HomeMy WebLinkAbout04. Adopt resolution establishing by-division election system, final boundary map, and sequencing schedule Page 1 of 43
Item 4.
CENTRALSAN
SANITARYjdf A- hom
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA , .
November 16, 2020
TO: HONORABLE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FROM: KENTON L.ALM, ESQ., DISTRICT COUNSEL
MARGUERITE M. LEONI, SPECIAL COUNSEL, NIELSEN MERKSAMER
REVIEWED BY: ROGER S. BAILEY, GENERAL MANAGER
SUBJECT: HOLD DISCUSSION AND CONSIDER ADOPTING RESOLUTION NO. 2020-
053 ESTABLISHING CENTRAL SAN'S BY-DIVISION SYSTEM FOR
ELECTING BOARD MEMBERS IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE
CALIFORNIA VOTING RIGHTS ACT (CVRA), SELECTING A FINAL BY-
DIVISION MAPANDAN ELECTION SEQUENCING SCHEDULE
Attached are six draft resolutions, Options A through F, including three for each of the draft Maps 103b
and 103c, each having a different option for election sequencing. It is anticipated that one of the
resolutions may be adopted at this meeting.
If no resolution is adopted at this meeting, the Board will hold a sixth public hearing on Tuesday,
November 17, 2020 at 4:00 p.m., after which a final map is expected to be approved as well as the
schedule of election sequencing.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Proposed Resolution (Map 103b with original proposed sequence)
B. Proposed Resolution (Map 103b with alternative sequence)
C. Proposed Resolution (Map 103b with new proposed sequence)
D. Proposed Resolution (Map 103c with original proposed sequence)
E. Proposed Resolution (Map 103c with alternative sequence)
F. Proposed Resolution (Map 103c with new proposed sequence)
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 21 of 63
Page 2 of 43
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-053 Option A
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT CHANGING FROM AN AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM TO A
BY-DIVISION ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS COMMENCING WITH THE BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER 2022
WHEREAS, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District ("District") is a Sanitary
District duly organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1923 (Health & Safety
Code §§ 6400 - 6830) and governed by special legislation added by Stats. 1999,
Ch. 696, Sec. 1 (Health & Safety Code §§ 6590 - 6595).
WHEREAS, the District's Board of Directors is comprised of five Directors
currently elected in "at-large" elections, in which each Director is elected by the
registered voters of the entire District; in alternating even-numbered election
years the District voters elect either two or three members to the Board of
Directors by a plurality-win vote with the top vote-getters elected; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2020, the District received a letter from attorney
Kevin Shenkman of the law firm of Shenkman & Hughes, asserting that the
District's at- large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act of
2001 ("CVRA") and threatening litigation if the District does not voluntarily
change to a by- division election system for electing Directors; and
WHEREAS, in a by-division election system, the District would be divided
into sub-parts called "director divisions" for the purposes of conducting
elections; voters in a division would vote once every four years and only for
candidates who live in that division with the single top vote-getter in each
division elected (see Health & Safety Code § 6591(b)); board seats for each of
three divisions would be on the ballot in one election year; seats for each of the
remaining two divisions would be on the ballot the next election year ("Health &
Safety Code § 6591(b)); and
WHEREAS, litigation to defend against an alleged violation of the CVRA is
extraordinarily expensive and if the defendant loses, it is required to pay the
plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which in most cases to date
have been significantly over a million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature, in amendments to Elections Code
section 10010 and enacting section 10650, has provided a process whereby a
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 22 of 63
Page 3 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 2 of 7
jurisdiction can change to a by-division election system and be protected from
litigation under the CVRA (Elec. Code § 10010(e)); and
WHEREAS, changing to a by-division electoral system pursuant to
Elections Code section 10010 would avoid the extraordinary cost to defend
against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, the multi-hearing and notice process set forth in Elections
Code section 10010 and other legal requirements do not permit the District to
implement by-division elections at the November 3, 2020 elections for members
of the District Board of Directors: and
WHEREAS, the first general District election for members of the District
Board of Directors at which a by-division electoral system could be used is
November 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the federal decennial Census is currently underway, and the
results will be available to local jurisdictions in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6592 may require the Board of
Directors to adjust the boundaries of the election divisions before November 1,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the District denies that its at-large system for electing
Directors violates the CVRA or any other provision of law and asserts the
District's election system is legal in all respects and further denies any
wrongdoing in connection with the manner in which it has conducted its
elections; and
WHEREAS, despite the foregoing, the Board of Directors determined that
the public interest would be best served by changing to a by-division election
system to avoid the risks and costs of defending against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2020, the Board of Directors passed Resolution
No. 2020-029 declaring its intention to transition from an at-large electoral
system to a by-division electoral system and adopting a tentative calendar of
public hearings and other actions in accordance with California Elections Code
section 10010(a); and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6591, applicable only to the
District, provides that the directors may be elected by-divisions if a majority of
2
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 23 of 63
Page 4 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 3 of 7
the voters voting upon the question are in favor of the question at a general
district or special election, and that the Board of Directors may adopt a
resolution placing the question on the ballot, but Elections Code section 10650
would permit the Board of Directors to make the change to by-division elections
without voter approval; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2020 and September 21, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(1), the Board held public hearings
where the public was invited to provide input regarding the composition of the
Director Divisions before any draft maps were drawn; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2020 the District made public five draft Director
Division plans prepared by its demographic consultant, Draft Maps 101, 102a &
102b, and 103a and 103b, and a proposed sequencing of elections in each draft
map, which were posted on the District's website at
www.centralsan.org/elections; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2020 and November 4, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(2), public hearings were held where
the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps
that had been published at least seven (7) days before the meetings, and the
proposed sequence of elections, and the Board considered and discussed the
same; and
WHEREAS, after the public hearing on October 14, 2020, the Board of
Directors requested a modification of Draft Map 103b, which was prepared by
the District's demographic consultant and posted to the District's website as
Draft Map 103c on October 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, after the public hearing, the Board of
Directors narrowed its consideration to Maps 103b and 103c and requested that
an alternative sequencing of elections be provided for these maps; and
WHEREAS, draft maps 103b and 103c were republished on November 9,
2020 on the District's website with the original potential sequencing of elections
and the alternative requested by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the Board of Directors held a fifth
public hearing after which it selected Map 103b as the by-division electoral plan
for the District and adopted the following sequence of elections published
3
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 24 of 63
Page 5 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 4 of 7
therewith, to wit, Divisions 3 and 4 on the ballot in 2022, and Divisions 1, 2, and
5 on the ballot in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the District engaged in public outreach and engagement as
suggested by California Elections Code section 10010(a)(1); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors will adjust the boundaries of the
Director Divisions in accordance with Elections Code section 22000 and Health &
Safety Code section 6592 upon receipt of the 2020 Census tabulations and in
connection with that process, members of the public will have additional
opportunities to comment on the configuration of the director divisions adopted
in this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT:
SECTION 1. RECITALS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT.
The above recitals are true and correct and form the basis of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.
The purpose of this Resolution is, pursuant to California Elections Code
section 10010, to change the method for the election of members of the Board of
Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District from at-large to
by-division in five (5) single-member divisions commencing with the 2022
elections for Board of Directors, and thereafter until changed in accordance with
law. This Resolution is adopted pursuant to the District's authority under
California Elections Code section 10010 and California Elections Code section
10650.
