Agenda - Council - 03/13/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session Meeting Date: 03/13/2012 By: Jo Thieling, Administrative Services Information 7. 1. Title: Introduce Ordinance Establishing Boundary Lines for the City of Ramsey Ward System Background: As Council is aware, on February 21, 2012, the maps were released showing the redistricting of the congressional and legislative districts. The City was required to review those maps and make adjustments to its Ward and Precinct boundaries as needed based on population changes. Council is also aware that redistricting is a process that occurs every ten years following completion of the US Census. Notification: No notification is required at this time. The notification requirements are as follows: When a precinct boundary is reestablished or a local government election district boundary is redistricted, a detailed map showing the new precincts or districts must be posted at the locations and in the manner in items A to C. Item A pertains to municipalities, and reads as follows: For precincts and wards established by a municipality, the notice prepared by the municipal clerk must be posted in the clerk's office. The notice may be posted in other conspicuous locations in the municipality, at the discretion of the clerk. the information posted must also be made available for public inspection at the office of the county auditor. The notices required must be posted within 72 hours after the adoption of precinct or election district boundaries. The notices must remain posted until the day following the state general election in a year ending in two. With regard to notice to affected voters - when precinct boundaries are changed, the county auditor or municipal clerk shall notify each affected registered voter of the change at least one week prior to the state primary held after the change takes place. Following completion of the ward and precinct boundary amendments, Anoka County Elections will be sending out notification postcards to all voters within the City of Ramsey. Observations: The City is currently divided into four Wards and each Ward has two Precincts. According to State Statute, each Ward shall have a balanced population with other Wards within the City. Based on the 2010 Census, the current population of each Ward in the City of Ramsey is as follows: Ward 1 = 6,975 (+18%); Ward 2 = 4,937 (-16%); Ward 3 = 5,721 (-3%); and Ward 4 = 5,939 (+1%). As was noted to Council at the February 28, 2012 meeting, for Census and redistricting purposes, the City is divided into smaller geographic areas known as Census Blocks that are used to summarize population and act as boundary lines for Districts and Wards. Staff prepared an amended Ward Map that balances population with minimal geographic change and follows major transportation corridors. The populations for each Ward on the proposed Map is as follows: Ward 1 = 6,091 (+3%); Ward 2 = 5,821 (-1%); Ward 3 = 5,721 (-3%)1[To change to Ward 3 proposed]); and Ward 4 = 5,939 (-1%) [No change to Ward 4 proposed]). A map showing the proposed Ward boundary lines is attached. Also attached is a map showing the comparison of the "old" versus the "new" boundary lines. At the February 28, 2012 Council meeting, Council accepted the draft Ward Map and directed staff to prepare the necessary ordinance for introduction and adoption to establish the new boundary lines for the City of Ramsey's Ward system and a resolution to establish precinct lines and polling places. The ordinance establishing the Ward