04-13-02 Special Advisory Redistricting Committee

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tommittoe import: •pttia1 iiizorj rogitztrittin ommitt The April 13,2002 meeting of the Special Advisory Redistricting Committee was called to order at 9:05 a.m. by its Chairperson, Council Member Charlotte Pfeifer in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included: Hollis E. Hughes, Jr., Gregorio Chavez, Jr., Gary Gilot, Glenda Rae Hernandez, Council Member Karl King, Charles S. Leone, Council Member Pfeifer, Council Member Karen L. White, Dr. David Varner, John Byorni, George Adler, Deb Martin, Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, and Larry Magliozzi. Council Member Pfeifer welcomed everyone to the third Special Advisory Redistricting Committee meeting. She began the meeting by noting that ten (10) years ago, there was only one (1) public meeting on the proposed redistrictin g plan which was eventually a pp roved by the City. She would be willing to meet in the neighborhoods and in particular in the areas where specific populations would be affected by any proposed changes. Council Member Pfeifer then inquired as to whether the issue with St. Joseph County had been settled. Council Member King stated noted that the County will be required to redraw certain precincts in light of the fact that in limited areas they did not include areas which are indeed within the city limits. Kathy Cekanski Farrand noted that she did bring this matter to the attention of the County Commissioners and the County Attorney, Mr. Tony Zappia. Mr. Zappia believed that the corrective action would be"housekeeping"in nature. Council Member King then reviewed his Memorandum dated March 2, 2002 (copy attached). He noted that current precincts SB0109 and SB0209 have been combined in the new plan to be SB0109. He then reviewed the proposed change of moving Precinct SB0109 from Councilmanic District 1 to Councilmanic District 2 and moving Precinct SB0515 from Councilmanic District 5 to Councilmanic District 3. He noted that as the Committee has discussed in the past, this proposal meets the state law requirements and minimizes the number of persons affected. Council Member Pfeifer noted that respect for natural boundaries and a balance of population would also be maintained by this proposal. Mr. Leone noted that 2-9 may become part of the Near Northwest Neighborhood group, however Council Member Pfeifer noted that 2-9 is currently covered by LANA. Council Member Pfeifer noted that both neighborhood groups are vital organizations, noting that the precinct involved is a challenging neighborhood and that this is a good example of why public forums are needed. Council Member White inquired as to how many public sessions should be held. The Committee decided to address this question later in the meeting. Larry Magliozzi and George Adler then briefly reviewed the proposed Councilmanic District map which had the boundaries of the neighborhood groups noted. They noted that the map was prepared by Deb Martin. Kathy Cekanski Farrand then summarized her Memorandum dated April 12, 2002(copy attached).