Agenda - Council - 03/27/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CC Regular Session 6. 1. Meeting Date: 03/27/2012 By: Jo Thieling, Administrative Services Information Title: Public Hearing to Adopt Ordinance Establishing Boundary Lines for the City of Ramsey Ward System Background: Although a public hearing is not required, staff has advertised the adoption of this Ordinance as a public hearing as a courtesy to all registered voters within the City. Following is the same background that was presented for the introduction of this redistricting ordinance. For informational purposes, staff is including this same language. 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: 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. A resolution to re-establish the boundaries of the precincts will be considered in the case following this one. 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. Besides the notification bulletin board, staff will post the map and legals on the City's website. Staff published a public hearing notice for the adoption of this Ordinance redistricting the Wards, although a public hearing is not a mandatory requirement. 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: Again, the following information was presented during the time of the introduction of this ordinance, but for informational purposes, this same information is included. 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%)Mo change to