Local News

Background

The City of California City currently employs an at-large election system, in which voters of the entire City elect four City Council members and one Mayor. A district-base election is one in which the City is divided into separate districts, each with one City Council member who resides in the district and is chosen by the voters in that particular district. Once the transition away from at-large elections is completed, the district-election system will be phased in. 

The City received a letter from a potential plaintiffs’ (Southwest Voter Registration Education Project) attorney, Shenkman & Hughes PC (“Shenkman”), alleging a violation of the California Voting Rights Act (the “CVRA”) and threatening litigation if the City declines to voluntarily change to a district-based election system for electing Councilmembers. The Council considered this threat of litigation at its January 28, 2025 meeting and Council gave direction to proceed with agendizing the resolution of intent in order to have the option of taking advantage of the safe harbor provisions of Elections Code Section 10010, cap the City’s potential attorneys’ fees to Shenkman, and avoid costly litigation.

Process

As a part of the transition process, the City needs to hold at least two public hearings over a period of no more than 30 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the composition of the districts. No official maps can be drawn before completion of these two public meetings. Once the initial two meetings are complete, the demographer and public can begin to officially draw maps that will be considered in the districting process. The City would then hold at least two additional hearings over a period of no more than 45 days, at which the public is invited to provide input regarding the content of the draft maps and the proposed sequence of elections. Once a map is selected, it would need to be published at least seven days before consideration at a hearing for introduction of an ordinance to adopt the district map.

Below is a timeline for reference: 

  • 2/11/2025: Resolution adopted at Council meeting outlining its intent to transition from at large to district based elections
  • 2/25/2025: 1st Public Hearing conducted
  • 3/11/2025: 2nd Public Hearing scheduled
  • No later than 3/18/2025: First drafts of district election maps and potential sequence of elections
  • 3/25/2025: 3rd Public Hearing scheduled
  • No later than 4/1/2025: Publish any new or amended maps at least 7 days before 4th Public Hearing
  • 4/8/2025: 4th Public Hearing 
  • No later than 4/10/2025: Publish any amended maps at least 7 days before the 5th Public Hearing
  • 4/16/2025 or 4/22/2025: 5th Public Hearing
  • 5/12/2025: Deadline to adopt ordinance by City Council 

Presentations: 

February 25, 2025 

March 11, 2025

March 25, 2025 

April 8, 2025

Documents: 

Community Interest Worksheet

California City Fair Maps Act Assessment 

California City Fair Maps Act Assessment- April 1, 2025

Draw Districts:

https://districtr.org/tag/california_city

Questions? Contact Us Here: 

 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Public Maps (submitted prior to 3/18/2025): 

 

 Public Maps (submitted prior to 4/1/2025): 

 

 Draft Maps (submitted prior to 3/18/2025): 

 

 Draft Map A: Renumbered (Posted on 4/14/2025): 

 

Proposed Sequencing for Draft Maps: 

  • Odd Districts: 2026
  • Even Disticts 2028

 

 

 Cannabis Contact Information:

Interim City Manager (760) 373-7170 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cannabis Tax Administrator (760) 338-1080 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tiffany Carter, Building (760) 338-1498 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Liz Garcia, Planning (760) 338-1377 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kristy Hightower, Deputy Fire Marshal (760) 373-7344 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kenny Cooper, Finance (760) 373-7483 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

MUNICODE INFORMATON

https://library.municode.com/ca/california_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT5PUWE_CH6RECAREBUAC_ART3CABUPEREOWOPCAWOPEREEM_S5-6.301CABUPEREENCABU 

 

Documents to start a Cannabis Business

(Step 1):  

The following documents are for your review and use. Documents with * must be filled out and returned to City Manager cc Cannabis Tax Administrator. 

(Step 2): 

    • Planning Department
    • SPR Application (include all supporting documents and pay fees)
    • Plan Review
    • Director Hearing/Planning Approval

 

(Step 3): 

  • Present your planning approval to Building Department
  • Submit plans for building plan review
  • Apply and pull permits 
  • Contact Building Department via email or phone to review you project
 (Step 4): 

Present the following items to Cannabis Tax Administrator

  • Cal City Cannabis Business Permit Application 
  • Pay Fees ($9,445.00 annual fees for each cannabis type and business) 
  • Submit the following along with your application: State License, Cal City Building Department Certificate of Occupancy (COO), Fire Inspection Approval, Planning Approval, Police Department Approval, and Finance Department Approval.

 

 (Step 5): 

Contact the Finance Department to confirm they received your new business information. Finance will track your business for tax purposes. 

 

Cannabis Reminder:

Applicants must turn in their indemnification paperwork required as part of the application package, and if electing to sub-divide a parcel, begin the parcel map process with the California City Planning Department.

Why are we considering this issue?

In October 2015 the Governor signed the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (MRSA). In June 2016 the California City Council directed the City Manager and the City Attorneys office to research and provide recommendations in regard to establishing regulations for the sales, cultivation, manufacturing and testing of medical marijuana in the City of California City.  In addition to the MMRSA, a state voter initiative regarding recreational marijuana has gathered the required signatures to be placed on the ballot in November. 

 

The California City Police Department will conduct a Public Hearing to take input on the California State Parks OHV Grants 2016/2017.

This hearing will be conducted in compliance with the grant requirements as we are soliciting input from stakeholders and the general public.

Time: Saturday, February 18 @ 10 AM
Location: Borax Bill Park, 16363 Twenty Mule Team Parkway, California City, 93505 

Click Here for (LAMP) Local Agency Management Program