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HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0013) IR 21-10608 - Redistricting Software Training for Interested ResidentsINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10608 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021 Page 1 of 3 r rn SUBJECT: Redistricting Software Training for Interested Residents rera In August 2020, City Council appointed a task force to recommend the criteria and procedures by which the City Council should redraw council district boundaries after the release of population data from the 2020 census. The Redistricting Task Force presented its recommendations to the City Council in March 2021. After considerable discussion, the City Council on April 6 adopted Resolution No. 5375-04-2021, establishing official criteria and procedures for redistricting. Adopted Redistricting Criteria High Priority: Not in any order of priority 1. Approximately equal size: Population of largest district< 10 percent more than population of smallest district 2. Compliance with U.S. Constitution, Voting Rights Act, Texas Constitution, and other applicable laws, with no packing of minority voters, no fragmentation of minority communities, and no retrogression in ability of minorities to participate in electoral process 3. Create minority opportunity districts, in compliance with federal law, to reflect growing diversity of City. Such districts -- in which African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities collectively represent fifty percent or more of the voting -age population --are intended to create opportunities for fair representation rather than to promote electoral outcomes. Electabilityis a function of many factors, including candidate qualifications, appeal to voters, voting -age population, voter registration, and voter participation as well as demographic characteristics. 4. Contain communities of interest in single districts, with communityof interest defined as "a local population with shared socio-economic characteristicsand political institutionsthat would benefit from unified representation." Communities of interest may include neighborhoods, groups of neighborhoods, school attendance zones, and similar geographic areas. 5. Contiguous territory Lower Priority: Not in any order of priority 6. Compact districts, with goal of Polsby-Popper ratio > 0.054. If any proposed districtyields a compactness score that is less than 0.050, then a detailed justification must be stated. 7. Identifiable geographic boundaries, such as streams, railroad tracks, and highways. To the extent possible, dwelling units that are located on opposite sides of the same residential street shall be assigned to the same district. & Contain whole voting precincts 9. Contain whole census blocks or block groups 10. ❑o not consider place of residence of incumbents or potential candidates Resident -Created Maps Among other procedures, the Redistricting Task Force had recommended and the City Council subsequently agreed that residents should have an opportunity to participate in the redistricting process by drawing proposed district maps that conform to the adopted criteria. The city has contracted with Esri to make redistricting software available for residents to use. By using the software, residents can submit their own redistricting maps to be considered by the City Council during the redistricting effort. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10608 PRTEot c e�cw?.e 1@70L To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021 Page 2of3 SUBJECT: Redistricting Software Training for Interested Residents To assist residents with using the Esri software, we will be holding a series of training sessions. The training was developed by staff from several departments including ITS, Planning & Data Analytics, and Communications & Public Engagement. The first training session is scheduled for Thursday, June 24, at the Hazel Harvey Center for Neighborhoods, 818 Missouri Avenue. The training will take place from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own computers to the training, but staff will also have several laptops available for participants to use. Additional training sessions will take place during July and August at various community centers around town. Staff will also be available to meet with community groups to provide training. Information on the training and the software will appear on the city's website at fortworthtexas.gov/redistricting after June 24. We have also established a Redistricting subscription newsletter through Govdelivery for anyone who wants to receive regular updates and information. In addition to the training for residents, staff is available to meet with each councilmember and district director to provide individualized training on the software. Residents will be able to use the software on their own personal computers. We will also have training material available at all city computer labs. Because the Census Bureau will not be releasing the 2020 census data until later this summer, these initial practice maps will be created using rough population estimates rather than official data. Once the 2020 census data are available, the software will be updated with the new information. We will then hold additional training sessions for residents who want to create maps. Next Steps June — August Staff provides software training for interested residents, using unofficial population estimates. September 30 Census Bureau releases block -level population data for state and local redistricting. October Joint work session for City Council and Redistricting Task Force members. November Residents prepare redistricting plans and submit them to city staff. Staff will evaluate each plan to determine if it conforms to the adopted criteria. All submitted plans will be available for viewing on the city's website. December Staff briefs City Council about the redistricting plans prepared by staff and residents. January 2022 City Council conducts at least one public hearing on redistricting plans. City Council selects initial map. City Council conducts at least one public hearing before considering any changes to the map. February - March City Council produces proposed map. April City Council conducts four or more public hearings before considering any changes to the map. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 21-10608 PRTEot c e�cw?.e 1@70L To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 22, 2021 Page 3of3 SUBJECT: Redistricting Software Training for Interested Residents Mid -July Deadline for candidates to establish residency within Council districts that they wish to represent. Mid -January Candidates file for places on 2023 municipal election ballot. May 2023 City conducts 2023 election. Questions about the redistricting software training can be directed to Michelle Gutt, Communications and Public Engagement Director at 817-392-6248 or michelle.gutt(c)_fortworthtexas.gov. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS