HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-03-05 CHC MIN Redistricting WorkshopVice Chai
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The Birthplace of Minnesota
CHARTER COMMISSION MINUTES
March 5, 2012
REDISTRICTING WORKSHOP MEETING
ally Milbrandt called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Gene Bealka, Ann McLellan, Dorothy Molstad, Ron Nelson,
Dwayne Nelson, and Vice Chair Milbrandt
Commissioner Terry Zoller and Chair Orw'n Carter
Diane Ward, City Clerk
Ryan Smith, Engineering Technician
NEW BUSINESS
Review of Process & Proposed Maps
City Clerk Ward reviewed the various district maps for the Charter Commission members.
The maps included Existing Wards, Legislative District City Level, Legislative District
Annex, Plan R, Plan H, Plan D, Plan R Annex, and Census Blocks. She continued that the
purpose of this workshop is for the Commission to select a map to be published for their
public hearing that will be held on Monday, March 19, 2012.
Ms. Ward explained that Plan R uses the Legislative line to divide the City and then Census
Blocks were used to balance the Wards by population. She informed the commission that
future annexations/developments could be used for Ward balance. She reported that on or
after January 1, 2015, the City is entitled to adopt a resolution whereby all property between
Highway 36, County Road 15, and Highway 96 could be annexed to the City, and she
introduced Plan R-Annex to show how the Wards would look based on that resolution action.
She indicated that she recommends the Plan R-Annex because the precinct lines are clean,
Wards do not cross into a different Legislative District, and it accommodates fliture
annexation. Mr. Ryan Smith pointed out that the "R" maps also keep neighborhoods
together. Ms. Ward stated that the existing Wards have caused confusion in that respect, but
was necessary in 2002 to maintain the balance of population between the Wards.
Ms. Ward described that Plan H balanced the Wards without the possible annexation in 2015.
This map reflected that part of Ward 4 and Ward 2 would be in different Legislative Districts
and would need to have separate polling places.
Charter Com
fission Redistricting Workshop March 5, 2012
Ms. Ward continued that Plan D balanced the Wards without the possible annexation in
2015; however a portion of Ward 3 would be in a different Legislative District and would
need a separate polling place.
Ms. Ward informed the Commission of the process of splitting the Wards into precincts and
assigning polling places to each precinct. She stated that once the Commission chooses a
map for the public hearing, she and Mr. Smith will set the final precinct lines for the public
hearing. She also stated that she attempts to balance the polling places with the same amount
of registered voters in each prescient, but she has to take into account the size of the polling
facility as well.
Ms. Ward then explained the Census Block map. Mr. Ryan Smith further described the
selection of blocks, and that one block can be a large area, such as the block surrounding
Long Lake.
Commissioner McClellan indicated that she agreed and noted that Plan R breaks the Wards
by many major roads such as Myrtle, Owens, and County Road 5, etc.
Commissioner Molstad requested confirmation that Plan R and Plan R Annex is the same
map, except the Plan R Annex includes the 2010 numbers from the possible 2015 annexation
area. Ms. Ward responded in the affirmative.
Commissioner McLellan asked if residents will oppose the annexation in 2015.
Commissioner Milbrandt explained that the Orderly Annexation Agreement has been in
place and utilized since 1996. He stated that the City has always followed the agreement and
the residents in that area are aware of the 2015 annexation.
After discussion, it was the consensus of the Charter Commission that Plan R Annex made
the most logical sense, and was the cleanest for the residents to understand.
Motion by Commissioner Molstad, seconded by Commissioner D. Nelson, to adopt Plan R
with Plan R Annex as the justification for the selection (included future annexation numbers)
and directed Ms. Ward to publish Plan R for the public hearing , and that any annexation
North of Myrtle and West of Owens will be placed in Ward 3.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Commissioner Bealka, seconded by Commissioner o stad, to adjourn the
meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane F. Ward
City Clerk
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