HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-18-1997 Minutes MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE DISTRICTING COMMISSION MEETING
Noy HELD June 18, 1997
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Holmes called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. in the commission chambers. Members
observed a moment of silence and then repeated the pledge of allegiance. The roll was called
and a quorum declared present.
PRESENT: Chair Holmes, Members Grafton, Hager, Lopez-Anderson, and Williams. Also
present were City Manager Shapiro, City Attorney Rosenthal, Senior Planner
Home, Orange County Elections Senior Mapping Supervisor Willis, Consultant
Beitsch, and City Clerk Grafton.
ABSENT: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF APRIL 29, 1997
Member Williams, seconded by Chair Holmes, moved to accept the minutes of the April 29,
1997 meeting as written. Motion carried 5-0.
STAFF REPORT ON REDISTRICTING
Senior Planner Horne reported that on May 15 staff had met to establish whether the research
necessary for the population estimates for redistricting could be done in-house or a consultant
would be needed for that portion of the project. Upon determining that a consultant would be
needed, Mrs. Home said that she conducted a nationwide search, ultimately choosing Owen
Beitsch, Real Estate Research Consultants, of Orlando, as that firm's credentials rated in the
top of the list of qualified firms and, as a local firm, the transportation costs would be at a
minimum. She said that on June 3 the City Commission authorized funds in the amount of
$9,875.00 for the consultant.
Mrs. Horne described the process to be used by Mr. Beitsch to provide the current population
estimate figures by census block for Mrs. Willis to incorporate into her data base for the
drawing of the district lines.
Consultant Owen M. Beitsch, Real Estate Research Consultants, elaborated on Mrs. Horne's
overview, explaining that they had used two methods to collect information, i.e., tax roll data
(linking tax ID numbers to addresses) and the recorded building permits, working closely with
the Supervisor of Elections office verifying addresses. He said they began with the 1990 census
and added information by the year to the present time. He added that, comparing the two
ways, they had found the tax assessor's office to be 95-98% accurate. Mr. Beitsch also
reviewed his memo which had been distributed to this Commission. He stated for the record
that he could not thank Mrs. Willis enough for her assistance.
Orange County Elections Senior Mapping Supervisor Willis said that as soon as the
remaining addresses were cleared up, she would be able to load in the information and
demonstrate to this Commission the options for drawing the district lines, and she asked for
Cita, direction on the manner in which this Commission wished the lines to go (north/south,
east/west, pie shaped, following major corridors, natural boundaries, accommodating seated
commission, etc.). She pointed out that if any tweaking of the lines needed to be done to
accommodate neighborhoods Mr. Beitsch would need to adjust the figures. Mr. Beitsch said
that drawing your own lines distorts the utility of the information. Mrs. Horne said that she
could provide copies of the map showing subdivisions if that would be helpful and consensus
was reached to bring that map as well as the zoning map to Mrs. Willis's office when meeting
there. City Manager Shapiro and Mrs. Horne both described the direction growth is taking.
DISCUSSION/ACTION RE: INFORMATION PROVIDED
In response to Mrs. Willis's request for direction, Chair Holmes stated that this Commission
had a responsibility to do what was best for the citizens and balance out the high growth areas
with those that were already built out, rather than to accommodate the seated Commission.
Mr. Shapiro suggested that maps using the parameters mentioned earlier by Mrs. Willis be
drawn up, experimenting with the figures, for starters. Chair Holmes gave a lengthy
description of where he thought the lines should go. Commissioner Scott Anderson suggested
that Districts 1 and 2 be made wider. Chair Holmes said that the focus should be on the
location of citizens rather than registered voters in the distribution of population. Mrs. Willis
stated that she had direction for about a half-dozen approaches to drawing the lines and would
be prepared when this Commission was ready to meet in her office.
SCHEDULE NEXT MEETING DATE
Meeting dates were set as follows:
July 9 @ 6:00 p.m. in the Supervisor of Elections Building at 119 W. Kaley, Orlando.
July 16 @ 7:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.
July 21 @ 7:00 p.m. Public Hearing in the Commission Chambers
July 23 @ 6:00 p.m. in the Supervisor of Elections Building if needed.
Mr. Beitsch stated that he would not be attending any of the scheduled meetings, so if his
services were needed, he must be notified. Mr. Shapiro noted that any additional services
would be at additional cost, as the information Mr. Beitsch was providing for Mrs. Willis
would complete the existing contract.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Approved:
Districting Commission
lean Grafton, Cid, Clerk Bruce Holmes, Chair
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