Districting Commission Meetings

MINUTES Districting Commission Meeting Monday, June 14, 2021 at 5:30 PM Carnegie Town Hall, 235 West 10th St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104 1. Call To Order Commission Members Present: Tom Hurlbert, Barbara Johnson, Joseph Kippley, Mark Millage, Bob Thimjon Commission Members Absent: None City Clerk Tom Greco called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. and noted that all members were present. 2. Approval of Minutes A. Monday, February 8, 2021 A motion was made by Commissioner Millage and seconded by Commissioner Kippley to approve the minutes. Roll call vote to approve. 5 Yes: Hurlbert, Johnson, Kippley, Millage, Thimjon; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 3. Selection of Chairperson A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Kippley to nominate Mark Millage as Districting Commission Chair. Roll call vote to nominate. 5 Yes: Hurlbert, Johnson, Kippley, Millage, Thimjon; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. 4. New Business A. Census Update Jeff Schmitt, Planning and Development Services, stated that detailed demographic census information is still expected to be released by September 30, 2021. He also noted that the Census Bureau recently announced that "legacy format" data will be released to the states on or near August 16, 2021. At this point, it is unclear whether the data released on the 16th will be usable by the City because of software requirements. B. Map Exercise Based Upon 2020 Housing Unit Population Estimates Schmitt reviewed in detail the districting criteria as set forth in the City Charter. He showed how this criteria was applied to previous Commissions' efforts and discussed the changes in the City's population. Schmitt anticipates that the release of census data this year will yield an average population of approximately 38,000 residents for each of the five districts. He used the 2017 Districting Commission's plan to show how they relied upon the criteria found in the Charter, expected growth rates, and other factors to arrive at a plan. Specifically, the 2017 Commission sought to minimize future changes due to growth by keeping the Central District higher and the Northeast low. Commissioner Thimjon asked that an excel spreadsheet be prepared to show population changes by precinct over the past 2 to 3 districting cycles. Schmitt indicated he would prepare that and send it to the Commission. Schmitt then presented three "options" based upon population estimates as a way to help the Commission envision the process and considerations for plan development once census figures are available. He stated that the Commission may want to consider future growth areas, population estimates, and natural boundaries in addition to the criteria found in the Charter. Currently, the Southeast District is very high compared to other districts while the Northeast is much lower than the others. The Commission then discussed the process. Thimjon reiterated the value in seeing historic changes and also noted that it would be useful to see the new population breakdowns on the slides. Commissioner Millage recounted his experience on the 2017 Commission and discussed how future growth areas were taken into account by keeping the Southeast lower and Central District Higher. He also stated that it would be useful to consider options that would minimize future adjustments and noted that current and forthcoming annexations will continue to contribute to steady increases in population. Commissioner Joe Kippley asked why the Commission had to redistrict in 2017. Schmitt stated that the Charter requires redistricting after each decennial census and when the population has grown by more than 15% since the last redistricting effort, which was the case in 2017. Kippley noted that based upon the future growth areas and population estimates, it's likely there will be a need to redistrict again in six to eight years, which Schmitt agreed with. Commissioner Tom Hurlbert stated that maintaining the "identity" or "character" of districts should be a consideration to the extent possible. He used the Central District, which he represents, as a prime example of keeping boundaries in line with a district's identity because populations like that typically share the same challenges and concerns when it comes to matters like zoning, assessments, and voting. C. Timeline Review Greco reminded the Commission that the City Council adjusted the timeline due to the lack of census data. Currently, the latest date the plan can be submitted to the Council is December 7, 2021. Accordingly, a public hearing can be held as late as November 24th, which would require notice to the public by October 25th for the hearing. Greco noted that the ability to use census data is critical to the timeline; if the August 16th release is not usable, then the Commission would remain under a tight timeline in October with a September 30th release. 5. Next Meeting Greco suggested that two meetings be set: one for late August in the event the August 16th data is usable and one in early October if only the September 30th data can be used. Thimjon suggested that the Commission meet prior to the release of data to further discuss the "natural" boundaries of the districts based on the factors stated by Hurlbert. The Commission agreed this would be a suitable path forward and the Chair directed Greco to identify possible meeting dates in early- to mid-August as well. 6. Public Comment There was none. 7. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Thimjon and seconded by Commissioner Hurlbert to adjourn at 6:31 p.m. Roll call vote to adjourn. 5 Yes: Hurlbert, Johnson, Kippley, Millage, Thimjon; 0 No: (None). Motion Passed. Thomas M. Greco, City Clerk