1979-10-03 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Regular Meeting 10/3/79 6 4. JOINT DISCUSSION WITH CHARTER REVISION COMMITTEE AND CONSIDER APPROVING A DISTRICTING PLAN FOR THE PROPOSED BOUNDARY LINES FOR DISTRICTS FOR ELECTION OF COUNCILPERSONS UNDER THE PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE - (CONTINUED) Some states are not under the Voting Rights Act, but Texas is. If you are not under the Voting Rights Act, you may do any way you choose, either all at large or all single member districts. Texas has been under the Voting Rights Act since 1975. We have to ask the Justice Department before we make any change that will affect voting rights. It has been the view of the Justice Department, that all at large Councils further racial discrimina- tion; and that single member districts are more likely to allow minority input. The answer to Mrs. Kennedy's question is "Yes, and No". We didn't have to make the first change; but after you decide that you want to go to a Council/Manager form of government you have to go to some portion at large. No that was said wrong, you have to go to some portion. single member. Whether or not we go 4-2-1 or 6-1 is simply at the discression of the Commission, from the recommendation made by the Charter Revision Committee. That is a policy decision of the Commission for our own particular City. Commissioner Cline stated that the City Commission would decide either to go 4-2-1 or 6-1, then they just submit it to the Justice Department. Ms. Hamilton said, "Right". Mrs. Kennedy asked if all the plans submitted would be sent to the Justice Department? Commissioner Cline said, "And let the Justice Department make a decision"? Mrs. Kennedy said, "Right". Commissioner Cline stated that she was of the opinion that we only submit one plan. Either they give you their approval or they reject it. Mrs. Kennedy stated that she was sorry. She had heard so many different things, that she was just confused. She further stated that there were some people that would like to keep the present form of government. She further stated that she was just confused. Commissioner Tomerlin stated that he felt one of the easiest ways to describe this, that which ever one of the districting plans that is submitted, if the Justice Department approved it, and we voted on it, and the citizens turned it down, then we would remain just • as we are.