Special City Council Meeting - Redistricting

CITY OF GRAND PRAIRIE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING - REDISTRICTING CITY HALL - COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 300 W. MAIN STREET THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 04, 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 8 Junior Ezeonu Council Member District 6 Kurt Johnson Council Member District 2 Dennis King Council Member District 4 John Lopez ABSENT Council Member At Large Place 7 Jeff Copeland EXECUTIVE SESSION There was no Executive Session. PRESENTATIONS There were no presentations. AGENDA 1. Redistricting Map Drawing Deputy City Manager Cheryl DeLeon explained how the virtual map drawing process works and introduced Attorney David Mendez with Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado and Acosta, who would conduct the map drawing process. Mr. Mendez advised Drew Brown in their Austin office would be navigating the mapping software during the session. Mr. Mendez advised District Four is out of balance and District Two is underpopulated. He noted during the process when the map is adjusted, the protection of voters would also be considered. Mr. Mendez reviewed the Voting Age Population data in combination with the Demographics Report. He noted the Hispanic population constitutes over forty percent of the population and reviewed data in Districts Three and Five. Mr. Mendez said those districts also have Special City Council Meeting - Redistricting – November 04, 2021 Page 1 of 3  substantial Asian and African-American populations. He advised District Four has a composite minority population and displayed a map with current districts outlined. Mr. Mendez then displayed a map he prepared with his proposed changes to create a balance, noting the proposed changes added population to District Five with an increasing Hispanic population. Mayor Jensen asked to review the effects of this change to District One. Mr. Mendez noted District One increased when population was added to that district further south. He also reviewed the proposed change in District Three and reviewed the population number difference. Mr. Mendez said he also proposed removing the northeast corner of District Four and sliding it into District Two, preserving the African American population. Mayor Jensen asked to review the spreadsheet to include proposed changes. Mr. Mendez then reviewed each district and advised the deviation total with proposed changes would be at 9.29 with these changes. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Humphreys said he does not oppose the proposed changes but noted a neighborhood would be split. Council Member Clemson asked to closer review the streets in that area, and noted this proposed change would divide the Dalworth Community in half. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Humphreys said he and Council Member Clemson currently interact and support the Dalworth Community together and does not oppose the proposed change if necessary. Mayor Jensen and Council Member Lopez discussed splitting the Oak Hollow area. Mr. Ezeonu expressed the importance of keeping the Dalworth Community and Oak Hollow areas intact. Mr. Mendez and Mr. Brown adjusted the map reflecting the requested changes to better keep those areas together. Mayor Jensen recognized former Council Member Eddie Hemphill in the audience. Mayor Pro Tem Del Bosque recommended balancing District Five more by taking the northeast corner of District Three and placing it in District Five. They further reviewed, moving the mapping among Districts One, Two and Three. Mr. Mendez then reviewed the new demographics numbers with proposed changes. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Humphreys excused himself from the meeting at 6:11 p.m. Council Member Lopez asked to review voter age information. Mr. Mendez reviewed the information obtained from the Texas Secretary of State (SOS) noting the SSRV column in the spreadsheet indicates those whom the SOS office identified as voters with Spanish surnames. Council Member Lopez reviewed the adopted mapping criteria and said there must be awareness of the actual community members in the areas when considering mapping changes. Mayor Jensen asked to review the counts in the three districts again, and Mr. Mendez reviewed the numbers again. Mr. Brown noted the current deviation is now at 9.98 percent. Council Member Lopez asked to review the map far south specifically along Waters Edge Drive. Mr. Mendez confirmed no changes have been made there. Council Member Lopez noted the area along the Dallas County line may be best placed and kept together within District Six. Changes in District Six and Four were mapped. Mr. Brown confirmed the deviation is now 9.22 percent. Council Member Johnson asked to review voting percent by minority. Mr. Mendez reviewed the demographic numbers and voting age population once more. Mayor Jensen advised Council would consider the proposed changes. 2. Redistricting Meeting Schedule Ms. De Leon reminded all the next meeting is scheduled for December 9th, but if an additional meeting date is necessary, she could schedule. Mayor Jensen asked Ms. De Leon to provide Council with additional proposed meeting dates, and she confirmed she would. Special City Council Meeting - Redistricting – November 04, 2021 Page 2 of 3 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Jensen adjourned the meeting at 6:35 p.m. The foregoing minutes were approved at the December 9, 2021, Special City Council Meeting. _______________________________ Mona Lisa Galicia, City Secretary Special City Council Meeting - Redistricting – November 04, 2021 Page 3 of 3