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Volusia
County Redistricting Committee
Meeting Minutes
June 5, 2001
The Volusia County Redistricting Committee met at 5:30 p.m. on June 5, 2001, in the auditorium of the New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 South Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, Volusia County, Florida. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss redistricting in accordance with Volusia County’s Home Rule Charter and the 2000 Census.Public Notice of this workshop was given in The News-Journal.
The following Committee Members were present: Committee Chair Patricia Northey, County Council Member; Committee Vice Chair John, County Council Member; Judith Conte, School Board Member; Earl McCrary, Volusia County School Board; Ann H. Smith, League of Woman’s Voters
The following Volusia County staff members were present: Mark Conway, GIS; Dan Eckert, County Attorney; Barbara Griffiths, GIS Project Leader; Cindy Finney, Special Projects Coordinator; Diane Marinaro Tyler, Administrative Aide for the County Manager’s Office
Also present were: County Council Member Ann McFall and County Council Member Jim Ward
Many members of the public were in attendance.
Ms. Barbara Gifffiths, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), quoted from the Volusia County Charter, "After every decennial census and prior to the next ensuing general election, the council shall prepare a plan for the reapportionment of the five districts to in sure division into contiguous areas as nearly equal in population as possible." Ms. Griffiths said that re-numbering the districts geographically would be helpful and would be done during this process. She said that according to the Sunshine Laws no two members of the Committee could discuss the re-districting outside of the meeting setting. Ms. Griffiths further quoted from the Charter, "If the council is unable to complete the reapportionment of the council districts within six months after the official publication of the census, the county attorney upon authorization of the council or petition of twenty-five electors of the county shall petition the circuit court having jurisdiction in the county to make such reapportionment." Ms. Griffiths further stated that it is County Council’s intention to establish districts, which coincide with those of the Volusia County School Board.
Ms. Griffiths reviewed the booklet provided. She explained that Sample 1 represents a target population at 0% deviation. She said that it keeps the Cities of DeBary and Deltona together while the other districts move west and south. She said that Port Orange and Daytona Beach are split between several districts and the Samsula-Spruce Creek CDP is split between two districts.
Ms. Griffiths said that Sample 1 meets the following goals:
New district boundaries do not place residences of the existing School Board or County Council members outside their district.
No two district members are within the same district
Concentrated minority populations are left intact.
Ms. Griffiths said that Sample 2 represents a target population deviation under 1%. It also keeps DeBary and Deltona together with other districts moving west and south. She said that Port Orange and Daytona Beach are split between several districts and the Samsula-Spruce Creek CDP is split between two districts.
Ms. Griffiths said that Sample 2 meets the following goals:
New district boundaries do not place residences of the existing School Board or County Council members outside their district.
No two district members are within the same district
Concentrated minority populations are left intact.
Ms. Griffiths explained that Sample 3 meets the target population deviation with no districts deviating more than 5%. She said that in this sample no cities are split by District boundaries. Several cities are moved into new districts. Samsula-Spruce Creek CDP is split between two districts.
Ms. Griffiths said that this sample meets the following goals:
New district boundaries do not place residences of the existing School Board or County Council members outside their district.
No two district members are within the same district
Integrity of municipal boundaries are preserved
Concentrated minority populations are left intact
Ms. Griffiths said that Sample 4 deviates from the target population by less than 3%. She said that this sample creates a northern district that spans the county form east to west. DeBary moves to District 1 and I-95 becomes the western boundary of Districts 2 and 3. Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater are split into two or more districts.
Ms. Griffiths said that this sample meets the following goals:
New district boundaries do not place residences of the existing School Board or County Council members outside their district.
No two district members are within the same district.
Boundaries of unincorporated communities are preserved.
Concentrated minority populations would be left in tact
Chair Northey recessed the meeting for ten minutes to allow members of the public to view the sample maps.
City of Edgewater Commissioner Judy Lichter said that she favors Sample 1. She said that there are inter-relationships with these cities, they have water connects in common and have many interlocal agreements. She said that she does not like the district line at Interstate 95 because cities are growing to the west. She further stated that she does like Port Orange split but at least the city is only split into two districts in this sample.
Mr. Joseph Andreano, New Smyrna Beach citizen, said that he prefers Sample 3 because keeps the cities in tact and combines the cities that are working together into the same district.
Mr. L. J. Sweett said that he prefers Sample 1 as it is a reasonable balance and it also takes future growth into considerations.
City of Edgewater Mayor Donald Schmidt said that Sample 1 keeps groups together but narrows District 1 and makes it more reasonable. He said that he likes Samples 1 and 2 but prefers Sample 1.
Ms. Judy Anderson, District 3 Volusia County School Board Member, said that she prefers Sample 1.
Ms. Carol Kelly, New Smyrna Beach Resident, said that Sample 1 provides the most reasonable representation.
Mr. Daniel Eddy, Port Orange Vice Mayor said that he would prefer to keep Port Orange in one district.
Ms. James W. Hattaway, New Smyrna Beach Vice Mayor said that he prefers Sample 1 but he likes that Sample 2 extends to County Road/State Road 415 which coincides with cities’ gentleman’s agreement.
Commissioner Susan Collins Cook said that Sample 1 provides the most appropriate representation.
Staff and Committee Members remained available until 6:30 p.m.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
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Copyright © 2001 Volusia County, Florida.