01-28-02 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council

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+ w 4 COMM Wet Ulm t: Informal iftvating of tbiz §bout WO Common clout it The January 28, 2002, informal meeting of the South Bend Common Council was called to order by Council President Roland Kelly at 4:33 p.m.in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Varner, King, Coleman, Aranowski, Pfeifer, White,Kirsits and Kelly;George Adler, John Byorni, Glenda Rae Hernadez, Charles Leone, Ga ry Gilot, Larry Magliozzi, Terry Bland of the §olttbj Virra Grtt►une and Kathy Cekanski Farrand, Council Attorney. Council President then asked Council Member Pfeifer to give a report. Council Member Pfeifer, Chairperson of the Special Advisory Redistricting Committee, noted that the 13-member committee and five (5) resource persons have met twice. The Committee has agreed to meet the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9 am to 11 am until the project is completed. She further noted that each time there is a new proposed plan or when a milestone is reached that the Advisory has agreed to update the Council. She then asked Council Member King to provide a further update. Council Member King then reviewed the material attached to the meeting notice for this afternoon's meeting which contained: a Memorandum dated January 28,2002 from the Advisory Committee; Exhibit A which addresses the changes in the precincts in St. Joseph County;Exhibit B which is a summary of the population and registered voters by District; Exhibit C which sets forth individual precincts by population, registered voters and percentage changes; Exhibit D which sets for proposed redistricting data for one (1) plan which would affect SB0102, SB0118, SB0515. The additional attachments included the minutes from the January 12,2002 Advisory meeting;a listing of the names, addresses, telephone & email addresses of all committee members and resource persons; Census tract information on District 1 and two (2) maps showing proposed new Council Districts and Census 2002 census tracts/block groups. Council Member King summarized the legal requirements governing the process previously supplied by the Council Attorney; the role of the County Commissioners in establishing precinct lines; and noted that the purpose of today's meeting is to receive input and feedback. Council Member King then showed the proposed Districts on a large colored map and noted that the Advisory Committee is attempting to honor natural boundaries and current boundaries as much as possible so that there will not be large changes. He indicated that the percentage changes required will be minimal,but consistent with the governing law. Council Member Pfeifer then called upon Larry Magliozzi who she had been in contact with regard to some areas which are located within the City limits but are not assigned to a precinct. Mr. Magliozzi then pointed out eight(8) areas which they have determined have not been assigned to a precinct(map attached with potential precinct assignments listed). The areas in question may have approximately 150 people,most of whom would be elderly and voters. Mr. Magliozzi also noted that some precincts did split blocks,which is another area of concern. The Council Attorney noted that she has a meeting with the County Commissioners on Tuesday morning and would be able to discuss this matter with the Commissioners, if so directed by the Council.