| 
The City of San Jose has developed a comprehensive, multi-faceted
public outreach program and communication plan for the 2011
redistricting effort, as described below, to help you be involved.
Public Meetings/Hearings
The San Jose City Charter, Section 403 (Elections by Districts),
requires that the Redistricting Advisory Commission “shall
conduct at least three public hearings, at various locations
in the City.” However, all meetings of the 2011 Redistricting
Advisory Commission are open to the public, and are specifically
organized to welcome and encourage public input. In addition,
upon completion of the Commission’s work, the City Council
will conduct public hearings to consider the recommendations
of the Redistricting Advisory Commission.
Records of Meetings/Hearings
Action minutes will be taken of the Redistricting Commission’s
public meetings/hearings, and these meetings/hearings will
also be audio recorded for playback by members of the community
from this website. These meeting records will allow you a
convenient way to stay informed on redistricting, whether
or not you are able to attend in person.
Internet Resources
This website is designed to provide timely availability of
key documents related to the 2011 redistricting process to
ensure they are accessible to all. These documents will include
the 2011 Redistricting Advisory Commission meeting agendas,
redistricting plan options and associated data tables, background
data and maps, along with a list of key City staff contacts
and other information. You can also friend us on Facebook
to help stay in touch with the process.
Newspaper Articles/Published Media
Several newspaper articles related to the City’s 2011
redistricting process have appeared in the San Jose Mercury
News. These articles have increased awareness and generated
public interest about the redistricting effort, and urged
public involvement in the process. These Mercury News articles
can be found here.
As the redistricting process continues, additional articles
are likely to appear in this and other published media, and
links to some will be provided on this website for your information.
City Staff Assistance
The City of San Jose has assembled an interdepartmental staff
team to support various aspects of the 2011 redistricting
process. You may communicate with staff using either the redistricting
e-mail address (2011redistricting@sanjoseca.gov)
accessible on this website (“e-mail us” link on
the right-hand navigation bar), or by e-mail or phone to individual
staff members with contact information listed on the Staff
Contacts page.
Hands-On Redistricting Desk
A “hands-on redistricting desk” is an information
desk in City Hall with a specialized computer terminal available
for public use. This desk is located in the 3rd floor lobby
area in the City Hall tower building, and is available, by
appointment, Tuesday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Staff with technical knowledge of the Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) software used to perform redistricting will
be available to provide assistance, as needed, to individuals
wishing to design an alternative redistricting plan proposal.
To schedule an appointment, please contact Michael Bills,
Senior Planner, at michael.bills@sanjoseca.gov
or (408) 535-7896.
Translation Services
San Jose is a city with extraordinary language diversity
within the community. According to recent data from the U.S.
Census Bureau, more than half of San Jose residents speak
a language other than English at home. To encourage equal
opportunity participation in the 2011 redistricting process,
the City will offer language translation services at public
meetings, as necessary. To request translation services, please
contact the Office of the City Clerk at (408) 535-1260 at
least three business days in advance of a redistricting meeting/hearing.
|
