Title
Public Hearing: Amending City Council district boundaries to reflect new population numbers obtained from the 2020 Census.
Body
Issue/Request:
Public Hearing for an ordinance amending City Council district boundaries to reflect new population numbers obtained from the 2020 Census.
Key Issues:
• Section 9.4 of the Charter for the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri (“City Charter”), requires the establishment by ordinance of City Council district boundaries following each decennial census; and,
• Section 82.110, RSMo, provides that City district boundaries may be redrawn by ordinance of the City Council; and,
• In compliance with the City Charter, City Council directed staff to prepare options for City Council district boundaries; and,
• City Council established the following guideline to assist in their consideration of City Council district boundaries: that the ideal population per district be 25,277; that any deviations in population between the districts be confined to less than 5% of the 25,277 ideal; that continuity of existing districts be maintained as much as possible; that districts be compact and contiguous; that communities of interest be preserved as much as possible; and that district lines be developed that are consistent with natural boundaries, such as highways, arterial roadways, railroad tracks, or streams and rivers; and,
• On September 14, 2021, staff presented the final recommendation to the City Council, as reflected in the map attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference; and,
Background:
Detailed background information can be found in the attached memo.
Impact/Analysis:
The population deviation between each proposed City Council district is below the established 5% deviation from optimum for each district. When each district is compared to the other districts, there is a maximum population deviation of approximately 7.3%, which is below the maximum deviation of 10%.
Presenter
Ryan Elam, Director of Development Services
Brian Head, City Attorney
Recommendation
Recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the ordinance.