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Min 12/21/1992 205 Wichita Falls, Texas Memorial Auditorium Building December 21, 1992 Item 1 The City Council of the City of Wichita Falls, Texas, met in called session on the above date in the Council Room of the Memorial Auditorium Building at 8: 30 o 'clock a.m. , with the following members present. Michael Lam - Mayor David Farabee - Terrance E. Loughry - Angus Thompson - Councilors Paul Hughes - J. W. Martin - Harold Hawkins - James Berzina - City Manager Gregory Humbach - City Attorney Wilma J. Thomas - City Clerk Item 2 Mayor Lam noted that the purpose of this meeting is the consideration and discussion of alternative City Council redistricting plans. Mr. Humbach explained that last year a redistricting plan was submitted to the Justice Department after a good deal of study and public hearings. The Justice Department only precleared it for the May election, with the specification that we would call for an election as soon as possible to include six districts. We are under a time crunch to get a plan precleared before the May election. One plan is submitted if the amendment passes, and another if the voters reject the six districts. David Gwinn, an attorney from Baylor University, stated that the issue in regard to amending the charter hung over the election. Members of the minority approved it under the condition that the City would call a charter election. We also have the alternative of going to the United States District Court in the District of Columbia. Professor Gwinn noted the racial profile maps on the wall. He stated we do not have a hispanic district because they are diffused throughout the community, and even taking all of them together would not be more than one-half of the 5-1-1 plan. In the event the charter election should carry in January, three different plans have been drawn up. He brought only the one with the highest minority profile. The minority profile is substantially improved. This represents a considerable attempt to come up with the principle of one person one vote, and the Justice Department must also approve it. If it passes, they would work with a tri-ethnic committee on this plan. The maximum deviation is 9. 94 percent. If the charter amendment does not pass we are left with the existing configuration. He stated it is going to be hard to get the second ward up to 59 . 5 percent. The existing plan is 57 percent. Voting age population and the highest minority population both have to be considered. He feels it is best to work around Plan 3 as previously submitted. The present plan is 57. 20 percent, with 52. 60 percent of voting age population. Districts 2, 3, and 4 do involve fracturing election precincts. On one plan six or eight precincts are split, and on another five or six are split. The minority population would be 60 . 27 percent on the proposed plan if the charter amendment passes. Mayor Lam commented that based on history and the fact that they are 206 Item 2 , cont'd. having to underpopulate this district, it looks like we may have to do this again in five or six years. Councilor Hughes posed the question as to what happens if two council members end up in the same district? Professor Gwinn stated he prepared the maps without input from the council members on where they lived. The 6-1 plan fractures six or eight precincts. They will have to go back to the County, and the County will have to make the necessary adjustments to the precincts. After the election the citizens committee will have to be re-formed. He would like to come up here in January to discuss this with the committee. He would like to have public hearings on whatever the alternate plan is because filings for office begin 75 days back from the election date in May. Councilor Hughes asked if there are any specific rules on what you do in those cases of overlapping council districts? Councilor Martin asked if the 6-1 fails, how has he drastically changed the districts? Professor Gwinn stated there are primary changes in Districts 2 , 3 , and 4. Mr. Berzina asked what is likely to be the view of Justice if the 6-1 does not pass? It was stated the City can submit the plan under the existing charter. He stated the 5-1-1 plan does not have the purpose of denying minority representation. They would defend it on that basis that it is constitutional and in compliance with the voting rights act. We can resubmit the plan we now have or go to another plan. Professor Gwinn stated he plans to come back the first week in January to discuss this with the tri-ethnic committee, for public hearings in the minority district, and get the plan in shape. He asked for a copy of the list of names of the committee, and Mr. Humbach stated he would work with the City Manager' s office in getting that list. The meeting adjourned at 11: 10 a.m. PASSED AND APPROVED THIS DAY OF ci , 1993 . Michael Lam, Mayor ATTEST: Wilma J. Thomas, CMC/AAE City Clerk