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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-28 11:00AM WORKSHOP SESSION E FILED FOR RECORD z � o r r o DATE O'CLOCK M N CQUEEN B OS OU CL y t OFA �- BRAZOS COUNTY BRYANr TEXAS NOTICE OF MEETING AND AGENDA WORKSHOP SESSION BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET IN A WORKSHOP SESSION AS FOLLOWS: MEETING DATE: September 28,2021 MEETING TIME: 11:00 AM MEETING PLACE: Brazos County Administration Building, 200 S. Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX 77803 1. Call to Order 2. Receive and discuss Initial Assessment regarding whether redistricting is required for Commissioner Precincts considering the new 2020 Census Data. 3. Discuss and consider adoption of redistricting criteria to apply to development of new districting plans. 4. Discuss and consider adoption of redistricting guidelines regarding public participation in the redistricting process. 5. Adjourn The Brazos County Administration Building,200 S.Texas Avenue,Suite 106,Bryan,TX 77803 is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available.Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting.To make arrangements,please call(979)361-4102. VO I. 0 -TE Oj y _ r ,4111 C MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WORKSHOP SESSION 1. Receive and discuss Initial Assessment regarding whether redistricting is required for Commissioner Precincts considering the new 2020 Census Data. The Commissioners Court of Brazos County, Texas met in a Workshop Session in the Brazos County Commissioners Courtroom in the Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Russ Ford, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Nancy Berry; Commissioner of Precinct 3; Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4, Karen McQueen, County Clerk. The attached sheets contain the names of the citizens and officials that were in attendance. Syd Falk with Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado,Acosta LLP gave a presentation on the Initial Assessment regarding the need to redistrict the County Precincts. Mr. Falk explained that the County will need to redistrict due to the 2020 Census data reflecting a need to equalize the population of the four precincts to prevent abridging the right to vote of the populace. The results of the Initial Assessment appear that Precinct 1 is majorly overpopulated, Precinct 2 is slightly overpopulated and Precinct's 3 and 4 are severely underpopulated. He explained that the next steps of the redistricting process are as follows: October 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. - First Drawing of Precinct Lines October 28, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. -Second Drawing of Precinct Lines November 2, 2021 at 10:00a.m.- Final Adoption of Redistricting Plan FVOL Z44 A copy of the Presentation is attached. 2. Discuss and consider adoption of redistricting criteria to apply to development of new districting plans. It was determined that Items 2 and 3 would be placed on the October 5, 2021 Agenda for consideration. 3. Discuss and consider adoption of redistricting guidelines regarding public participation in the redistricting process. 4. Adjourn FVol opg m J The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Meeting held September 28, 2021 have been examined and are approved in open Court this 12th day of October 2021, in Bryan, Brazos ounty, Texas. Duane Peters Steve Aldrich County Judge Commissioner, Precinct 1 Russ Ford Nancy Berry Commissioner, Precinct 2 Commissioner, Precinct 3 Irma Cauley Commissioner, Precinct Attest: C � Karen McQueen County Clerk E VOL BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING r J ' J Date and Time Name , rganization Depa ent J. lel c�r � lor Apt cA VA I M Vu V ) UTYWAA Vol. pg.-4t) a BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING J fi(L� ��C) Date and Time Name Organization/Department f � In C) Ci� - r� Brazos County � n 2021 Redistricting Initial Assessment � �n BICKERSTAFF HEATH DELGADO ACOSTA LLP 3711 S.MoPac Expressway Building One,Suite 300 Austin,Texas 78746 (512)472-8021 www.bickerstaff.com www.votinglaw.com ©2021 � 4 '' ■ � '� Bickerstaff 1 H<alh Delgatb Kota uv Vol. � '3 Pg. 1 ._... REDISTRICTING Applicable Law Three Principles, plus "One person — one :ote" Voting RJ' Act:§.2 (:equal population) (nondiscrimination) tea. Shaw v. Reno Plsp as.diagnostic,tool: limits use of race) Voting Rights Act a§ 5 ( (retrogression) i (02021 'Mckerstaff i Vol. lig � �m._.... Redistricting One Person - One Vote x Y r U.S. Constitution — single-member districts £F t must have approximately equal populations Rule of thumb: total deviation < 10% _ 4 Compare most populous and least populous * T g 4' districts. to "ideal"—sized district t, Add both departures from ideal together 092021 '� Bickerstaff n�H...Delgado Kvcta W t<... Vol. � 3 Pg.�.�.. .wz District Ideal district District total pop. Difference Deviation A 10,000 11,000 1000 + 10.0 percent B 10,000 10,750 750 + 7.5 percent C 10,000 10,250 250 + 2.5 percent D 10,000 8,000 - 2000 -20.0 percent a Totals: 40,000 40,000 net= 0 net= 0 percent Total maximum deviation=difference between most populous and least populous districts= 10 percent+20 percent= 30 percent. Example D-e' iaton Calculation ©2021 "7 Bickerstaff Vol. 3 fig. �. -....._ Available PL94-171 File Census El "Census block" level D . a iiTotal population VAP (voting age population) Ei Race 4 origin anic o His ! -f p € cc�2021 [tj B ickerstaff -------------- VO a What Population Do You Use? 0 2ct al. P��pu,141 II VA 4 y. ® • e • s t. • • To: determine • To : tion measure wone person -} 70- r n � hts , g g Tone vote v issues i f 0.i T i _ w 02021 I Bickerstaff vola g. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act No discrimination on basis of race or language minority status Generally, avoid cracking or packing Cracking or fracturing is dividing minority voters to fragment their voting power. 9 Packina is concentrating minority voters when dividing them would permit the group to elect their candidates of choice in more than one district * Other practices can also violate Section 2 I 02021 Bic tall Bic Vo 14th Amendment. Y -r ` r '' yo (Shaw v. Reno) 2.f�1 i T ii e.Q Limits race based' ' ision makin includin i g! redistricting a v. s a . ,(r Wase race the predominant consideration in 'n drawing a redistricting plan? N360 A, � f �v If so, is the, plan a narrowly tailored means of (y- add ressi ng a compelling 'governmental-interest?. 