11-25-02 Council Rules Committee

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tontatittu tevort Conrail ZuX z tounnittitt The November 25, 2002, Council Rules Committee meeting was called to order by its Chairperson, Council President Roland Kelly at 4:08 p.m. in the Council Informal Meeting Room. Persons in attendance included Council Members Aranowski,Pfeifer, Kelly,King, Varner, White, Kirsits, Kuspa and Coleman; Mayor Stephen Luecke, Terry Miller of the Chamber of Commerce, Department of Community and Economic Development Director Jon Hunt, Terry Bland of the out j 0=4 U VtbUttU,and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand, Council Attorney. Council President Kelly stated that the first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 92-02 which would amend Chapter 2, § of the South Bend Munici p al Code addressin g "Six (6) Councilmanic Districts". Council Member Pfeifer, the Chairperson of the Special Advisory Redistricting Committee and Council Member for the 2nd District, made the presentation. She stated that every ten (10) years the Council is required to redistrict the area within the city limits based on the most recent federal census data. A broad-based committee made up of eleven (11) members and five (5) resource persons met each month on a Saturday morning. The committee proposed a well-balanced district map which properly divides the population as equally as possible and is respectful of natural boundaries. She thanked Council Members White and King for their service on the Special Committee and the efforts of Larry Magliozzi, the Council Attorney, and the representative of the city, county and neighborhoods who served. She pointed out on the map that there are two (2) gray areas namely SB 109 and SB 515 which indicate the areas which will change. Y Council Member King stated that in addition to being in full compliance with state law that there is a"perfect balance"in population among the six (6) districts with the greatest variance being 0.7%. He noted that less that 1,000 voters will be affected by the proposed changes. The process was respectful of the current Councilmanic District and the neighborhood association boundaries with minimal disruption. He stated that the redistricting plan works well for citizens of the city and for elected officials. Council Member Pfeifer added that the proposed map has been posted on the City's website since this summer. She added that the City Attorney, Charles Leone, who was a member of the Special Advisory Committee,sent a letter in support of the bill (copy attached). Council President Kelly thanked everyone who was involved in the process. Mayor Luecke noted that the process was thoughtful and thorough, similar to the process of ten (10)years ago. He stated that the committee did a fine job. Following discussion, Dr. Varner made a motion, seconded by Council Member Kirsits that Bill No. 92-02 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion passed. Under miscellaneous business, Council Member King provided a copy of Sec. 2-11 of the South Bend Municipal Code to the Committee addressing the Committee of the Whole and its procedures. He noted as the Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole he is concerned about the definition of"formal presentation against the bill or resolution which shall not be subject to a time limitation". He noted that he has had preliminary discussions with the Council Attorney and seeks a ruling from the Council Rules Committee.