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File Number: 25-285 notice of intent triggered a 90-day safe harbor period, which prevents claimant from suing the City, and maintaining a cap of $30,000 for any attorneys’ fees claimant’s counsel can recover. While the period to statutorily complete the conversion to district-based elections is 90 days, the City’s proposed timeline conformed to communications with claimant’s counsel that lead to an additional 90 days - for a total of 180 days to complete the transition. Further communications with claimant’s counsel revealed that claimant’s counsel would only stipulate to a written agreement to extend the timeline for the full 180 days if the City agreed to vote on an ordinance establishing district-based elections within the 90-day extension period. There is nothing in the relevant statutes that mandates the City Council vote upon and/or approve an ordinance within the safe harbor period; the statute only contemplates such period in order to conduct all required public hearings. After further discussion, including the risks of litigation and consequences of being outside of the safe harbor period, both parties agreed to extend the 90-day safe harbor period to July 5, 2025. At its April 21, 2025 meeting, the City Council approved Resolution No. 25-034, formally entering into the written agreement with claimant to extend the safe harbor period. The Council’s resolution of intent and subsequent written agreement with claimant formalized a timeline of public hearings. The first two public hearings were held on April 21 and May 5, 2025 , respectively, and the City was not obligated to propose any district maps but instead offered the public an opportunity to provide input regarding the district map’s criteria and composition of voting districts. On or around May 12, 2025, the City published the draft map proposal on the City’s website (https://www.sanleandro.org/1442/District-Elections). The draft map is the same as the existing council district map that the City finalized following its 2022 redistricting process. On May 19, 2025, the City Council held its third public hearing to provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed maps, to offer alternatives, and to weigh in on the transition to district-based elections. The map has and continues to remain on the City’s website for public review. On June 2, 2025, the City Council held its fourth public hearing to allow public input on the proposed district map. Following the fourth public hearing, the City Council selected the final map and provided further direction to City staff. Pursuant to the written agreement, the City Council is now holding a final public hearing on the establishment of district-based election for Councilmembers. At the conclusion of the public hearing, it is anticipated that the City Council will vote on an ordinance to establish district-based elections. LEGAL ANALYSIS This public hearing is being held pursuant to Elections Code section 10010(a), which mandates a public agency that is transitioning from an at-large to district-based election system to hold a public hearing where the governing body takes action on an ordinance establishing district-based elections. A.Submitting a Ballot Measure to the City’s Electorate. Pursuant to the written agreement, the City must vote on an ordinance to establish district-based elections and adopt a map describing district boundaries. Under the FAIR MAPS Act of 2023, the City has two options to formalize the ordinance. Under Page 2 City of San Leandro Printed on 9/4/2025