HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-09-11 La Porte Redistricting Committee Redistricting Committee
Minutes of June 9, 2011
Members Present: Charles Harrington, Nolan Allen, Charles Montgomery, Mark Follis, Paul Berner,
Nancy Ojeda, Nanci Lotz, Lisa Garcia, and Venessa Guerrero (Alternate)
Members Absent: Charlie Perry, Martha Gillett (Alternate), and Champ Dunham (Alternate)
City Staff Present: Assistant City Manager, Traci Leach; Planning Director, Tim Tietjens; GIS
Manager, Brian Sterling; City Attorney, Knox Askins; and Planning Coordinator,
Peggy Lee
1. CaII to order
Meeting called to order by Chairman Charles Harrington at 6:10 p.m.
2. Introductions
Planning Director, Tim Tietjens, welcomed everyone to the meeting and began introductions with
committee members Charles Harrington, Nolan Allen, Charles Montgomery, Mark Follis, Paul
Berner, Nancy Ojeda, Nanci Lotz, Lisa Garcia, and Vanessa Guerrero (Alternate).
Other introductions included the GIS Manager, Brian Sterling; Planning Coordinator, Peggy Lee;
City Attorney, Knox Askins; Assistant City Manager, Traci Leach; and Associate Director for the
University of Houston Hobby Center for Public Policy, Renee Cross.
3. Overview of 2010 Census data
Mr. Tietjens spoke on the role of the committee and described how the information collected from
the Census would be utilized throughout the redistricting process, as required by the U.S.
Department of Justice. Mr. Tietjens provided a PowerPoint presentation with slides showing the
four levels of census geography, which include Place, Tract, Block Group, and Block. He
mentioned there were four Blocks split during the redistricting process in 2000.
A breakdown of the 2010 racial and ethnic composition of La Porte and a graph comparing the
population by Council District in 2000 and 2010 was also provided.
Mr. Tietjens talked about minority representation, referring to Sections 2 and 5 of the Voting
Rights Act, as well as, contiguity, compactness, communities of interest, and incumbent
protection.
4. Overview of Census redistricting adoption process
City Attorney, Knox Askins, spoke about the Voting Acts Right and provided the historical
perspective for La Porte. He described the process and timing involved with the redistricting
adoption process and receiving pre - clearance from the Justice Department.
There was discussion about placement of boundary lines and it was suggested that each member
take a look at the Council District Map and perform a cursory review of the district they represent.
Mr. Askins took a moment to explain how the consultant and City staff would be a resource for the
committee, but it would be the job of the committee to redraw district boundary lines and provide that
recommendation to City Council.
Associate Director for the University of Houston Hobby Center for Public Policy, Renee Cross,
provided a handout entitled Redistricting Terms, as provided by the Texas Legislative Council.
Councilman Zemanek suggested pinpointing on a map, the location of each Council Member's home
address.
Redistricting Committee
Minutes of June 9, 2011
Page 2 of 2
5. Set schedule for future meetings
The committee agreed to meet every two weeks on Tuesday evenings. The next meeting will be
held June 28 at 6:00 p.m. Staff will try to reserve the Police Department Training Room for the
next meeting. If the Training Room is unavailable, the meeting will be held in the Council
Chambers.
6. Administrative reports
With regard to the Open Meetings law, Mr. Askins cautioned the committee against having a
meeting with a quorum outside of the committee meetings, including phone conversations and e-
mail correspondence.
7. Committee comments on matters appearing on agenda or inquiry of staff regarding
specific factual information of existing policy.
There were none.
8. Adjourn
Chairman Harrington adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
Submitted by,
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Plannin: C•• dinator
Approved on t• is _�2 ay of , 2011.
Charles Harrington
Redistricting Committee Chairman