1fry Bickertaff 'rz rf Kea-1h oeh / .ls..atss Volo 343 � CLOSE UP OF NORTH CAROLINA 1992 PLAN A t 4 CkGEMEtp CD s i � v CJ2021 �IBickerstaff 'N Vora L+5 , y Redistricting Standards under rF� Shaw-Reno line of Cases • Usually, race may not be the predominant factor to the subordination of traditional districting principles ® But it is OK to be aware of race and to consider race to satisfy Section 2 and Section 5 • To "narrowly tailor," use race no more than necessary • Bizarrely-shaped districts not unconstitutional per se «. • Bizarre shape may be evidence that race predominated 012021 Bickerstaff Vol. J�J Pg. } Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act Preclearance no longer required (Shelby County v. Holder (2013)) r3Section 5 standard is "retrogression" Are minorities worse off under the new system? a No discriminatory purpose or effect Still a useful diagnostic tool to identify potential Section 2 issues (02021 KI Bickerstaff F P vo�o m Benchmark The benchmark is the standard against which a ! retrogression is �_= measured. E .� z The benchmark is eke 2020 Census data superimposed on the last legally enforceable ; plan (typically, 2011 lines). .=: 02021 j '�76ickerstaff `t f a Adopt Criteria �j i Maintaining Identifiable communities of " _ Using whole voting a ` boundaries ; interest`:& precincts, if possible neighborhoods }_ Basing plan on ' Adopting districts of ;-- Drawing districts i i that are compact existing districts relatively-,equal,size 1 and contiguous VI t Keeping existing Narrowly tailoring r ` incumbents in their plant o comply with districts the VRA �t ,# 02021 j Bickerstaff r Heah0elgadoKwta LLV ( . Vol. �. w Steps To Balancing Conflicting Legal Obligations In Redistricting Plan Build arecord ahead Be 'Aware. i Of legal obligations and- responsibilities Criteria that reflect traditional-redistricting principles, including consideration of race to the Adopt extent required to meet obligations under the Voting Rights Act - f To the criteria when drawing the plan. Consider and Pay' evaluate each plan presented (whether by district's hired i Attention , ., consultant or by general public) in light of the adopted criteria. 02021 �7 Bickerstaff Steps To Balancing Conflicting Legal Obligations In Redistricting Analyze the Make sure the Avoid truly final plan in analysis is bizarre districts ! terms of how considered by the well it conforms Commissioners to the adopted Court before criteria plan adoption I 012021 Wffickerstaff ��• Vol. y �_ ._. L Initial Assessment PSI a,n PM Y , Adopt Ian criteria guidelines p 44"- Develop illustrative plan(s) Public comment / hearing -- Analyze comments Adopt final plan Implementation Reconfigure election� precincts f ©2021 n�Bicke,�r,.'s"taff E a f� Proposed Redistricting Time Line r y 11 a.m. 9/28/2021 — Present Initial Assessment 0 10 a.m. 10/18/2021 — First Drawing Workshop . 10 a.m. 10/28/2021 — Second Drawing Workshop a 10 a.m. 11/2/2021 — Final Adoption IP4 r 3cPg.-UQ- g } BRAZOSCOUNTY. ( ' ^ t ._ A , 2011 Benchmark ; th 0 C ro� i - � - wi -202 ensus , - 0 Data.. ' ©2021 I Vol. y'3 g I Current Commissioner Precincts F a Z t ' } k j t W ^ ,r;. � :' ��� .� �'"i, �� ,rte '� o-.. : ;. .. t-_,. �- •z.,-.x' ._.