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File Number: 25-263 ·Each district shall contain, as nearly as possible, equal numbers of residents. ·District boundaries shall approximate election precinct boundaries established by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. ·Any changes to the boundaries of Councilmember districts shall only be made by an ordinance of the City Council. ·No change in district boundaries shall operate to disqualify an incumbent from office before the expiration of the term for which such person was elected or appointed. B.Sequencing of Elections. §10010(b) of the Elections Code is the only provision under the CVRA that addresses principles applicable to elections sequencing: In determining the final sequence of the district elections conducted in a political subdivision in which members of the governing body will be elected at different times to provide for staggered terms of office, the governing body shall give special consideration to the purposes of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001, and it shall take into account the preferences expressed by members of the districts. Article XI, §5(b), of the California Constitution gives charter cities plenary authority over its electoral system and “the manner in which, the method by which, the times at which, and the terms for which the several municipal officers and employees whose compensation is paid by the city shall be elected or appointed, and for their removal, and for their compensation, and for the number of deputies, clerks and other employees that each shall have…” Throughout the by-district transition process, the public has been encouraged to provide input on the contours of the election sequence. The City Council’s decision must be informed by the public’s input. The City Council, however, has and retains discretion to weigh all factors in determining the most appropriate sequencing approach for the City. C.Next Steps At this fourth public hearing, staff will seek feedback from the City Council on whether the proposed map and sequence of elections will meet the larger goals of the districting process and community at-large. Further review and consideration of compliance with the CVRA and other applicable laws will allow the City to continue progress towards a final determination on or around June 16, 2025. FINANCIAL IMPACTS If the City follows the prescribed process under the CVRA and the FAIR MAPS Act, its attorney’s fees exposure will remain capped at approximately $30,000 (as adjusted annually to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, United States city average, as published by the United States Department of Labor). ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS This action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it is not a “project” which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines §15378. CONCLUSION Staff recommend that the City Council take public comments on the draft map and the proposed sequence of elections to ensure that the process remains transparent, inclusive, and legally compliant. Community input received during this hearing will inform further refinements to the draft map and help Page 3 City of San Leandro Printed on 9/4/2025