CC Minutes - 06/27/11 Work Session

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late July with two or more redistricting scenarios that attempted to show different ways to meet the criteria. Staff would then seek public input on those scenarios. Mr. Dedrick reviewed the manager's recommendation for the criteria proposed by staff to assist the council in the development of ward boundary scenarios: • A population difference of three percent, plus or minus, among wards; • Work with 2010 United States Census and do not assume potential growth; • Develop scenarios without consideration of protecting incumbent elected officials; • Develop scenarios that consider geographic and neighborhood features, and strive for relative compactness and contiguity, without rigid adherence to those characteristics; and • Provide demographic information with scenarios to support consideration of potential impacts. Councilors asked questions clarifying the information provided. Councilors were generally supportive of the proposed criteria with the exception of item 3, related to incumbency, suggesting it be modified as neither "protecting nor punishing" incumbents. Mr. Zelenka pointed out that Eugene Water & Electric Board commissioners were also affected by redistricting and recommended that redistricting occur with the goal of avoiding unnecessary disruption through what he characterized as "tweaks." Mr. Poling, Mr. Clark, Mayor Piercy, Mr. Farr, and Ms. Taylor expressed concurrence. Mr. Brown expressed interest in seeing census data for the decades between 1980 and 1990 and 1990 and 2000, suggesting that might help the council identify any trends related to faster growth in wards 6 and 8 and allow it to make a modest adjustment to recognize that impact. Mr. Poling emphasized the importance of completing the process by the time candidates must file. Ms. Ortiz wanted to ensure that neighborhoods of lower socio- economic status were not broken up. Ms. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Brown, moved to accept the City Manager's recommended criteria for developing ward scenario options, with the exception of bullet 3. The motion passed unanimously, 8:0. Ms. Osborn determined that the council wished to see the alternative scenarios before they were presented to the public. Mayor Piercy recognized the time remaining in the meeting and returned the council to Item A. A. ITEMS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Mr. Farr also acknowledged the contributions of Wayne Watkins and said he would be missed. Mayor Piercy noted the pending retirement of long -time School District 4J Superintendent of Schools George Russell and expressed appreciation for all his contributions. Mr. Poling noted the pending retirement of Lane Transit District General Manager Mark Pangborn and further noted the pending retirements of Captain Steve Swenson and Lieutenant Mike Gilbert of the Eugene Police Department. MINUTES— Eugene City Council June 27, 2011 Page 5 Work Session