HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-24-2001 Regular Meetingf
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City of La Porte
Redistricting Committee Meeting Minutes
July 24, 2001
Prior to calling the meeting to order, the City Secretary administered the appointment
of appointed officers and faxed copies to the Secretary of State's Office.
1. CALL TO ORDER/OATHS OF OFFICE
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sydney Grant at 6:45 p.m.
Members of the Redistricting Committee Present: Kirby Linscomb, Sydney
Grant, Betty Stoumbaugh, Ed Matuszak, Betty Waters, Bernard Legrand, Jesse
Wilson, Bob Capen and Claudia Zapata.
Members of the Redistricting Committee Absent: Dina Martinez
Others Present: Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong and City Secretary
Martha Gillett.
City Secretary Martha Gillett administered the Oaths of Office to committee
members. Committee member Bernard Legrand took his Oath and signed it
under protest.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON JULY 17, 2001
A motion was made by Betty Stoumbaugh to approve the minutes as presented.
Second by Betty Waters. The motion carried unanimously.
Ayes: Grant, Waters, Stoumbaugh, Linscomb, Wilson, Legrand, Capen, Zapata
and Matuszak.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
3&4. The committee discussed and adopted an organizational structure and guidelines
to follow at each meeting, and set meeting dates and times.
The following items were presented and discussed:
Chairman Sydney Grant informed the committee Roberts Rules of Order will be
followed unless otherwise specified in these guidelines as approved and voted
on by the committee.
Chairman Sydney Grant informed the committee he would like to appoint
subcommittees to research and make recommendations as specific needs arise.
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Page 2 -Redistricting Minutes
The goal of the committee will be to recommend at least three options to City
Council within the next six months.
Meetings will begin at 6:30 P.M. City staff will have a light dinner available at
6:00 P.M.
Meetings will be held the first and third Monday's in the City Hall Council
Chambers, unless rescheduled due to conflict or business necessity. Special
called meetings will be held on the fifth Monday of each month on an as needed
basis.
Meetings will end by 9:00 P.M. unless the committee agrees to extend a meeting
due to special circumstances.
The committee agreed to have an item on each agenda to allow the public to
address the committee for afive-minute period. If several citizens want to speak
on the same matter, they will be requested to have one person speak on their
behalf. They will be limited to five minutes. Citizens will not be allowed to
interact with the committee other than this time or during a public hearing.
The City Secretary will place a sign in sheet at the entrance of the Council
Chambers for those citizens wishing to sign up and speak to the committee for a
five-minute limit.
The City Secretary will provide each committee member with a name badge to
be worn at each meeting.
The August meeting dates will be Monday, August 5 at 6:30 P.M. and Tuesday,
August 28 at 6:30 P.M. Both meetings will be held in the City Hall Council
Chambers.
A motion was made by Betty Stoumbaugh to approve the guidelines as outlined
by the chairman and committee members. Second by Ed Matuszak. The motion
carried unanimously.
Ayes: Grant, Waters, Stoumbaugh, Linscomb, Wilson, Legrand, Capen, Zapata
and Matuszak.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
5. The committee considered appointing aVice-Chairman.
Ed Matuszak nominated Betty Waters as Vice-Chairman. Second by Betty
Stoumbaugh.
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Page 3 -Redistricting Minutes
Motion was made by Bob Capen to accept the nomination of Mr. Matuszak by
acclimation. Second by Jesse Wilson. The motion carried unanimously.
Ayes: Grant, Waters, Stoumbaugh, Linscomb, Wilson, Legrand, Capen, Zapata
and Matuszak.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
6. Committee discussed an implementation plan.
The committee discussed an implementation plan for the redistricting process.
The following points were discussed:
A mathematical approach will be taken. The committee will take the new
census numbers and determine what population each district should have when
determining new district lines. Once the number has been determined, the
committee will work on determining new district lines using the guidelines
discussed at the previous meeting. In addition, the committee will follow the
direction and guidelines of the Resolution to be passed at the August 13, 2001
City Council meeting. The committee will protect the incumbent when
considering new district lines. It was noted that clearer lines need to be
determined between districts 2 and 3.
Chairman Sydney Grant appointed Ed Matuszak to work on determining a
mathematical number and map example by the next meeting.
7. There was no new business brought forward by the committee.
8. The committee had no further comments.
9. Motion was made by Betty Stoumbaugh to adjourn the meeting. Second by
Claudia Zapata. The motion carried unanimously.
Ayes: Grant, Waters, Stoumbaugh, Linscomb, Wilson, Legrand, Capen, Zapata
and Matuszak.
Nays: None
Abstain: None
There being no further business, the Redistricting Committee Meeting was duly
adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Redistricting Minutes -Page 4
4Respectfully submitted,,
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Sidney Grant, Chairman
Martha A. Gillett, TRMC
City Secretary
Passed and approved on this ~~~day of J (,i. (~/ , 2001.