103006 City Commission Re-Districting - public meeting
CITY OF SANFORD
PUBLIC MEETING
CITY COMMISSION RE-DISTRICTING
MONDA Y, OCTOBER 30, 2006
7PM
City Commission Chambers
City Hall
300 North Park A venue
Sanford, Florida
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AGENDA
1) Meeting call to order by Mayor Kuhn.
2) Introduction of speakers.
3) Overview of districting and re-districting.
4) Presentation of alternative re-districting proposals.
5) Public input.
6) Next step/City Commission action.
7) END THE MEETING.
A public meeting regarding City Commission redistricting was held on Monday, October 30, 2006, at 7 PM, in
the City Commission Chambers, City Hall, 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present:
Mayor Linda Kuhn
Vice Mayor Dr. Velma Williams
Connnissioner Art Woodruff
Commissioner Randy Jones
Commissioner Jack T. Bridges
City Manager Robert (Sherman) Yehl (present at 7:06 PM)
Assistant City Attorney Lonnie Groot
City Clerk Janet R. Dougherty
Deputy City Clerk Cynthia Porter
1) Meeting was called to order by Mayor Kuhn 7 PM.
Mayor Kuhn said that tonight's meeting is the fifth public meeting specifically regarding redistricting to receive
and discuss redistricting options and solicit public input. In May of this year the City held four public redistricting meetings, each
hosted by a City Commissioner, to explain redistricting and solicit public input. Staff compiled the Census 2000 data, Florida
Redistricting System software, and maps and instructions on compact discs which were made available at no cost to everyone
who made a request.
A proposed redistricting option was submitted by James Davis, Henry Sweet, and Kenneth Bentley. In addition,
Staff prepared three redistricting options. Maps showing these four options and the current districts, all with accompanying
statistical data, are included in today's Agenda.
2) Introduction of speakers.
3) Overview of districting and redistricting.
Planning and Development Services Director Russ Gibson gave a power point presentation of an overview of
districting and the reasons for redistricting. [City Manager Yehljoined the meeting.]
4) Presentation of alternative redistricting proposals.
5) Public input.
6) Next step/City Commission action.
The Commission will meet in Work Session on November 13 to further discuss redistricting plan options. By
a consensus of the Commission, Staffwas given direction to prepare data no later than November 17 and mail it to those who
provided their mailing address on the sign up sheet. A public hearing to consider first reading of the redistricting ordinance will
be held at 7 PM on November 27.
By a consensus, the Connnission adopted a principle that an incwnbent will not be removed from his/her district
through the redistricting process. Therefore, plan three is the only plan which meets all criteria, however, the Commission is not
limited to that plan. The Connnission agreed to consider public input and to try to place some of the businesses back into District
2, recognizing that is doesn't have an effect on the population but has a perception issue that can be addressed by a more artful
drawing of the boundaries.
City Manager Yehl asked whether the Commission was interested in knowing what the districts would look like
based on 2005 population estimates, recognizing that it cannot be used as a formal consideration for adopting a redistricting plan,
but it will provide flexibility in drawing boundaries that have a greater variance than plan three. The Commission agreed that
it was a good idea. Attorney Groot said that using existing population data, as much as legally possible, will potentially provide
less shock for the next redistricting plan than there would be if it is based solely upon the 2000 Census.
6.1) OTHER BUSINESS.
A) Recognition of David Eckstein.
Mayor Kulm said that David Eckstein was named Most Valuable Player of the World Series and it is critical that
the City do something to recognize him. She asked for a consensus of the Commission to allow Staff to make plans to either
contact his family to see if arrangements can be made for a party or parade or whatever might be planned. She would like to
see him be Grand Marshal of the Christmas Parade in addition to doing something special. There was a consensus of the
Connnission that Staff move forward with plans.
7) END THE MEETING.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 PM.
Mayor Linda Kuhn
Attest:
City Clerk
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