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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-11-2001 Regular Meeting e e MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING OF LA PORTE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE MEETING DECEMBER 11, 2001 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sidney Grant at 6:30 p.m. Members of Redistrictilll! Committee Present: Sidney Grant, Betty Stoumbaugh, Ed Matuszak, Betty Waters, Bernard Legrand, Kirby Linscomb and Jesse Wilson. Members of the Redistricting Committee Absent: Claudia Zapata and Bob Capen. Staff Present: City Attorney Knox Askins, Attorney Clarke Askins, City Secretary Martha Gillett and Assistant City Secretary Sharon Harris. Others Present: Sue Gale Mock Kooken, Sammie Johnson II, Charles Engelken, Sr., Sib Carpenter, Adam Mooney, Melissa McDaniel, Andy De Walle, Bill Scott, Kyle Adams, Chantal Cole, Dave Turnquist, Howard Ebow, Laura Hernandez, Jennifer Garcia, Jessica Scott, Alex Bane, Troy Jones, Lucia Detrees, Kathleen France, Ray Ramirez, A.J. France, Pat Martin and a number of citizens. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 13, 2001 Motion was made by Bernard Legrand to approve the minutes as presented. A second by Betty Waters. The motion carried unanimously. Ayes: Sidney Grant, Ed Matuszak, Betty Waters, Betty Stoumbaugh, Kirby Linscomb, Jesse Wilson, Bernard Legrand. Nays: None Abstain: None 3. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, COMMUNICATIONS, AND CITIZENS AND T AXP AYERS WISIDNG TO ADDRESS REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE There were no citizens wishing to address the Redistricting Committee. 4. WELCOME PUBLIC TO MEETING Chairman Sidney Grant welcomed all citizens. 5. CHAIRMAN PROVIDED FORMAT AND GROUND RULES FOR MEETING '0 Chairman Sidney Grant informed the committee and citizens of the format and ground rules to be followed at the meeting. Mr. Grant noted the following items: The City Attorney will explain the laws in which the Committee followed. - ------------..- e e Redistricting Minutes - Page 2 Committee Member Ed Matuszak will go through the overview of the entire recommended plan the Committee will be presenting to City Council. Each Committee Member will explain the changes to the district lines of the district they represent. After the Committee makes their presentation, ten minutes will be allotted for questions and answers from the audience to each individual district member. At the end of all presentations, there will be a question and answer session for all districts. Mr. Grant requested citizens address the Chairman or the Committee and there be no discussion between the members in the audience, so we can keep order in the meeting. 6 & 7. THE CITY ATTORNEY EXPLAINED RULES AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES FOLLOWED BYn1E COMMITTEE AND GUIDELINES SET FORTH BY THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE City Attorney Knox Askins noted the following items: The Home Rule Charter of the City of La Porte provides that after each federal census conducted every ten years, the City Council look at the census results to determine if the six single member districts have become disproportionate in population due to the growth during the previous ten years. City Council determined, when the census figures were obtained, that there was a great deal of disproportion of population among the various single member districts. The City Council appointed a citizens' committee to undertake the task of simulating the census data. On August 131\ the City Council passed an ordinance that gave the general charge to this Committee, outlining what its duties are as a Redistricting Committee to draw new maps for polling places for the six districts. The law on this is federal law (Voting Rights Act) and applies mainly to the southern states. Court decisions have been made to interpret those statutes. In addition, the Justice Department issued regulations late last year that had to be followed as well. The total population was determined; and the federal law is that these districts should be as equal as possible in population, with a population deviation of no more than +/- 5%, utilizing the best available population data as provided by the federal census for the year 2000. The population of the City of La Porte is 31,880 total citizens. That population total is not voters, but total citizens. For each single member district, the ideal population is 5,313 persons per district. Following the regulations of the Justice Department and taking in consideration the maximum allowable deviation, the districts on the high side should be 5,579 people and on the low side 5,047 people. The regulations stated and were included in the Council ordinance, providing direction to the Committee, noting where possible easily identifiable geographic boundaries would be utilized. The most obvious would be a major street or a boulevard. e e Redistricting Minutes - Page 3 The Committee followed these guidelines when considering new district lines. In some instances they had to cut across a subdivision, but mainly you will see main streets or a large stream. Historic communities of interest shall be maintained in a single district, where possible, and to the extent possible, neighborhoods shall not be split when drawing district boundaries. It is recognized, due to the size of the City, that it is not possible to use County voting precincts. This has been a problem from the very beginning of this process, going back to the 1980's. When Harris County draws its precincts, they must draw those to accommodate congressional races, Texas Senate/Legislative races, County Commissioner's Court and the Justice of the Peace Courts. It is very difficult for them to do that. They can't accommodate themselves to a City district. We will continue to have City districts containing one or more county voting precincts, which causes much confusion, but we have not been able to deal with this matter to date. The new district plans shall be based on the existing benchmark plan to the extent possible. Districts shall be drawn relatively equal in population size and based on the population deviation factor of +/- 5%. To the extent possible, districts should be reasonably compact and contiguous to one another. The new district plan shall recognize incumbent constituency relationships. This means that it is proper for the committee to look at existing incumbency in the existing districts and to the extent possible, retain that. The Committee, in