O-2023-3943 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

ORDINANCE NO_2023-3943 AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, APPROVING A PLAN FOR THE REDISTRICTING OF THE CITY'S SINGLE- MEMBER COUNCIL DISTRICTS AND ESTABLISHING NEW SINGLE-MEMBER COUNCIL DISTRICT BOUNDARY LINES FOR LA PORTE CITY COUNCIL ELECTIONS BASED ON 2020 CENSUS DATA; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE WHEREAS,the results of the 2020 federal Census have been considered and indicate that the City of La Porte's single-member council districts are sufficiently out of-population balance to require redistricting in order to comply with the "one-person, one-vote" (equal population) principle established by the U-S. Constitution,as well as directives contained in the La Porte City Charter requiring redistricting when the distribution of population among the various city council districts become"materially unbalanced"; and WHEREAS,on April 10,2023,the City Council adopted redistricting criteria to assist the City and the public in developing redistricting plans which comply with applicable federal and state laws,and the adopted redistricting criteria were applied in the development of the City's new redistricting plan; and WHEREAS, on April 10, 2023, the City Council also adopted redistricting guidelines regarding the submission of comments and proposed plans by the public, to ensure the ability of the City to timely receive and adequately consider them; and WHEREAS, on April 24, 2023,the City Council appointed a citizens' committee known as the City of La Porte, Texas, Redistricting Advisory Committee and charged it with analyzing potential redistricting plans and to recommend a proposed plan to the City Council; and WHEREAS,the City o£La Porte, Texas, Redistricting Advisory Committee met on June 6, 2023, and June 28, 2023, and at the June 28, 2023, meeting approved a plan to recommend to the City Council for adoption; and WHEREAS, during the redistricting process the City provided notice to the public of its proposed discussions by the City of La Porte, Texas, Redistricting Advisory Committee and the City Council and the development of a redistricting plan through meeting agendas posted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, and notices on the City's website; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered the proposed redistricting plan at a public hearing held on July 24,2023,and has considered oral testimony,written comments,reports from the City of La Porte, Texas, Redistricting Advisory Committee and the City's redistricting consultant; and WHEREAS,the City Council finds that the city council district redistricting plan attached to this ordinance is in the best interest of the citizens of the City, complies with the adopted redistricting criteria, and is believed to comply with all state and federal requirements; NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY