WS Minutes - Redistricting 2024.09.161
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION MINUTES
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
6:00 P.M.
The Prattville City Council held a Work Session on Monday, September 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Roll was called with all Councilors recorded as present with the exception of Councilor Merrick.
Council President Boone declared a quorum and called the W ork Session to order. Councilor
Merrick arrived at 6:59 p.m.
Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. was recorded as being present, in addition to the following staff: City
Attorney Andrew Odom, City Planner Scott Stephens, City Clerk Paula G. Barlow, Assistant
City Clerk Loucretia Harrell, Information Technology Director Jose Figueroa and Police Captain
Jeff Staggers. Also present was Nathan Willingham, consultant representing Slaughter and
Associates, PLLC.
Council President Boone opened the Work Session inviting City Planner Scott Stephens and
City Attorney Andrew Odom to the podium for opening remarks to be followed by Mr.
Willingham. Mr. Stephens discussed the 2020 U.S. Census as the reasoning for the
redistricting process. Mr. Stephens continued by discussing the Benchmark Plan distributing
the total population amongst the seven districts giving an ideal population of 5,397 per district,
with the goal of every district being plus or minus 5%. Mr. Stephens continued stating that
current numbers reflect the highest district as 3 and the lowest district as 2 with every district
excluding 7 being outside of the 5% range currently, due to the growth of Prattville.
Mr. Odom discussed the timeline and dates leading up to the Work Session. He discussed the
multiple Public Hearings held giving the public opportunities to present plans and information
throughout the process. He also discussed the importance of moving forward and getting the
needed information to the Probate Office. Mr. Odom commented on the Redistricting
Guidelines, pointing out that most of them come directly from case law interpreting the Voting
Rights Act from 1965. Ensuring the Council that these guidelines are in place to ensure that
the City is complying with the one person one vote. All of the guidelines have to be considered
in order to have a constitutionally feasible plan.
Mr. Willingham gave opening remarks discussing history and timeline of the proposed maps
and the initial Benchmark Plan. He stated that in the first Consultant Plan, District 2 was
contiguous and based off of the comments and feedback this map was refined to create
Alternate Redistricting Plan 1 which also maintained a contiguous District 2. Following the
Alternate Redistricting Plan 1 map comments from the public were received along with an
alternate map which was called Test Theory 1 this was the original noncontiguous plan and
from this map Alternate Plan 2 was presented. This map was later refined further into Alternate
Redistricting Plan 3. Following this plan an additional public submitted map was received being
called Test Theory 2. Mr. Willingham noted in Test Theory 1 and 2 that District 2 was
unchanged in both maps. He further noted in Alternate Redistricting Plan 2 and 3, District 2
was also unchanged. Both versions of District 2 were the same. Mr. Willingham further
discussed the changes to the demographic sheet stating that the combination of Hispanic and
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Black have been removed from the presentation. The current table shows Black only or Black
alone in combination with another race. This will eliminate the potential of double counting and
maintain the intent of the majority minority district.
Council President asked Mr. Willingham if the numbers for Test Theory 2 are accurate and if
they have been verified through the appropriate software. Mr. Willingham responded that he
has verified the calculations.
Council President Pro Tempore Strichik spoke on his concerns with Test Theory 2 and changes
in streets within his district and possible adjustments to add continuants that were lost and how
this change would affect the numbers.
Councilor Whaley exited the council chambers at 6:12 p.m. and returned at 6:13 p.m.
Councilor Chambers discussed his concerns with staying east of Highway 31 and what ideas
and/or suggestions could help with this.
Councilor Jackson inquired of Mr. Willingham about split census blocks. Mr. Willingham
advised there was a single split census block in the proposed Alternate Map 3.
Council President Boone inquired of the number of split blocks in the current district map. Mr.
Stephens advised there are at least three split blocks in the current City Council districts.
Councilor Jackson inquired on how District 1 would be handled on the downtown area with the
suggestions that Councilor Striplin made before his passing.
Council President Boone advised she did not request the downtown area, that it worked out
this way with the numbers but that she was willing to represent that area, if needed, however
her specific desire was for Doster Street to be in her district.
The Council continued discussion around the downtown area and requests from the late
Councilor Striplin. They discussed preferences and compromise and the current number of
split blocks between Districts 1 and 2 along with Districts 1 and 7.
Councilor Jackson inquired on the appointment for the vacancy on District 1 and which map
will be utilized. Council President Boone advised the appointment qualification would be
utilizing the current map. Mr. Stephens pointed out that proposed changes to redistricting could
affect a candidate that is appointed depending on their address.
Council President Boone called for a recess at 6:53 p.m.
Councilor Merrick entered into the Council Chamber at 6:59 p.m., Council President called the
meeting back to session at 7:01 p.m.
Councilor Merrick reviewed the changes to the proposed map and advised he was satisfied
with the way District 4 was drawn.
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Mr. Stephens discussed the City Clerkâs question on polling locations in regards to the changes
on the proposed redistricting map. Mr. Stephens also advised the Council that the last alternate
plan considered did not include Glenwood Baptist Church in District 4 but it would need to be
added for the polling location. The second voting location for District 2 was also discussed
which will be the Public Works Training Center.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilor Merrick made a motion
to adjourn and Council President Pro Tempore Strichik seconded the motion. The meeting
adjourned at 7:06 p.m. (6-0)
AP PROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Loucretia Harrell
Assistant City Clerk