Min 12/19/1991 831
Wichita Falls, Texas
Memorial Auditorium Building
December 19 , 1991
Item 1
A public hearing on the redistricting plan was called to
order by Mayor Lam at 5: 00 p.m. who stated this is not an
official meeting, but a public hearing to be conducted by the
consultant. Council members in attendance were Mayor Lam and
Councilors Loughry, Farabee, Thompson, and Hughes. Staff
members present were Mr. Berzina, Mr. Humbach, and Mrs. Thomas.
David Guinn opened the public hearing by explaining that
action was brought in federal court in Wichita Falls on the at-
large system. No code violation was found, but the City agreed
to go to a system of five single member districts and two
positions elected at large. With the 1990 census being
published, we are required to evaluate these districts to
determine if they have the correct number of people. He noted
that we are sixty percent off now. If one were to bring a suit
against the City we would have to realign the boundaries, and we
are doing this before it happens.
Mr. Guinn stated that the population of the predominately
minority ward is 5 , 500 people short. We would have to add 4, 500
people to bring it up to a one man one vote requirement and not
dilute the minority vote. This area has a congregation of
blacks, noting that the hispanic community flows to the
Southwest of the City, and the minority profile does not go up.
He noted that Section 42. 005 of the Texas Election Code provides
that precincts cannot overlap between districts. He discussed
Plan 3 , stating that Section 42. 005 is a mandatory requirement,
and County precincts must come in line with the districts. He
stated that other configurations are possible, however, any
changes from the 5-2 configuration would require a charter
amendment. You would have to have the acquiescence of the
electorate of the City of Wichita Falls in the form of an
affirmative vote.
Councilor Loughry asked about the drawing errors in some of
the precincts, and Mr. Humbach explained it had been taken care
of.
Councilor Thompson asked about Plan 4 prepared in Waco, and
Mr. Guinn stated the main difference in Plans 1 and 4 is the
southern end of District 2 cut off at Scott Street. Councilor
Thompson suggested that Plan 4 would be an interim plan to be
submitted to the Justice Department. He would hope that we
would present this to the voters in November next year for a
charter election. The charter amendment and plan would have to
be precleared.
Mr. Guinn stated each ward must have self-contained
precincts. Councilor Hughes pointed out that Plan 4 splits
Precinct 30 . Mr. Guinn explained to Councilor Thompson that he
would have to receive instructions from the whole Council to
submit it as an interim plan. Numbers will need to be rechecked
in Precinct 30. Mr. . Guinn stated they will await their
instructions, but he strongly recommends a 5-2 plan.
The public hearing closed at 6: 00 p.m. Another public
hearing will be held at 8: 00 p.m. , at Washington Elementary
School.
832
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of
1992 .
Michael Lam, Mayor
ATTEST:
Wilma J. Tho as, CMC/AAE
City Clerk
r'