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Home My WebLink AboutItem 5: Ward Redistricting Scenarios Update ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Work Session: Ward Redistricting Scenarios Meeting Date: October 10, 2011 Agenda Item Number: 5 Department: Central Services/Planning & Development Staff Contacts: Keli Osborn/Jason Dedrick www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Numbers: 541-682-5406/ 541-682-5451 ISSUE STATEMENT The council is scheduled to take action on adopting new ward boundaries on October 24. This work session provides an opportunity to review the most recent options and give direction to staff on a preferred scenario. BACKGROUND The Eugene City Council adjusts council ward boundaries every 10 years to accommodate population changes and shifts – thereby helping ensure equal protection under the laws for Eugene’s residents. In recent months, the council has held a number of work sessions on ward redistricting, and City staff has conducted outreach to educate and solicit input. Two ward map scenarios were the subject of a public hearing on September 19. In a September 26 work session, councilors indicated a preference for one scenario – labeled “Scenario 1,” with relatively modest changes to existing ward boundaries -- and asked to review further modifications. These scenarios are included as attachments, and have been posted to the City’s public website. Based on available 2010 U.S. Census data, Eugene’s population totaled 156,222 – which means that each of the eight wards should have approximately 19,528 residents. 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 must turn in all materials to the City Recorder by February 29, 2012. Among the issues that must be resolved as part of the ward redistricting process is the treatment of properties that could come into the city limits in coming years. The council resolution provided on October 24 will lay out specific parameters for assigning newly annexed properties to wards. Staff will use major streets and geographic features such as the Willamette River, Green Hill Road, Chambers th Street, Highway 99, 30 Avenue and River Road as a guide. In June, the council adopted several criteria for redrawing boundaries: 1.Maintain a population difference of no more than three percent between wards. Creating wards of equivalent populations provides for equal representation, but the smaller the population difference the less flexibility there can be when attempting to reconcile other criteria. The S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M111010\S11101025.doc results of redistricting generally are believed to support fair representation, accountability and greater responsiveness from elected leaders when wards are closer in population size. Note: The council discussed a criterion of no more than plus or minus three percent from equal population, which would allow for a range of six percent. The adopted motion, however, spoke to a three percent population difference between wards. 2.Work with 2010 U.S. Census data and do not assume potential growth. 3.Develop scenarios that consider geographic and neighborhood features, and strive for relative compactness and contiguity, without rigid adherence to these characteristics. Geographic and neighborhood features can be helpful in defining communities of interest; however, some also can act as barriers and sometimes fragment natural groupings. A ward is generally considered compact if it has a fairly regular shape, with constituents all living relatively near to each other. A contiguous ward is one in which a person can travel from any point in the ward to another without crossing the ward boundary. It can be difficult to achieve compactness and contiguity, whether as a result of certain geographic features or actions such as annexation. Neighborhood association boundaries are another consideration, though Eugene’s associations differ widely in size, by population and space. 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. 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 1)Select one of the scenarios developed at the previous direction of the council as the new ward boundaries map. 2)Provide direction for creation of an alternative scenario. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends the council select a scenario, and that a resolution adopting the scenario be prepared for the October 24, 2011, council meeting. S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M111010\S11101025.doc SUGGESTED MOTION Move to direct the City Manager to prepare a resolution and map to adopt Scenario __ as Eugene’s new ward boundaries. ATTACHMENTS A. Ward Map – Existing Ward Boundaries B. Ward Map – Scenario 1 C. Ward Map – Scenario 1c D. Ward Map – Scenario 1e E. Population Data FOR MORE INFORMATION Staff Contact: Jason Dedrick Telephone: 541-682-5451 Staff E-Mail: Jason.p.dedrick@ci.eugene.or.us S:\CMO\2011 Council Agendas\M111010\S11101025.doc Eugene City Council Wards Z § ¨¦ 5 Ward: 6 Ward: 6 Ward: 5 Ward: 5 Ward: 4 Ward: 4 § ¨ ¦ § Ward: 8 ¨ ¦ Ward: 8 105 Ward: 7 Ward: 7 § ¨ ¦ 105 105 § ¨¦ 5 Ward: 3 Ward: 3 Ward: 1 Ward: 1 Eugene UGB Eugene City Council Wards Ward: 2 Ward: 2 Ward 1: George Brown Ward 2: Betty Taylor Ward 3: Alan Zelenka Ward 4: George Poling Ward 5: Mike Clark Ward 6: Pat Farr Ward 7: Andrea Ortiz Ward 8: Chris Pryor Miles 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 -June 27, 2011 Planning and Development Department - Community Development Division 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 Scenario 1E Z § ¨¦ 5 Ward: 5 Ward: 5 Ward: 6 Ward: 6 Ward: 4 Ward: 4 § ¨¦ § ¨¦ Ward: 7 Ward: 7 105 105 § ¨¦ 105 Ward: 8 Ward: 8 § ¨¦ 5 Ward: 3 Ward: 3 Ward: 1 Ward: 1 Current Eugene City Council Wards Ward: 2 Ward: 2 Scenario 1E Ward 1 Ward 2 Ward 3 Ward 4 Ward 5 Ward 6 Ward 7 Feet Ward 8 2055000 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 - October 5, 2011 Current ward boundaries as of June 29, 2011. Planning and Development Department - Community Development Division