHO PALOS VERDES SUBJECT: Comments on the Redistricting of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the South Bay Area of Los Angeles County Dear Commissioners: The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council is pleased that the California Citizens Redistricting Commission will be conducting public hearings in the Los Angeles area over the next few weeks. Rancho Palos Verdes is one of four cities that occupy the Palos Verdes Peninsula along the coastli ne of the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. Currently, the Peninsula falls within several , heavily "gerrymandered" congressional and legislative districts, which result in the alignment of our communities with such disparate areas as eastern Long Beach (54th State Assembly D istrict), central Orange County (46th U .S. Congressional District) and central Los Angeles County (25th State Senate District). H istorically, Rancho Palos Verdes has been intimately tied to the north coastal cities and communities of the South Bay region, including (but not limited to) Torrance , Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and El Segundo. We share with our northerly South Bay neighbors a dependence upon a common transportation network for access to the re st of the Los Angeles region . We serve as a "bedroom community" for the regional aerospace and manufacturing hub of the South Bay. We also share a common affinity and appreciation of the unique physical and cultural environment afforded by our location along the coast. Many of the prominent regional community organizations (such as the Kiwani s and Rotary clubs) serve the area extending northward from Rancho Palos Verdes towards LAX. Rancho Palos Verdes considers itself to be an integral part of the South Bay, as evidenced by its active parti cipation and leadership in the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG). My City Council colleagues an d I encourage the Commission to take the opportunity provided by the decennial redistricting of the state to consider re-aligni ng the City of Rancho Palos Verdes wi th the n orth coastal cities and communities of the South Bay-located generally west o f the l-110 and 1-405 freeways and south of LAX-for the traditional reasons of shared transportation , economic and cultu ral factors. 309110 H.AWNORNc 0LVO. / RAl'lcHo ~s Ve'<OtS, CA 90275-5391 / (3 10l 54 4 -5205 / FAX (310) 544-5 291 / WWWPALOSVEROES.COM/RPV ;:.-~~ P~1NT1:Q ON RECYO.EO Fli\Pf:R D-1 California Citizens Redistricting Commission April 21 , 2011 Page 2 cc: Rancho Palos Verdes City Council Carolyn Lehr, City Manager. Mayor John Rea and Palos Verdes Estates City Council Mayor B . Allen Lay and Rolling Hills City Council Mayor Steven Zuckerman and Rolling Hills Estates City Council D-2