Ward 5 Final Redistricting Meeting

Monday, November 14, 2011

• The Census is tasked every 10 years with counting every resident in the United States.

• When the new data are released, government officials look at population changes since the last census took place and realign voting districts to ensure equal representation in government bodies.

• This process is called “Redistricting” and it is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

• While the U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for collecting and providing the data used for redistricting, it does not manage the actual redistricting. Each state, or, in our case, the District, has that responsibility.

What is Redistricting?

• DC Official Code requires that the Council divide the city into 8 “compact and contiguous” election wards, each approximately equal in population size. According to the 2010 Census figures, DC’s population is 601,723.

• The ideal size, then, for each Ward is 75,215. DC Code allows for a +/-5% deviation so each Ward should have a population of between 71,455 and 78,976.

What Does This Mean?

How Has Ward 5 Changed Since 2000?2000 2010

Median age 38.5 years 38.2 years

Race: White 8% 17%

Black 88% 76%

Hispanic 3% 6%

Household composition: Family 54% 47%

Nonfamily 46% 53%

Average household size 2.36 2.2

What is DC’s Redistricting Process?• The City Council formed a subcommittee with the responsibility

of reviewing US Census data and reconfiguring Ward boundaries to ensure equal local government representation among all residents.

• The subcommittee includes:

Councilmember Michael Brown (At-Large), Co-Chair Councilmember Jack Events (Ward 2), Co-Chair Councilmember Phil Mendelson (At-Large)

• The Council Redistricting Subcommittee has until July 14, 2011 to complete the Ward redistricting process.

• Public hearings were held on April 25 and 27, 2011.  

• The Redistricting Subcommittee will work with Councilmembers from each Ward to develop proposed adjustments and then present these draft plans to the Council and the general public through a series of public hearings for feedback.

• Once the Redistricting Subcommittee has had a chance to review public input, it will draw up the legislation realigning the Ward boundaries and present it to the Council. (Anticipated to occur in June.)

• In the fall, the Redistricting Subcommittee will turn to the redistricting of ANCs, SMDs and Voting Precincts, seeking input from Councilmembers, task forces, community leaders and the general public.

• By year end, ANC, SMD and Voting Precinct legislation will be enacted.

What is DC’s Redistricting Process?

Ward 5 Redistricting

2011

Ward 5 Task Force MembersWebster, Aywana- Chair Anthony Hood- Co-ChairBonds, Anita, Co- Chair Robert “Bob” King- Sgt-at-Arms

Members• Bell, Belinda• Bonilla, Geovani• Brannum, Robert • Clark, Tim • Coates, Robin• Duarte, Wanda • Edwards, Ronnie • Evans, Ronald• Grant, Janae • Griffin, Corey A. • Hatchard, Geoff • Henderson, Michael • Hunter, Delano • James, Regina • Johnson, Terri

• Jones, Mark• Lewis, Grace • Manning, Jacqueline • Newton, Dorris • Petti, Caroline • Pinkney, Sylvia • Preston, III, Herman • Ransom, Albrette “GiGi” • Salatti, John Thomas, • Tim Treadway, • Nolan Tucker, • Camile Washington, • John Washington,• Sandi Washigton

Technical Information and Instructions

For Ward Taskforces

Background

• For Ward Taskforce leaders and participants to understand the technical aspects of adjusting Single Member District and Advisory Neighborhood Commission boundaries for the District of Columbia, it is best to understand how the process ends and work backwards:

• The Council will ultimately adopt final ANC and SMD boundaries in legislation. This means that precise descriptions of these boundaries (in words) are essential. (The Council will be guided by your recommendations, though they are free to make their own decisions.)

• Your Report will need to include precise descriptions of those boundaries (in words) following specific guidelines spelled out below. Maps illustrate your recommendations, but it is the words that matter.

• Unlike in previous redistricting cycles it is important that you validate that your words place the boundaries where you intend (and the resulting populations in each SMD and ANC) by working with the professional mapmakers at the Office of Planning before you submit your Report to the Council.

• The Office of Planning has no role in recommending where boundaries should be, but they will advise the Council on whether the language recommended by the Taskforce describes boundaries clearly. The Office of Planning will also confirm the numbers of persons in each area.

• The Office of Planning has created maps and data tables for your use, has established specific mechanisms for communicating with you about this effort, and will assist you with clarifying proposed boundary text within the limits of available resources.

Your Charge

• You are to develop a Report that recommends specific boundaries (in words) for updated SMDs and ANCs.

• Each SMD is to contain approximately 2000 persons. The law gives preference to maintaining SMD populations plus or minus 5% (between 1900 and 2100 persons), but it also gives exemptions from this numerical range for a variety of reasons, such as to avoid splitting Census Blocks or to maintain neighborhood cohesiveness.

• While it is for you to decide whether it is necessary to split a Census Block, this typically will not be needed and increases the amount of administrative time necessary for the government to process your proposal. If you do wish to split a Census Block, you will need to work with the Office of Planning to obtain their estimate of the numbers of persons living in each portion of that block and provide for an appropriate amount of additional lead time at each stage of the redistricting process.

• Please note that precision counts in delineating political boundaries, and that it can be much more challenging to create clear text descriptions of lines on a map than one might think. The attached appendix provides a number of examples of “preferred” methods of describing boundary lines, such as existing SMD boundaries, center lines of streets or alleys, and property boundaries, among others.

Deadlines

• July 1, 2011, Ward Council Members appoint task force members. At-Large Council Members and the Chairman may each appoint one member to each Ward task force.

• August 1, 2011, a first progress report is due to the Subcommittee on Redistricting from each task force

• September 1, 2011, a second progress report is due to the Subcommittee on Redistricting from each task force

• Within 90 days after the Ward Redistricting Act of 2011 is signed by the Mayor, each Ward task force submits it report to the Council. As of this writing, the Mayor was expected to sign the Act by July 12, 1011.

Working Groups BoundariesRedistricting 2011

Section 1 Group 1• Start: North Capitol St NW and Michigan Ave NW: East on Michigan Ave NW to John McCormick Rd NE, north on John McCormick

Rd NE to Buchanan St NE, east on Buchanan St NE to Sargent Rd NE, north on Sargent Rd NE to Eastern Ave NE, north on Eastern Ave NE to Kennedy St NE, west on Kennedy St NE to South Dakota Ave NE, north on South Dakota Ave NE to Riggs Rd NE, west on Riggs Rd NE to North Capitol St NE, south to southwest on North Capitol St NE to Park Place NW, south on Park Pl NW to Michigan Ave NW

Section 2 Group 2• Start: Sargent Rd NE and Eastern Ave NE: South on Eastern Ave NE to Otis St NE, west on Otis St NE to John McCormick Rd NE, north

on John McCormick Rd NE to Buchanan St NE, east on Buchanan St NE to Sargent Rd NE, north on Sargent Rd NE to Eastern Ave NE. Section 3 Group 3• Start: Eastern Ave NE & Rhode Island Ave NE: West on Rhode Island Ave NE to Otis St NE, west on Otis St NE to 14 th St NE, south on

14th St NE to Irving St NE, west on Irving St NE to the railroad tracks, follow railroad tracks south to T St NE, east on T St NE, cross over 9th St NE on east to Montana Ave NE, north on Montana Ave NE to 18th St NE, north on 18th St NE to Rhode Island Ave NE, east on Rhode Island Ave NE to Eastern Ave NE.

Section 4 Group 4• Start: Eastern Ave NE and Rhode Island Ave NE: South on Eastern Ave NE to end of Ward 5 Boundary, follows Ward 5 Boundary to

Benning Rd NE, west on Benning Rd NE to Bladensburg Rd NE, north on Bladensburg Rd NE to Mt. Olivet Rd NE, northwest on Mt. Olivet Rd NE to 9th St NE, cross over 9th St NE on east to Montana Ave NE, north on Montana Ave NE to 18th St NE, north on 18th St NE to Rhode Island Ave NE, east on Rhode Island Ave NE to Eastern Ave NE.

Section 5 Group 5• Start: Florida Ave NE and Bladensburg Rd NE: northwest on Florida Ave NE to NY Ave NE, southwest on NY Ave NE to Kirby St NW,

north on Kirby St NW to N St NW, west on N St NW to New Jersey Ave NW, northwest on New Jersey Ave NW to Florida Ave NW, southeast on Florida Ave NW to Rhode Island Ave NW, east on Rhode Island Ave NW to the railroad tracks, follow railroad tracks south to T St NE to 9th St NE, south on 9th Street NE to Mt. Olivet Rd NE, southeast on Mt. Olivet Rd NE to Bladensburg Rd NE, south on Bladensburg Rd NE to Florida Ave NE

Section 6 Group 6• Start: New Jersey Ave NW and Rhode Island NW: east on Rhode Island Ave NE to the railroad tracks, follow railroad tracks to Irving

St NE, east on Irving St NE to 14th St NE, north on 14th St NE to Michigan Ave NE, west on Michigan Ave NE to First St NW, south on First St NW to Bryant St NW, west on Bryant St NW to 2nd St NW, south on 2nd St NW to Rhode Island Ave NW, west on Rhode Island Ave NW to New Jersey Ave NW.

