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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3 - Ward Redistricting Scenarios ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Public Hearing: Ward Redistricting Scenarios Meeting Date: September 19, 2011 Agenda Item Number: 3 Department: Central Services/Planning & Development Staff Contact: Keli Osborn www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5406 ISSUE STATEMENT This public hearing will collect input on two draft scenarios for redrawing Eugene ward boundaries. The feedback from this meeting, and other public comment and information, can contribute to pending decisions on Eugene’s new ward boundaries. Every 10 years, the Eugene City Council adjusts council ward boundaries to accommodate population changes and shifts – thereby helping ensure equal protection under the law. BACKGROUND Based on available 2010 U.S. Census data, Eugene’s population totaled 156,222. Total population has increased by 18,292, or more than 13 percent, since the population taken for the 2000 Census. To help ensure equal representation, each ward now should have approximately 19,528 residents. An attachment in the packet shows the population differences in Wards 1-8 and what it would take to reach the equal population target. Based on direction from the council, following public outreach and input, staff prepared scenarios that attempt to bring the population for each of the potential new wards to within three percent of the target. The potential wards are relatively compact and contiguous, and the potential boundaries consider geographic and neighborhood features. The residences of incumbent elected officials did not influence the location of boundaries. Scenario summaries Scenario 1: Modest changes  To balance populations, Ward 2 has moved northward into Ward 3; Ward 1 has moved northward, impacting primarily Ward 7; and Ward 7 has shifted into Ward 6, which needed to shrink in size because its population has grown. Scenario 2: Large-scale changes  Wards 1 and 2 shift northward to pick up more population.  Ward 3 moves its north boundary north of the Willamette River to encompass the concentration of young adults in that area as part of a “community of interest” with other campus-area residents.  The main boundary dividing Wards 4 and 5 runs east to west (rather than north to south) largely to accommodate the Ward 3 change and to create a Ward 5 that takes on much of the Santa Clara area. S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110919\09-19-11 Item 3 - Ward Redistricting Scenarios.doc Public feedback on the two scenarios has been limited in quantity, but the quality of input has been high because of the interest of those who have taken opportunities to participate in different ways. An online public survey and interactive ward maps are available on the City’s website. In the last five months, staff has provided ongoing updates to a growing list of interested parties, generated news releases, responded to media requests, sent information through neighborhood leaders, offered to meet with neighborhood and civic groups, and held a public forum. Some constituency groups – Lane County League of Women Voters, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and Neighborhood Leaders Council – have continued to follow the process closely. While the public feedback has been mixed, at this time there appears to be slightly more support for Scenario 1 or a revised scenario that would be similar. While some have been intrigued by the Scenario 2 impacts on Ward 5, there also has been concern about addressing the Santa Clara neighborhood without fully considering impacts of new boundaries on other neighborhoods. Taking Ward 3 across the river also has raised some concerns as being a significant change for residents. A question has arisen about whether it would be possible to draw Ward 3 boundaries to retain or add more likely voters. The percentage of registered voters in Ward 3 currently is lower than in other wards and both scenarios show no appreciable change. While voter registration is not and cannot be a major criterion, staff has considered other ways to “grow” Ward 2 into Ward 3, but has been unable to maintain wards that are relatively compact and contiguous. Another issue staff has heard concerns the relationship between ward boundaries and the boundaries for neighborhood associations. Staff considered school attendance and neighborhood association boundaries, although these were not primary criteria adopted by the council. The recognized neighborhood association boundaries vary significantly and strict alignment with ward boundary options was impossible to achieve while striving for near-equal populations across wards. An attachment shows the breakdown of neighborhood associations by councilor. For some, an issue is the number of associations a single councilor might represent or the number of councilors any one neighborhood association might have as its elected representatives. The council is scheduled for a Monday, September 26, work session on ward redistricting at which direction on an existing or alternative scenario, along with suggested refinements, ideally would be provided. The council is scheduled to adopt a resolution and new ward boundaries on October 24. To facilitate election-related activities, the final boundary decision should occur well before the 2012 filing deadline for the seats that will be up for election next May for the Eugene City Council and Eugene Water & Electric Board. Candidates could begin filing on September 8, 2011, and must turn in all materials to the City Recorder by February 29, 2012. RELATED CITY POLICIES The Eugene Charter provision related to redistricting is general and states: Section 33. Wards. The council shall divide the city into wards and redefine the boundaries thereof as necessary to accord persons in the city the equal protection of the laws. No person may vote at a city election in a ward other than that in which he or she resides. S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110919\09-19-11 Item 3 - Ward Redistricting Scenarios.doc The Eugene City Code includes the following: 2.692 Elections – Wards. The city council shall by resolution divide the city into eight wards, but neither this requirement nor any action pursuant to it disqualifies, or shortens the term of office of, a member of the council or the Eugene Water & Electric Board. Adopted Council Goals and Outcomes include: Effective, Accountable Municipal Government - A government that works openly, collaboratively, and fairly with the community to achieve measurable and positive outcomes and provide effective, efficient services. COUNCIL OPTIONS This is a public hearing, and alternative options for action are not required at this time. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager makes no recommendation at this time. SUGGESTED MOTION No motion is required for the public hearing. ATTACHMENTS A. Ward Maps and Demographic Data B. Boundaries – Eugene’s Wards & Neighborhood Associations C. Summary of Public Input to Date FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Keli Osborn Telephone: 541-682-5406 Staff E-Mail: keli.m.osborn@ci.eugene.or.us S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M110919\09-19-11 Item 3 - Ward Redistricting Scenarios.doc Draft Ward Scenario 1 Z § ¨¦ 5 Ward: 5 Ward: 5 Ward: 6 Ward: 6 Ward: 4 Ward: 4 § ¨¦ 105 Ward: 7 Ward: 7 Ward: 8 Ward: 8 Ward: 1 Ward: 1 Ward: 3 Ward: 3 Current Eugene City Council Wards Eugene UGB Ward: 2 Ward: 2 Scenario 1 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Miles Ward 8 00.51 Data Sources: City of Eugene and Regional GIS data Caution: This map is based on imprecise source data, subject to change, and for general reference only. City of Eugene -July 21, 2011 Planning and Development Department - Community Development Division Draft Ward Scenario 2 Z § ¨¦ 5 Ward: 5 Ward: 5 Ward: 6 Ward: 6 Ward: 4 Ward: 4 § ¨ ¦ 105 Ward: 7 Ward: 7 Ward: 8 Ward: 8 Ward: 1 Ward: 3 Ward: 1 Ward: 3 Current Eugene City Council Wards Ward: 2 Eugene UGB Ward: 2 Scenario 2 Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Miles Ward 8 00.51 Data Sources: City of Eugene and Regional GIS data Caution: This map is based on imprecise source data, subject to change, and for general reference only. City of Eugene -July 20, 2011 Planning and Development Department - Community Development Division Boundaries – Eugene’s Wards & Neighborhood Associations Neighborhood Associations Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Current boundaries Ward 1 Crest Drive Citizens Crest Drive Citizens Crest Drive Citizens Far West Neighborhood Far West Neighborhood Far West Neighborhood Friendly Area Neighbors Friendly Area Neighbors Friendly Area Neighbors Jefferson Westside Neighbors Jefferson Westside Neighbors Jefferson Westside Neighbors West Eugene Community Organization Ward 2 Amazon Neighbors Amazon Neighbors Crest Drive Citizens Crest Drive Citizens Crest Drive Citizens Southeast Neighbors Friendly Area Neighbors Southeast Neighbors Southeast Neighbors Ward 3 Downtown Neighborhood Association Downtown Neighborhood Association Amazon Neighbors Fairmount Neighbors Fairmount Neighbors Downtown Neighborhood Association Laurel Hill Valley Citizens Association Harlow Neighbors Fairmount Neighbors South University Neighborhood Association Laurel Hill Valley Citizens Association Laurel Hill Valley Citizens Association West University Neighbors South University Neighborhood Association South University Neighborhood Association West University Neighbors West University Neighbors Ward 4 Cal Young Neighborhood Association Cal Young Neighborhood Association Cal Young Neighborhood Association Harlow Neighbors Harlow Neighbors Harlow Neighbors Ward 5 Cal Young Neighborhood Association Cal Young Neighborhood Association Cal Young Neighborhood Association River Road Community Organization River Road Community Organization Santa Clara Community Organization Santa Clara Community Organization Santa Clara Community Organization Ward 6 Active Bethel Citizens Active Bethel Citizens Active Bethel Citizens Industrial Corridor Community Organization Industrial Corridor Community Organization Ward 7 Industrial Corridor Community Organization Active Bethel Citizens Active Bethel Citizens Santa Clara Community Organization Cal Young Neighborhood Association Downtown Neighborhood Association River Road Community Organization Downtown Neighborhood Association Industrial Corridor Community Organization Trainsong Neighbors Industrial Corridor Community Organization Jefferson Westside Neighbors Jefferson Westside Neighbors River Road Community Organization River Road Community Organization Santa Clara Community Organization Trainsong Neighbors Trainsong Neighbors West Eugene Community Organization West Eugene Community Organization Whiteaker Community Council Whiteaker Community Council Ward 8 Active Bethel Citizens Active Bethel Citizens Active Bethel Citizens Churchill Area Neighbors Churchill Area Neighbors Churchill Area Neighbors Crest Drive Citizens Association Crest Drive Citizens Association West Eugene Community Organization Far West Neighborhood Far West Neighborhood West Eugene Community Organization West Eugene Community Organization Attachment C: Summary of Public Input to Date As noted in the Agenda Item Summary, public feedback on the two scenarios has been limited, but the input staff has received has been useful. According to the website statistics, the City’s redistricting website, www.eugene-or.gov/redistricting has been visited 1,005 times since February. An online public survey and interactive ward map are available on the City’s website. While only eight people have responded to the survey (see Survey Results), 134 have visited the interactive map that allows people to compare the scenarios to current wards as well as other boundaries such as neighborhood associations and major roads. The map went online in August and eight comments were received via email or though the comment page available on the map (see Comments Received). Ongoing updates have been sent regularly to a list of 46 interested parties. Information and surveys about the scenarios in English and Spanish were available at the City’s Eugene Celebration booth and online. Spanish language surveys were also made available through Centro Latino Americano. In addition, staff have met and discussed the scenarios with neighborhood and civic groups including Lane County League of Women Voters, Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce and the Neighborhood Leaders th Council. Staff also attended the September 13 Jefferson Westside Neighbors meeting where the majority of attendees favored scenario one. In addition, staff met with Lane County redistricting staff to discuss the timeline and process for the county’s