4658 Redistricting (Census follow up) (2)Ordinance No. 2021-4668
An ordinance of the City of Sanford, Florida, relating to
the redistricting of City Commission districts; providing
for legislative findings and intent; providing for new City
Commission districts and the adoption of a map of City
Commission districts; providing for implementing
administrative actions; providing for conflicts; providing
for a savings provision; providing for codification;
providing for severability and providing for an effective
date.
Whereas, Section 6.07 of the City Charter of the City of Sanford relates to City
Commission districts and redistricting and provides as follows:
Section 6.07. - City Commission Districts and Redistricting.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Charter the Mayor shall
represent the City as a whole and be elected by electors throughout the
City. Each City Commissioner shall represent a single City Commission
district, shall actually physically reside in the district for which they seek
office from the date of qualification for office until the expiration of the
term of office for which elected and shall be elected solely by the voters of
that district.
(b) There shall be a number of City Commission districts, either four (4)
or six (6) in number, as determined by ordinance enacted by the City
Commission, that shall be established, defined and geographically
described areas of the City as defined by ordinances relating to City
Commission redistricting as required by this Charter, general law and
constitutional principles. Each district shall be formed from compact
contiguous territory with the boundary lines following the centers of streets
to the extent practicable. Due consideration shall be given to maintaining
the geographical integrity of neighborhoods and developments within the
individual districts. City Commission district lines shall be constructed so
as to comply with the constitutional principles of equal and effective
representation required by applicable State and Federal guidelines. The
City Commission shall give due consideration to the multiple constitutional
principles involved in the electoral process and shall give due regard for
the opportunity of minority representation on the City Commission as a
part of the redistricting process in compliance with applicable State and
Federal constitutional standards.
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; and
(c) An incumbent Commissioner's seat number may change due to the
realignment process occurring during redistricting. However, no incumbent
Commissioner shall have a term of office cut short by the adoption of a
redistricting plan.
(d) The City Commission may modify City Commission districts by the
enactment of a successor ordinance under such processes, procedures
and redistricting committees and/or consultants the City Commission may
deem to be desirable. The City Commission shall begin the initiation of a
redistricting process for City Commission districts within thirty (30) days
after the receipt of the official Decennial Census data every ten (10) years
so as to finalize the redistricting process one hundred fifty (150) days in
advance of the first date to qualify for the next regular City election. In the
event the redistricting process is not completed prior to said one hundred
fifty (150) day advance period, the City Commission shall accomplish the
redistricting process as soon as is reasonably possible thereafter. The
official Decennial Census data shall be the authoritative source for
demographical data used in reconstituting City Commission districts in
compliance with applicable State and Federal standards.
Whereas, Section 6.07 of the City Charter of the City of Sanford, accordingly,
requires the City Commission to redesignate the boundaries of each district after each
decennial census conducted by the United States Government; and
Whereas, the redistricting effort of the City of Sanford is a requirement of the
constitutional principles of democracy which govern our American system of
government and which provides that we citizens of the United States, as a people,
choose (elect) our fellow citizens to assist us with the ownership and operation of our
government; and
Whereas, John Adams stated in Thoughts on Government (1776) as follows:
"The principal difficulty lies, and the greatest care should be employed in
constituting this representative assembly. It should be in miniature an
exact portrait of the people at large. It should think, feel, reason and act
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like them. That it may be the interest of the assembly to do strict justice at
all times, it should be an equal representation, or, in other words, equal
interests among the people should have equal interests in it. Great care
should be taken to effect this, and to prevent unfair, partial and corrupt
elections."
Whereas, in order to govern ourselves, we organize ourselves into
geographical areas (electoral districts) based on population statistics and other legal
principles as set forth in controlling law and we use "voter districts" to determine where
we vote, which positions we vote for and who we citizens, as a people, wish to
represent us; and
Whereas, City Commission of the City of Sanford has used the 2020 U.S.