Redistricting Meeting Recap

2011

MEETING ONE/TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY

• Outline Goals and Mission• Residents identify where they live and which

map area they would like to work on• Chair of Task Force will divide Ward into

quadrants• Community can view notices and minutes at:

http://ward5redistricting.blogspot.com/

MEETING TWO/TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY

• Break into six groups• Start at “12 o’clock” (northern tip of Ward 5),

work clockwise• Groups divide their assigned areas into

clusters (1900-2100) using census blocks• Single census blocks cannot be subdivided• Use natural boundaries whenever possible• Each group selects a convener and a recorder

MEETING THREE/TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY

• Groups continue working with census blocks to create clusters (1900-2100)

• All groups gather and present their boundary clusters

• Councilmember Thomas gives thanks and closing remarks

MEETING FOUR/TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY

• Groups draw clusters onto a common map for all to view

• There are some numbers that are low and some pockets omitted and some overlapping boundaries (corrections would need to be made)

• Will meet next time to discuss the number of and groupings of Commissions

MEETING FIVE/TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY

• Task Force creates and presents a map which is an amalgamation of the community maps and feedback, with corrections

• Task Force votes to approve the map• Motion made and approved to allow smaller group of

Task Force members to create two or three suggested groupings of clusters as possible Commissions

• Commissions can vary in size• Motion passes

MEETING SIX/TASK FORCE AND COMMUNITY

• Task force presents multiple options for possible groupings (Commissions)

• Task Force and community agree on a single option

• SMD and Commission boundaries are drawn

10/6/11 Meeting Notes (Task Force Voted)

Call to order at 6:57 pm

Language for group boundaries was passed out. (38 groups)• Very rough• Spelling errors (street names)

Options for commissions passed out to the first two rows of attendees which consisted of task force members only.

Chair person, Ayawna Webster, explained options to the group for the different commissions using the master map.

Questions/ Statements:• Sandy Washington What parts of pre- existing commissions are still going to be present in the proposed commissions?

• Jeff HatchardDo the pink lines on the map correspond with the language for the groups?

• Tim ClarkQuestion the clarity of the language

• Carolyn PettyCan the pros and cons of all three options be weighed?

• Corey GriffinCan you divide census blocks?

• GiGi RansomFunding for ANC’s should be priority

• Tim ClarkWhat would be the status of projects and development in current commissions after redistricting?

Discussion:• Janae Grant

Rationale of Option #2 (6 commissions, 6 or 7 SMD’s)

• Jeff HatchardFunding issue for ANC’s

• GiGi RansomGoing before the council and asking for more money for ANC’s, 1978 model

Voting Results

Option 1- 3 peopleOption 2- 10 peopleOption 3- 3 people

1 abstention- Jacqueline Manning Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm

Ward 5 Redistricting Task Force Commission Options

2011

Ward 5 Commission OptionsOption 1

5 CommissionsCommission 5AGroups: 25, 20, 24, 23, 22, 21,

19, 18

Commission 5BGroups: 28, 29, 27, 26, 16, 17, 15

Commission 5CGroups: 30, 31, 34, 32, 33, 11, 35

Commission 5DGroups: 1, 5, 6, 2, 7, 8, 36, 37, 38

Commission 5EGroups: 9, 10, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 10

Option 33 Commissions

Commission 5AGroups: 1, 5, 6, 2, 7, 38, 37,

36, 8, 9, 3, 4

Commission 5BGroups: 34, 35, 10, 11, 32,

33, 16, 27, 29, 30, 31, 28, 26

Commission 5CGroups: 12, 13, 20, 25, 24,

23, 22, 21, 19, 18, 14, 15, 17

Option 26 Commissions

Commission 5AGroups: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25

Commission 5BGroups: 14, 15, 17, 16, 26, 27, 28, 29

Commission 5CGroups: 30, 31, 34, 32, 35, 33

Commission 5DGroups: 30, 31, 34, 32, 35, 33

Commission 5EGroups: 38, 5, 6, 7, 1, 2

Commission 5FGroups: 12, 13, 20, 18, 19

Corrected Language From The Office of Planning

Attached are our edits to the boundary language for Ward 5’s ANCs & SMDs.

Edits in blue and corresponding strike-throughs are places where the intended boundary was clear but the language needed to be cleaned up. Edits in orange are where there was a problem with the intended boundary. These are places where there are overlaps or gaps between boundaries, or places where we could not figure out where the task force intended the line to go.

In the dozen or so places where there is orange text, we’ll need further input to draw the lines correctly. Once we have the orange text areas cleared up we can create maps and population statistics for the new boundaries.

A copy of the revised language will be distributed.