SECTION 3. BY-DIVISION ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR FIVE DIRECTORS.
Pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 10010 and 10650, and
except as provided in Section 5(a), below, Directors shall be elected by-divisions
in five (5) divisions as that term is defined in Health & Safety Code section
6591(b), meaning "the election of each member of the district board by voters of
only the respective election division".
4
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 25 of 63
Page 6 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 5 of 7
SECTION 4. DIVISIONS.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the divisions shall be as
reflected in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein
by this reference.
(b) In accordance with Health & Safety Code section 6592 and Elections
Code section 22000, after release of the 2020 Census tabulations the District
General Manager shall cause the map attached as Exhibit A to reviewed for
compliance with all applicable laws including requirements for relatively equal
population in the divisions and the federal Voting Rights Act.
(c) The General Manager shall advise the Board of Directors of the results
of the review required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and propose to
the Board of Directors a process and timeline for making such adjustments to the
division boundaries as may be necessary to bring the map into compliance with
law or as otherwise deemed appropriate in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
(d) If necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the
General Manager or his or her designee is authorized to make technical
adjustments to the division boundaries that do not substantively affect the
populations in the divisions or the eligibility of candidates. The General Manager
shall consult with the District General Counsel concerning any technical
adjustments deemed necessary and shall advise the Board of Directors of any
such adjustments required in the implementation of the divisions.
(e) The divisions specified in subsection (a) shall continue in effect until
they are amended or repealed in accordance with law.
SECTION S. TERM OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS.
(a) A Director in office at the time this resolution takes effect shall continue
in office until the expiration of the full term to which he or she was elected or
appointed and until his or her successor is qualified. If vacancies in Director
offices elected at-large occur before expiration of the full term thereof, such
vacancies may be filled according to law from the District at-large.
(b) Upon expiration of the full term of each Director elected at-large, that
Director's successor shall be elected only on a by-division basis in the divisions
5
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 26 of 63
Page 7 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 6 of 7
established by this Resolution, as may be modified in accordance with Section
4(c) of this Resolution. A vacancy in a Director office elected or appointed by-
division shall be filled according to law by a person qualified to hold the office,
who lives, and is a registered voter, in the division.
(c) In November 2022, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 3 and 4.
(d) In November 2024, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 1, 2, and 5.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Director elected
to represent a division must live in that division and be a registered voter in that
division, and any candidate for Director must live in and be a registered voter in,
the division in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are
issued, pursuant to California Health & Safety Code section 6591(f) and
California Elections Code section 10227.
SECTION 6. EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.
The Board of Directors finds that the actions taken in this Resolution are
exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section
15061(b)(3) because it can be said with certainty that there is no possibility that
the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is
for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District
hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section or
subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any
one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 8.ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION.
The General Manager is authorized and directed to establish appropriate
administrative procedures consistent with the provisions of this resolution and
to take reasonable and appropriate action to fully implement the provisions of
this resolution.
6
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 27 of 63
Page 8 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 7 of 7
SECTION 9. REPEAL.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to repeal this resolution or re-
establish at-large elections in accordance with law should the CVRA be declared
illegal, or as may be in the best interests of the District.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _th day of November, 2020, at a special meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District by the
following vote:
AYES: Members:
NOES: Members:
ABSENT: Members:
Michael R. McGill, P.E.
President of the Board of Directors
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District,
County of Contra Costa, State of California
COUNTERSIGNED:
Katie Young
Secretary of the Central Contra Costa
Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa,
State of California
Approved as to Form:
Kenton L. Alm, Esq.
District Counsel
7
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 28 of 63
Page 9 of 43
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-053 Option B
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT CHANGING FROM AN AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM TO A
BY-DIVISION ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS COMMENCING WITH THE BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER 2022
WHEREAS, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District ("District") is a Sanitary
District duly organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1923 (Health & Safety
Code §§ 6400 - 6830) and governed by special legislation added by Stats. 1999,
Ch. 696, Sec. 1 (Health & Safety Code §§ 6590 - 6595).
WHEREAS, the District's Board of Directors is comprised of five Directors
currently elected in "at-large" elections, in which each Director is elected by the
registered voters of the entire District; in alternating even-numbered election
years the District voters elect either two or three members to the Board of
Directors by a plurality-win vote with the top vote-getters elected; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2020, the District received a letter from attorney
Kevin Shenkman of the law firm of Shenkman & Hughes, asserting that the
District's at- large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act of
2001 ("CVRA") and threatening litigation if the District does not voluntarily
change to a by- division election system for electing Directors; and
WHEREAS, in a by-division election system, the District would be divided
into sub-parts called "director divisions" for the purposes of conducting
elections; voters in a division would vote once every four years and only for
candidates who live in that division with the single top vote-getter in each
division elected (see Health & Safety Code § 6591(b)); board seats for each of
three divisions would be on the ballot in one election year; seats for each of the
remaining two divisions would be on the ballot the next election year ("Health &
Safety Code § 6591(b)); and
WHEREAS, litigation to defend against an alleged violation of the CVRA is
extraordinarily expensive and if the defendant loses, it is required to pay the
plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which in most cases to date
have been significantly over a million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature, in amendments to Elections Code
section 10010 and enacting section 10650, has provided a process whereby a
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 29 of 63
Page 10 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 2 of 7
jurisdiction can change to a by-division election system and be protected from
litigation under the CVRA (Elec. Code § 10010(e)); and
WHEREAS, changing to a by-division electoral system pursuant to
Elections Code section 10010 would avoid the extraordinary cost to defend
against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, the multi-hearing and notice process set forth in Elections
Code section 10010 and other legal requirements do not permit the District to
implement by-division elections at the November 3, 2020 elections for members
of the District Board of Directors: and
WHEREAS, the first general District election for members of the District
Board of Directors at which a by-division electoral system could be used is
November 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the federal decennial Census is currently underway, and the
results will be available to local jurisdictions in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6592 may require the Board of
Directors to adjust the boundaries of the election divisions before November 1,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the District denies that its at-large system for electing
Directors violates the CVRA or any other provision of law and asserts the
District's election system is legal in all respects and further denies any
wrongdoing in connection with the manner in which it has conducted its
elections; and
WHEREAS, despite the foregoing, the Board of Directors determined that
the public interest would be best served by changing to a by-division election
system to avoid the risks and costs of defending against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2020, the Board of Directors passed Resolution
No. 2020-029 declaring its intention to transition from an at-large electoral
system to a by-division electoral system and adopting a tentative calendar of
public hearings and other actions in accordance with California Elections Code
section 10010(a); and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6591, applicable only to the
District, provides that the directors may be elected by-divisions if a majority of
2
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 30 of 63
Page 11 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 3 of 7
the voters voting upon the question are in favor of the question at a general
district or special election, and that the Board of Directors may adopt a
resolution placing the question on the ballot, but Elections Code section 10650
would permit the Board of Directors to make the change to by-division elections
without voter approval; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2020 and September 21, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(1), the Board held public hearings
where the public was invited to provide input regarding the composition of the
Director Divisions before any draft maps were drawn; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2020 the District made public five draft Director
Division plans prepared by its demographic consultant, Draft Maps 101, 102a &
102b, and 103a and 103b, and a proposed sequencing of elections in each draft
map, which were posted on the District's website at
www.centralsan.org/elections; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2020 and November 4, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(2), public hearings were held where
the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps
that had been published at least seven (7) days before the meetings, and the
proposed sequence of elections, and the Board considered and discussed the
same; and
WHEREAS, after the public hearing on October 14, 2020, the Board of
Directors requested a modification of Draft Map 103b, which was prepared by
the District's demographic consultant and posted to the District's website as
Draft Map 103c on October 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, after the public hearing, the Board of
Directors narrowed its consideration to Maps 103b and 103c and requested that
an alternative sequencing of elections be provided for these maps; and
WHEREAS, draft maps 103b and 103c were republished on November 9,
2020 on the District's website with the original potential sequencing of elections
and the alternative requested by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the Board of Directors held a fifth
public hearing after which it selected Map 103b as the by-division electoral plan
for the District and adopted the following sequence of elections published
3
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 31 of 63
Page 12 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 4 of 7
therewith, to wit, Divisions 2 and 5 on the ballot in 2022, and Divisions 1, 3, and
4 on the ballot in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the District engaged in public outreach and engagement as
suggested by California Elections Code section 10010(a)(1); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors will adjust the boundaries of the
Director Divisions in accordance with Elections Code section 22000 and Health &
Safety Code section 6592 upon receipt of the 2020 Census tabulations and in
connection with that process, members of the public will have additional
opportunities to comment on the configuration of the director divisions adopted
in this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT:
SECTION 1. RECITALS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT.