redistricting. Comments Received Thank you for soliciting citizen input. The two options for redistricting does not effect my home. I chose to not look at any statistics until I first looked at the two district maps and formed an opinion. In my opinion, Scenario 2 is the better boundaries for the Eugene Wards as the populations of the Wards in Scenario 2 will have more similar geographic and neighborhood interests. In particular, boundaries for Wards 1, 2 and 3 are more intuitive in Scenario 2 than in Scenario 1. Sincerely, John Helmick Lives in: Ward 2 The maps are almost impenetrable! You REALLY need to clean up the overlayed shading so the respective wards have consistent shading. Scenario 2 is unacceptable for Ward 1 because it unnecessarily promulgates a division of the Jefferson Westside Neighbors and (it appears) Friendly Area Neighbors. Paul Conte, Chair Jefferson Westside Neighbors Lives in: Ward 1 Hi-- I'm confused by the map graphics showing the possible ward redistricting options. Do I read it correctly that Downtown Neighborhood Association is actually in two different wards according to either scenario? If that is correct, then DNA has serious concerns about those options. This is a time when we seem to have a common goal in Eugene-- a rare event indeed!-- of building the strongest, most vibrant downtown possible. We hear all sorts of wonderful ideas and visions for the future of downtown. Great, except... How can we expect any of that to happen without unified leadership from a representative on the City Council? Downtown Neighborhood, possibly more than any other neighborhood in Eugene, needs to be entirely included in one ward, with one councilor as our advocate. I understand that the councilor will need to represent other constituencies also; but with so much going on Downtown, we need to have a single go-to person we can work with. Being in two wards will reduce, not enhance, our effective representation. Please let me know if I have misread the options-- I certainly hope so!. If I have not, then please advise about the most helpful next step for DNA to take. Sincerely, David David Mandelblatt Chairperson, Downtown Neighborhood Association Response: Hi Mr. Madelblatt, Thanks so much for your feedback. Currently the boundaries for the Downtown Neighborhood Association include three wards. Most of the Association is in Ward 7, with some in Wards 1 and 3 as well. In scenario one, the Downtown Neighborhood Association boundaries would still include three wards (1, 3, and 7), although it would be split a little more evenly between the three. Scenario two is more similar to the current boundaries in terms of the DNA - most would be in Ward 7 with smaller areas in Wards 1 and 3. (I have attached some pictures from our interactive map) We appreciate your comments and we will include them in the material that goes to Council this fall as they consider the possible boundary changes. Neighborhood boundaries are an important consideration in the redistricting process. Thank you again for your interest and advocacy for downtown and feel free to contact me if you have further questions. An online survey is also available and we would love to get feedback from DNA members. Its at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wardscenarios. Thank you, Laura A. Hammond Community Outreach & Participation Coordinator City of Eugene Planning & Development Department Wow--that's a pretty comprehensive response to your question. I'm impressed. And I didn't know that there were parts of DNA that are currently in Wards 1 and 3 (though they're pretty tiny). That having been said: I'm not sure it's such a bad thing to have the DNA territory split between several different wards. My guess is that our number of residents is relatively small compared to some of the other neighborhoods, so we're always going to be only a not-too-large slice of any Councillor's constituency. For instance, nothing against Councillor Ortiz, but I feel as if I've heard about her mostly as the representative of Trainsong or Whiteaker, even though she also represents downtown. If that's the case, then having several different Councillors representing us might give us a better chance at being heard. And in my experience, City Council members really represent all of