The northern communities of District 5 (purple) and District 1 (light green) could become San Diego’s 9th Council District in 2011.

In 2008, Proposition B passed, requiring another ballot initiative in June 2010 that will determine the future of the strong mayor form of government in the city. The strong mayor form of government is better known as a mayor-council structure. It gives the mayor executive responsibilities, with the council acting as a legislative body.

Along with the vote on the permanency of the mayor-council structure, Prop. B required a vote on whether to add a 9th council district. This 9th council district would not only allow San Diego residents to be better represented due to smaller populations in each district, it would cause an odd number of council members, ensuring votes would never be deadlocked—something that has frustrated action on several occasions. Voters will also decide whether six council votes are needed to override a mayor’s veto rather than a simple majority.

So, where would this 9th council district be located?

The San Diego City Charter states that redistricting will take place following the census that happens once every decade. Here’s what the charter says:

Commencing in the year following the year in which the national decennial census is taken under the direction of the United States Congress at the beginning of each decade, the Redistricting Commission shall adopt plans that redistrict the City into eight Council districts designated by number 1 to 8 inclusive.

With the passage of the 2010 measure, that language would be changed to nine council districts. The charter goes on to say that each district shall contain an equal population.  Even though it’s hard to pinpoint where the new district would be located without census figures, many people are pointing north.

Districts 1 and 5 encompass the northern part of the city, which have experienced the biggest population growth since the last redistricting in 2000. Council member Carl DeMaio represents District 5, and Council member Sherri Lightner District 1.

Communities that could be formed into a new district include: San Pasqual, Rancho Bernardo, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Sabre Springs, Rancho Peñasquitos and Black Mountain Ranch. Those communities represent the northern-most communities of current District 1 and 5.

“That’s where it will most likely happen. That’s where all the population growth has been,” said Adrian Kwiatkowski, President of the Strong Mayor Council Institute and Deputy Campaign Manager for San Diegans for Accountability at City Hall. “Beyond that, they will probably just shift the districts around a little.”

Looking back at the final redistricting plan statistics from when the Redistricting Commission approved the plan on Sept.5 2001, Districts 1 and 5 already had the highest population. District 1 had a population of 157,301 and District 5 had 159,524. Council member Marti Emerald’s District 7, by comparison, had 146,853—the lowest of the eight districts.

The Redistricting Commission is made up of seven members who are nominated by the public and then appointed by the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court.

The new council districts will be finalized in 2011, with a vote coming in the 2012 election cycle. The additional council office is expected to cost San Diego $1 million annually.

                                            

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As happens far too often in places like City Hall, SANDAG and CALTRANS, when opportunities for innovation or progress arise, “many people are pointing north” (as quoted above). However, what this article overlooks is that logic, need and propriety must be considered – with census numbers as justification. With that being said, one could not argue that the southern portion of the current District 8 (including San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Nestor and South San Diego) has its own set of singular issues, priorities and necessities. South District 8 is strikingly unique when compared to the rest of San Diego, and even more so when compared to its district brethren in Logan Heights, Barrio Logan and Golden Hills.
South District 8 houses the World’s busiest land border crossing, the second largest cargo port of entry in the US, a neglected natural treasure in the Tijuana River Valley, a relative wealth of undeveloped land and houses the most lucrative area in San Diego County for banks (yes, even today); yet is also home to the some of the County’s lowest median home income areas. (Hopefully, the Reinvestment Task Force is reading this as well). One in every 10 entries into the United States of America, at any location, by any means, happens in San Ysidro. One Billion Dollars Per Day – yes, day – in commerce cross US/ Mexico ports of entry like Otay Mesa. A successful marriage of industrial use to the east and residential/ retail to the west has made South District 8 a land of opportunity. The City of San Diego and its City Council would do well, to say the least, to take advantage of, and care for, the potential it offers.
South District 8, by virtue of its border-location alone, is worthy of its own district. The US/ Mexico border, and the fact that we have a 3.5 million habitant bi-national region on either side of it, is a natural stimulus – for the city, our region and our country. Its issues more-than merit concentrated representation on the San Diego City Council. Regardless of where people point, logic dictates South San Diego as District 9.

Jason M-B Wells , November 09, 2009

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