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Home My WebLink AboutCC 10-17-22-03/Adopting Guidelines for Common Council Legislative RedistrictingSponsor: Councilor Worrell RESOLUTION NO.: CC-10-17-22-03 RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA ADOPTING GUIDELINES FOR COMMON COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING WHEREAS, Ind. Code § 36-4-6-3 requires the Common Council (the “Council”) of the City of Carmel, Indiana (the “City”) to redistrict the City’s legislative body districts in the second year after a year in which a federal decennial census is conducted; and WHEREAS, the Council desires to establish new City legislative body districts for the elections occurring in 2023 and thereafter utilizing the 2020 decennial census data as updated for the City by any special census, special tabulation or corrected census count as required by Ind. Code §1- 1-3.5-3; and WHEREAS, the Council desires the public to be fully informed regarding the procedures to be used to redistrict the City’s legislative body districts; and WHEREAS, the Council wishes to memorialize the legal and procedural requirements to be used by the Council in approaching the redistricting process and in evaluating proposed redistricting plans. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Recitals Incorporated. The foregoing Recitals are incorporated herein by this reference. Section 2. Redistricting Guidelines Adopted. The Council hereby adopts and approves the “Redistricting Guidelines by the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana” (the “Guidelines”) attached to this Resolution as Exhibit “A”, and specifically incorporated herein by reference, as the definitive statement of the intent of the Council regarding the redistricting process and as an accurate statement of the process to be used by the Council in reapportioning legislative body districts. Section 3. Appointment of Redistricting Coordinator. The Council hereby designates Jeff Worrell, Council Vice-President, to serve as the Council’s Redistricting Coordinator to coordinate the legislative body redistricting process and to implement the Guidelines. Section 4. Charge to Coordinator. The Redistricting Coordinator appointed herein is authorized, empowered and directed to become fully in formed regarding the legal requirements of the redistricting process, to work with the Council’s special legal counsel to develop a proposed redistricting plan (the “Redistricting Plan”) that complies with all requirements of state and federal law and with the Guidelines for consideration by the Council, and to report back to the Council from time to time regarding all aspects of the redistricting process. Resolution Number CC 10-17-22-03 Page One of Two DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC Sponsor: Councilor Worrell Section 5. Effectiveness. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage by the Council. SO RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Carmel. Indiana, this 5th day of September, 2022 by a vote of _____ ayes and _____ nays. COMMON COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF CARMEL ______________________________ _______________________________ Kevin D. Rider, President Jeff Worrell, Vice-President ______________________________ ______________________________ Sue Finkam Laura Campbell ______________________________ ______________________________ H. Bruce Kimball Anthony Green ______________________________ ______________________________ Adam Aasen Tim Hannon ______________________________ Miles Nelson ATTEST: ______________________________ Sue Wolfgang, Clerk Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana this ___ day of _________________, 2022, at ______ __.M. _________________________________ Sue Wolfgang, Clerk Approved by me, Mayor of the City of Carmel, Indiana this ___ day of _________________, 2022, at ______ __.M. _________________________________ James Brainard, Mayor ATTEST: _________________________________ Sue Wolfgang, Clerk Resolution Number CC 10-17-22-03 Page Two of Two Pages DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 1:30 P 18th P October 2:00October Not Present 18th 1 EXHIBIT “A REDISTRICTING GUIDELINES BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARMEL, INDIANA These guidelines (the “Guidelines”) are adopted to establish the criteria to be used to redistrict legislative body districts for the Common Council (“Council”) of the City of Carmel, Indiana (the “City”) in compliance with Ind. Code §36-4-6-3 (the “City Districting Statute” or “Statute”) and other applicable provisions of the Indiana Code. It is the intent of these Guidelines and of the Council to promote free and open participation by the public in the redistricting process, to create district boundaries that enhance and facilitate effective representation of all citizens in the City, and to comply with all relevant statutory and constitutional requirements. The primary goal of the Council in this redistricting process is to ensure fair and effective representation of all citizens. I. REQUIREMENTS OF IND. CODE §36-4-6-3 and IND. CODE 3-5-10 The redistricting of Council districts last occurred in 2018, as codified by Ordinance D-2442- 18, finally adopted on November 5, 2018. The description of the City’s current Council districts appears in §3.3 of the Carmel City Code. The City Districting Statute establishes certain minimal criteria for the redistricting process. It is the intent of these Guidelines to fully comply with the criteria set forth in the City Districting Statute and other applicable state and federal laws. Compliance with statutory criteria is discussed more specifically in subsequent sections of these Guidelines. Applicable portions of the City Districting Statute provide as follows: (a) This section applies only to second class cities. (b) The legislative body shall adopt an ordinance to divide the city into six (6) districts that: (1) are composed of contiguous territory, except for territory that is not