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Redistricting Committee
<br /> Minutes of June 9, 2011
<br /> Members Present: Charles Harrington, Nolan Allen, Charles Montgomery, Mark Follis, Paul Berner,
<br /> Nancy Ojeda, Nanci Lotz, Lisa Garcia, and Venessa Guerrero (Alternate)
<br /> Members Absent: Charlie Perry, Martha Gillett (Alternate), and Champ Dunham (Alternate)
<br /> City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager, Traci Leach; Planning Director, Tim Tietjens; GIS
<br /> Manager, Brian Sterling; City Attorney, Knox Askins; and Planning Coordinator,
<br /> Peggy Lee
<br /> 1. CaII to order
<br /> Meeting called to order by Chairman Charles Harrington at 6:10 p.m.
<br /> 2. Introductions
<br /> Planning Director, Tim Tietjens, welcomed everyone to the meeting and began introductions with
<br /> committee members Charles Harrington, Nolan Allen, Charles Montgomery, Mark Follis, Paul
<br /> Berner, Nancy Ojeda, Nanci Lotz, Lisa Garcia, and Vanessa Guerrero (Alternate).
<br /> Other introductions included the GIS Manager, Brian Sterling; Planning Coordinator, Peggy Lee;
<br /> City Attorney, Knox Askins; Assistant City Manager, Traci Leach; and Associate Director for the
<br /> University of Houston Hobby Center for Public Policy, Renee Cross.
<br /> 3. Overview of 2010 Census data
<br /> Mr. Tietjens spoke on the role of the committee and described how the information collected from
<br /> the Census would be utilized throughout the redistricting process, as required by the U.S.
<br /> Department of Justice. Mr. Tietjens provided a PowerPoint presentation with slides showing the
<br /> four levels of census geography, which include Place, Tract, Block Group, and Block. He
<br /> mentioned there were four Blocks split during the redistricting process in 2000.
<br /> A breakdown of the 2010 racial and ethnic composition of La Porte and a graph comparing the
<br /> population by Council District in 2000 and 2010 was also provided.
<br /> Mr. Tietjens talked about minority representation, referring to Sections 2 and 5 of the Voting
<br /> Rights Act, as well as, contiguity, compactness, communities of interest, and incumbent
<br /> protection.
<br /> 4. Overview of Census redistricting adoption process
<br /> City Attorney, Knox Askins, spoke about the Voting Acts Right and provided the historical
<br /> perspective for La Porte. He described the process and timing involved with the redistricting
<br /> adoption process and receiving pre - clearance from the Justice Department.
<br /> There was discussion about placement of boundary lines and it was suggested that each member
<br /> take a look at the Council District Map and perform a cursory review of the district they represent.
<br /> Mr. Askins took a moment to explain how the consultant and City staff would be a resource for the
<br /> committee, but it would be the job of the committee to redraw district boundary lines and provide that
<br /> recommendation to City Council.
<br /> Associate Director for the University of Houston Hobby Center for Public Policy, Renee Cross,
<br /> provided a handout entitled Redistricting Terms, as provided by the Texas Legislative Council.
<br /> Councilman Zemanek suggested pinpointing on a map, the location of each Council Member's home
<br /> address.
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