• Lf®BRd Iq ®2021 Ukk WH NOelg a4 ar�5ra LLP' ' p6—� C—m. —� Brazos County Commissioner Precincts oa1a5 a£ Raaa9,wacararoane 9rcaaa CuunV eoivN aloner P£ecincb `' hof abt.J..d from Me 2020 2021 Initial Assessment Tige Ame fifes,U.S census Bu eau vola 345 P&—U- -P..v_._ i s Current Commissioner Precincts IF • q Mf 7 • v , _. - z a, Legend N ©2021 aic ISQ Haatb Delg d='.0 AcostLLP ' .2o M1 Brazos County Commissioner Precincts Dau S Roa'a,w to Women t aWoblarle0 fio me 2020 "-`"'"r COv"Isz"""°""""' 2021 Initial Assessment r9 n film D.s ce 'a. Precinct 1 creta:Wlaeov } Vol. 9 ;X k Current Commissioner Precincts TX 6 \\ 4 f y .-Mf(8 IL �a a lilt7 _._.w ��• J ';' fit{ 0...� .l' r ''wssazL�,� � cm5 ton_) r rcmxu n x nm - ✓ " QJ' Legend ( 020218lckersn9Heath Dal9 doAm to LlP �2aza vro's Brazos County Commissioner Precincts Dans Res,vrt mdtnar era:w coaaey euro r rroaa� realobtainea r ne zozo 2021 Initial Assessment T9n n s,u.s.caa"Ba.aaa� CieateQ:911 2021## .M-les Precinct 2 TMl r . day Vol Y43- 2, p gr._... Current Commissioner Precincts Afi -X L 1 3 y rex asx 3 r P Ute` }, AM Legend N ®2021 Sir Ietf Heath Delgado Amita LLP *i 02020VfDa Brazos County Commissioner Precincts emoat VD" Cgrunlsstoner PreCincLa Data$ea(03 Road.Water and Olner ' +y 2021 Initial.Assessment 9ttawraMae,U..'.'a e-` 1 n nremea,u.. l =1� � I au °a Precira<7'3 crealad:9ftn2021 l Mues Vol° Current Commissioner Precincts 12 fM 503'rtt's a s� ve j%J � Q a �-2x27 y r• itis sn •-�' � aste�Scat�.� � a 41 t 7 N.f lE6 y=' Te as Leg6nd N ®2021 Sicke tlf Heath Oelgeo AcO-W LLP ' �zazo urns Brazos County Commissioner Precincts oaras Roaes. 1 ranaolner, re 1 res etaineE from the 2020 t ��B--`a--:--°--'�°��a"H�c "'b"e77he"sns 2021 Initial Assessment req n nes,us census eereaa� �...�L.-5�.:...• 0 075 1.5 '3 Cteete0:9/1SR027 ,a.- 1 Wies Precinct 4 Volo s Brazos County Overall Deviation For Current Commissioner Precincts Using 2020 Census Data Paan Natr�a 'Brazos Coca 2021#YComt�tissculots Ing#tal°As ;?smen# f Bic =r- staloerPr ef p4emographtcs Report Summary 2020 tnsus Tata! Population , , Pian Last Edlled.=on,9�i5f821 12913 PMJI N�spanlc.35 Nori-Hispanic Non-Hispanic ��fon H� panic Nan Hispanie District: P�rsans ideal Size Dep atian of Total White J of Black%of Asian,t,af other,�of Population Total Total Total Total Population Populatiow Population 'Population 1 69;562 58;462 18:95% 17.78%. 62.18% 6;81%. 8:37%. 4.$S% I 2 1 61;449 I 58;462 I 4:42°£ 22 BSSb I 59 669n $.(18°5 I S 58°x. ' 4 53 5: 3 51,5,61 5$;462 -11:8035 20 68°0 581485 8,2935, &9935 39435 I I 4 51;677 ! 5$,462, J 1.61 51.31% l 48935 18,62°, 1,,45°5 :,2.72°•6 I Ideal Size. 511461 Total Population: 233;849 OverallDevfation: 3Q.79°fo SbMIQ pereenFag ;maypeskjer@ta.Cdundingerrars Brazos County Overall Deviation For Current Commissioner Precincts Using 2020 Census Data Plan "Name. Brazos County 2021 Commissioner Precincts Initial Assessment: ;"- 1 Peatt� dQAtorta�lf'. = " Demo ophics Report arnrnary 2020 Census Voting A`ge Ropulatrnn ,. " flan fast Ect�tf on:�l9S 2021 92'29 93 PP ©istrl t Total VAP*R i Hispanic°--' Non-Hispanic Non-Hispanic Nan Hispanic Non-Hispanic of7otal'VAP Angio%�of Black.%of •Asian%of Other�o of Total VAP Total VAP Total VAP Tatai.VAP. 1 54,4b9 16:4096 63..72% 0.44% too., *h% 2, 4 :916 .19.37% 63,13% 7:20% 6.28% 4.02%. 3 43422 19;10% : 60:23.