Census population numbers in conjunction with mandatory and other lawful criteria in
determining the construction of City Commission of the City of Sanford district
boundaries that will be used for City elections for the next 10 years, 2022-2031; and
Whereas, the City Commission of the City of Sanford determined that if would
act in conjunction with City staff to meet and discern the views of the public and to
make any necessary or desirable changes to the boundaries of the City Commission
districts based on the 2020 census; and
Whereas, the City Commission of the City of Sanford recognized the
paramount importance of redistricting in the City's effort to comply with the "one person -
one vote" principle as well as other constitutional principles that may be applicable to
the City of Sanford; and
Whereas, the City Commission of the City of Sanford found that the
mandatory redistricting criteria that would be used in the redistricting process included
the following:
1. equal population (making voter districts, as near equal population as
possible);
2. compactness (making voter district shapes as closely packed as
possible);
3. contiguity (making voter districts physically encompassed/connected,
which may include spanning water); and
4. avoidance of split U.S. Census Blocks (not dividing the smallest
geographic unit of census data when forming districts.); and
Whereas, the City Commission of the City of Sanford found that the 2021
redistricting plan should, if possible:
1. avoid splits of voting precincts between the City Commission, County
Commission, School Board, State legislative and Congressional election districts;
2. maximize voter convenience and the effective administration of elections;
3. preserve communities of interest;
4. consider the importance of voter turnout for Citywide elections;
5. preserve, to the extent possible, the shape of existing districts;
6. protect incumbents and avoid pairing of incumbents in order to preserve
the sanctity of prior voter choices and electoral decisions;
7. ensure political fairness or competitiveness; and
8. provide for the effective administration of elections; and
Whereas, the City Commission of the City of Sanford expressed its intent to
adopt a redistricting plan such that the four City Commission districts will continue to be
contiguous territories as nearly equal in population as practicable while taking into
consideration the demographics of the City, the geography of the neighborhoods,
existing precinct lines and minority population interests; and
Whereas, the City Commission of the City of Sanford expressed a desire that
the redistricting process be conducted in an open, public and fair forum in which all
Sanford residents have a right to observe and participate; and
Whereas, based upon the foregoing, the City Commission has reviewed
alternative and selected a redistricting map; and
Whereas, the City Commission has determined to adopt the map and
redistricting plan for the City of Sanford as set forth herein.
Now, Therefore, Be It Enacted By The People Of The City Of Sanford,
Florida:
Section 1. Legislative Findings And Intent.
The legislative findings and intent of this Ordinance are as set forth in the recitals
(whereas clauses) to this Ordinance.
Section 2. Redistricting Plan And Map Adoption.
(a). The City Commission hereby adopts for the electoral processes of the
City of Sanford the City Commission districts as set forth in Exhibit "A" to this Ordinance
which Exhibit is incorporated herein by this reference thereto as if fully set forth herein
verbatim.
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(b). The City Commission hereby adopts for the electoral processes of the
City of Sanford the City Commission districts map as set forth in Exhibit "B" to this
Ordinance which Exhibit is incorporated herein by this reference thereto as if fully set
forth herein verbatim.
Section 3. Implementing Administrative Actions.
The City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney are hereby authorized and
directed to implement the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 4. Conflicts.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
Ordinance are hereby repealed and the Code codifier is hereby directed to take all
actions necessary to implement the provisions of this Ordinance in that regard.
Section 5. Savings.
The prior actions of the City of Sanford relating to electoral processes and
procedures and the establishment of City Commission districts, and related matters and
processes, are hereby ratified and affirmed.
Section 6. Codification.
It is the intention of the City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, and it is
hereby ordained, that the provisions of this Ordinance shall be codified; provided,
however, that sections 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 shall not be codified. Additionally, the code
codifier shall have liberal authority to codify the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 7. Severability.
If any section, sentence, phrase, word, or portion of this Ordinance is determined
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to be invalid, unlawful or unconstitutional, said determination shall not be held to
invalidate or impair the validity, force or effect of any other section, sentence, phrase,
word, or portion of this Ordinance not otherwise determined to be invalid, unlawful, or
unconstitutional.
