Historical Efforts to Increase the Size of the Council
● Pre-1924 - The City Council consisted of nine councilmembers who were
elected at-large to represent the entire City
● 1924 Charter Reform
○ Two competing Charter Reform measures concerning the size of the
Council were submitted to City voters: 11 At-Large Members and 15
District-based Members; both measures passed with a majority of votes
○ California Supreme Court ruled in favor of district-based elections with 15
Council Districts
● 1999 Charter Reform
○ Two Charter Reform measures concerning expanding the size of Council
were submitted to City voters: 21 Members or 25 Members; both measures
failed by a large margin of votes
City Council Size Comparison - Major Cities
Cities
Residents per
Elected
Official
Population,
2020 Total District At-Large
Los Angeles 264,885 3,973,278 15 15 0
New York City 172,631 8,804,190 51 51 0
Chicago 54,944 2,747,231 50 50 0
Houston 143,924 2,302,792 16 11 5
Phoenix 200,967 1,607,739 8 8 0
Philadelphia 94,341 1,603,797 17 10 7
Number of Council Districts -
Population Growth
● Adjusting the size of the Council
via population growth ties the
number of Council Districts to a set
population variable
● Allows for proportional increase of
the size of the Council relative to
City’s population growth
● Population Threshold Variables:
○ 150,000 residents
○ 200,000 residents
○ 250,000 residents
● Rounding Methodology and odd
number of Council Districts
A.1a Number of
Council Districts -
Population Growth
Methodology
● Adjustments to the Numbers of Council Districts
○ Increase the number of Council Districts based on
decennial U.S. Census population results by the
nearest whole odd number to achieve:
■ One district per 150,000 people
■ One district per 200,000 people
■ One district per 250,000 people
■ Some other ratio or methodology
Decision Matrix
A.2 Number of
Council Districts:
Rounding
Methodology
● Determination of the number of Council Districts
will be rounded:
○ To the nearest odd whole number
OR
○ Some other methodology
Decision Matrix
Population Growth - Additional Considerations
● Certification of U.S. Census
Bureau data and
establishment of number of
Council Districts
○ Certification and
evaluation could be
accomplished by a
City Department and
could occur within 30
days
● Minimum and Maximum Limits -
Council Districts
○ Large shifts in the City’s
population can
dramatically change the
size of the Council
○ Establishing limits
provides constraints if
there are unpredictable
swings in the City’s
population (e.g., 15
member minimum; 25
member maximum)
● Following the
establishment of the new
number of Council
Districts, the date for
which the new districts
become effective should
be identified.
A.3 Number of
Council Districts:
Minimum and
Maximum Limits
● Shall there be minimum and maximum limits on the
number of Council Districts in a model with
decennial adjustments?
○ Minimum number of Districts:
■ 11
■ 15
■ 17
■ Some other number
○ Maximum number of Districts:
■ 23
■ 25
■ 27
■ Some other number
Decision Matrix
A.5 Number of
Council Districts:
Effective Date for
Revised Districts
● Revised Council District Boundaries shall be
effective for the next election following a year ending
in:
○ Select a year:
■ 1 (e.g., 2032 and all elections
thereafter)
■ 2 (e.g., 2033 for a special election and
all elections thereafter)
■ 3 (e.g., 2034 and all elections
thereafter)
Decision Matrix
A.6 Number of
Council Districts:
Certification of U.S.
Census Data
● Following the decennial U.S. Census, the _______
will evaluate City population data, determine the
number of Council Districts required, and submit an
analysis of these findings within 30 days to the City
Clerk for recordation.
○ Designate the entity that will certify the
decennial U.S. Census data:
■ City Data Bureau
■ City Clerk
■ City Planning Department
■ Bureau of Engineering
■ Some other office or entity, to be
determined, established by ordinance
Decision Matrix
Population Growth - Challenges
Challenges
Large decreases in the City’s population would trigger a
reduction in the number of Council Districts, and may be
accompanied by the following issues:
● Incumbents could challenge each other for the same
Council Office;
● Difficulties with numbering Council Districts during
the redistricting process;
● Inconsistent impacts across even and odd Council
Districts; and
● Determination of Council Districts that are impacted
by a reduction, and their effects on the
communities/neighborhoods during redistricting.
Potential Remedies
● Apply reduction to Council Districts where
incumbents are naturally termed out after serving three
full terms;
○ Issues would arise if no Councilmembers are
naturally termed out
● Present a ballot measure to ask the voters if they would
like to reduce the number of Council Districts due to
the population decrease; and
● Include a condition that states that the Population
Growth Methodology only applies in the event of
population growth and accompanying increases to the
size of the Council.
A.4 Number of
Council Districts:
Population Decrease
and Reduction in the
Number of Council
Districts
● Should City population decrease in a decennial census in
an amount that would result in a reduction in the number
of Council Districts, such an outcome will be addressed
in the following manner:
○ There shall be no reduction in the number of
Council Districts;
OR
○ Voters shall be presented the opportunity to
approve a reduction in the number of Council
Districts;
OR
○ A reduction in Council Districts would be
effective only to the extent that sitting
Councilmembers are naturally termed out of
office or if they choose not to run upon the
effective date of new Council District boundaries
following redistricting.
Decision Matrix
Number of Council Districts - Specific Number
● Previous efforts to expand the size of the Council
included proposals that recommended an increase to a
specific number of Council Districts
● As the size of the Council increases, the share of
residents that are represented by each district would
decrease
● Most jurisdictions that expanded their legislative
branches proposed increases to a specific number
A.1b Number of
Council Districts -
Specific Number
Increase
Adjustments to the number of Council Districts (continued)
○ Retain the current number of Council Districts
(15)
OR
○ Increase the number of Council Districts to a
specific number:
■ 17
■ 19
■ Some other number
External and Internal Impacts - Boards and
Commissions
External Impacts
● Southern California Association of Governments
(SCAG) - Regional Council
○ SCAG Regional Council is limited to 70 voting
district representatives
● San Fernando Valley Council of Governments
○ Each Council District that is located partially
or entirely within the San Fernando Valley is a
Board Representative
Internal Impacts
● Governing basis of City boards and commissions that
would be directly impacted by changes to the size of
the Council would need to be identified
○ City Health Commission
○ City Council Advisory Redistricting
Commission (current)
A.7 Number of
Council Districts:
Commissions and
Boards
● Shall the City identify and revise regulations
concerning appointment authorities for commissions
and boards based on Council District representation?
YES NO
Decision Matrix
Expansion of Council Districts - Cost Impacts
● Range of costs associated with an expansion of the Council would vary widely and is
dependent on several factors:
○ Number of Councilmembers;
○ Staff size;
○ Office space (City Hall and Field Offices) and office expenses;
○ Fleet cost; and
○ Modifications to Council Chambers
● Discretionary funds
○ Community and nonprofit organizations
○ Constituent services
● Funding - Redistribute existing allocation of funds or provide additional funds for new
members
● Day-to-day departmental support of Councilmembers
Non-Fiscal Administrative and Operational Impacts
● Impacts to thresholds for passing Council actions and participation in meetings
○ Quorum
○ Majority vote for Council actions
○ Adoption of ordinances
● Mayoral vetoes
○ Two-thirds of members needed to override a veto
● Passage of legislation/policy could be hindered and balance of authority may shift
towards executive branch
A.8 Number of
Council Districts:
Voting Thresholds
Overriding Mayoral
Veto
● Voting threshold for overriding a Mayoral veto: ○ Simple Majority ○ Supermajority ■ Three-fifths ■ Two-thirds, as is current practice
