Loading...
PH Minutes 2024.06.25 - Redistricting1 PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL REDISTRICTING PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 25, 2024 6:03 P.M. CALL TO ORDER: The Prattville City Council met in Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 6:03 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present (Councilor Striplin attended virtually). Council President Boone declared a quorum and called the meeting to order. Council President Boone explained the order of service and the need for the meeting advising this was a government-mandated process because of the 2020 Census data. City Planner Scott Stephens and City Attorney Andrew Odom will be giving an overview of the redistricting process followed by comments from the public. Mr. Stephens recapped the redistricting process to date covering the Benchmark plan with the numbers from the 2020 census. The 2020 Census shows the City of Prattville has a population of 37,781. He further advised this number divided between the seven districts is 5,397 persons per district which would be the ideal population and would allow for equal representation accomplishing the one person, one vote. He continued stating the variances on the Benchmark plan show the percentage of people above or below the ideal population in each district, which dictates that the council districts must be redrawn. Mr. Odom recapped the redistricting timeline to date and the projected process going forward to include a Council Work Session where a Slaughter and Associate person will be in attendance, followed by potentially a Final Draft map for review and consideration before adoption. COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT: Patrick Lucas, 1211 Caliber Crossing, thanked the Council for working on the redistricting process but expressed his concern that this map was drawing out the minority-majority district. Mr. Lucas asked for fairness and to think of the community as a whole. Mr. Lucas asked for everyone to be given an equal and fair opportunity. Ell White, 621 W 4th Street, agreed with Mr. Lucas on the map and stated he understood the desire for each district to have equal numbers but that is not why Section 2 of the Civil Rights Acts of 1965 was designed. Mr. White stated that Section 2 of the Civil Rights Act 1965 was designed to make sure the people living in the communities had equal representation. Barbara Robinson, 123 White Oak Court, questioned District 2 on the proposed map inquiring why it was smaller than other districts. Council President Boone explained the map is based on population numbers and not geographically. Ms. Robinson asked for further explanation on how things worked so that they could pass the information along, and about people knowing what district they are in and where to vote. Council President Boone advised when the process was complete there would be a mailing to let everyone know their districts and that anyone with concerns can still reach out to the Council or the dedicated email and website. Amber Frey, 748 Glennbrooke Boulevard, expressed her concern over the proposed map stating it was not fair and it disenfranchised many people of color. 2 Rachel Bulger, 109 Spanish Oak Drive, stated equality is not equity, we do not need every district to be homogenized into one, and we do not need to dilute neighborhoods and the district. Ms. Bulger advised the map seems to dilute the voting in the district. Brad Bulger, 109 Spanish Oak Drive, advised the proposed District 2 map is gerrymandered and that it appears they are packing black voters into one district so they can only have one Councilor and that is not equal presentation. Patrick Lucas, 1211 Caliber Crossing, inquired about the timeline that the redistricting process had to be complete before the election. City Attorney Andrew Odom advised he did not have the specific answer in front of him, however, the plan is to have the process in place one year prior election for notification purposes. Mr. Lucas presented a map that he stated he submitted at 3:42 p.m. today to the dedicated email. Mr. Lucas advised this map was different from the proposed map advising his map was more equal in numbers. Mr. Lucas stated it seems like they are trying to redistrict District 2 into nothing but that he understands that the blacks are more spread out in Prattville now. Council Present Boone inquired about whether the 2020 Census block data was used to create the map and Mr. Lucas advised yes. Councilor Jackson inquired about the population numbers on his proposed map. Mr. Lucas advised the District 1 population is 5,477, District 2 population is 5,488, District 3 population is 5,516, District 4 population is 5,281, District 5 population is 5,324, District 6 population is 5,287, and District 7 population is 5,278. Councilor Jackson inquired if the numbers were within the deviation required and Mr. Lucas advised yes, they are within 5+/-%. Councilor Jackson inquired about the minority population of District 2. Mr. Lucas advised 47.42%. Councilor Jackson advised it appeared to be 5% more than what the current map proposes but noted it was non-contiguous. Councilor Jackson asked City Attorney Andrew Odom if the City had been in contact with the State to get guidance for the non-contiguous district and Mr. Odom replied that the City did not need permission and that it was his opinion that it would be up to the City Council based on the guidelines that were passed. Councilor Jackson requested the Council get a copy of the submitted map. Sam Olson, 2219 County Road 19 N., inquired as to why District 2 was shaped the way it was. Ms Olson advised it appeared that very specific areas were being carved out and it was not compact nor contiguous. Council President Boone advised the intent was to get as close to a minority-majority district as possible. Ms. Olson inquired how this process worked with the demographic breakdown of the community and whether was it trying to achieve seats that represent the demographic breakdown of the community that it represents. Council President Boone advised a consultant at Slaughter and Associates would be best to answer that question and Ms. Olson could submit her questions online for them to review and get back with her. Ally Moscona, 130 Livingston Circle, inquired about her street being split between 2 districts on the proposed map. Ms. Moscona advised people on the same street should have the same Councilor because they face the same issues. There being no one further requesting to speak at the Public Hearing, Council President Boone opened the floor for comments from the Mayor and Councilors. Council Whaley thanked all that came out and spoke tonight and gave opinions stating that was the intent of this Public Hearing. Councilor Whaley reminded all that the Council did not create this map and that he was not necessarily in total agreement with this map but that is why we were going through this process to provide input on the map. 3 Council President Boone stated that no one on the Council created the map but each had the opportunity to give input, however, the population numbers are what has driven the creation of this map by Slaughter and Associates. Council President Boone advised this was not necessarily the final map but a work in progress. Council President Boone further stated that no one was in complete agreement with this map and that it was a compromise; stating this process is required by law. She thanked all for attending and giving feedback tonight and online and stated that the process would continue. Council President Boone advised the Council would be scheduling the Work Session soon for the next step in the process and that a representative with Slaughter and Associates would be in attendance during that meeting. Council President Boone advised the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting would be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURN: There being no further business to come before the Council, Council President Boone adjourned the meeting at 6:37 p.m. APPROVED: Paula G. Barlow City Clerk Lora Lee Boone, President Prattville City Council