drawing the new proposed map, did this. The Voting Rights Act was passed in the early 1960's primarily to protect minority voting rights. The plan must be narrowly tailored to avoid retrogression to the extent possible, within the allowable population deviation, in the position of racial minority, and also language minorities as defined in the Voting Rights Act of 1965, with respect to their affective exercise of the electoral franchise. That means, if you have a concentration of a particular minority group, they will be taken into consideration when redrawing new district boundaries and maximize their voting strength to the extent you can. Based on the above referenced criteria established by federal law, federal regulations, and federal court decisions, these were the main focus points and direction provided to the Committee from City Council. The Redistricting Committee has met twice a month for a number of months and has prepared a number of map drafts before making a final recommendation to City Council. Data provided from the Census Bureau was used in establishing maps. e e Redistricting Minutes - Page 4 The Committee did a great job in meeting the criteria established for them to follow. Council primarily used a committee to get as much citizen involvement as possible. Tonight's meeting is another example of citizen involvement. In addition, there will be a Public Hearing at the City Council Meeting on January 28, 2002. As the Chairman pointed out, there will be ample opportunity for citizens to ask questions and provide their opinions at this meeting. You do not have to sign-in that evening to speak. Just raise your hand if you wish to address the Committee. 8. ED MATUSZAK PROVIDEDuIE PUBLIC WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE ENTIRE MAPPING OF EACH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT AND DATA USED TO DEFINE THE NEW DISTRICTS Mr. Matuszak provided an overview of the process the Committee used in determining the map recommended to City Council. He indicated this was a difficult task because such a large number of people had to be moved into District 4; moved people to District 3; moved people out of District 2; District I was fairly compact and stayed mostly the same; and District 6 needed shifting. An overview of the numbers provided by the Census Bureau was discussed. Total population 31,880 divided by six districts = 5,313 5% = 267 people Ethnic breakdowns were presented. Mr. Matuszak informed the group how the Committee followed each of the guidelines provided by City Council and set forth by federal regulations. The current and recommended maps were presented. Guidelines did not allow the Committee to take into consideration any growth or homes built after the census numbers were provided. The Committee had to use the numbers provided by the census bureau. The Committee drafted nine maps to determine the final recommendation. In addition, Mr. Matuszak noted the Committee is recommending the number of polling locations be reduced from six to two. This is being recommended to ease the confusion to voters on where to vote, and reduce costs due to difficulties obtaining election workers. 9. DISTRICT COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT PROPOSED MAPS OF EACH DISTRICT AND EXPLAINED PROCESS FOR DRAWING NEW DISTRICT LINES Each Committee Member provided a report on their district and allowed the public to ask questions. In addition, the public will be able to speak during the Public Hearing. e e Redistricting Minutes - Page 5 10. CITY SECRETARY PROVIDED REPORT ON POLLING LOCATION RECOMMENDATIONS City Secretary Martha Gillett provided the Committee with an overview ofthe recommended polling locations. In addition, Ms. Gillett noted that City Council has met in a Workshop Session to discuss reducing the number of polling locations on two separate occasions and agree the number needs to be reduced. This will ease the confusion to voters and provide the City with a large cost savings. Ms. Gillett noted numerous complaints have been received from citizens with regards to the confusion of where to vote on Election Day. 11. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION WITH PUBLIC There were no questions from the Public. 12. OPEN PUBLIC HEARING Chairman Sidney Grant opened the Public Hearing at 7:33. Overview by Ed Matuszak - The overview was summarized and presented by Ed Matuszak. Receive Public Input - Chairman Sidney Grant requested comments from the Public. Sue Gail Kooken took the opportunity to compliment the committee on doing a great job. Bill Scott questioned where the line was drawn on H Street. The committee informed him where the line was drawn and the homes south of H Street would not be in District 1. Recommendation of Committee - The Redistricting Committee recommended map R- 009 be forwarded to City Council for approval and the number of polling locations be reduced to two. Close Public Hearing - The Public Hearing closed at 7:43. 13. PREVIOUS BUSINESS There was no previous business to be discussed. 14. NEW BUSINESS Motion was made by Betty Waters to approve map R-009 to be presented to City Council at the January 14,2001 City Council Meeting and reduce the number of polling locations to two. Second by Betty Stoumbaugh. The motion carried unanimously. e - Redistricting Minutes - Page 6 Ayes: Waters, Matuszak, Grant, Stoumbaugh, Linscomb, Wilson and Legrand. Nays: None Abstain: None Chairman Sidney Grant appointed Ed Matuszak to prepare a final report to City Council and forward to the City Secretary in time for the January 14,2002 City Council Meeting. In addition, Mr. Matuszak was appointed to make the presentation on behalf of the Committee at the Council Meeting. 15. CALENDAR The Committee discussed the following City Council meeting dates. January 14, 2002 - Presentation to City Council on map R-009 and polling location changes. January 28,2002 - Public Hearing at City Council Meeting to discuss map R-009 and polling locations changes. 16. COMMITTEE COMMENTS There was no further discussion or comments from the committee. 17. Motion was made by Betty Stoumbaugh to adjourn the meeting. Second by Jesse Wilson. The motion was carried unanimously. Ayes: Grant, Waters, Stoumbaugh, Linscomb, Wilson, Legrand and Matuszak. Nays: None Abstain: None There being no further business, the Redistricting Committee Meeting was duly adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ? .~)~7 J{/" c;;>l;~ _ r ."U Z't1 .... \/k-t-'t.t-.{ Sidney Grant, Chairman . ~h Passed and approved on this II day of ~OO 1.