Staff: ward deviation at 13.7% triggers redistricting; committee directs staff to prepare options

Erin (staff) briefed the committee on city ward boundary redistricting and said the city charter (Charter Ordinance No. 100) requires the city to review population in each council ward and certify any necessary changes by December of even-numbered years. Using the July 1 population estimate, staff calculated an overall deviation of 13.7% (above the 10% threshold) and recommended the committee approve redistricting parameters so staff can develop map options for committee review.

The parameters presented included retaining current councilmembers in their wards where feasible, balancing compactness with a goal to limit precinct changes, allowing buffers for anticipated growth (notably in Wards 5 and 6), and minimizing splits of neighborhood and homeowners association boundaries where possible. Committee members discussed frequency of reviews, impacts on constituents at ward edges, expected growth in downtown and in new apartment complexes, and communications to residents. The committee directed staff to prepare multiple map options for a future meeting; the motion passed unanimously.