% 7.220 9:57% 3.28% ' 4 38,128 41.45% 30:33° 109% 1.33% I9h ' VAP-Voting-Age Popuiauon 3�tme i.' E Vol. Peiien tvges invy b�subJ�rt.to7$un�ing�r`rarx; 3 : 41............... . pg. Brazos County Overall Deviation For Current Commissioner Precincts tet` r� Using 2020 Census Data Ttj BICE'f5fa "' Plan Name Brazos County 2021 Cominlssior3r Pr�ai�icts Inst€ l Assm�nt� Llemcoropwi Report DAbI -2020t Yota!Popula#too i Pin Lit l:dtler!DA V1 VIM TI2 203 PbA \F. v N��n IND. P' N wj {MJFer TY.W 6V' tuptnct &irk u! as�an'�vi A�9 wcua Ideal Angto:"v of rO% magi PAC% %d Dist O Person, ItYlAw Wpaifk of Toiai ANGLO BW Tobi kion i I 1rd n outer Ma ToW e. '� 'acr41; of tot, wul Aaras"X, Flapulation popL6 on PepUia'&n Rai Roan Pnpulltion Pc}� Darn Tagpop, 1 r ,x¢62. i&sl3a TJ$ag. '1T,Jg� M1i,t�7' &2,1 a 4,735 6Efi X525 .83735 2R� 02g 69' @:1£hK293 MIA 2.ffl1 '3ai€3 22.+3€i 35023 SIM. 1'4,932 .&W. 1 3+107.f US% I M 1 0233♦ V. 0,13A I 301' 0.4%1.2245 2.219 -W'41 I 3- 53.151 :3°u46I. 11S�fw,, t�7 a 2t>E55 29 17 matt X1,,2' . G29ta 4633 592♦ '5T Q.1BA 34' 'O;d a X35' I}4 v f419 #24?i 4 sun -B.462 1151 'Z51 5$31+ 1�a1��-. t'S�� - 94?ZZ.,l I T5� 1 mv� 4} gl 3�. '4$22 x$5M,*' I 1$t1 It}4 Neat Sime: 53,462 Total PoA ulakn: b3,849 ovefin navincon:3011 3a rw, i619'g4T`auy sah}edto rovAMIng error. : ' l.. w 1 1 Brazos County Overall Deviation For Current Commissioner Precincts Using 2020 Census Data Plan NM116:18kaxoo Couniy:2021'Comm sof oner.-redncts,fnitial Ass®ssfirient Bickerstaff. _ .. ttusthGt�1}utgAcu,7_iiil' Demogmphk Report_ Detailed ZQ�O Census Vpt6ng Age Poputat;on P.Ign Last Ed'rvied.ont 0,tl5�f202l-l2.29:13'•P�A. ti AMNO aali'ai5 .: Twuis Q'ssrnti 7ota� fltsusnc itryrak preb 't;4ndo 8K4'VA& '?SGtlrl Ascus :Asan f1GlNF t1A.it�E NdWIPAG FiWtl4jit4G tlto:r w6thar, ;5Twgr YAP' V 3 vp VAP vir VAP JSP l'1 i VA-9 NAP ITKO. Vrt� WVAS VQF i K40 1103' ffi•ol 34T10 6).T6 1aa6 5, vil 1.635'; 164 a 31m !96 D.35% 1.136 ImIl I I 69:;19 19:89 I 11.3r�1 1 11.,1A I El.l3t; 8533, I 7341 3X6 6,M .49. Oms � E9 I ndw; 12Q9 I D,d2'r: � I'm I 3 14JA2� .,4.0 I i7,c�: � 14.6�1 I GWs I,Hi I 9.2h, iDn , . 66 d,* 3f I 5kh I in 1 6644s I i1: f I ' AP-Vudng Age 00alalan Ssneperamlr.+3esRitiyLesaav,4xttt?roii;�Fngr,V�rar�s..�Jd4�' Vol pg- 1 r7 R THEMATIC MAPS Legend *+.- Benchmark Commissioner Precincts Percent Hispanic by Census Block t21%-40%FM \ z t Y`- 41%-50% ®50%-60/ r Over 60% r 4 �t�jt�PY t $3 � ti� Y I q, r -0 2021 Bickerstaff HeaN C¢Igatle{1CL¢W LLP Brazos County 2021 Commissioner Precincts Gaas°um B°atl¢W gra 4a�er 1 j t reaturea etU.S.0 ."8a2°rea° 020 e y D 2 4 BMdes Percent Hispanic by 2020 Census Block neer�,�a� U.S. �� §( Crealatl Bit]/1021 0. 3 3 t Vole 3�� i THEMATIC MAPS } Legend Benchmark Commissioner Precincts Percent Black by Census Block 10%-20% =21%-40 L: 41%-60% =51%-60 Mover60% / r s;! wig �o'' /> 4 Ar 02021 B—� '+� He- A—IW LLP T^jf§• Brazos County 2021 Commissioner Precincts w feaWresoUb e.0 Sha2020 a,r0 ° e ,2Mlies Percent Black by 2020 Census Block Tim-Beeves s=� � e i cre r esmri°z1 pg VOL o �P�� Brazos County R � 2021 Redistricting 31 rd 1* T qT Initial FFF d �fi Assessment 3 r 'V�<; W k„ BICKERSTAFF HEATH DELGADO ACOSTA LLP 3711 S.MoPac Expressway Building One,Suite 300 �.n Austin,Texas 78746 .Y (512)472-8021 www.bickerstaff.com www.votinglaw.com 02021 RI Bickerstaff