The letter went on, “in the absence of a satisfactory response from the city MALDEF will be forced to seek judicial relief in the form of an action to obtain an order converting the election system from at-large to by-district together with other relief provided for in the CVRA including an award of litigation and witness costs and attorneys fees.

The council, on a 4-1 vote, approved a settlement with the MALDEF requiring districts for the March 2017 election, and paid $30,000 to MALDEF for its expenses.

Councilman Andrew Sarega cast the lone no vote against the settlement.

Sarega and Councilwoman Pauline Deal’s terms expire in March 2017.

PROPOSED MAPS ON CITY’S WEBSITE

The City has placed four proposed maps (labeled Map 1, Map 2, Map 3, and Map 4) on its website for residents to study and comment on the boundaries.

Hews Media Group-Community News, via a public records request, obtained the addresses of all current Councilmembers and pinpointed the addresses on the four proposed maps.

Only one map, Map 2, placed the current council in five separate districts the remaining three placed two councilmembers in the same district leaving one other district open.

Map 1 placed both Councilmembers Deal and Sarega in District 4, leaving District 1 open for a resident to run for a Council seat.

Map 3 placed Mayor De Ruse and Sarega in District 4, leaving District 2 open for a resident to run for a Council seat.

Map 4 placed Mayor De Ruse and Mowles in District 2, leaving District 1 open for a resident to run for a Council seat.

A proposed timeline calls for final adoption by Nov. 8.

Editor’s note:  MALDEF made a mistake in the letter sent to the city. The current Mayor, Steve DeRuse is of Hispanic heritage. This article has been re-posted with permission by lamiradalamplighter.com. See original article to view maps. You can also view the maps on the city's website, where officials are encouraging resident participation before the final lines are drawn.