The Challenge of Supervisorial Boundaries

Members of a citizen's group presented some alternatives Tuesday to plans for redrawing Contra Costa County's five supervisorial districts.

Members of the Contra Costa Redistricting Task Force said their plans keep all but one of county's cities intact within the districts, something four proposals from county planners fail to do.

"I strongly support these proposals. They keep the communities whole," said Carol Hehmeyer, a member of the task force.

The comments came during a hearing Tuesday held in Martinez by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

The supervisors need to redraw the boundaries for their five districts due to population changes reported in the 2010 census.

Contra Costa's population is now 1,049,025, a 10 percent increase from 2000. The change requires each district to have about 210,000 people.

In addition, the majority of growth occurred in the San Ramon Valley and eastern Contra Costa County, forcing changes in districts in those regions.

The task force presented three alternatives to the board on Tuesday. All three keep cities within one district except for Concord, which is split between district five and district four.

Under the task force proposals, district five would stretch from Pittsburg to Hercules and include north Concord, Martinez and Pacheco.

District four would include Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Clayton and southern Concord.

District three would encompass Antioch, Oakley and Brentwood.

District two would cover Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Alamo, Danville and San Ramon.

District one would remain much the same, representing Richmond, Pinole, Rodeo, El Sobrante and El Cerrito.

The plans presented by Contra Costa Conservation and Development Director Catherine Kutsuris split communities such as Walnut Creek, Martinez and Concord between districts.

Kutsuris told supervisors their proposals are just a starting point for discussion.

"There's an almost unending number of alternatives that one can do here," she said.

Supervisor Mary Piepho, who would lose the San Ramon Valley under the task force proposals, said it's important to keep cities like Walnut Creek intact. She said communities of "common interest" such as Alamo, San Ramon and Danville should also be retained.

"I think every community deserves its own identity," she said.

Supervisor Gayle Uilkema, who represents much of Central Contra Costa, agreed. She said Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda should be kept in one district as should Pinole, Crockett and Rodeo.

She also said districts should include a variety of towns.

"I have a good balance of opinions because of the diversity of my district," she said.

The plans are posted on the county's website. They will also be the subject of three public hearings in each of the five districts between May 16 and May 26.

The supervisors, who are expected to vote on a final plan in June, said they are encouraged by the public participation.

"I look forward to going out to the public and hearing what everybody has to say," said Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, who represents Concord and Pleasant Hill, among other communities.

Supervisor John Gioia, who represents most of West Contra Costa, said it's important for the redistricting process to be transparent and have intregity.

"If we don't do this, the public will take it out of our hands," he said.