ICRC_ApprovedMinutes_20210901 — original pdf
Approved Minutes
Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) Sept. 1, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Permitting and Development Center (PDC) 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. Austin, TX 78752 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 Camellia Falcon Errol Hardin Shaina Kambo Dr. Sterling Lands Hoang Le Eugene Schneider Selina Yee APPROVED MINUTES Meeting Goals: Discussion on public forums and mapping process; Receive Updates from Working Groups/Subcommittees CALL TO ORDER Chair Puentes called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. with nine members present. Commissioner Lands joined at 6:07 p.m. and Commissioner Le joined virtually at 6:30 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. Fred Lewis addressed the commission on behalf of the NAACP and Hispanic Coalition about the need to follow the City Charter during the mapping process. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Discussion and possible action on the Aug. 25, 2021, ICRC meeting minutes. The Aug. 25, 2021 draft minutes were approved without objection. 2. UNFINISHED BUSINESS The ICRC may discuss and take action on the following agenda items A. Discussion on mapping process with mapping specialist 1. Presentation on city demographic data Korbel presented his methodology for the mapping process using Census numbers. 2. Individual commissioner conversations Korbel discussed why one-on-one input from commissioners was helpful during the mapping process. Chair Puentes shared the details for signing up for the one- on-one meetings scheduled Sept. 9-12, 2021. B. Update from Public Forum Working Group 1. Discussion of calendar changes Vice Chair Gonzalez shared the addition of two public meeting dates for the county precinct forums. On Vice Chair Gonzalez’s motion, Commissioner Blank's second, the ICRC unanimously approved the proposed 2021 county precinct public forum dates. 2. Discussion on better way to integrate and address questions asked by public at public forums Commissioner Hardin shared suggestions for how to structure the second round of public forums and address questions from the public. C. Update from Finance Subcommittee Vice Chair Gonzalez gave an update on working with city to ensure funding is encumbered for use. Sept. 30, 2021 1. Discussion on ideas to utilize surplus of funds before the end of the fiscal year Following discussion, no action was taken. 3. NEW BUSINESS The ICRC may discuss and take action on the following agenda items A. Review of the ICRC values and norms Chair Puentes reviewed Values and Norms the ICRC created on July 7, 2021. B. Update from Communications Working Group Commissioner Calderón gave update on advertising efforts. C. Update from Final Report Subcommittee No update. D. Housekeeping Chair Puentes mentioned Signup Genius email for scheduling one-on-one would be in commissioners’ inboxes and in the next two meetings there would be a catered dinner for commissioners in anticipation of long night. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • NAACP will present map to the commission • Hispanic Coalition will present map to the commission • Korbel to present map to the commission • Discussion on the map presented by Korbel • Discussion on improving the way public forums are conducted • Discussion on questions asked in in-person public forums • Updates from Working Groups/Subcommittees ADJOURNMENT Chair Puentes adorned the meeting at 8:14 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.