contiguous to any other part of the city; (2) are reasonably compact; (3) do not cross precinct boundary lines except as provided in subsection (c) or (d); and (4) contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population. (c) The boundary of a city legislative body district may cross a precinct boundary line if: (1) more than one (1) member of the legislative body elected from the districts established under subsection (b) resides in one (1) precinct established under IC 3-11-1.5 after the most recent municipal election; and (2) following the establishment of a legislative body district whose boundary crosses a precinct boundary line, not more than one (1) member of the legislative body elected from the districts resides within the same city legislative body district. (d) The boundary of a city legislative body district may cross a precinct line if the districts would not otherwise contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population. DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 2 (e) A city legislative body district with a boundary described by subsection (c) or (d) may not cross a census block boundary line: (1) except when following a precinct boundary line; or (2) unless the city legislative body certifies in the ordinance that the census block has no population, and is not likely to ever have population. (f) The legislative body may not adopt an ordinance dividing the city into districts with boundaries described by subsection (c) or (d) unless the clerk of the city mails a written notice to the circuit court clerk. The notice must: (1) state that the legislative body is considering the adoption of an ordinance described by this subsection; and (2) be mailed not later than ten (10) days before the legislative body adopts the ordinance. (g) Except as provided in subsection (j),1 the division under subsection (b) shall be made only at times permitted under IC 3-5-10. 2 (h) The legislative body is composed of six (6) members elected from the districts established under subsection (b) and three (3) at-large members. (i) Each voter of the city may vote for three (3) candidates for at-large membership and one (1) candidate from the district in which the voter resides. The three (3) at-large candidates receiving the most votes from the whole city and the district candidates receiving the most votes from their respective districts are elected to the legislative body. […] (k) A copy of the ordinance establishing districts or a recertification adopted under this section must be filed with the circuit court clerk of the county t hat contains the greatest population of the city not later than thirty (30) days after the ordinance or recertification is adopted. The filing must include a map of the district boundaries: (1) adopted under subsection (b); or (2) recertified under subsection (j). […] (m) IC 3-5-10 applies to a plan established under this section. Applicable portions of Ind. Code 3-5-10 provide as follows: §3-5-10-9. If a conflict exists between: (1) a map showing the boundaries of a district; and 1 Subsection (j) applies only if a legislative body determines that a division is not required and recertifies the existing districts as complying with applicable law. 2 Ind. Code §3-5-10-7 limits the time frame for redistricting to the second year after a federal census; the first year after a census event, other than a federal decennial census, becomes effective; whenever required to assign annexed territory to a district; whenever the boundary of the political subdivision is changed; or, as provided in the order of a court that has found the cur rent redistricting plan unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful. DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 3 (2) a description of the boundaries of that district set forth in the plan; the district boundaries are the description of the boundaries set forth in the plan, not the boundaries shown on the map, but only to the extent there is a conflict between the description and the map. §3-5-10-10. If any territory in the political subdivision is not included in one (1) of the districts, the territory is included in the district that: (1) is contiguous to that territory; and (2) contains the least population of all districts contiguous to that territory. §3-5-10-11. If any territory in the political subdivision is included in more than one (1) of the districts, the territory is included in the district that: (1) is one (1) of the districts in which the territory is described in the ordinance or resolution that establishes the plan; (2) is contiguous to that territory; and (3) contains the least population of all districts contiguous to that territory. II. CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN DRAWING DISTRICT BOUNDARIES A. Contiguous Territory The City Districting Statute specifies that legislative body districts shall be “composed of contiguous territory, except for territory that is not contiguous to any other part of the city.”3 The Council interprets this requirement to mean that, among other things, a legislative body district cannot be made up of one or more areas that meet at the points of adjoining corners. The Council is committed to creating legislative body districts that consist only of contiguous territory unless established precinct boundaries dictate otherwise. B. Reasonably Compact The City Districting Statute requires that districts must be “reasonably compact.”4 The Council recognizes that this requirement does not require districts to be as compact as possible. Moreover, the Council believes that the goal of compactness should generally defer to criteria more fundamental to obtaining effective and functional electoral districts including population equality, respect for precinct boundaries, respect for natural geography, building patterns and communities of interest. The compactness requirement would, however, override these other criteria in some instances as when the degree of compactness of the proposed district would be considered “unreasonable.” The Council is committed to creating legislative body districts that are reasonably compact. C. Equal Population The City Districting Statute requires that City legislative body districts “contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population.”5 This requirement includes both the selection of accurate data upon which to base the Council’s determination, and a determination regarding the minimum standards for population equality. 