The above recitals are true and correct and form the basis of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.
The purpose of this Resolution is, pursuant to California Elections Code
section 10010, to change the method for the election of members of the Board of
Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District from at-large to
by-division in five (5) single-member divisions commencing with the 2022
elections for Board of Directors, and thereafter until changed in accordance with
law. This Resolution is adopted pursuant to the District's authority under
California Elections Code section 10010 and California Elections Code section
10650.
SECTION 3. BY-DIVISION ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR FIVE DIRECTORS.
Pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 10010 and 10650, and
except as provided in Section 5(a), below, Directors shall be elected by-divisions
in five (5) divisions as that term is defined in Health & Safety Code section
6591(b), meaning "the election of each member of the district board by voters of
only the respective election division".
4
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 32 of 63
Page 13 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 5 of 7
SECTION 4. DIVISIONS.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the divisions shall be as
reflected in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein
by this reference.
(b) In accordance with Health & Safety Code section 6592 and Elections
Code section 22000, after release of the 2020 Census tabulations the District
General Manager shall cause the map attached as Exhibit A to reviewed for
compliance with all applicable laws including requirements for relatively equal
population in the divisions and the federal Voting Rights Act.
(c) The General Manager shall advise the Board of Directors of the results
of the review required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and propose to
the Board of Directors a process and timeline for making such adjustments to the
division boundaries as may be necessary to bring the map into compliance with
law or as otherwise deemed appropriate in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
(d) If necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the
General Manager or his or her designee is authorized to make technical
adjustments to the division boundaries that do not substantively affect the
populations in the divisions or the eligibility of candidates. The General Manager
shall consult with the District General Counsel concerning any technical
adjustments deemed necessary and shall advise the Board of Directors of any
such adjustments required in the implementation of the divisions.
(e) The divisions specified in subsection (a) shall continue in effect until
they are amended or repealed in accordance with law.
SECTION S. TERM OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS.
(a) A Director in office at the time this resolution takes effect shall continue
in office until the expiration of the full term to which he or she was elected or
appointed and until his or her successor is qualified. If vacancies in Director
offices elected at-large occur before expiration of the full term thereof, such
vacancies may be filled according to law from the District at-large.
(b) Upon expiration of the full term of each Director elected at-large, that
Director's successor shall be elected only on a by-division basis in the divisions
5
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 33 of 63
Page 14 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 6 of 7
established by this Resolution, as may be modified in accordance with Section
4(c) of this Resolution. A vacancy in a Director office elected or appointed by-
division shall be filled according to law by a person qualified to hold the office,
who lives, and is a registered voter, in the division.
(c) In November 2022, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 2 and S.
(d) In November 2024, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 1, 3, and 4.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Director elected
to represent a division must live in that division and be a registered voter in that
division, and any candidate for Director must live in and be a registered voter in,
the division in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are
issued, pursuant to California Health & Safety Code section 6591(f) and
California Elections Code section 10227.
SECTION 6. EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.
The Board of Directors finds that the actions taken in this Resolution are
exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section
15061(b)(3) because it can be said with certainty that there is no possibility that
the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is
for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District
hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section or
subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any
one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 8.ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION.
The General Manager is authorized and directed to establish appropriate
administrative procedures consistent with the provisions of this resolution and
to take reasonable and appropriate action to fully implement the provisions of
this resolution.
6
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 34 of 63
Page 15 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option B)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 7 of 7
SECTION 9. REPEAL.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to repeal this resolution or re-
establish at-large elections in accordance with law should the CVRA be declared
illegal, or as may be in the best interests of the District.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _th day of November, 2020, at a special meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District by the
following vote:
AYES: Members:
NOES: Members:
ABSENT: Members:
Michael R. McGill, P.E.
President of the Board of Directors
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District,
County of Contra Costa, State of California
COUNTERSIGNED:
Katie Young
Secretary of the Central Contra Costa
Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa,
State of California
Approved as to Form:
Kenton L. Alm, Esq.
District Counsel
7
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 35 of 63
Page 16 of 43
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-053 Option C
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT CHANGING FROM AN AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM TO A
BY-DIVISION ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS COMMENCING WITH THE BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER 2022
WHEREAS, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District ("District") is a Sanitary
District duly organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1923 (Health & Safety
Code §§ 6400 - 6830) and governed by special legislation added by Stats. 1999,
Ch. 696, Sec. 1 (Health & Safety Code §§ 6590 - 6595).
