CITY OF ORLANDO 2001
REDISTRICTING ADVISORY
COMMITTEE RESOLUTION

A RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO ELECTIONS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA; ESTABLISHING THE ORLANDO REDISTRICTING ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR 2001; PROVIDING FOR MEMBERSHIP AND APPOINTMENTS; PROVIDING FOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; PROVIDING FOR STAFF SUPPORT; PROVIDING FOR REQUIRED PUBLIC MEETINGS AND ADVERTISED PUBLIC HEARING; PROVIDING FOR PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR GUIDELINES IN DEVELOPING ITS RECOMMENDATION; PROVIDING FOR TERMINATION.

WHEREAS, Section 4-1 of Chapter 2 of the Charter of the City of Orlando requires the City Council to redesignate the boundaries of each district after each decennial census conducted by the United States Government; and

WHEREAS, the City Council has decided to create a redistricting advisory committee to recommend any necessary or desirable changes to the boundaries of the districts based on the 2000 census; and

WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes the paramount importance of redistricting in the City’s effort to comply with the “one person-one vote” principle; and

WHEREAS, the City Council intends to adopt a redistricting plan such as the six districts will continue to be contiguous territories as nearly equal in population as practicable while taking into consideration the demographics of the City, the geography of the neighborhoods, existing precinct lines, and minority population interests; and

WHEREAS, the City Council intends to adopt the redistricting plan prior to or soon after December 1, 2001; and
 
WHEREAS, the City Council wants the redistricting process to be conducted in an open, public, and fair forum in which all Orlando residents have a right to observe and participate; and

WHEREAS, the City Council wants to receive a recommendation no later than October 1, 2001.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ORLANDO, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. CREATION OF REDISTRICTING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. There is hereby created an advisory committee to be known as the “Orlando Redistricting Advisory Committee for 2001,” hereinafter referred to as the “Committee.”

SECTION 2. MEMBERSHIP. The Committee shall be composed of the nine individuals identified below, each of whom has been confirmed by adoption of this resolution by the City Council after being nominated by the Mayor or a Commissioner. In the event of a vacancy on the Committee due to relocation, resignation, death, disability, or any other cause, either the Mayor or Commissioner, as appropriate, shall nominate a replacement, and such nominee shall be appointed to the Committee, by vote of the City Council.
The Mayor shall appoint the Chair of the Committee. The Committee shall select a Vice-Chair at its initial meeting. Elected officials, other than members of the judiciary, and City of Orlando employees are not eligible to serve on the Committee.

The following individuals are hereby appointed to the Orlando Redistricting Advisory Committee for 2001:
Nominated by:
Mayor- Chair: Joan Ruffier
Commissioner-District 1: John Keating
Commissioner-District 2: Lewis M. Oliver
Commissioner-District 3: R. Dean Cannon
Commissioner-District 4: Doug Head
Commissioner-District 5: Jacqueline Barr
Commissioner-District 6: Glennie Mills
Judicial Representative: Honorable Wilfredo Martinez
Community-at-Large: Raiza Tamayo 

SECTION 3. DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND GUIDELINES. The Committee shall submit to the City Council no later than October 1, 2001, a proposal for redistricting the City into six commission districts of contiguous territory as nearly equal in population as practicable. In developing its recommendation, the Committee shall take into consideration the demographics of the City, the geography of the neighborhoods, existing precinct lines, and minority population interests.

SECTION 4 MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARINGS. At its initial meeting, the Committee shall establish a schedule of regular meetings, including times and locations which shall be filed with the City Clerk and advertised on the City’s website. Committee meetings shall also be posted as required by Florida law. Also, the Committee shall hold no fewer than two public hearings before adopting its recommendations, and notice of each public hearing shall be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation not less than ten days before each hearing. The agenda for each meeting shall include an “audience to be heard” section in which the public can express opinions to the Committee. The Committee Chair may reasonably limit the time each member of the public can speak. The Committee shall endeavor to meet at least twice a month, whether in regular or special meetings or in public hearings, until its assignment is completed. 

SECTION 5. STAFF SUPPORT. The Committee shall be entitled to the support of City staff and other support as needed, with all requests for information and assistance being made by the Committee Chair to the Chief Administrative Officer or his designee, except that the City Attorney shall serve as legal counsel to the Committee, and all legal questions shall be submitted directly to him or his designee. The Planning Department, the Geographic Information System Bureau, and the City Clerk shall assign staff as necessary or desirable to assist the Committee in developing its recommendation.

SECTION 6 . RULES OF PROCEDURE. The Committee shall, by a majority vote of its membership, adopt rules of procedure to assist in accomplishing its purpose, and all meetings of the Committee shall be conducted pursuant to those rules.

SECTION 7. ADVISORY NATURE OF THE COMMITTEE. The recommendations of the Committee are advisory only and are subject to such revisions and amendments as City Council may elect. Furthermore, the dates set forth in this Resolution are guidelines and targets, but not procedural deadlines. Failure by the committee to submit its recommendation by October 1, 2001, and failure by the City Council to adopt a redistricting plan on or about December 1, 2001 shall not affect the validity of the redistricting plan in any respect.

SECTION 8. TERMINATION AND CESSATION OF REGULAR MEETINGS. Unless terminated sooner by the City Council, the Redistricting Advisory Committee shall terminate upon adoption of a redistricting plan by the City Council. Regular meetings shall cease upon the submission of a recommendation to the City Council. If the City Council requires additional input from the Committee after submission of a recommendation, the Mayor or the Committee Chair shall call a meeting, providing at least forty-eight (48) hours notice to the public.


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