PH Minutes 2024.04.09 - Redistricting1
PRATTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
REDISTRICTING PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER: The Prattville City Council met in Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 9, 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 Striplin and Councilor Chambers. Council President
Boone declared a quorum and called the meeting to order. Councilor Chambers entered the
Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m. after the roll was called.
Council President Boone explained the order of service for the meeting advising City Planner
Scott Stephens and City Attorney Andrew Odom will giving an overview of the redistricting
process followed by comments from the public.
Mr. Stephens discussed the Benchmark Plan which gathered information from the currently
adopted council districts from Ordinance 2011, Page 024, adopted on September 6, 2011, 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. In conclusion, Mr. Stephens states these variances tell us that the current districts
are not close to equal population having cause for the current redistricting process.
Mr. Odom discussed the redistricting guidelines stating that public feedback needs to fall within
these guidelines and these guidelines will be what the consultant will use to prepare the first
alternative map.
REDISTRICTING GUIDELINES
1. All districts shall have equal representation. Districts will be drawn so that council districts
provide “one person-one vote” representation. The deviation of plus or minus five percent
from the ideal district population maintains an acceptable level of representation.
2. The plan shall comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. According to the Voting Rights
Act, districts shall be drawn in such a way that assures all voters have an equal opportunity
to participate in the political process and to elect representatives of their choice.
3. Where possible, existing district boundaries shall be maintained. Traditional lines should
not be redrawn if their existing locations can be reasonably accommodated and equal
representation achieved.
4. The plan shall strive to be non-retrogressive, meaning the ability of minority voters to
participate in the political process and to elect candidates of choice is not diminished by the
resulting redistricting.
5. As much as reasonably possible, council districts should be a compact and contiguous
geographic unit.
• Mr. Odom pointed out this is not an absolute mentioning District 2 and maintaining
what we have achieved thus far.
6. The 2020 U. S. Census of Population shall be the source of data for determining population
and representation.
• Mr. Odom addressed concerns of several new neighborhood developments advising
the 2020 Census data is what is required by law to be used as the source for the
map.
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7. To the maximum extent possible, district boundaries in the redistricting plan should strive
to include whole neighborhoods.
8. Existing voting centers should be maintained, if possible, for voter convenience and efficient
election administration.
9. District boundaries should be easily identifiable physical features such as the centerlines of
streets, alleys, roadways, streams, or other well-defined natural or manmade landmarks as
boundaries.
10. Proposed redistricting plans requiring less change to current districts in order to balance
population and comply with the criteria set forth herein will be generally preferred over plans
which require more change to achieve such balance and compliance, so long as other
rational municipal policies are not jeopardized.
11. All citizens and interested groups shall be given the opportunity to use the official data and
to present alternative district plans. All submitted plans will be evaluated and considered by
the City Council.
COMMENTS FROM PERSONS PRESENT:
Ell White, 621 W 4th Street, discussed the population growth for the City and commented on
the consideration of an opportunistic district with the increase of minorities from the last census.
Councilor President Pro Tempore Strichik inquired of Mr. White what areas would he consider
making an opportunistic district? Mr. White stated he would like to do additional research to
find more information.
Mr. Stephens noted this meeting is being recorded and will be shared with the consultant and
invited all to visit the website http://prattvilleal.gov/redistricting-2024 or send an email to
redistricting@prattvilleal.gov if someone wishes to participate online. The next steps will
include the consultant putting together a map with a second public hearing with a future date
to come.
ADJOURN:
There being no one further requesting to speak at the Public Hearing and no further business
to come before the Council, Council President Pro Tempore Strichik made a motion to adjourn
and Councilor Merrick seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 6:12 p.m. (6-0)
APPROVED:
Paula G. Barlow
City Clerk
Lora Lee Boone, President
Prattville City Council
SUBMITTED BY:
Loucretia Harrell
Assistant City Clerk