The Redistricting Advisory Commission of the City of San Jose convened in Regular Session at 7:05 p.m. in Conference Room 106 of San Jose City Hall

I         CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Chairperson Fiscalini called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

II       APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 7, 2001 ADVISORY COMMISSION

MEETING

Documents Filed: Minutes of the regular meeting of March 7, 2001.

Discussion/Action: The Minutes were approved. Vote: 7-0-4. Absent: Christensen, Dean, Fuentes, Sanchez .

III.    PUBLIC HEARING

Documents Filed: None.

Discussion/Action: Chair Fiscalini opened the first of three required public hearings on redistricting. Rick Callender, President of the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP, addressed the diversity of the Commission and stated that it needs to better reflect the diversity of the community. He commented that the Commission meeting dates conflict with the County meetings. Bill Hughes stated that Berryessa residents want to maintain or improve their district boundaries and include as much as possible of the Berryessa School District in District 4. Patricia Martinez-Roach requested that there be strong community outreach regarding the redistricting process, and stated that the most important question to answer is how redistricting will affect the community

IV. NEW BUSINESS

A. Discuss the Updated Advisory Commission Schedule

Documents Filed: 2001 Redistricting Advisory Commission Schedule.

Discussion/Action: Chair Fiscalini noted that the meeting schedule had been approved by the majority of the Commission at the March 7 meeting

B. Review and Approve the Public Outreach Plan

Documents Filed: Communication Plan.

Discussion/Action: Tom Manheim, Public Outreach Manager for the City of San Jose, reviewed the Communication Plan for the Commission’s outreach program. He reported that before the next meeting, advertisement of the public hearings will have appeared in all of the local newspapers, and that a press release was distributed by his office. He reviewed a flyer that will be distributed to Neighborhood Advisory Committees, Neighborhood Association leaders, Mayor and Council Offices, libraries, and community centers. He reported that meeting notices have been posted on the Government Access Channel Bulletin Board, and that a “Redistricting San Jose” website has been established. He added that the web site will grow as more information is available. Commissioner Johnson noted that the press release did not appear to be written as a Public Service Announcement for the radio stations. Mr. Mannheim responded that the press release will be reissued, along with Public Service Announcements. Commissioner Ota requested that information on City services be included on the web site, which staff indicated would be done. Upon motion by Commissioner Fadness, and unanimously carried, the Communication Plan was approved. Vote: 9-0-2. Absent: Fuentes, Sanchez.

C. Discuss the Revised Release Schedule for California Redistricting Data

Documents Filed: None.
Discussion/Action: Deputy Director Kent Edens reported that the Census information had not been received; however, law requires that it be released prior to April 1.

D. Identify and Discuss “Core” Characteristics of Existing Council Districts

Documents Filed: Report on Additional Resources for Redistricting.

Discussion/Action: Mr. Edens presented maps that can be used as resources by the Commission. He indicated that the Neighborhoods Map illustrates neighborhood service needs, the School Districts Map identifies all school districts with the City of San Jose, and the Major Features Map identifies geographic characteristics, as well as other major features, including major streets and highways, libraries, parks, etc. Commissioner Fadness requested that the map reflect where Council Members live. After some discussion about providing the maps on a reduced scale to the Commissioners, Mr. Edens stated that he will provide a reduced copy of the District Maps and will attempt to provide a transparency of the School District boundaries to overlay on the City-Wide map. He noted that the maps will be available on the web site. Commissioner Powers asked if the maps were accurate. Mr. Edens responded that the maps are two years old and that he will provide the Commission with more up-to-date maps.

V. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Documents Filed: None.

Discussion/Action: Commissioner Fadness suggested that the Commission recommend to the City Council that the City Charter be amended to require “that the Commission should report back to the Council within 120 days of being appointed, or within 120 days of receipt of the Census data, whichever is later.” Chair Fiscalini requested that the City Attorney’s Office review this issue and report back to the Commission. Mr. Edens suggested that the Commission consider adopting some explicit criteria for establishing district boundaries, as was done during the prior redistricting process. Chair Fiscalini requested that information on this item be sent to the Commissioners for their review.

VI. ADJOURNMENT

The Redistricting Advisory Commission adjourned at 7:50 p.m.