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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-28-2001 Regular Meeting CJ MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF LA PORTE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE MEETING AUGUST 28, 2001 1. CALL TO ORDER Sidney Grant called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Members of Redistricting Committee Present: Kirby Linscomb, Sidney Grant, Betty Stoumbaugh, Ed Matuszak, Betty Waters, Bernard Legrand, Jesse Wilson, Bob Capen and Claudia Zapata. Members of the Redistricting Committee Absent: None Others Present: Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong, City Secretary Martha Gillett and Planning Coordinator Masood Malik. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON AUGUST 6, 2001 Minutes approved as presented. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS WISHING TO ADDRESS REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE There were no citizens wishing to address the Redistricting Committee. 4. COMMITTEE REPORT FROM ED MATUSZAK ON REDISTRICTING MAP Redistricting member Ed Matuszak reminded the Committee the first draft of a proposed redistricting map came very near meeting the +/- 5% guidelines. At the direction of the Committee, he presented a second draft of the map attempting to be closer to the targeted goal. The second draft shifted district lines in districts 5 and 6. Planning Coordinator Masood Malik calculated the numbers according to the new lines. The calculations reflected the following: District 2 -needs increased population -included an apartment complex in District 2. This would have worked in District 2 or 3. A small section of Creekmont Subdivision was moved to Districts 1 and 2. District 3 -needs decreased population. District 4 -picked up part of Spencer Landing Subdivision. District 6 -needs increased population. After moving the lines, map (R-005) was redrawn and this brought the numbers close to +/- 5% guidelines. The base population number needed per district is 5,303. • Redistricting Committee Meeting Minutes (Cont'd) August 28, 2001 -Page 2 Population numbers reflected the following: District 1 5650 +6% District 2 5598 +5% District 3 5,698 +6% District 4 5,099 -4% District 5 5,039 -5% District 6 5,420 +2% • Sidney Grant noted the Committee would need to look at each block individually to fine tune the numbers. The Committee agreed to take the map presented and look at ethnic groups within each district. It appears that while upholding the +/-5% population guidelines, the map as presented was a good attempt to avoid retrogression. In addition, met all other criteria established by the City Council in the criteria ordinance. Masood Malik provided the Committee with a breakdown. Ed Matuszak informed the group the targeted number per district is 5,313. A perfect target would be 266+ or 266-. Sidney Grant noted we would be able to obtain this target by fine-tuning the numbers to meet the +/-5%. The Committee discussed making the following changes to the next proposed map: Take in more of District 1 and add to District 4. The line would be drawn to out lot line on H Street. Pick up more in District 3 on Rocky Hollow. Bring the new map with numbers +/-5% as discussed. At that time the Committee can analyze against district breakdowns. The Committee noted the lines were drawn in accordance with the guidelines the Committee was required to follow. In addition, lines were moved to keep people with common interests in the same district, and to keep the incumbent in their district. Sidney Grant requested each district to state their opinion of map #R-005. Each member was pleased with the map. It was noted they would like to see Creekmont Subdivision be completely in District 3. • Redistricting Committee Meeting Minutes (Cont'd) August 28, 2001 -Page 3 5. ORDINANCE 2001-2502 COUNCIL GUIDELINES FOR REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE Assistant City Attorney John Armstrong presented and discussed ordinance guidelines from City Council. He urged the Committee to look at common interests when drawing district lines. In addition, he requested the Committee to look at the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan. Betty Waters offered to work on this review. 6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS There was no previous business discussed. 7. NEW BUSINESS Sidney Grant requested the Committee to be thinking about how they want to handle the Public Hearing. He suggested each committee member provide a report after John Armstrong provides a legal overview. Martha Gillett informed the group that Dina Martinez called to say she resigned and will be sending the Chairman a letter. When the letter is received, this item will be placed on the agenda for further discussion on recommending Council replace the alternate position. 8. CALENDAR Review Monthly Calendar New Calendar Items and Deadlines The calendar was reviewed and the Committee agreed to set meeting dates for November at one of the October meetings. 9. COMMITTEE COMMENTS The Committee had no further comments. 10. ADJOURNMENT Motion was made by Bob Capen to adjourn the meeting. Second by Betty Stoumbaugh. The motion was carried unanimously. Ayes: Grant, Waters, Stoumbaugh, Linscomb, Wilson, Legrand, Capen, Zapata, and Matuszak. Nays: None Abstain: None * ~ Redistricting Committee Meeting Minutes (Cont'd) August 28, 2001-Page 4 There being no further business, the Redistricting Committee Meeting was duly adjourned at 7:50 P.M. Respectfully submitted, ~' ~-_ !~ , ~, ~, ~. -~,°~~ ~ lll; Sidney Gr r ,Chairman Passed and approved on this 1st day of October 2001.