WHEREAS, the District's Board of Directors is comprised of five Directors
currently elected in "at-large" elections, in which each Director is elected by the
registered voters of the entire District; in alternating even-numbered election
years the District voters elect either two or three members to the Board of
Directors by a plurality-win vote with the top vote-getters elected; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2020, the District received a letter from attorney
Kevin Shenkman of the law firm of Shenkman & Hughes, asserting that the
District's at- large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act of
2001 ("CVRA") and threatening litigation if the District does not voluntarily
change to a by- division election system for electing Directors; and
WHEREAS, in a by-division election system, the District would be divided
into sub-parts called "director divisions" for the purposes of conducting
elections; voters in a division would vote once every four years and only for
candidates who live in that division with the single top vote-getter in each
division elected (see Health & Safety Code § 6591(b)); board seats for each of
three divisions would be on the ballot in one election year; seats for each of the
remaining two divisions would be on the ballot the next election year ("Health &
Safety Code § 6591(b)); and
WHEREAS, litigation to defend against an alleged violation of the CVRA is
extraordinarily expensive and if the defendant loses, it is required to pay the
plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which in most cases to date
have been significantly over a million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature, in amendments to Elections Code
section 10010 and enacting section 10650, has provided a process whereby a
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 36 of 63
Page 17 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option C)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 2 of 7
jurisdiction can change to a by-division election system and be protected from
litigation under the CVRA (Elec. Code § 10010(e)); and
WHEREAS, changing to a by-division electoral system pursuant to
Elections Code section 10010 would avoid the extraordinary cost to defend
against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, the multi-hearing and notice process set forth in Elections
Code section 10010 and other legal requirements do not permit the District to
implement by-division elections at the November 3, 2020 elections for members
of the District Board of Directors: and
WHEREAS, the first general District election for members of the District
Board of Directors at which a by-division electoral system could be used is
November 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the federal decennial Census is currently underway, and the
results will be available to local jurisdictions in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6592 may require the Board of
Directors to adjust the boundaries of the election divisions before November 1,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the District denies that its at-large system for electing
Directors violates the CVRA or any other provision of law and asserts the
District's election system is legal in all respects and further denies any
wrongdoing in connection with the manner in which it has conducted its
elections; and
WHEREAS, despite the foregoing, the Board of Directors determined that
the public interest would be best served by changing to a by-division election
system to avoid the risks and costs of defending against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2020, the Board of Directors passed Resolution
No. 2020-029 declaring its intention to transition from an at-large electoral
system to a by-division electoral system and adopting a tentative calendar of
public hearings and other actions in accordance with California Elections Code
section 10010(a); and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6591, applicable only to the
District, provides that the directors may be elected by-divisions if a majority of
2
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 37 of 63
Page 18 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option C)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 3 of 7
the voters voting upon the question are in favor of the question at a general
district or special election, and that the Board of Directors may adopt a
resolution placing the question on the ballot, but Elections Code section 10650
would permit the Board of Directors to make the change to by-division elections
without voter approval; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2020 and September 21, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(1), the Board held public hearings
where the public was invited to provide input regarding the composition of the
Director Divisions before any draft maps were drawn; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2020 the District made public five draft Director
Division plans prepared by its demographic consultant, Draft Maps 101, 102a &
102b, and 103a and 103b, and a proposed sequencing of elections in each draft
map, which were posted on the District's website at
www.centralsan.org/elections; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2020 and November 4, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(2), public hearings were held where
the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps
that had been published at least seven (7) days before the meetings, and the
proposed sequence of elections, and the Board considered and discussed the
same; and
WHEREAS, after the public hearing on October 14, 2020, the Board of
Directors requested a modification of Draft Map 103b, which was prepared by
the District's demographic consultant and posted to the District's website as
Draft Map 103c on October 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, after the public hearing, the Board of
Directors narrowed its consideration to Maps 103b and 103c and requested that
an alternative sequencing of elections be provided for these maps; and
WHEREAS, draft maps 103b and 103c were republished on November 9,
2020 on the District's website with the original potential sequencing of elections
and the alternative requested by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the Board of Directors held a fifth
public hearing after which it selected Map 103b as the by-division electoral plan
for the District and adopted the following sequence of elections published
3
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 38 of 63
Page 19 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option C)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 4 of 7
therewith, to wit, Divisions 2 and 3 on the ballot in 2022, and Divisions 1, 4, and
5 on the ballot in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the District engaged in public outreach and engagement as
suggested by California Elections Code section 10010(a)(1); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors will adjust the boundaries of the
Director Divisions in accordance with Elections Code section 22000 and Health &
Safety Code section 6592 upon receipt of the 2020 Census tabulations and in
connection with that process, members of the public will have additional
opportunities to comment on the configuration of the director divisions adopted
in this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT:
SECTION 1. RECITALS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT.
The above recitals are true and correct and form the basis of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.
The purpose of this Resolution is, pursuant to California Elections Code
section 10010, to change the method for the election of members of the Board of
Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District from at-large to
by-division in five (5) single-member divisions commencing with the 2022
elections for Board of Directors, and thereafter until changed in accordance with
law. This Resolution is adopted pursuant to the District's authority under
California Elections Code section 10010 and California Elections Code section
10650.
SECTION 3. BY-DIVISION ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR FIVE DIRECTORS.
Pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 10010 and 10650, and
except as provided in Section 5(a), below, Directors shall be elected by-divisions
in five (5) divisions as that term is defined in Health & Safety Code section
6591(b), meaning "the election of each member of the district board by voters of
only the respective election division".
4
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 39 of 63
Page 20 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option C)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 5 of 7
SECTION 4. DIVISIONS.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the divisions shall be as
reflected in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein
by this reference.
(b) In accordance with Health & Safety Code section 6592 and Elections
Code section 22000, after release of the 2020 Census tabulations the District
General Manager shall cause the map attached as Exhibit A to reviewed for
compliance with all applicable laws including requirements for relatively equal
population in the divisions and the federal Voting Rights Act.
(c) The General Manager shall advise the Board of Directors of the results
of the review required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and propose to
the Board of Directors a process and timeline for making such adjustments to the
division boundaries as may be necessary to bring the map into compliance with
law or as otherwise deemed appropriate in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
(d) If necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the
General Manager or his or her designee is authorized to make technical
adjustments to the division boundaries that do not substantively affect the
populations in the divisions or the eligibility of candidates. The General Manager
shall consult with the District General Counsel concerning any technical
adjustments deemed necessary and shall advise the Board of Directors of any
such adjustments required in the implementation of the divisions.
(e) The divisions specified in subsection (a) shall continue in effect until
they are amended or repealed in accordance with law.
SECTION S. TERM OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS.
(a) A Director in office at the time this resolution takes effect shall continue
in office until the expiration of the full term to which he or she was elected or
appointed and until his or her successor is qualified. If vacancies in Director
offices elected at-large occur before expiration of the full term thereof, such
vacancies may be filled according to law from the District at-large.
(b) Upon expiration of the full term of each Director elected at-large, that
Director's successor shall be elected only on a by-division basis in the divisions
5
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 40 of 63
Page 21 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option C)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 6 of 7
established by this Resolution, as may be modified in accordance with Section
4(c) of this Resolution. A vacancy in a Director office elected or appointed by-
division shall be filled according to law by a person qualified to hold the office,
who lives, and is a registered voter, in the division.
(c) In November 2022, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 2 and 3.
(d) In November 2024, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 1, 4, and 5.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Director elected
to represent a division must live in that division and be a registered voter in that
division, and any candidate for Director must live in and be a registered voter in,
the division in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are
issued, pursuant to California Health & Safety Code section 6591(f) and
California Elections Code section 10227.
SECTION 6. EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.
The Board of Directors finds that the actions taken in this Resolution are
exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section
15061(b)(3) because it can be said with certainty that there is no possibility that
the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is
for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District
hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section or
subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any
one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 8.ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION.
The General Manager is authorized and directed to establish appropriate
administrative procedures consistent with the provisions of this resolution and
to take reasonable and appropriate action to fully implement the provisions of
this resolution.
6
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 41 of 63
Page 22 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option C)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 7 of 7
SECTION 9. REPEAL.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to repeal this resolution or re-
establish at-large elections in accordance with law should the CVRA be declared
illegal, or as may be in the best interests of the District.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _th day of November, 2020, at a special meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District by the
following vote:
AYES: Members:
NOES: Members:
ABSENT: Members:
Michael R. McGill, P.E.
President of the Board of Directors
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District,
County of Contra Costa, State of California
COUNTERSIGNED:
Katie Young
Secretary of the Central Contra Costa
Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa,
State of California
Approved as to Form:
Kenton L. Alm, Esq.
