HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-02-02 Special Advisory Redistricting Committee QGommttta deport:
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The February 9,2002 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, Audrey
Jones Spencer, Council Member Karen L. White, George Adler, Ramon F. Rodriguez, Kathleen
Cekanski-Farrand, and Larry Magliozzi.
Council Member Pfeifer welcomed everyone to the second Special Advisory Redistricting
Committee meeting. She then called upon George Adler to review his handouts.
Mr. Adler summarized the"Census 200 South Bend"map which depicted the six(6) Councilmanic
Districts. He briefly reviewed the census tracts/block groups, and highlight the areas on the map
which were not included in the County's process of drawing precincts boundaries.
Mr. Adler also highlighted the information on the 4-page handout entitled "Current City of South
Bend Common Council Districts" (copy attached) and the 4-page handout entitled "Proposed City
of South Bend Common Council Districts" (copy attached) which detailed information on the
number and percentage of Hispanic, White Black, American Indian, Asian, Hawaiian, and other
racial categories.
Glenda Rae Hernandez noted that ten (10) years ago during the redistricting process special
emphasis took place on the 2d District so that there would be an opportunity for minority
representation.
Council Member King noted that the information he proposed earlier attempts to balance population
as equally as possible. He noted that there may be other attributes which the committee should
review, but voiced concern about going into"dangerous territory".
Kathy Cekanski Farrand, the Council Attorney, noted that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is best
known for the principle of"one person, one vote"and that the drawing of district lines must honor
this principle. She further noted that the federal law is designed to prevent discrimination against
racial, ethnic and language minorities. The Council Attorney noted that one of the most recent
U.S. Supreme Court cases in this area is Hunt v. Cromartie which was decided in April of 2001.
This case involved North Carolina's new 12th and 1st Congressional Districts. White votes asked
the court to rule the Districts unconstitutional due to racial gerrymandering. The Court found that
the evidence supported creating the Districts noting that:
"A legislature trying to secure a safe Democratic seat is interested in
Democratic voting behavior. Hence,a legislature may,by placing
reliable Democratic precincts within a district without regard to race,
end up with a district containing more heavily African-American
precincts, but the reasons would be political rather than racial".
The Council Attorney concluded that under the Hunt decision, race may be a part of the process
of drawing district lines so long as the "traditional redistricting principles" of having districts be
compact and contiguous,etc. are not violated.
Special Advisory Redistricting Committee
February 9,2002
Page 2
Council Member Pfeifer stated that as much relevant information should be discussed and brought
to everyone's attention as possible.
Mr. Gilot, Director of Public Works, noted that the two (2) primary growth areas are in the
northwest and the south.
Discussion then took place over what neighborhood associations represent particular areas of the
city with a special emphasis on what groups represented#118,#115,# 109,#515.
Mr. Adler noted that there may be a discrepancy as large as 1,800 people. Mr. Adler and Mr.
Magliozzi noted that the county crossed census block group lines in some limited situations, noting
that the CD-Rom is different.
Council Member Pfeifer noted that she called the President of LANA and#109 is currently in the
2nd Councilmanic District.
Council Member King noted that if there are discrepancies in the numbers that they should be
identified. He further noted that the numbers must be resolved in order for this committee to move
forward. Council Member King noted that he would contact county officials and report back to the
Committee.
The Council Attorney stated that she would also bring this to the attention of Mr. Anthony Zappia,
County Attorney,since she has a meeting with him and the County Commissioners next week.
The Committee also requested that a map be prepared which depicts the neighborhood boundaries
for its next meeting.
Following discussion, Council Member Pfeifer thanked everyone for coming and stated that the
next meeting would be held on Saturday, March 9, 2002 at 9 am. She then adjourned the meeting
at 10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council Member Charlotte Pfeifer,Chairperson
Special Advisory Redistricting Committee
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Attachments