Special City Council Meeting - Redistricting

CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - REDISTRICTING CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 300 W. MAIN STREET THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021 AT 5:30 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Jensen called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. PRESENT Mayor Ron Jensen Mayor Pro Tem Mike Del Bosque Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Cole Humphreys Council Member District 1 Jorja Clemson Council Member At Large Place 7 Jeff Copeland Council Member At Large Place 8 Junior Ezeonu Council Member District 6 Kurt Johnson Council Member District 2 Dennis King Council Member District 4 John Lopez Mayor Jensen introduced Deputy City Manager Cheryl DeLeon who explained redistricting and gave an overview of the process. Ms. DeLeon then introduced Attorney Phillip Arnold of Bickerstaff Heath Delgado Acosta, LLP. EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no Executive Session. AGENDA 1. Receive Initial Assessment regarding whether redistricting is required considering the new 2020 census data; and, if so, consider resolution adopting criteria to apply to development of new districting plans Deputy City Manager Cheryl DeLeon explained the redistricting process and introduced Attorney Phillip Arnold with Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado and Acosta, who would review the Initial Assessment document and give an overview of redistricting guidelines. Mr. Arnold advised that District Four is overpopulated and District Two is underpopulated. There should only be a 10% deviation in the most populated and least populated district. Council Member Lopez asked if these are only suggested guidelines or should the city be following all of the guidelines listed. Mr. Arnold advised that these are guidelines to be used as a way to assist in Special City Council Meeting - Redistricting – October 28, 2021 Page 1 of 2  the redistricting process. Council Member Johnson asked Mr. Arnold the reasons a district may be split in the redistricting process. Mr. Arnold stated there are many reasons voting precincts are split but the main reason is population. Council Member Lopez inquired about the population difference by entity (the census data information differs from the city staff). There is approximately a 200 person difference in the population numbers. Mr. Arnold stated that may be due to when the numbers were received and reported. Mr. Arnold stated that the mapping software would be used at the next meeting the simulate adjustments in the districts. Council Member Ezeonu asked if the technology was available online so that members are able to simulate adjustments before the next meeting. City Attorney Meghan Mahan advised that it is more efficient to provide input at the workshops instead of on their own as adjustments in districts should be done together. City Manager Steve Dye agreed with Ms. Mahan. Council Member Johnson asked if we would be concentrating on the four districts that are out of balance or all six. Mr. Arnold stated we will start with the four and may need to adjust others based on redrawing of lines and the resulting population. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Humphreys stated the need to keep neighborhoods together in the district if lines are redrawn. Council Member Lopez stated that having public input is important so that the community is aware. Council Member Copeland stated that community input should come after we have a map. Mayor Jensen asked for a motion on the resolution. Council Member Copeland moved, seconded by Council Member Ezeonu, to approve the resolution to adopt criteria for use in the redistricting process. The motion carried unanimously. Adopted RES 5232-2021 2. Adoption of Resolution Guidelines for Public Participation in the Redistricting Process Council Member Copeland moved, seconded by Council Member Johnson, to approve the resolution. The motion carried unanimously. Adopted RES 5233-2021 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Jensen adjourned the meeting at 6:22 p.m. The forgoing minutes were reviewed and approved at the November 16, 2021 City Council meeting. _______________________________ Chiquita Taylor, Assistant City Secretary Special City Council Meeting - Redistricting – October 28, 2021 Page 2 of 2