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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000 12 11 Regular F Sixth District to City COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM F Consent Information Public Hearin Re ular xx December 11, 2000 Meeting MGR. ~ /Dept. REQUEST: City Manager notifying the Mayor and Commission of the requirements of Section 4.02 of the Charter of the City of Winter Springs as it relates to districting. Further, the City Manager is requesting guidance as it relates to the possibility of the Charter Review Committee recommendation that the City add a sixth district to the City. PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to notify the City Commission that the Charter requires the Mayor and the Commission appoint a seven (7) member districting commission prior to February 1,2001. It is also requested that the Commission provide guidance in the event a sixth district is added to the City. APPLICABLE CODE: Charter, Section 4.02(b) - Districting Commission. By the first day of February, 1991, the first day of February, 1992, and every three (3) years thereafter, the city commission shall appoint seven (7) city electors determined from the registration of the last regular election, one (1) to be appointed by each commissioner from his/her respective district, and two (2) appointed by the mayor from the city at large who shall comprise the districting commission. Electors chosen shall not be employed by the city in any other capacity..... FINDINGS: 1) The City Charter, at present, requires five (5) Commission Districts. 2) The Charter Review Committee has discussed the addition of another Commission District to be decided by the electorate of the City. .~ December 11, 2000 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM F Page 2 CONSIDERA TIONS: The Commission may desire to have the sitting Districting Commission also establish six (6) Commission Districts, such Districts to be included as part of the Charter Referendum in May 2001. ADVANTAGES: The advantage of having the new, districting committee develop the sixth district is related to the Commission and the community knowing what the sixth district would be prior to the referendum. Additionally, a second districting committee would not have to be called at a future date. DISADVANTAGES: The disadvantage is that the Commission may decide not to recommend a sixth district therefore creating an unnecessary task on the committee. Additionally, the new 2000 census data would not be available for development of the sixth district. FUNDING: $875.00 (estimate - 5 meetings at $175.00 per meeting) RECOMMENDA TION: The recommendation of the City Manager is that the Mayor and the City Commission have their appointments announced at the scheduled meeting of January 8, 2001 or not later than the scheduled meeting of January 22, 2001. The Commission should also consider the merits of tasking this Districting Commission with the formulation of six (6) Commission Districts if recommended by the Charter Review Committee. ATTACHMENT: A - Land Development Coordinator Memo to City Manager dated November 30,2000 COMMISSION ACTION: ATTACHMENT A ",'" -,.:; . November 30, 2000 To: Ron McLemore, City Manager Charles crr:. Community Development Director Don LeBlanc, Land Development coordmato~ Thru: From: Re: City Charter Commission Districts I call to your attention the below listed portion of the City Charter which reads: Section 4.02. Commission districts; adjustment of districts. (a) Number of districts. The city commission of the City of Winter Springs, Florida, shall by separate ordinance divide the city into five (5) geographical commission districts. (b) Districting commission. By the first day of February, 1991, the first day of February, 1992, and every three (3) years thereafter, the city commission shall appoint seven (7) city electors determined from the registration of the last regular election, one (1) to be appointed by each commissioner from his/her respective district, and two (2) appointed by the mayor from the city at large, who shall comprise the districting commission. Electors chosen shall not be employed by the city in any other capacity..... (c) Report, specifications. The districting commission shall file with the official designated by the city commission a report containing a recommended plan for establishment or adjustment of the commission district boundaries. The initial districting commission, creating and establishing the first commission districts, shall file such report within ninety (90) days of appointment. Thereafter, such reports shall be filed within one hundred twenty (120) days of appointment to the districting commission. The commission district boundaries shall comply with the following specifications: (1) Each district shall be formed of compact contiguous territory, and its boundary lines shall follow the center lines of streets insofar as practical or possible, or other boundaries available. (2) The districts shall be based upon the principle of equal and effective representation as required by the United States Constitution and as represented in the mathematical preciseness reached in the legislative apportionment of the state. (3) The report shall include a map and description of the districts recommended and shall be drafted as a proposed ordinance. Once filed with the designated official, the report shall be treated as an ordinance introduced by a commissioner. ., , '~... I~ November 30,2000 Ron McLemore Page 2 (d) Support. It shall be the responsibility of the city manager to provide staff assistance and technical data to the districting commission. (e) Procedure. The procedure for the city commission's consideration of the report shall be the same as for other ordinances, provided that if a summary of the ordinances is published pursuant to this Charter and general law, it must include both the map and a description of the recommended districts. (j) Failure to enact ordinance. The city commission shall adopt the redistricting ordinance at least one hundred twenty (120) days before the next city election. If the city commission fails to either accept or reject the redistricting ordinance, the report of the districting commission shall go into effect and have the same effect of an ordinance. The proposed redistricting ordinance may not be rejected for any reason except for failure to comply with the specifications listed in section 4.02(c) of this Charter or failure to comply with other local, state or federal law. (g) Effect of enactment. The new commission districts and boundaries as of the date of enactment shall supersede previous commission districts and boundaries for all purposes; provided all incumbent commissioners shall continue to hold office for the entire term to which elected notwithstanding any change in .commission district and boundaries. The above represents that section of the Charter which addresses districting in its entirety. I will provide an informational agenda item, under your department, for the December II, 2000 Commission meeting which will address the need to appoint members to the redistricting committee. Further, I highly suggest that another Staff member, other than myself, be assigned to head this project because of my departure date of March 31, 2001. I will be available to assist in any way needed.