District Counsel
7
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 42 of 63
Page 23 of 43
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-053 Option D
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT CHANGING FROM AN AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM TO A
BY-DIVISION ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS COMMENCING WITH THE BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER 2022
WHEREAS, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District ("District") is a Sanitary
District duly organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1923 (Health & Safety
Code §§ 6400 - 6830) and governed by special legislation added by Stats. 1999,
Ch. 696, Sec. 1 (Health & Safety Code §§ 6590 - 6595).
WHEREAS, the District's Board of Directors is comprised of five Directors
currently elected in "at-large" elections, in which each Director is elected by the
registered voters of the entire District; in alternating even-numbered election
years the District voters elect either two or three members to the Board of
Directors by a plurality-win vote with the top vote-getters elected; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2020, the District received a letter from attorney
Kevin Shenkman of the law firm of Shenkman & Hughes, asserting that the
District's at- large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act of
2001 ("CVRA") and threatening litigation if the District does not voluntarily
change to a by- division election system for electing Directors; and
WHEREAS, in a by-division election system, the District would be divided
into sub-parts called "director divisions" for the purposes of conducting
elections; voters in a division would vote once every four years and only for
candidates who live in that division with the single top vote-getter in each
division elected (see Health & Safety Code § 6591(b)); board seats for each of
three divisions would be on the ballot in one election year; seats for each of the
remaining two divisions would be on the ballot the next election year ("Health &
Safety Code § 6591(b)); and
WHEREAS, litigation to defend against an alleged violation of the CVRA is
extraordinarily expensive and if the defendant loses, it is required to pay the
plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which in most cases to date
have been significantly over a million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature, in amendments to Elections Code
section 10010 and enacting section 10650, has provided a process whereby a
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 43 of 63
Page 24 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option D)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 2 of 7
jurisdiction can change to a by-division election system and be protected from
litigation under the CVRA (Elec. Code § 10010(e)); and
WHEREAS, changing to a by-division electoral system pursuant to
Elections Code section 10010 would avoid the extraordinary cost to defend
against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, the multi-hearing and notice process set forth in Elections
Code section 10010 and other legal requirements do not permit the District to
implement by-division elections at the November 3, 2020 elections for members
of the District Board of Directors: and
WHEREAS, the first general District election for members of the District
Board of Directors at which a by-division electoral system could be used is
November 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the federal decennial Census is currently underway, and the
results will be available to local jurisdictions in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6592 may require the Board of
Directors to adjust the boundaries of the election divisions before November 1,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the District denies that its at-large system for electing
Directors violates the CVRA or any other provision of law and asserts the
District's election system is legal in all respects and further denies any
wrongdoing in connection with the manner in which it has conducted its
elections; and
WHEREAS, despite the foregoing, the Board of Directors determined that
the public interest would be best served by changing to a by-division election
system to avoid the risks and costs of defending against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2020, the Board of Directors passed Resolution
No. 2020-029 declaring its intention to transition from an at-large electoral
system to a by-division electoral system and adopting a tentative calendar of
public hearings and other actions in accordance with California Elections Code
section 10010(a); and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6591, applicable only to the
District, provides that the directors may be elected by-divisions if a majority of
2
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 44 of 63
Page 25 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option D)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 3 of 7
the voters voting upon the question are in favor of the question at a general
district or special election, and that the Board of Directors may adopt a
resolution placing the question on the ballot, but Elections Code section 10650
would permit the Board of Directors to make the change to by-division elections
without voter approval; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2020 and September 21, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(1), the Board held public hearings
where the public was invited to provide input regarding the composition of the
Director Divisions before any draft maps were drawn; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2020 the District made public five draft Director
Division plans prepared by its demographic consultant, Draft Maps 101, 102a &
102b, and 103a and 103b, and a proposed sequencing of elections in each draft
map, which were posted on the District's website at
www.centralsan.org/elections; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2020 and November 4, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(2), public hearings were held where
the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps
that had been published at least seven (7) days before the meetings, and the
proposed sequence of elections, and the Board considered and discussed the
same; and
WHEREAS, after the public hearing on October 14, 2020, the Board of
Directors requested a modification of Draft Map 103b, which was prepared by
the District's demographic consultant and posted to the District's website as
Draft Map 103c on October 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, after the public hearing, the Board of
Directors narrowed its consideration to Maps 103b and 103c and requested that
an alternative sequencing of elections be provided for these maps; and
WHEREAS, draft maps 103b and 103c were republished on November 9,
2020 on the District's website with the original potential sequencing of elections
and the alternative requested by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the Board of Directors held a fifth
public hearing after which it selected Map 103c as the by-division electoral plan
for the District and adopted the following sequence of elections published
3
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 45 of 63
Page 26 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option D)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 4 of 7
therewith, to wit, Divisions 3 and 4 on the ballot in 2022, and Divisions 1, 2, and
5 on the ballot in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the District engaged in public outreach and engagement as
suggested by California Elections Code section 10010(a)(1); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors will adjust the boundaries of the
Director Divisions in accordance with Elections Code section 22000 and Health &
Safety Code section 6592 upon receipt of the 2020 Census tabulations and in
connection with that process, members of the public will have additional
opportunities to comment on the configuration of the director divisions adopted
in this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT:
SECTION 1. RECITALS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT.
The above recitals are true and correct and form the basis of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.
The purpose of this Resolution is, pursuant to California Elections Code
section 10010, to change the method for the election of members of the Board of
Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District from at-large to
by-division in five (5) single-member divisions commencing with the 2022
elections for Board of Directors, and thereafter until changed in accordance with
law. This Resolution is adopted pursuant to the District's authority under
California Elections Code section 10010 and California Elections Code section
10650.
SECTION 3. BY-DIVISION ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR FIVE DIRECTORS.
Pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 10010 and 10650, and
except as provided in Section 5(a), below, Directors shall be elected by-divisions
in five (5) divisions as that term is defined in Health & Safety Code section
6591(b), meaning "the election of each member of the district board by voters of
only the respective election division".
4
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 46 of 63
Page 27 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option D)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 5 of 7
SECTION 4. DIVISIONS.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the divisions shall be as
reflected in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein
by this reference.
(b) In accordance with Health & Safety Code section 6592 and Elections
Code section 22000, after release of the 2020 Census tabulations the District
General Manager shall cause the map attached as Exhibit A to reviewed for
compliance with all applicable laws including requirements for relatively equal
population in the divisions and the federal Voting Rights Act.
(c) The General Manager shall advise the Board of Directors of the results
of the review required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and propose to
the Board of Directors a process and timeline for making such adjustments to the
division boundaries as may be necessary to bring the map into compliance with
law or as otherwise deemed appropriate in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
(d) If necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the
General Manager or his or her designee is authorized to make technical
adjustments to the division boundaries that do not substantively affect the
populations in the divisions or the eligibility of candidates. The General Manager
shall consult with the District General Counsel concerning any technical
adjustments deemed necessary and shall advise the Board of Directors of any
such adjustments required in the implementation of the divisions.
(e) The divisions specified in subsection (a) shall continue in effect until
they are amended or repealed in accordance with law.
SECTION S. TERM OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS.
