HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-12-07 Council minutesr
�_,_ CITY OF IOWA CITY
MEMORANDUM
Date: December 8, 2021
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Kellie Fruehling, City Clerk
Re: Council Work Session, December 7, 2021, 8:00 a.m. at The Center — Assembly Room
Council: Bergus, Mims, Salih, Taylor, Teague, Thomas, Weiner
Staff: Fruin, Kilburg, Goers, Fruehling, Lehmann
Other: Johnson County Representatives: Travis Weipert — Auditor, Mark Kistler — Deputy
Auditor, Bogdana Velterean — Deputy Auditor of Elections
(A transcription is available in the City Clerk's Office and the City website.)
Review Reprecincting Proposals
Johnson County representatives reviewed the reprecincting process and the following standards
required when drawing precinct boundaries:
• Precinct population cannot exceed 3,500
— If there are areas in your city where substantial growth is anticipated in the next ten
years, you may wish to establish precincts with populations smaller than the 3,500
maximum allowed by law.
• Precinct must lie within one legislative district
• Composed of contiguous territory
• Precincts boundaries must follow census block boundaries
• Voter convenience and electoral efficiency
— The convenience of voters means the precinct boundaries are easy to describe and
identify and provide voters with relatively direct routes of travel to polling places.
Electoral efficiency means reducing election costs by only creating as many precincts as
necessary.
• Include annexed territory
— Territory annexed after January 1, 2020, must be included when drawing precincts.
— Use the annexed territory population certified by the city.
County representatives noted the focus of each plan as follows:
• Plan A focuses on clear lines while taking into account election turnout and polling location
proximity.
• Plan B was structured around existing polling places.
• Plan C creates population balance between precincts and within house districts.
City Attorney Goers provided additional information. Individual Council members expressed their
views.
Action: Staff will present Plan A and Plan C for consideration at the December 14' formal meeting.
Adjourn 8:50 p.m.