3 Ind. Code §36-4-6-3(b)(1). 4 Ind. Code §36-4-6-3(b)(2). 5 Ind. Code §36-4-6-3(b)(4). DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 4 1. Use of Census Data The Council recognizes that use of data from the 2020 Federal Decennial Census is mandated by the Indiana General Assembly as updated by any Federal special census, special tabulation or corrected population count.6 The foregoing 2020 Census data is readily available and accessible to the public.7 Consequently, the Council will use the 2020 Federal Decennial Census population data to establish Council districts. 2. Population Deviation The City Districting Statute requires districts that “contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population.” The City interprets this phrase to mean that Council districts must comply with the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution as that clause has been interpreted with respect to local government election districts. The modifying language clearly indicates, however, that, unlike federal Congressional districts, precise equality of population among districts is not specifically required by the Statute. In order to comply with the City Districting Statute and the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution the Council will evaluate the population of each district of any redistricting plan considered by the Council for “deviation from the ideal district size” and will also evaluate any such redistricting plan for the “total deviation” of the plan. As used in these Guidelines the term “ideal district size” refers to the total population of the City (as determined by the 2020 Census) divided by six (6).8 The term “deviation from the ideal district size” refers to the amount by which the population of any district is greater than or less than the ideal district size and is expressed as a percentage by dividing the difference between the actual and ideal district sizes by the ideal district size. The term “total deviation” refers to the sum that is derived by adding the deviation from the ideal district size of the smallest and largest population districts (expressed as a percentage). The City recognizes that total population deviations of less than ten pe rcent (10%) are considered prima facie constitutional for state legislative districts pursuant to Supreme Court precedent and that total population deviations in excess of ten percent (10%) may be justified if supported by reasonable state interests. Courts have generally applied similar standards to local government apportionment efforts. Nevertheless, the Council has determined that a primary goal of the redistricting process should be the creation of Council districts with nearly equal population and that any significant deviation from this principle must be adequately justified and as narrow as possible to meet the stated reasons for the deviation. Any total deviation in excess of five percent (5%) shall be justified in writing with reference to one or more rational objective criteria including: a. contiguity; b. compactness; c. adherence to precinct boundary lines (except as allowed by the Statute); d. respect for and adherence to natural geography and building patterns including, but not limited to, rivers, streets, shopping areas, neighborhoods, etc.; 6 Ind. Code §1-1-3.5-3(b). 7 Census data is available on the website of the United States Census Bureau found at www.census.gov. 8 The 2020 US Census Bureau establishes the population of the City of Carmel as 99,757 as of April 1, 2020. Based on that number, the ideal district size is established by the Council as 16,626. DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 5 e. communities of interests; and f. other objective criteria. Written comments accompanying any redistricting plan submitted by a member of the public for consideration must reference any objective criteria relied upon to justify a total population deviation in excess of five percent (5%). D. Precinct Boundary Lines The City Districting Statute provides that districts may not cross precinct lines unless: (1) more than one member of the Council resides in a single precinct as described; or (2) the districts would not otherwise contain, as nearly as is possible, equal population.9 However, the Council recognizes that respect for precinct boundaries is essential to minimize voter confusion on election day, to reduce the cost of election administration, to help preserve communities of interest and to encourage voter understanding of the electoral process. The Council is committed to creating legislative body districts that respect precinct boundary lines provided that the goal of creating districts with nearly equal population is not unduly burdened thereby. Consequently, only in an extraordinary event will precinct boundary lines be disregarded, and in such event such division will be minimized to the extent reasonably practicable. Prior to the adoption of a final plan which includes districts crossing precinct lines, the Clerk shall provide the notice required by subsection (f) of the City Redistricting Statute. The precinct boundary lines used to create Council districts shall be those precinct boundary lines in use in Hamilton County as of July 1, 2022. E. Dilution of Minority or Political Voting Strength The Council recognizes the fundamental right of political participation by all citizens in the City. Consequently, no district shall be drawn to intentionally dilute or that has the effect of diluting the voting strength of any language or racial minority group. Any proposed