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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-07 EC MINUTESENGLEWOOD ELECTION COMMISSION March 7, 2002 1. Call to Order The meeting of the Englewood Election Commission was called to order by Chairman Lay at 5 :35 p . m. in the City Manager 's Conference Room. 2. Roll Call Present: Absent A quorum was present. Also Present: Members Redpath , Ellis , Lay Members Holmberg, Mulhern Director Gryglewicz , Finance and Administrative Services Deputy City Clerk White Deputy City Clerk Castle 3. Discussion -Redistricting a. City Clerk Ellis said that the City had redistricted in 1999 . She stated there was not much done at that time because we were using ten year old Census figures. The only change at that time was to move approximately two blocks from District 1 to District 2 within County Precinct 107. Ms . Ellis noted, at the time when the Commission met with Council to discuss the 1999 redistricting, Council asked that we look into a split along Broadway for District 1 and 2. (Clerk's note : Member Mulhern joined the meeting at 5:50 p . m. He was late due to his work schedule.) Chairman Lay explained that Arapahoe County is in the process of reprecincting . We will make every effort to redistrict along County precinct lines, she said, because every time we split a County precinct, we create another ballot type in a Mail Ballot Election and it costs more money. The Commission discussed the difference in the 1990 and 2000 Census figures for Englewood. Chairman Lay noted we have some high transit areas in the City. Discussion ensued regarding the possible precinct changes the County may be looking at. Chairman Lay advised that the County Commissioners must have the changes in their hands by March 22nd. Englewood Election Commission March 7, 2002 Pa ge 2 Ms. Ellis explained the redistricting procedure. The Election Commission will make a recommendation to Council with possibly 2 or 3 options . Redistricting is based on two requirements . Per our Charter the number of registered voters should vary no more than 15 % between the highest and lowest district. The Colorado Constitution has a population provision that case law supports , even though the provision is not made specifically applicable to municipalities.· The population of the districts should vary no more that 5 % between the highest and lowest district. Community Development will work with population figures and I'll be working on the registered voter figures, she said. I will bring that information to this Commission to brain storm. Ms. Ellis added that Chairman Lay has been involved in this for years and she has a lot of expertise to bring to this process. Ms . Ellis stated that the Charter says we will use the registered voter figures from this last election which was the November 6, 2001 election. However, because the County is in the process of reprecincting, I will have to use the number of registered voters on the books at the time of reprecincting. She explained that she tried to obtain a list of City of Englewood registered voters from the 2001 election, in a form that would allow for manipulation of the numbers, based on the new County precincts. It has proven to be an almost impossible task . Ms. Ellis said she felt the difference in the registered voter figures for November 6, 2001 and the March 2002 figures would be minimal. Ms. Ellis advised that the redistricting issue has been scheduled for the Council Study Session on March l 81h . The intent is to give Council a heads up that this is coming and that if we redistrict a council member out, then they would be out as of the election in November 2003. That means that, potentially, someone may have been in office only two years and they would have to run again. The Charter requires that the redistricting must be completed at least six months before the November 2003 election, which would be the first part of May, 2003. Chairman Lay is going to be at the Study Session to facilitate the discussion and let Council know what is coming. Ms . Ellis advised the intent of tonight's Commission meeting is to discuss the redistricting process and let you know that I'll be asking to meet with you somewhere along the line to work on this. Traditionally, I meet with the chairman first and then the Commission will meet as a group . So if that's all right with everyone, she said, that's the procedure we'll follow. Member Redpath asked if existing districts are really out of balance. Discussion ensued about the possibility of changes in different areas of the City. Member Mulhern asked about the density of the new Cinderella City residential area and what impact that might have on redistricting. Ms. Ellis said that is one of the areas the County is looking at. Ms . Ellis asked Finance Director Gryglewicz ifhe knew. He said he wasn't sure. Mr. Mulhern said that seemed to be the only redevelopment growth issue other than maybe a duplex here or there. Ms. Ellis said it was her understanding that most of this isn't included in the 2000 Census . Englewood Election Commission March 7, 2002 Page 3 Member Mulhern said we ought to be able to look at what the overall master plan equates to in terms of number of units. Ms. Ellis noted that we are going to have to use the 2000 Census figures . Mr. Mulhern said then you'll be off the day you do