HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-06-92 Committee on Redistricting (Special Committee) _=SpUTH g . City of South Bend III
d Common Council
III -$•,'. A : County-City Building•South Bend,Indiana 46601
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Stephen Luecke
President Committee on Redistricting (Special Committee)
Sean Coleman
Vice-President The November 6, 1992, meeting of the Special Committee
on Redistricting was called to order at 5: 15 p.m. in
Ann Puzzello the Council Informal Meeting Room.
Chairman,Committee
of the Whole Persons in attendance included Council Members Luecke,
Ladewski, and Slavinskas; Penny Hughes, Glenda Rae
Hernandez, Norman Primus, Rev. Rouse, Members of the
Stephen Luecke Executive Committee of the NAACP, Don Porter,
First District concerned citizens and Kathleen Cekanski-Farrand.
Cleo Washington Council President Luecke introduced members of the
Second District Special Committee, namely Council Members Ladewski,
Slavinskas, and himself, and two members of the League
Roland Kelly of Women Voters, namely Penny Hughes and Glenda Rae
Third District
Hernandez .
Ann Puzzello
Fourth District Council President Luecke then handed out copies of the
State Law dealing with redistricting and a handout
LinasSlavinskas entitled "Overview of Current and Developing Law in
Fifth District Municipal Redistricting" .
ThomasZalazewski He stated that he would like to establish a calendar so
SixthDistrict that the Council could take final action on a
Sean Coleman redistricting proposal by the end of this year. It was
At Large suggested that the next meeting be held on Thursday,
November 12 , 1992 , at 5: 30 p.m.
Loretta Duda
At Large The Council Attorney recommended that a proposed Bill
on Redistricting which would amend Section 1-4 of the
Eugene Ladewski South Bend Municipal Code be filed at least by title by
At Large Wednesday, November 18th so that it could have first
reading on November 23rd. This would allow Public
Hearing to take place on December 14th with passage
KathleenCekanskiFarrand that date if at all possible or permit the Public
Council Attorney Hearing to be continued until the meeting of December
28th with passage that evening.
Rev. Rouse of the Executive Committee of the NAACP
stated that he was dismayed that there were no
minorities on the Special Committee. He stated that
minorities make up twenty per cent (20%) of the City of
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South Bend population and requested an explanation as
to why this took place.
Council President Luecke said he would be receptive to
an additional member being named to the Committee with
Penny Hughes, Glenda Rae Hernandez and Council Member
Slavinskas agreeing to that position. It was
recommended that Rev. Rouse make a recommendation to
Council President Luecke by next Monday, and that
Council Member Washington be contacted also.
Mr. Norman Primus of Common Cause stated that he was
pleased that his redistricting kit had been made
available to the public. He also stated that he agrees
that there should be minority representation on the
Special Committee. He voiced strong concern, however,
why no one from Common Cause was not included on this
Special Committee. He questioned why two (2)
representatives from the League of Women Voters were
included, but no one from Common Cause. He stated that
he collectively has developed an expertise in
redistricting which is known not only state-wide but
nationally. He stated that he is deeply hurt by this
decision. He requested specific notice of all further
meetings so that he could be involved.
After discussion, it was recommended that the next
meeting be held in the Council Chambers to allow
adequate room for all members of the public who wish to
be involved with making recommendations to the
Committee at its' next meeting. It was also
recommended that maps be posted throughout the Council
Chambers so that members of the public could see the
current Council Districts. It was further recommended
that each precinct have the population number placed on
such maps and that maps indicating where neighborhood
boundries are located be also presented. It was also
recommended that notice be sent on a regular basis to
members of the NAACP as well as to Common Cause with
special attention to the redistricting process being
worked out between the Committee and the South Bend
Tribune. Lastly, it was recommended that members from
the Administration, such as the Department of Economic
Development Committee, also be involved to allow their
expertise to be involved during this process.
The meeting was adjourned at 6: 00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Council President Steve Luecke
Chairperson