Min 04/30/1992 30
Wichita Falls, Texas
Memorial Auditorium Building
April 30, 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 -
Don Kirkham -
James Berzina - City Manager
Gregory Humbach - City Attorney
Wilma J. Thomas - City Clerk
Item 2
Mayor Lam announced that the purpose of this meeting is to
review and act on an ordinance pertaining to redistricting.
Mr. Humbach reviewed the redistricting plan as submitted to
the Justice Department. The Justice Department appears
unwilling to approve the minority profile in District 2, and the
City has been told that if it would adopt an ordinance for this
election to be held on Saturday, May 2, 1992 , that they would
validate our plan. Following validation we would go back
through the process, and look at the demographics of the city,
and consider another plan, and receive approval of the Justice
Department. This would be submitted sometime in December this
year. The staff recommends that the Council favorably consider
this ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 36-92
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WICHITA FALLS AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 106-91 TO LIMIT
THE PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED
TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT FOR USE IN THE MAY 2, 1992
GENERAL ELECTION ONLY; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY; AND
FINDING AND DETERMINING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS
ORDINANCE WAS PASSED WAS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS
REQUIRED BY LAW.
Moved by Councilor Kirkham that Ordinance No. 36-92 be
passed.
Motion seconded by Councilor Thompson.
Richard Esparza, 1224 Pecanway Dr. , appeared as Chairman of
the Mexican American Democrats of Texas. He stated they are
interested in having a hispanic district so that they could have
their own representative to bring their problems to. He
requested that they be contacted for input into the process.
They would like to be notified of any policies, ordinances, or
plans that would affect their community. He stated they do not
consider the Mexican Americans in the Country Club as part of
the Mexican community. They want a representative who actually
lives in their community.
31
Item 2 , cont'd.
Mayor Lam explained that the purpose today is not to debate
the merits of the next plan, but they would encourage them to be
present at posted meetings, suggesting that he contact the City
Attorney for information.
Councilor Martin pointed out that the Mexican community was
well represented on the previous committee. Mr. Esparza stated
those people did not represent their people.
Councilor Thompson asked if this would call for a vote on
the Charter in November, and Mr. Humbach explained that this
action has nothing to do with that. Councilor Thompson noted
that to get where we want to go that will have to happen. Mayor >,
Lam stated they would continue to look at a charter election
since they had made a commitment.
Mayor Lam confirmed with Mr. Humbach that the City' s plan
has not been turned down, but it was just not approved. Mr.
Humbach stated they were encouraged to take this course of
action to facilitate approval. We will have no information from
the Justice Department until probably ten days after the
election.
The motion carried by the following vote.
Ayes: Mayor Lam, Councilors Farabee, Loughry, Thompson,
Hughes, Martin, and Kirkham
Nays: None
The City Council adjourned at 8: 45 a.m.
PASSED AND APPROVED this the � � day of
1992.
Michael Lam, Mayor
ATTEST:
Wilma J. Thomas, CMC/AAE
City Clerk