CITY OF SAN ANTONIO

OFFICE OF MAYOR RON NIRENBERG

TO: City Council

FROM: Ron Nirenberg, Mayor

COPIES TO: Erik Walsh, City Manager; Debbie Racca-Sittre, Interim City Clerk; Andy Segovia, City Attorney

SUBJECT: Advisory Committee on Redistricting

DATE: October 8, 2021

This week we were briefed on the 2021 redistricting process to redraw the district boundaries so that we comply
with the “one person one vote” legal standard. The process will be challenging as it will impact all our districts
and there are many ways to achieve the objective. The process is also challenging because many current
council members, if they decide to do so, will run for office in the newly drawn districts.

To ensure a transparent process and create opportunities for meaningful public input, the Mayor’s Office is
establishing an Advisory Committee on Redistricting to consider, revise and propose a Final Plan (i.e., final
draft of redetermined district boundaries) for use in the 2023 municipal elections. The Final Plan is anticipated
to be submitted in late summer 2022 for Council approval.

The Committee will present their Final Plan for City Council approval. To augment the community’s trust in
the process the Committee will submit a Final Plan to the Council with the expectation that the Council will
decide on approving, or not, without amendments. This balances the need for an objective and community-
driven decision-making process with the Charter’s requirement that City Council ultimately adopt a Final Plan.

The Advisory Committee on Redistricting will have two resident appointments per City Council District and
three appointments by the mayor including two Co-Chairs for a total of twenty-three (23) Committee members.
For the committee to be successful and mindful of the numerous community interests and legal requirements of
the process, City staff from the City Attorney’s Office, the Planning Department and Government and Public
Affairs will provide support to this committee as they engage the public and seek input.

Responsibilities of the members will include:

• Raise awareness for the redistricting process
• Encourage all residents to participate in the process and inform them of opportunities for public input
• Collect public input on proposed plans
• Evaluate and objectively discuss proposed plans
• Recommend revisions to plans to form a Final Plan
• Consistent meeting attendance and participation
• Adhering to the City of San Antonio’s Code of Ethics

The advisory committee will meet from November 2021 through June 2022 to conduct their work on the 2021
redistricting plans. The Co-Chairs, supported by City staff, will determine the meeting schedule with a goal to
meet, at a minimum, monthly and in locations accessible to residents most impacted by changes in the City’s
population. Upon formation, committee members will receive presentations from City staff on their role and
responsibilities, legal requirements, the 2020 Census data and the Initial Assessment, the priorities for
community outreach and engagement, data from City departments related to growth and communities of
interest, and meeting procedures.

Each Council District Member will submit their appointed persons to the Mayor’s Office and the City
Attorney’s Office by end of day Friday, October 29, 2021.

_________________________
Ron Nirenberg
Mayor