Eugene, and not just their ward. If you can get a Council Member jazzed about something you care about, they'll generally go to bat for you, even if you're in someone else's ward. So thanks for being on top of things and drawing this to our attention, David--but personally I don't think I'm too worried about it. Downtown belongs to everybody. Sue The City of Eugene has done an unsatisfactory job with the maps. A detailed map is needed for each ward. The single map with all eight wards tells almost nothing. I live in ward 4 and can tell nothing about our boundaries and our ongoing relation to the Cal Young area. The single map seems like a conspiracy to tell nothing. Is there a problem of trying to cover something up here? From the scenarios provided it seems that the first scenario for redistricting would create the least amount of boundary shifting, in relation to neighborhood continuity. Crossing over I-5, for example, seems a big stretch to encompass when considering the composition of a ward or neighborhood. If a large man-made or natural boundary already exists in a ward it seems better to keep it intact. The opposite also seems to be true; namely, if there is no large natural or artificial boundary existing in a ward or neighborhood it would be better to not include it. Lives in: Ward 6 Scenario 1 does a much better job of retaining a student community of interest. In Scenario 2, that community is split and substantively diluted. Scenario 2 would effectively reduce the "liberal" voting bloc. Lives in: Ward 3 Last Night @ the Friendly Area Neighbors Executive Board Meting, we were presented two Draft Scenarios. I was personally aghast that Civic Stadium - for which our Neighborhood fought long and hard for - was simple cut off of our Ward!! That was unacceptable to me. Would you please consider adding back the area from East 18th Avenue over to the Center of Amazon Creek, and down to East 24th Avenue. That could be balanced by snipping off whatever needed to be cut away from the Southwest corner of Draft Scenario: Ward 1 below West 28th Avenue. While neither of these changes are very large - they would make Draft Scenario 1: Ward 1 - much more agreeable to me and I am sure for those who also feel strongly about Civic Stadium. I know that Strong Neighborhoods are built, in part, by having a City Councilor who cares about that area and the people involved within that Neighborhood. Keeping Neighborhoods "in tack" is one way to help build strong and sustainable neighborhoods. Thank You for letting me offer this insight to the mix. Nancy Ellen Locke, Lives in: Ward 1 Survey ResultsPage 1of 6 PAGE: SCENARIO 1 1. How well do you think Scenario 1 meets the following criteria? Very BarelyVeryResponse GoodPoor GoodAcceptablePoorCount Considers geographic 62.5% 12.5% 0.0%0.0% 25.0% (2)8 features(5) (1)(0)(0) Considers neighborhood 37.5% 25.0% 0.0%0.0% 37.5% (3) 8 boundaries and features(3) (2)(0)(0) Creates relatively 28.6% 28.6% 14.3%0.0% compact and contiguous 28.6% (2) 7 (2)(2) (1)(0) wards Keeps people who share a 25.0% 12.5% 12.5%12.5% common interest together 37.5% (3) 8 (2)(1)(1)(1) in a way that makes sense answered question8 skipped question0 2. What do you like about Scenario 1? Response Count 3 Hide replies 1. Minimal change. Keeps people who share a common Wed, Sep 14, 2011 9:16 AM interest together and wards are clustered not spread out 2. Ward 1 is well shaped to included the JWN and FAN and a Fri, Aug 19, 2011 9:16 PM relatively cohesive set of constituents. 3. Keeps River Road/Santa Clara together in one ward. Fri, Aug 19, 2011 5:20 PM Uses the Willamette River as a boundary. answered question3 skipped question5 http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=t8NM6OCNu69hPiAMWBxRDIvr0d1POqfg2D82kK%9/14/2011 ... Survey ResultsPage 2of 6 3. What would you change about Scenario 1? Response Count 4 Hide replies 1. Drop civic stadium areaWed, Sep 14, 2011 9:16 AM 2. The division of what has been known as downtown is Tue, Aug 23, 2011 11:16 AM awkward. Does not make sense to me. The northern wards don't make a lot of sense. 