ICRC_ApprovedMinutes_20210818 — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) August 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Video Conference Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98278207374?pwd=eEhDSFpzNjVlZWFXNGcyYWpOKzZvZz09 Meeting ID: 982 7820 7374 Passcode: iqY34Q CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Prabhu Kannan Brigham Morris Errol Hardin Eugene Schneider Erin Dempsey Luis Gonzalez, Vice-Chair Dr. Sterling Lands Hoang Le Shaina Kambo Sara Inés Calderón Selina Yee Christina Puentes, Chair Joshua Blank Camellia Falcon Staff In Attendance Matthew Dugan, City's Planning Manager George Korbel, Mapping Specialist Christine Granados, ICRC Administrative Manager Members in Attendance Christina Puentes, Chair Luis Gonzalez, Vice Chair Joshua Blank Sara Inés Calderón Erin Dempsey Camellia Falcon Errol Hardin Prabhu Kannan Dr. Sterling Lands Hoang Le Eugene Schneider Selina Yee MINUTES Meeting Goals: Receive Information about Census Data and City's Boundaries; Receive Updates from Working Groups/Subcommittees CALL TO ORDER Chair Puentes called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. with 11 members present. Commissioner Kannan joined the meeting at 6:05 p.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first three speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. Peck Young addressed the ICRC and opted to withhold comment at the public meeting. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Discussion and possible action on the Aug. 11, 2021, ICRC meeting minutes. The Aug. 11, 2021, meeting minutes were approved without objection. 2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS The ICRC may discuss and take action on the following agenda items A. Update from Public Forum Working Group on calendar changes Vice Chair Gonzalez gave update about county public forums being pushed back a week. 3. NEW BUSINESS The ICRC may discuss and take action on the following agenda items A. Presentation from Lila Valencia, Austin City Demographer City Demographer Lila Valencia shared findings from 2020 U.S. Census. B. Presentation from City Attorney on open meetings Assistant City Attorney Lynn Carter reviewed Open Meetings Act; Assistant City Attorney Zach Brown reviewed the Public Information Act. C. Update from Communications Working Group Commissioner Calderón discussed social media policies and the work done placing paid advertising on social media and legacy media. D. Update from Finance Subcommittee Vice Chair Gonzalez discussed the $2,000 in expenditures for Zoom moderator, website maintenance and overtime charges related to public forums. E. Update from Final Report Subcommittee No update. F. Discussion on mapping process Commissioner Yee made a motion to allow commissioners to voluntarily meet one-on-one with Mapping Specialist George Korbel after there has been a group discussion of the preliminary map he has drawn. Commissioner Calderón seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously. G. Housekeeping • Commissioners agreed to have administrative manager BCC all communications with the public. • Commissioner Falcon is in touch the City about placing NextDoor advertising • Commissioner Hardin raised concerns that ICRC is not responding to questions asked at public forums and wanted clarity on what type of questions need immediate response • Commissioner Kannon wanted virtual public forums to have breakout rooms with public for commissioners to have full conversations with public. This brought up questions of what ICRC should be answering and length of time of meetings. • • • FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Invitation to City Watershed Department Invitation to Transportation Department Invitation to Austin Neighborhood Council to speak about neighborhood associations' role in the political process • Discussion on improving the way virtual public forums are conducted • Discussion on questions asked in in-person public forums and clarity on what commissioners are able to discuss as well as COVID protocols in those forums • Discussion about in person regular meetings starting Sept. 1 ADJOURNMENT Chair Puentes adorned the meeting at 7:59 p.m. without objections. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please the Housing and Planning Department, at 512-974-7665 and call Matt Dugan at matthew.dugan@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, please contact Matt Dugan at 512-974-7665 and matthew.dugan@austintexas.gov or Lisa Rodriguez at 512-974-3119 and lisa.rodriguez@austintexas.gov.