(a) A Director in office at the time this resolution takes effect shall continue
in office until the expiration of the full term to which he or she was elected or
appointed and until his or her successor is qualified. If vacancies in Director
offices elected at-large occur before expiration of the full term thereof, such
vacancies may be filled according to law from the District at-large.
(b) Upon expiration of the full term of each Director elected at-large, that
Director's successor shall be elected only on a by-division basis in the divisions
5
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 47 of 63
Page 28 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option D)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 6 of 7
established by this Resolution, as may be modified in accordance with Section
4(c) of this Resolution. A vacancy in a Director office elected or appointed by-
division shall be filled according to law by a person qualified to hold the office,
who lives, and is a registered voter, in the division.
(c) In November 2022, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 3 and 4.
(d) In November 2024, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 1, 2, and 5.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Director elected
to represent a division must live in that division and be a registered voter in that
division, and any candidate for Director must live in and be a registered voter in,
the division in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are
issued, pursuant to California Health & Safety Code section 6591(f) and
California Elections Code section 10227.
SECTION 6. EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.
The Board of Directors finds that the actions taken in this Resolution are
exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section
15061(b)(3) because it can be said with certainty that there is no possibility that
the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is
for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District
hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section or
subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any
one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 8.ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION.
The General Manager is authorized and directed to establish appropriate
administrative procedures consistent with the provisions of this resolution and
to take reasonable and appropriate action to fully implement the provisions of
this resolution.
6
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 48 of 63
Page 29 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option D)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 7 of 7
SECTION 9. REPEAL.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to repeal this resolution or re-
establish at-large elections in accordance with law should the CVRA be declared
illegal, or as may be in the best interests of the District.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _th day of November, 2020, at a special meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District by the
following vote:
AYES: Members:
NOES: Members:
ABSENT: Members:
Michael R. McGill, P.E.
President of the Board of Directors
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District,
County of Contra Costa, State of California
COUNTERSIGNED:
Katie Young
Secretary of the Central Contra Costa
Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa,
State of California
Approved as to Form:
Kenton L. Alm, Esq.
District Counsel
7
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 49 of 63
Page 30 of 43
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-053 Option E
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT CHANGING FROM AN AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM TO A
BY-DIVISION ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS COMMENCING WITH THE BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER 2022
WHEREAS, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District ("District") is a Sanitary
District duly organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1923 (Health & Safety
Code §§ 6400 - 6830) and governed by special legislation added by Stats. 1999,
Ch. 696, Sec. 1 (Health & Safety Code §§ 6590 - 6595).
WHEREAS, the District's Board of Directors is comprised of five Directors
currently elected in "at-large" elections, in which each Director is elected by the
registered voters of the entire District; in alternating even-numbered election
years the District voters elect either two or three members to the Board of
Directors by a plurality-win vote with the top vote-getters elected; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2020, the District received a letter from attorney
Kevin Shenkman of the law firm of Shenkman & Hughes, asserting that the
District's at- large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act of
2001 ("CVRA") and threatening litigation if the District does not voluntarily
change to a by- division election system for electing Directors; and
WHEREAS, in a by-division election system, the District would be divided
into sub-parts called "director divisions" for the purposes of conducting
elections; voters in a division would vote once every four years and only for
candidates who live in that division with the single top vote-getter in each
division elected (see Health & Safety Code § 6591(b)); board seats for each of
three divisions would be on the ballot in one election year; seats for each of the
remaining two divisions would be on the ballot the next election year ("Health &
Safety Code § 6591(b)); and
WHEREAS, litigation to defend against an alleged violation of the CVRA is
extraordinarily expensive and if the defendant loses, it is required to pay the
plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which in most cases to date
have been significantly over a million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature, in amendments to Elections Code
section 10010 and enacting section 10650, has provided a process whereby a
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 50 of 63
Page 31 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option E)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 2 of 7
jurisdiction can change to a by-division election system and be protected from
litigation under the CVRA (Elec. Code § 10010(e)); and
WHEREAS, changing to a by-division electoral system pursuant to
Elections Code section 10010 would avoid the extraordinary cost to defend
against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, the multi-hearing and notice process set forth in Elections
Code section 10010 and other legal requirements do not permit the District to
implement by-division elections at the November 3, 2020 elections for members
of the District Board of Directors: and
WHEREAS, the first general District election for members of the District
Board of Directors at which a by-division electoral system could be used is
November 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the federal decennial Census is currently underway, and the
results will be available to local jurisdictions in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6592 may require the Board of
Directors to adjust the boundaries of the election divisions before November 1,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the District denies that its at-large system for electing
Directors violates the CVRA or any other provision of law and asserts the
District's election system is legal in all respects and further denies any
wrongdoing in connection with the manner in which it has conducted its
elections; and
WHEREAS, despite the foregoing, the Board of Directors determined that
the public interest would be best served by changing to a by-division election
system to avoid the risks and costs of defending against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2020, the Board of Directors passed Resolution
No. 2020-029 declaring its intention to transition from an at-large electoral
system to a by-division electoral system and adopting a tentative calendar of
public hearings and other actions in accordance with California Elections Code
section 10010(a); and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6591, applicable only to the
District, provides that the directors may be elected by-divisions if a majority of
2
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 51 of 63
Page 32 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option E)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 3 of 7
the voters voting upon the question are in favor of the question at a general
district or special election, and that the Board of Directors may adopt a
resolution placing the question on the ballot, but Elections Code section 10650
would permit the Board of Directors to make the change to by-division elections
without voter approval; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2020 and September 21, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(1), the Board held public hearings
where the public was invited to provide input regarding the composition of the
Director Divisions before any draft maps were drawn; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2020 the District made public five draft Director
Division plans prepared by its demographic consultant, Draft Maps 101, 102a &
102b, and 103a and 103b, and a proposed sequencing of elections in each draft
map, which were posted on the District's website at
www.centralsan.org/elections; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2020 and November 4, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(2), public hearings were held where
the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps
that had been published at least seven (7) days before the meetings, and the
proposed sequence of elections, and the Board considered and discussed the
same; and
WHEREAS, after the public hearing on October 14, 2020, the Board of
Directors requested a modification of Draft Map 103b, which was prepared by
the District's demographic consultant and posted to the District's website as
Draft Map 103c on October 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, after the public hearing, the Board of
Directors narrowed its consideration to Maps 103b and 103c and requested that
an alternative sequencing of elections be provided for these maps; and
WHEREAS, draft maps 103b and 103c were republished on November 9,
2020 on the District's website with the original potential sequencing of elections
and the alternative requested by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the Board of Directors held a fifth
public hearing after which it selected Map 103c as the by-division electoral plan
for the District and adopted the following sequence of elections published
3
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Page 33 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option E)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 4 of 7
therewith, to wit, Divisions 4 and 5 on the ballot in 2022, and Divisions 1, 2, and
3 on the ballot in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the District engaged in public outreach and engagement as
suggested by California Elections Code section 10010(a)(1); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors will adjust the boundaries of the
Director Divisions in accordance with Elections Code section 22000 and Health &
Safety Code section 6592 upon receipt of the 2020 Census tabulations and in
connection with that process, members of the public will have additional
opportunities to comment on the configuration of the director divisions adopted
in this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT:
SECTION 1. RECITALS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT.