3. Include the rest of FANFri, Aug 19, 2011 9:16 PM 4. Add the area north of 6th/7th to Ward One and take away Fri, Aug 19, 2011 5:20 PM area west of Chambers. Adjust Wards 7 and 8 to equalize population as necessary. answered question4 skipped question4 PAGE: SCENARIO 2 4. How well do you think Scenario 2 meets the following criteria? Very BarelyVeryResponse GoodPoor GoodAcceptablePoorCount Considers geographic 25.0% 25.0% 12.5%12.5% 25.0% (2) 8 features(2)(2) (1)(1) Considers neighborhood 37.5% 12.5% 25.0%12.5% 12.5% (1)8 boundaries and features(3) (1)(2)(1) Creates relatively 50.0% 0.0%12.5%12.5% compact and contiguous 25.0% (2)8 (4) (0)(1)(1) wards answered question8 skipped question0 http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=t8NM6OCNu69hPiAMWBxRDIvr0d1POqfg2D82kK%9/14/2011 ... Survey ResultsPage 3of 6 4. How well do you think Scenario 2 meets the following criteria? Keeps people who share a 37.5% 25.0% 0.0%25.0% common interest together 12.5% (1)8 (3) (2)(0)(2) in a way that makes sense answered question8 skipped question0 5. What do you like about Scenario 2? Response Count 6 Hide replies 1. I do not like itWed, Sep 14, 2011 9:18 AM 2. Seems to keep the older, more established neighborhoods Thu, Sep 1, 2011 1:33 PM together and the newer ones similiarly together. 3. Keep Whiteaker area more compact - not diluted by N. Tue, Aug 30, 2011 11:43 AM Eugene 4. It meets the criteria for more "homogenous" wards. The Tue, Aug 23, 2011 11:20 AM major areas of commerce and business are together, including the University, Oakway, West 11th, and Hwy 99. 5. NothingFri, Aug 19, 2011 9:18 PM 6. Adds apartment complexes north of the river to Ward 3.Fri, Aug 19, 2011 5:26 PM answered question6 skipped question2 6. What would you change about Scenario 2? Response Count answered question5 skipped question3 http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=t8NM6OCNu69hPiAMWBxRDIvr0d1POqfg2D82kK%9/14/2011 ... Survey ResultsPage 4of 6 6. What would you change about Scenario 2? 5 Hide replies 1. Not have it be so drastic. This ward change is very Wed, Sep 14, 2011 9:18 AM disruptive and seems to favor north Eugene. 2. Push out boundary SouthwardTue, Aug 30, 2011 11:43 AM 3. I would seek some movement to create a "downtown" Tue, Aug 23, 2011 11:20 AM within one ward -- either 7 or 3. That would change 2 and 8 to achieve numerical balance. 4. Ward 1 splits JWN, FAN and FWNAFri, Aug 19, 2011 9:18 PM 5. Extend Ward 2 north to the river and take area along west Fri, Aug 19, 2011 5:26 PM side of Ward 2 and use it to adjust boundaries of 7 and 8. answered question5 skipped question3 7. Do you have other ideas or suggestions for new ward boundaries? Response Count 1 Hide replies 1. Hew more closely to neighborhood association boundariesFri, Aug 19, 2011 9:18 PM answered question1 skipped question7 http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=t8NM6OCNu69hPiAMWBxRDIvr0d1POqfg2D82kK%9/14/2011 ... Survey ResultsPage 5of 6 8. What additional information about ward redistricting would be helpful to provide on the City’s website or in other ways? Response Count 2 Hide replies 1. Move Ward 1 east by 2 blocks between 8th and 13th Ave to Wed, Sep 14, 2011 9:18 AM border Jefferson St. 2. Would like to see a demographic analysis of Wards 4 & 5 Thu, Sep 1, 2011 1:33 PM under each of the alternative scenarios. Could use the 2000 Census data, but if the block level data is available from teh 2010 Census, that would be much better. Could for each of the other wards, too. answered question2 skipped question6 9. Optional: What ward do you currently live in? (select one) ResponseResponse PercentCount Ward 1 28.6%2 Ward 2 14.3%1 Ward 3 0.0%0 Ward 4 14.3%1 Ward 5 0.0%0 Ward 6 0.0%0 Ward 742.9%3 Ward 8 0.0%0 answered question7 skipped question1 http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=t8NM6OCNu69hPiAMWBxRDIvr0d1POqfg2D82kK%9/14/2011 ... Survey ResultsPage 6of 6 9. Optional: What ward do you currently live in? (select one) Inside the urban growth boundary, but not in City of 0.0%0 Eugene Don't know or other (please specify)0 answered question7 skipped question1 10. If you would like to be added to our Eugene Ward Redistricting interested parties list and receive email updates please enter your name and email address below. ResponseResponse PercentCount Name: 100.0%1 Show replies Email Address: 100.0%1 Show replies answered question1 skipped question7 http://www.surveymonkey.com/sr.aspx?sm=t8NM6OCNu69hPiAMWBxRDIvr0d1POqfg2D82kK%9/14/2011 ...