Reapportionment Advisory Committee

CITY OF NORWALK REAPPORTIONMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 ATTENDANCE: Kenneth D’Arinzo, Chair; Diane Cece, Khea Gibbs, Scott Goodwin, Diana Paladino Christopher; Jody Proct, Susan Remson, Brenda Penn- Williams OTHERS: Priti Mathur, ARCBridge; Sam Mathur, ARCBridge I. CALL TO ORDER Mr. D’Arinzo called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. II. ROLL CALL Mr. D’Arinzo called the roll. A quorum was present. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES • September 12, 2024 Regular Meeting ** MS. PROCT MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 REGULAR MEETING. ** MS. CECE SECONDED. ** THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 12, 2024 REGULAR MEETING AS SUBMITTED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Mr. D’Arinzo said that at the Public Hearing, the Public Participation will be used as a Q&A session after the presentation. He added that this information would be submitted to the public via social media so that the general public has a chance to review the information. DISCUSSION a. Redistricting Option Selection Review b. Public Hearing Discussion c. Final recommendations Mr. D’Arinzo said that Mr. Wells had submitted some changes regarding the pocket districts and Ms. and Mr. Mathur were able to make adjustments. Ms. Mathur then displayed the PowerPoint presentation on screen. She indicated where the four changes were made along with a graph City of Norwalk Reapportionment Advisory Committee Regular Meeting September 19, 2024 Page 1 showing where the minority majority districts were located. She indicated where the Taxing District and the voting districts did not align. Ms. Mathur also explained that Mr. Wells had suggested an alternative change for the voting district lines which avoided having dwarf precincts. Ms. Proct pointed out that there was a portion of change in South Norwalk that would break up the Village Creek neighborhood. Ms. Paladino said that she had been at a conference with the Secretary of State and she had spoken with the State administrators about split districts. She confirmed that the same moderator could be used as long as they had separate tables at a voting location. Discussion followed. Ms. Mathur said that she would incorporate the changes that they had agreed upon during the discussion. Mr. D’Arinzo said that if they were able to receive the changes by tomorrow, then IT could post it. He then made a roll call to confirm that all the Committee Members were in agreement. Ms. Cece asked for some clarification on one of the changes, which Ms. Mathur reviewed with her. She also asked about having an alphabetical listing of the streets that were being moved. Mr. D’Arinzo said that he had specifically asked about having a zoomable map so people could look closely at the map. Ms. Cece asked if the public could submit questions to the Committee in advance. Mr. D’Arinzo said that the public could send in emails to the administration staff. Ms. Cece asked if the Council could make changes to the proposal when it is presented. Mr. D’Arinzo said that the Public Hearing was the time for the Council to give their input so changes can be made. Mr. D’Arinzo asked Ms. Mathur to email him the updated map. Ms. Paladino felt that a five day notice before the public hearing was not enough. Mr. D’Arinzo said that if they extended the timeline, they would have to republish the legal notice. Mr. Goodwin pointed out that this would only affect 1,800 people. Ms. Paladino said that as the Registrar of Voters, if one or two voters felt that their voices were not heard, she felt it was wrong. Ms. Cece noted that they could hold the public comment period open past the conclusion of the hearing. Mr. D’Arinzo noted that the public hearing would be held in the Council Chambers in person and that Mr. and Ms. Mathur would have to zoom in. Mr. Goodwin said that he was in favor of this version of the districts. Ms. Proct said that she was in agreement, as did Ms. Remson, Ms. Penn-Williams and Ms. Gibbs. NEXT STEPS City of Norwalk Reapportionment Advisory Committee Regular Meeting September 19, 2024 Page 2 Mr. Goodwin said that he had some comments about the layout of the various slides in the deck, which he said he would send to Ms. Mathur. ADJOURNMENT ** MR. GOODWIN MOVED TO ADJOURN. ** MS. PROCT SECONDED. ** THE MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, S. L. Soltes Telesco Secretarial Services City of Norwalk Reapportionment Advisory Committee Regular Meeting September 19, 2024 Page 3