HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-02 Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council + w
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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 Grttâ–ºune 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.
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Informal Meeting of the South Bend Common Council
January 28, 2002
Page 2
Council Member Pfeifer noted that the City needs an answer to the questions raised by Mr.
Magliozzi in the event that persons call. She added that the proposal is a preliminary plan, noting
that Larry and George are working on further demographics for all of the Council Districts.
Council President Kelly noted that for openers, the preliminary plan is an excellent job since it
contains the fewest amount of changes and appears to be balanced.
Dr. Varner noted that the county made drastic changes which may cause further confusion.
Glenda Rae Hernadez inquired about neighborhood boundaries, noting that this was an area also
raised by the Advisory Committee.
Council Member Aranowski noted that the proposed changes in his area would be consistent with
neighborhood groups.
The Council Attorney noted that George, Larry and Deb Martin would be providing an overlay
map depicting the neighborhood boundaries for the February 9th advisory committee meeting.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Kelly adjourned the
meeting at 4:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Roland Kelly
Council President
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