City Of Napa Invites Public To Help Map Out 4 Council Districts

NAPA, CA — A series of public hearings is scheduled in the city of Napa following the City Council's vote Feb. 11 to transition from an at-large election system to one that is district-based. The City Council took up the matter in response to a letter received Jan. 2 asserting that to comply with the California Voting Rights Act, the City Council should be comprised of members elected by residents of each respective district, according to a news release from the city.

In a district-based election system, the city is divided into four districts, and the voters in each district elect a councilmember who resides in their district; however, the mayor will still be elected at-large by voters throughout the city.

In order to achieve this in time for the upcoming Nov. 3 general election, the city is holding six meetings.

"The community's input in the development of the voting districts is extremely important to this process," city officials said in a news release. "A series of public hearings along with a community workshop will be held to receive community input on the development of district boundaries. The city is encouraging the public to attend any of the public meetings as identified in the timeline below."

• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, Council Chamber, Napa City Hall, 955 School St.: First public hearing without maps of proposed district boundaries, to provide information to the public and solicit input from the public and Council on composition of the districts
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, Council Chamber, Napa City Hall, 955 School St.: Second public hearing without maps of proposed district boundaries, to provide information to the public and solicit input from the public and Council on composition of the districts
• 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 8, McPherson Elementary School, 2670 Yajome St.: Community workshop where demographer will provide a presentation to the public, and solicit input from the public regarding proposed district boundaries. Drop by any time between 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m; Presentations on the process at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, Council Chamber, Napa City Hall, 955 School St.: Third public hearing with maps of proposed district boundaries produced by the demographer and published seven days in advance, and with a summary of comments received during the Community Workshop, for consideration and feedback by the public and Council.
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, Council Chamber, Napa City Hall, 955 School St.: Fourth public hearing with revised map(s) of proposed district boundaries produced by the demographer and published seven days in advance; consideration of public input regarding the revised map(s), and introduction an ordinance establishing a district-based election system and map of district boundaries for councilmembers
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, Council Chamber, Napa City Hall, 955 School St.: Fifth public hearing to adopt an ordinance establishing a district-based election system and map of district boundaries for councilmembers.