VI (A) Appointments to Districting Commision !/ AGENDA 12-3-96
Ocee Cityof Ocoee Item VI A
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. � � . 150 N. Lakeshore Drive Jean Grafton
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��yjE :;, `4,�� Ocoee, Florida 34761-2258 City Clerk
off Goo_` (407) 656-2322
FAX (407) 656-5725
MEMORANDUM
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Commission
From: Jean Grafton, City Clerk
Date: November 22, 1996
Re: Districting Commission Members
The original Districting Commission, consisting of Bill Breeze, Ann Dunnaway, Cathy Doss Starn, Philip
Pauline and Bill Stebbins, was appointed November 19, 1991. They contacted Dr. Serow at Florida State
University to provide the demographics necessary to complete their task. Dr. Serow attended the December
17, 1991 City Commission meeting and reviewed the requirements for districting with the City Commission
before joining the Districting Commission in their meeting that same night. An excerpt of the minutes
containing Dr. Serow's presentation is attached.
In regular sessions in February and March 1, 1994, the City Commission determined that there were several
traditional neighborhoods divided by the initial districting, and the Districting Commission was recalled to
review the district lines and submit a recommendation. All of the original members were willing and able to
serve except for Mr. Bill Stebbins. As Mr. Stebbins had been Commissioner Combs' appointment,
Commissioner Combs appointed Mr. Frank Carlsson to serve in his place. The first meeting was scheduled
for March 17, 1994. On March 29 the Districting Commission adopted a report approving certain changes to
the geographic boundaries of Districts 1, 2, and 4, and a proposed ordinance was prepared for presentation to
City Commission. The first reading of Ordinance No. 94-12 was April 19, 1994 and the second reading and
public hearing on May 3, 1994.
The 1994 Districting Commission:
Bill Breeze Moved away April 1995 - Appointed by Mayor Dabbs
Frank Carlsson 298-7233 (W)
408 Orlando Ave-A3 877-0442 (H)
Ann Dunnaway 877-6070
1101 Maureen Avenue
Cathie Doss Starn 293-2754
408 Kaila Court
Philip Pauline 877-2898
1011 Ruth Jordana Court
"PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" 64
0
MINUTES OF THE OCOEE BOARD OF CITY COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING HELD
DECEMBER 17, 1991
Dr. William Serow, Director, Center for the Study of Population, Florida State
University - re: Drawing Single Member Districts. City Manager Shapiro
introduced Dr. Serow and explained that he was here for a presentation and, if
the contract with him on the Consent Agenda (Item III F) is approved, to meet
with the Districting Commission tonight. Dr. Serow said he wished to briefly
explain what he viewed their role to be and to answer Commissioners' questions.
He explained the process of drawing districts basically requires: 1 - Census, 2 -
An up-to-date map and 3 - Local input about the wishes, desires and objectives
of the citizens. He said the process will consist of matching census geography
with municipal boundaries and, with the help and cooperation of the Districting
Commission, devising a set of three alternative districting plans that are
consistent with the criteria that will be incorporated in the contract, if
issued. Criteria are: 1 - Volume population statistics - the four districts must
be as equal in size in total population as is possible; 2 -
Compactness/contiguity of districts; 3 - Follow major boundaries - i.e. streets,
lakes, etc.; 4 - Maintain integrity of voting precincts to the extent possible;
5 - Maintain integrity of communities of interest. The plan of action would be
to meet with/work with the Districting Commission to provide a set of three
alternative districting plans to the City Commission by the 26th of February. He
said that if the contract is forthcoming in the near future, he expected no
problems in providing the plans by that date. In response to Commissioners'
questions, Dr. Serow explained that the census data could be precisely matched
to current City boundaries so that non-Ocoee zip codes for City residents would
not be a problem. He explained that Florida State University has one of three
graduate programs in the United States in demography. The population program at
the University of Florida is designed primarily to provide population projections
for counties and municipalities. He also explained that adjusting for varying
densities of population in the area would not be a problem, and they will rely
on the Districting Commission to point out natural ties of interest between
groups of people that they would not know about otherwise.
Mayor pro tem Johnson commented that in addition to their vote for Charter
Revision in 1988, the citizens had approved single member districts to be
effective in 1992 and that is why we are at this point now.
AGENDA 12-3-96
Item VI A (Cont)
FOLEY & LARDNER
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SUITE 1800
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CHICAGO ORLANDO, FL 32802-2193 SINGAPORE
WASHINGTON,D.C. STUTTGART
TAIPEI
MEMORANDUM
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners
of the City of Ocoee
FROM: Paul E. Rosenthal, Esq. , City Attorney/'.
DATE: November 26, 1996
RE: Districting Commission for Single Member District
Commissioner Glass has requested that I provide the Mayor
and City Commission with a memorandum explaining the
responsibilities of the Districting Commission so that you may have
this information available to discuss with your potential nominees
to the Districting Commission.
The provisions of Article XI of the City Charter
establishes single member districts and governs the
responsibilities of the Districting Commission. As you have
previously been advised, the Charter requires that a Districting
Commission be established between November 15 and December 15,
1996. The Districting Commission consists of five members
appointed by a majority vote of the City Commission. These members
serve a one year term unless such term is extended by the City
Commission.
The Districting Commission is to serve as an advisory
body to the City Commission with respect to the redistricting of
the single member district boundaries. The Districting Commission
is charged with the review of the existing district boundaries in
light of the most current, official census data together with all
other data relevant to the redistricting of the existing
boundaries. They are charged with preparing a report to the City
Commission containing recommendations, if any, for the adjustment
of district boundaries. The Districting Commission may conclude
that no boundary changes are required. Section 2 (c) of Article XI
of the City Charter sets forth certain specific criteria which the
Districting Commission must follow in establishing or re-
establishing district boundaries.
ESTABLISHED 1 8 4 2
The Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners
of the City of Ocoee
November 26, 1996
Page 2
The Charter does not establish a deadline for the
Districting Commission to submit a report, but provides that the
City Commission may establish reasonable deadlines. However, the
District boundaries cannot be changed less than four months prior
to a regular municipal election. Accordingly, any report would
need to be received no later than early August 1997 in order to
allow sufficient time for the City Commission to review the report
and have an ordinance prepared and adopted.
The City Commission must accept or reject the
recommendations of the Districting Commission within two months of
receipt thereof. If the recommendations of the Districting
Commission are unacceptable, than the City Commission may send the
report back, to the Districting Commission for further study and
consideration. After receipt of the Districting Commission Report
the City Commission is required to adopt an ordinance establishing
the new district boundaries, if any. The City Commission is
prohibited from re-districting until after receipt of a report from
the Districting Commission unless the Districting Commission fails
to deliver a report by the deadline established by the City
Commission.
Upon their appointment, the members of the Districting
Commission would hold an organizational meeting to elect
appropriate officers and address such other matters as they deem
appropriate. The Charter requires that the City Manager designates
a Department or individual to have primary responsibility to
provide technical data and assistance to the Districting
Commission. Additionally, the Charter requires that the City
Commission appropriate funds to defray the reasonable expenses of
the Districting Commission.
In connection with the formation of the initial
Districting Commission in December 1991, the City Commission
directed that at least one public hearing be held to receive public
input on the proposed districts and further established a February
26 deadline for receipt of the report. It is recommended that the
City Commission establish a deadline for receipt of the report.
If I can provide you with any additional information,
please let me know.
PER:dh
cc: Mr. Ellis Shapiro
Mrs. Jean Grafton
C:\WP51\ROCS\OCOE\MEMOS\PERDDH11.26 1 1 1 1/26/96I DEBBIEH I PER:dh