it. Discussion ensued. Mr. Redpath asked Ms. Ellis for her take on this. He said we're sort of floating figures around and we don 't have anything definite. Ms. Ellis advised that one of the things we will ask Council about, at the March 18th Study Session, is if they still want us to look at a Broadway split for Districts 1 and 2. Discussion ensued as to the various possible scenanos. The Commission discussed the various problems associated with splitting a County precinct. Ms . Ellis asked if anyone had any questions. I just want you to know what is coming, she said. She invited the Commission to attend the March 18 th Study Session. Mr. Redpath said there is really nothing we can do tonight until we have precinct population figures . Ms. Ellis agreed. Member Mulhern questioned the procedure to be used in determining the population breakdown. Ms. Ellis advised that the Community Development Department has a GIS system. I have worked with them many times and they know this is coming . Mr. Mulhern asked about the difference between population and registered voters in terms of how you look at those numbers. City Clerk Ellis said the population piece is the State Statute requirement , that , even though it's not specifically applicable to municipalities, case law supports it and we do comply with it. She said in most cities that's all they ever look at. I will have Community Development work that up and then I'll be working on the registered voter piece. Mr. Redpath asked if those figures could be provided before the Study Session and Ms. Ellis said no. Basically, she said, this meeting with Council is just a heads up , we would like to explain the process and also let them know how it might impact them. Ms . Ellis felt it was important for everyone to understand the process and understand what will happen if the y are redistricted out. Methods of calculating the districting were discussed. Mr. Redpath asked if we are bound by registration or are we bound by actual population, not by Census. He said it seems to me you can throw out the registration if you have to count everybody in the City. Chairman Lay noted most cities redistrict by population, but our Charter requires us to use the registered voter figures. Mr. Mulhern asked how big of an issue it would be to present a Charter amendment. Mr. Gryglewicz said we have proposed several and they have been pretty successful. In response to Mr. Mulhern, Ms . Ellis confirmed that an amendment to the Charter requires a vote. · Englewood Election Commission March 7, 2002 Page 4 Mr. Mulhern asked what the advantage is of the registered voter and population figure check and balance. Ms. Ellis said we are striving for equal representation . Mr. Mulhern said, so it's just a double check. Ms. Ellis said I am not sure what the founding fathers wanted, but I imagine that was a part of it. Ms. Lay said there are certain areas that have a lot more registered voters than others and they're the ones that tum out to vote and that's what they want to look at, because that's what it's all about. Mr. Redpath wondered about having everyone run at-large. Ms. Ellis said that is what some cities do and then you don't have the redistricting piece that you have to worry about and it simplifies a lot. Mr. Redpath said maybe we should suggest that. Mr. Mulhern said then you end up with a certain district running and controlling the City. Ms . Ellis said I don't know that it's ever been put to Council, it's always been the four districts and the three at-large positions. I don't know how Council would feel about it. She said the Commission could bring it up at the March 18th Study Session. Chairman Lay said this is something for Council to discuss and contemplate. Mr. Mulhern asked if, historically, there are problems getting certain people to run from districts. Ms. Ellis said this last election was tough in District 2 . She said we were looking into what would happen if no one were to run. Ms . Lay opined this is a good thing to bring up to Council. Mr. Redpath asked what the Commission could do at this point. Ms . Ellis said they would have to wait for the new County precinct breakdown, before the process could begin. I appreciate your help , she said, and I would love to see you on March 18th . Ms. Ellis asked if anybody had anything else or if they had any questions about this process. There was nothing else. Ms . Ellis advised that the Study Session is 6:00 p. m., on March 18th . 4. Member's Choice a. There were no additional items to discuss. 5. Transmittal of Miscellaneous Items There were no miscellaneous items to discuss. 6. Adjournment .m. .. • POPULA T/ON COMPARISONS BETWEEN ENGLEWOOD CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS : 1990 AND 2000 Council Population % of most District 1990 populous district District I 7,793 100.0 District II 7 ,379 94 .7 District Ill 7,283 93.5 District IV 7,006 89.9 H:\group\census\City Council District Population comparison 1990-2000.xls 3/18/02 Population % of most 2000 populous district 8 ,054 97.4 8 ,265 100.0 7,290 88.2 8,027 97.1 ELECTION COMMISSION Telephone Poll May 15, 2002 The Telephone Poll was conducted by the City Clerk's office on May 15, 2002. CONSIDERATION OF MINUTES: (a) March 7, 2002 Election Commission Minutes Vote results: Ayes: Members Johnson, Mulhern, Redpath , Ellis, Lay Nays: None Minutes approved.