01-23-2023 WS MinutesCITY COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 23, 2023
WORK SESSION
The City Commission of the City of Sanford, Florida, met in Work
Session on Monday, January 23, 2023, at 4:00 PM, in the Commission Chambers, Is'
Floor, City Hall, and 300 North Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida.
Present: Mayor Art Woodruff
Vice Mayor Patrick Austin
Commissioner Sheena R. Britton
Commissioner Kerry S. Wiggins, Sr.
Commissioner Patty Mahany
City Manager Norton N. Bonaparte, Jr.
Assistant City Attorney Lonnie N. Groot
City Clerk Traci Houchin
Deputy City Clerk Cathy LoTempio
Absent: City Attorney William L. Colbert
Mayor Woodruff called the meeting to order at 4:06 PM.
1. Introductions: Richard Durr, Jr., Director of Seminole County Leisure Services
and Christine Patten, Library Division Services Division Manager, Seminole
County Library.
Mr. Durr provided an update on the progress of the expansion of the Seminole
County Library system. He said the Seminole County Libraries are very busy and the
demand for printed materials has never gone away. Mr. Bonaparte said Tom Tomerlin,
Economic Development Director, has been working with Mr. Durr on providing possible
locations in downtown Sanford, for a new location for the expansion of the Seminole
County Library. Commissioner Mahany said the first public library was located on Oak
Avenue where the Women's Club of Sanford is now.
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JANUARY 23, 2023
WORK SESSION
2. Discussion and Presentation RE: Six Districts by the 2022 Concerned Citizen
Task Force Inc.
James Davis, Chairperson for the 2022 Concerned Citizen Task Force
Inc., introduced the members of the task force, gave a brief history of the concerned
citizen's task force and provided a video presentation. The video presentation included a
history of a minority/majority district, increasing the opportunity for black representation
on the City Council and a conversation on affordable housing.
Mario Hicks, member of the 2022 Concerned Citizen Task Force Inc.
provided the history and statistics on a minority/majority district. He read a handout that
provided statistics and said African Americans are the largest minority in Sanford,
Florida at 27%. He expressed concern with the City's increasing population in the
coming years and concerned the City would be moving backwards in time if the City
does not approve moving forward to six districts. Mr. Hicks thanked City staff for
providing assistance with the committee on generating maps. Mike Jones, GIS Analyst,
provided two different maps regarding the six districts. Vice Mayor Austin said one of
the options the map shows the current District 2 Commissioner being drawn out of his
district. He did not think drawing a Commissioner out of their current district was
supposed to happen. Mr. Groot confirmed that this is one of the criteria that is supposed
to be avoided. Vice Mayor Austin asked the task force what their other option included.
Mr. Jones provided the map with option two. Mr. Hicks pointed out that every
Commissioner stays in their district on the option two map.
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JANUARY 23, 2023
WORK SESSION
Mayor Woodruff asked why the committee thinks it would be better for
the City to move towards six districts for quality representation. Mr. Hicks said the
committee wants to ensure the City would have at least one minority/majority district and
going to six districts would increase that representation. Mr. Groot said in ten years the
six districts would probably not exist when the current trends go down. He said you
cannot use the word guarantee. If you use to maximize the majority population within the
districts that is another question. Conunissioner Britton said when the Commission did
the redistricting in District I last year they did not know the possibilities of the numbers.
However, it was still done to change District 1 to better serve District 2.
Mr. Davis said this is all about opportunities to improve the black
communities to help with neighborhood improvements.
Dr. Velma Williams said the Commission should embrace what was done
in the past providing a minority/majority district without displacing current
Commissioners from their district. She said equity is key and everyone should be treated
equally and by going to six districts it enhances the chances of selecting a black
candidate. She said she is not part of the 2022 Concerned Citizen Task Force, however
she supports her decision for the City to approve the six districts.
Vice Mayor Austin and Commissioner Mahany asked how Commissioner
Britton won the election in a predominantly white district with 25% of the population
being African American. He said I think our society has changed in four years.
Commissioner Britton said I am African American. In 2022 she was elected by a majority
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JANUARY 231, 2023
WORK SESSION
white district by residents who saw her potential and not her color. Currently the
Commission is semi -diverse, not just regarding race but regarding male to female ratio.
However, no one knows what tomorrow will hold. She said the concerned citizens and
Dr. Williams are preparing for the possibility of tomorrow. When the Commission does
the City budget they do not know if there would be a recession or what the economic
climate is, but the Commission prepares for it anyway. She expressed she is if for six
districts. Commissioner Britton said she was elected in a predominately white district
against a white woman and that shows Sanford is changing.
Dr. Williams asked the Commission what is wrong with going to six
districts. Commissioner Mahany expressed concerns with unintended consequences,
making the Commission more polarized, it would dilute out the Commissioners and there
would be additional costs. Right now the City is not making the employees happy and she
would like to focus on the list of pros and cons from the Florida League of Cities that Mr.
Bonaparte sent to the Commission for further discussion.
Reverend Oliver said he read the report dispensed by Mr. Bonaparte from
the Florida League of Cities. He said there are more pros versus cons. If the Commission
had less constituents the Commission can serve them better. Reverend Oliver expressed
his concerns with the current trends, all of the social injustice that the Commission are
moving the City backwards. He said the residents need the insurance that this would not
happen in Sanford Florida. By going to six districts there would be more Commissioners
to address the citizens. Commissioner Mahany said in 1983 having a minority/majority
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JANUARY 239 2023
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district was absolutely critical. However, she is not sure if having a minority/majority
district is necessary any more. Commissioner Mahany said she does not see the City
moving backwards, only forward.
Cobin McGee, member of the 2022 Concerned Citizens Task Force Inc.,
said based on the 2020 Census Federal Reserve Board reported that the average wealth
ratio of white families to black families, not income or opportunities, is ten to one.
Meaning that blacks are easily economically vulnerable in the United States. Mayor
Woodruff asked how does having six districts fix this problem.
Reverend Oliver said the City is blessed to have a very capable
Commissioner in District One that was elected because of her competencies, fairness in
justice and treating people nice. He expressed his concerns of the black race being at the
bottom and being treated equitably. Reverend Oliver expressed strongly he is for the City
to approve the six districts to ensure the black community would be represented on the
Commission.
Mayor Woodruff said he does not believe that going to six districts would
make sure there is a minority/majority district.
Dr. Williams said it would not guarantee a minority/majority district. It
would increase the chances of it.
Mr. Davis wants to have representation in the minority/majority district
who understands what is going on in their community. He does not think a white
Commissioner in in the black community can take care of the community.
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JANUARY 239 2023
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Commissioner Wiggins emphasized he is staying with four districts.
After a brief discussion the Commission decided they would vote at
tonight's meeting regarding moving forward to six districts.
There being no further business, the meeting adj
MayoKArt W
Attest:
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