The above recitals are true and correct and form the basis of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.
The purpose of this Resolution is, pursuant to California Elections Code
section 10010, to change the method for the election of members of the Board of
Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District from at-large to
by-division in five (5) single-member divisions commencing with the 2022
elections for Board of Directors, and thereafter until changed in accordance with
law. This Resolution is adopted pursuant to the District's authority under
California Elections Code section 10010 and California Elections Code section
10650.
SECTION 3. BY-DIVISION ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR FIVE DIRECTORS.
Pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 10010 and 10650, and
except as provided in Section 5(a), below, Directors shall be elected by-divisions
in five (5) divisions as that term is defined in Health & Safety Code section
6591(b), meaning "the election of each member of the district board by voters of
only the respective election division".
4
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Page 34 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option E)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 5 of 7
SECTION 4. DIVISIONS.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the divisions shall be as
reflected in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein
by this reference.
(b) In accordance with Health & Safety Code section 6592 and Elections
Code section 22000, after release of the 2020 Census tabulations the District
General Manager shall cause the map attached as Exhibit A to reviewed for
compliance with all applicable laws including requirements for relatively equal
population in the divisions and the federal Voting Rights Act.
(c) The General Manager shall advise the Board of Directors of the results
of the review required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and propose to
the Board of Directors a process and timeline for making such adjustments to the
division boundaries as may be necessary to bring the map into compliance with
law or as otherwise deemed appropriate in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
(d) If necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the
General Manager or his or her designee is authorized to make technical
adjustments to the division boundaries that do not substantively affect the
populations in the divisions or the eligibility of candidates. The General Manager
shall consult with the District General Counsel concerning any technical
adjustments deemed necessary and shall advise the Board of Directors of any
such adjustments required in the implementation of the divisions.
(e) The divisions specified in subsection (a) shall continue in effect until
they are amended or repealed in accordance with law.
SECTION S. TERM OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS.
(a) A Director in office at the time this resolution takes effect shall continue
in office until the expiration of the full term to which he or she was elected or
appointed and until his or her successor is qualified. If vacancies in Director
offices elected at-large occur before expiration of the full term thereof, such
vacancies may be filled according to law from the District at-large.
(b) Upon expiration of the full term of each Director elected at-large, that
Director's successor shall be elected only on a by-division basis in the divisions
5
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Page 35 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option E)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 6 of 7
established by this Resolution, as may be modified in accordance with Section
4(c) of this Resolution. A vacancy in a Director office elected or appointed by-
division shall be filled according to law by a person qualified to hold the office,
who lives, and is a registered voter, in the division.
(c) In November 2022, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 4 and S.
(d) In November 2024, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 1, 2, and 3.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Director elected
to represent a division must live in that division and be a registered voter in that
division, and any candidate for Director must live in and be a registered voter in,
the division in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are
issued, pursuant to California Health & Safety Code section 6591(f) and
California Elections Code section 10227.
SECTION 6. EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.
The Board of Directors finds that the actions taken in this Resolution are
exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section
15061(b)(3) because it can be said with certainty that there is no possibility that
the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is
for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District
hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section or
subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any
one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 8.ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION.
The General Manager is authorized and directed to establish appropriate
administrative procedures consistent with the provisions of this resolution and
to take reasonable and appropriate action to fully implement the provisions of
this resolution.
6
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Page 36 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option E)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 7 of 7
SECTION 9. REPEAL.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to repeal this resolution or re-
establish at-large elections in accordance with law should the CVRA be declared
illegal, or as may be in the best interests of the District.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _th day of November, 2020, at a special meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District by the
following vote:
AYES: Members:
NOES: Members:
ABSENT: Members:
Michael R. McGill, P.E.
President of the Board of Directors
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District,
County of Contra Costa, State of California
COUNTERSIGNED:
Katie Young
Secretary of the Central Contra Costa
Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa,
State of California
Approved as to Form:
Kenton L. Alm, Esq.
District Counsel
7
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 56 of 63
Page 37 of 43
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-053 Option F
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA
SANITARY DISTRICT CHANGING FROM AN AT-LARGE ELECTION SYSTEM TO A
BY-DIVISION ELECTION SYSTEM FOR ELECTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS COMMENCING WITH THE BOARD ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER 2022
WHEREAS, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District ("District") is a Sanitary
District duly organized under the Sanitary District Act of 1923 (Health & Safety
Code §§ 6400 - 6830) and governed by special legislation added by Stats. 1999,
Ch. 696, Sec. 1 (Health & Safety Code §§ 6590 - 6595).
WHEREAS, the District's Board of Directors is comprised of five Directors
currently elected in "at-large" elections, in which each Director is elected by the
registered voters of the entire District; in alternating even-numbered election
years the District voters elect either two or three members to the Board of
Directors by a plurality-win vote with the top vote-getters elected; and
WHEREAS, on July 13, 2020, the District received a letter from attorney
Kevin Shenkman of the law firm of Shenkman & Hughes, asserting that the
District's at- large election system violates the California Voting Rights Act of
2001 ("CVRA") and threatening litigation if the District does not voluntarily
change to a by- division election system for electing Directors; and
WHEREAS, in a by-division election system, the District would be divided
into sub-parts called "director divisions" for the purposes of conducting
elections; voters in a division would vote once every four years and only for
candidates who live in that division with the single top vote-getter in each
division elected (see Health & Safety Code § 6591(b)); board seats for each of
three divisions would be on the ballot in one election year; seats for each of the
remaining two divisions would be on the ballot the next election year ("Health &
Safety Code § 6591(b)); and
WHEREAS, litigation to defend against an alleged violation of the CVRA is
extraordinarily expensive and if the defendant loses, it is required to pay the
plaintiff's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses, which in most cases to date
have been significantly over a million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the California Legislature, in amendments to Elections Code
section 10010 and enacting section 10650, has provided a process whereby a
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 57 of 63
Page 38 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option F)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 2 of 7
jurisdiction can change to a by-division election system and be protected from
litigation under the CVRA (Elec. Code § 10010(e)); and
WHEREAS, changing to a by-division electoral system pursuant to
Elections Code section 10010 would avoid the extraordinary cost to defend
against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, the multi-hearing and notice process set forth in Elections
Code section 10010 and other legal requirements do not permit the District to
implement by-division elections at the November 3, 2020 elections for members
of the District Board of Directors: and
WHEREAS, the first general District election for members of the District
Board of Directors at which a by-division electoral system could be used is
November 8, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the federal decennial Census is currently underway, and the
results will be available to local jurisdictions in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6592 may require the Board of
Directors to adjust the boundaries of the election divisions before November 1,
2021; and
WHEREAS, the District denies that its at-large system for electing
Directors violates the CVRA or any other provision of law and asserts the
District's election system is legal in all respects and further denies any
wrongdoing in connection with the manner in which it has conducted its
elections; and
WHEREAS, despite the foregoing, the Board of Directors determined that
the public interest would be best served by changing to a by-division election