Section 8. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall take immediate effect upon enactment.
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Attest:
Passed and adopted this 24th day of January 2022.
RM Cn C nf Vo the a
City Commission only.
Approved as to form and legality.
City Attorney
6)16 6-"—
City Commission of the City
Sanford
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of
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SANFORD REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE
RELATING TO THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE CITY
COMMISSION WITH REGARD TO A PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN
AND MAP AS WELL AS ANOTHER MATTER PERTAINING TO CITY
COMMISSION DISTRICTS AND EXPRESSING THE APPRECIATION OF THE
COMMITTEE TO THE CITY COMMISSION.
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Sanford created the Redistricting
Committee to formulate recommendations for proposed City Commission districts on the basis
of the 2020 Decennial Census and certain provisions of the Charter of the City of Sanford,
Florida together with any controlling and applicable legal principles; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Sanford appointed members to the
Redistricting Committee and assigned the Committee a certain mission with direction, but with
the freedom of the Committee to make recommendations as it determined to be necessary;
and
WHEREAS, the Redistricting Committee has met in accordance with the direction of the
City Commission, evaluated the materials provided to it, considered the applicable law,
interacted with City staff and developed a redistricting plan; and
WHEREAS, the meetings of the Redistricting Committee were noticed and open to the
public and the Committee welcomed the expression of any and all views from the public and
the citizens of the City of Sanford; and
WHEREAS, the Redistricting Committee hereby recommends that the proposed City
Commission districts set forth in the Plan and Map adopted by the Committee be enacted by
Ordinance of the City Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Redistricting Committee also expresses its views as to other matters
involving potential future actions by the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF SANFORD
REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE, as follows:
SECTION 1. RECOMMENDATION RELATIVE TO REDISTRICTING:
The Redistricting Committee recommends that the City Commission enact an
Ordinance establishing the City Commission districts of the City as set forth in the attached
MaplA/Plan 1A all which is incorporated into this Resolution.
SECTION 2. ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATION:
(a). The Redistricting Committee also recommends that the City Commission stand
ready to implement the provisions of Section 6.07 of the Charter of the City of Sanford, Florida
which relates to City Commission districts and redistricting in terms of expanding the number
of City Commission districts to 6 in number if that is the means to ensure equal and effective
minority representation within the City and its municipal government.
(b). The Redistricting Committee has reflected upon the history of the City which we
love and are very dedicated to. In that vein, the Committee trusts that the City will always
adhere to the constitutional standards which guarantee "one person — one vote" and be
sensitive to the history of our loved City with regard to voting rights and equal representation of
all people.
SECTION 3. EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION:
The Redistricting Committee hereby expresses its sincere appreciation to the City
Commission for its appointment and its honor and privilege to serve the citizens of the City of
Sanford.
ADOPTED this 5th day of January, 2022.
ATTEST:
21
CITY OF SANFORD REDISTRICTING
COMMITTEE
Dr. Velma Williams, Ph. D.
-Shane LillIbridge
ATTEST.
Traci Houchin, MMC, FC
City Clerk
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Henry Swe"et, Chairman
Maria Luis Lord, Esquire
I //: vol'w!' siINFA I
iVIT-G ro6t
I PIT rn
Legal Counsel
ell
FLORIDA
CITY COMMISSION MEMORANDUM 22-026
JANUARY 24, 2022 AGENDA
OEM` �
WS RM X
Item No. I - 0
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
PREPARED BY: Traci Houchin, FCRM, MMC, City Clerk
Mike Jones, GIS Analyst, Information Services Division
Lonnie N. Groot, Assistant City Attorney
SUBMITTED BY: Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr., ICMA-CM, City Manager
SUBJECT: Second Reading/Enactment of Ordinance No. 2021-4658; Redistricting Of
City Commission Districts; 2020 Decennial Census
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:
F-1 Unify Downtown & the Waterfront
F Promote the City's Distinct Culture
Z Update Regulatory Framework
F Redevelop and Revitalize Disadvantaged Communities
SYNOPSIS:
Ordinance No. 2021-4658 pertaining to the redistricting of City Commission districts has been
prepared and is submitted to the City Commission after passage on first reading at the City
Commission meeting of January 10, 2022.
FISCAL/STAFFING STATEMENT:
The process of engaging in the periodic redistricting effort is anticipated in the normative course
of City business. That being said, the work of the City Clerk, City IT/GIS staff and the City
Attorney have saved the City tens of thousands of dollars as this effort has been implemented in
house without the procurement of statistician firms or outside legal counsel as has been the practice
of other jurisdictions.
In addition, the City has not been involved in litigation of any nature as the City has been cognizant
of, and acted in concert with, the legal parameters within which redistricting decisions are to be
made. For a contrary example, the last redistricting effort of the Florida Legislature involved the
expenditure of millions of dollars in consulting -fees and litigation and was extremely contentious
and controversial.
Importantly, the redistricting actions of the City in the past, and as to this current effort, have been
open and transparent to the public, which has been invited, through meeting notices, to attend and
participate in each meeting conducted by the Redistricting Committee and the City Commission.
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BACKGROUND:
The detailed contents of prior City Commission agenda memorandums will not be repeated in this
City Commission agenda memorandum. Past materials are available upon request.
After the recommendations of the Redistricting Committee appointed by the City Commission
were received and evaluated, Ordinance Number 2021-4658, pertaining to the redistricting of City
Commission districts, was approved on first reading at the City Commission meeting of January
10, 2022. The City Commission accepted the recommendation of the Redistricting Committee by
a vote of 4-1 and moved forward with the Map I A/Plan IA proposal for redistricting.
At the City Commission meeting of January 10, 2022, the Honorable Dr. Velma Williams, Ph. D.;
Vice Chairman Dan Ping; Shane Lillibridge; and Chairman Henry Sweet of the Redistricting
Committee made comments to the City Commission. In addition to the recommendation of Map
IA/Plan IA, the Redistricting Committee also presented the Resolution, which it adopted which,
in part, stated as follows in Section 2
(a). The Redistricting Committee also recommends that the City Commission
stand ready to implement the provisions of Section 6.07 of the Charter of the City
of Sanford, Florida which relates to City Commission districts and redistricting in
terms of expanding the number of City Commission districts to six in number if
that is the means to ensure equal and effective minority representation within the
City and its municipal government.
(b). The Redistricting Committee has reflected upon the history of the City
which we love and are very dedicated to. In that vein, the Committee trusts that the
City will always adhere to the constitutional standards that guarantee "one person
— one vote" and be sensitive to the history of our loved City with regard to voting
rights and equal representation of all people.
The City Commission responded favorably to the above recommendation and directed the City
Manager to commence, in March 2022, a process to review the City Commission districts and any
pertinent provisions of the City Charter to address the matters set forth in the Resolution of the
Redistricting Committee.
At this particular juncture, Ordinance No. 2021-4658 is now submitted to the City Commission on
second reading for enactment. Upon enactment, the City Clerk will commence the time -critical
and administratively complex implementation of the forthcoming City Election with the new City
Commission districts in place. This will occur in collaboration with the Seminole County
Supervisor of Elections.
The City Commission also directed the City Manager to ensure that adequate information was
made available to the citizens of the City in written materials that are broadly disseminated and
the City's Web site, etc., advising citizens and the electorate of the new City Commission districts
and any effect that the redistricting may have had on their voting and representation on the City
Commission.
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LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has no legal objection to the actions proposed to be taken and will assist the
City Clerk in the implementation of the City Election.
RECOMMENDATION:
City staff recommends that the City Commission enact Ordinance No. 2021-4658.
SUGGESTED MOTION:
"I move to adopt Ordinance No. 2021-4658 with Map IA/Plan IA as the selected redistricting."
Attachments: (1). Ordinance No. 2021-4658.
(2). Map I A/Plan I A materials.
(3). Resolution of Redistricting Committee.
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