system to avoid the risks and costs of defending against a CVRA lawsuit; and
WHEREAS, on August 20, 2020, the Board of Directors passed Resolution
No. 2020-029 declaring its intention to transition from an at-large electoral
system to a by-division electoral system and adopting a tentative calendar of
public hearings and other actions in accordance with California Elections Code
section 10010(a); and
WHEREAS, Health & Safety Code section 6591, applicable only to the
District, provides that the directors may be elected by-divisions if a majority of
2
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Page 39 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option F)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 3 of 7
the voters voting upon the question are in favor of the question at a general
district or special election, and that the Board of Directors may adopt a
resolution placing the question on the ballot, but Elections Code section 10650
would permit the Board of Directors to make the change to by-division elections
without voter approval; and
WHEREAS, on September 3, 2020 and September 21, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(1), the Board held public hearings
where the public was invited to provide input regarding the composition of the
Director Divisions before any draft maps were drawn; and
WHEREAS, on October 7, 2020 the District made public five draft Director
Division plans prepared by its demographic consultant, Draft Maps 101, 102a &
102b, and 103a and 103b, and a proposed sequencing of elections in each draft
map, which were posted on the District's website at
www.centralsan.org/elections; and
WHEREAS, on October 14, 2020 and November 4, 2020, pursuant to
California Elections Code Section 10010(a)(2), public hearings were held where
the public was invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps
that had been published at least seven (7) days before the meetings, and the
proposed sequence of elections, and the Board considered and discussed the
same; and
WHEREAS, after the public hearing on October 14, 2020, the Board of
Directors requested a modification of Draft Map 103b, which was prepared by
the District's demographic consultant and posted to the District's website as
Draft Map 103c on October 28, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2020, after the public hearing, the Board of
Directors narrowed its consideration to Maps 103b and 103c and requested that
an alternative sequencing of elections be provided for these maps; and
WHEREAS, draft maps 103b and 103c were republished on November 9,
2020 on the District's website with the original potential sequencing of elections
and the alternative requested by the Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2020, the Board of Directors held a fifth
public hearing after which it selected Map 103c as the by-division electoral plan
for the District and adopted the following sequence of elections published
3
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 59 of 63
Page 40 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option F)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 4 of 7
therewith, to wit, Divisions 2 and 3 on the ballot in 2022, and Divisions 1, 4, and
5 on the ballot in 2024; and
WHEREAS, the District engaged in public outreach and engagement as
suggested by California Elections Code section 10010(a)(1); and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors will adjust the boundaries of the
Director Divisions in accordance with Elections Code section 22000 and Health &
Safety Code section 6592 upon receipt of the 2020 Census tabulations and in
connection with that process, members of the public will have additional
opportunities to comment on the configuration of the director divisions adopted
in this Resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
CENTRAL CONTRA COSTA SANITARY DISTRICT:
SECTION 1. RECITALS ARE TRUE AND CORRECT.
The above recitals are true and correct and form the basis of this
Resolution.
SECTION 2. PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY.
The purpose of this Resolution is, pursuant to California Elections Code
section 10010, to change the method for the election of members of the Board of
Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District from at-large to
by-division in five (5) single-member divisions commencing with the 2022
elections for Board of Directors, and thereafter until changed in accordance with
law. This Resolution is adopted pursuant to the District's authority under
California Elections Code section 10010 and California Elections Code section
10650.
SECTION 3. BY-DIVISION ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR FIVE DIRECTORS.
Pursuant to California Elections Code Sections 10010 and 10650, and
except as provided in Section 5(a), below, Directors shall be elected by-divisions
in five (5) divisions as that term is defined in Health & Safety Code section
6591(b), meaning "the election of each member of the district board by voters of
only the respective election division".
4
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 60 of 63
Page 41 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option F)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 5 of 7
SECTION 4. DIVISIONS.
(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the divisions shall be as
reflected in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A, which is incorporated herein
by this reference.
(b) In accordance with Health & Safety Code section 6592 and Elections
Code section 22000, after release of the 2020 Census tabulations the District
General Manager shall cause the map attached as Exhibit A to reviewed for
compliance with all applicable laws including requirements for relatively equal
population in the divisions and the federal Voting Rights Act.
(c) The General Manager shall advise the Board of Directors of the results
of the review required pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and propose to
the Board of Directors a process and timeline for making such adjustments to the
division boundaries as may be necessary to bring the map into compliance with
law or as otherwise deemed appropriate in the discretion of the Board of
Directors.
(d) If necessary to facilitate the implementation of this Ordinance, the
General Manager or his or her designee is authorized to make technical
adjustments to the division boundaries that do not substantively affect the
populations in the divisions or the eligibility of candidates. The General Manager
shall consult with the District General Counsel concerning any technical
adjustments deemed necessary and shall advise the Board of Directors of any
such adjustments required in the implementation of the divisions.
(e) The divisions specified in subsection (a) shall continue in effect until
they are amended or repealed in accordance with law.
SECTION S. TERM OF OFFICE AND ELECTIONS.
(a) A Director in office at the time this resolution takes effect shall continue
in office until the expiration of the full term to which he or she was elected or
appointed and until his or her successor is qualified. If vacancies in Director
offices elected at-large occur before expiration of the full term thereof, such
vacancies may be filled according to law from the District at-large.
(b) Upon expiration of the full term of each Director elected at-large, that
Director's successor shall be elected only on a by-division basis in the divisions
5
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Page 42 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option F)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 6 of 7
established by this Resolution, as may be modified in accordance with Section
4(c) of this Resolution. A vacancy in a Director office elected or appointed by-
division shall be filled according to law by a person qualified to hold the office,
who lives, and is a registered voter, in the division.
(c) In November 2022, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 2 and 3.
(d) In November 2024, Directors shall be elected for Divisions 1, 4, and 5.
(e) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the Director elected
to represent a division must live in that division and be a registered voter in that
division, and any candidate for Director must live in and be a registered voter in,
the division in which he or she seeks election at the time nomination papers are
issued, pursuant to California Health & Safety Code section 6591(f) and
California Elections Code section 10227.
SECTION 6. EXEMPTION FROM CEQA.
The Board of Directors finds that the actions taken in this Resolution are
exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Section
15061(b)(3) because it can be said with certainty that there is no possibility that
the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 7. SEVERABILITY.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance is
for any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such a
decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this ordinance.
The Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa County Sanitary District
hereby declares that it would have passed this resolution and each section or
subsection, sentence, clause and phrase thereof, irrespective of the fact that any
one or more sections, subsections, sentences, clauses or phrases be declared
invalid.
SECTION 8.ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLEMENTATION.
The General Manager is authorized and directed to establish appropriate
administrative procedures consistent with the provisions of this resolution and
to take reasonable and appropriate action to fully implement the provisions of
this resolution.
6
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 62 of 63
Page 43 of 43
Resolution No. 2020-053 (Option F)
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Page 7 of 7
SECTION 9. REPEAL.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to repeal this resolution or re-
establish at-large elections in accordance with law should the CVRA be declared
illegal, or as may be in the best interests of the District.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _th day of November, 2020, at a special meeting of
the Board of Directors of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District by the
following vote:
AYES: Members:
NOES: Members:
ABSENT: Members:
Michael R. McGill, P.E.
President of the Board of Directors
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District,
County of Contra Costa, State of California
COUNTERSIGNED:
Katie Young
Secretary of the Central Contra Costa
Sanitary District, County of Contra Costa,
State of California
Approved as to Form:
Kenton L. Alm, Esq.
District Counsel
7
November 16, 2020 Special Board Meeting Agenda Packet- Page 63 of 63