redistricting plan demonstrated to have the intent or effect of dispersing or concentrating minority population in a manner that prevents minority communities from electing their candidates of choice shall not be acceptable. In addition, no district shall be drawn for the purpose of discriminating against an identifiable political group in such a way that the group's electoral influence is consistently degraded. F. Communities of Interest The Council believes that an important function of electoral districts is to promote and enhance community cohesiveness and dialogue and to promote the recognition of unique interests that are held in common by recognizable groups of voters. Such interests may include social, cultural, or economic interests common to the population of the area. In the redistricting process the City will preserve communities of interest where possible so long as recognition of such interests does not conflict with the other statutory or constitutional redistricting criteria. III. PUBLIC NOTICE AND PARTICIPATION IN THE DISTRICTING PROCESS Believing that public participation is essential to a fair and effective redistricting process, the Council adopts the following plan for public participation in the redist ricting process. A. All Redistricting Meetings to be Public 9 Ind. Code §36-4-6-3(c) and (d). DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 6 All redistricting meetings conducted by a quorum of the Council shall be held in compliance with the Indiana Open Door Law, Ind. Code §5-14-1.5-1 et seq. B. Public Notice Regarding Meetings At Which Redistricting Plans Are To Be Considered The Council shall comply with the public notice requirements which are applicable to all Council Meetings. Public notice regarding the consideration of Council district plans shall additionally be published as provided in these Guidelines. C. Public Access to Redistricting Information and Submission of Proposed Plans. The Council desires and welcomes full public participation in the redistricting process. In order to ensure public participation in the redistricting process the Council authorizes the following steps to be taken by the Redistricting Coordinator: 1. Publication of the notice set forth in Exhibit “1” in the Carmel Current, The Indianapolis Star, and the Court & Commercial Record no later than October 18, 2022. The Redistricting Coordinator is further authorized to publish notice in such other publications as deemed appropriate by the Redistricting Coordinator and to place the Notice on the City website. 2. Provision of individual notice of any public redistricting meetings not described in these Guidelines and not listed on the notice published in compliance with the preceding paragraph to all members of the public who request such notice by filing a written request for notification with the office of the City Clerk. 3. Provision of the notice set forth in Exhibit “1” via a news release distributed to all media that have requested notice pursuant to Ind. Code § 5-14-1.5-5. 4. Provision of City maps indicating precinct boundaries and summary population data at the precinct level to members of the public at no cost for the purpose of facilitating the creation and submission of alternative redistricting plans by members of the public. 5. Production of minutes of all public redistricting meetings by the City Clerk to be made available for review after approval at the next Council meeting. D. Individual Notice Regarding Districting Process Individual notice regarding any aspect of the districting process shall be given without charge to any individual or organization that requests it. Such requests shall be filed in the office of the City Clerk, Carmel City Hall, Third Floor, One Civic Square , Carmel, IN 46032. The City Clerk’s Office is open from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Additional notice shall be provided as described elsewhere in these Guidelines. DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 7 IV. SUBMISSION AND CONSIDERATION OF DISTRICTING PLANS To meet the statutory requirements of the City Districting Statute and Ind. Code §3-5-10-7, the Council must adopt on final passage an ordinance approving a districting plan no later than December 31, 2022. A. Preparation of Draft Plan by Redistricting Coordinator The Council has designated, by Resolution adopted contemporaneously with the adoption of these Guidelines, the Vice President of the Council as the City’s Redistricting Coordinator for the purpose of developing a draft plan (the “Draft Plan”) that complies with the legal requirements for the creation of legislative body districts. The Redistricting Coordinator is further directed to ensure that the Draft Plan complies in all respects with the applicable portions of these Guidelines. It is the responsibility of the City Redistricting Coordinator to prepare a Draft Plan that is made available to members of the public and members of the Council not later than Noon on November 3, 2022, the date designated for the submission of plans by the public. The Draft Plan shall thereafter be available for review in the office of the City Clerk during normal business hours at the request of any member of the public prior to consideration of its final adoption. B. Public Preparation and Submission of Redistricting Plans The Council shall also receive redistricting plans submitted by any member of the public so long as any such plan is submitted in writing to the City Clerk's office during regular business hours between the date of adoption of these Guidelines and prior to Noon on November 3, 2022. Any plan offered by a member of the public must meet the following criteria to be considered: 1. It must have been submitted in writing to the office of the City Clerk during regular business hours between the date of adoption of these Guidelines and Noon on November 3, 2022; 2. The precincts (or portions of partial precincts) contained in each proposed legislative body district shall be clearly written on the form provided (Note: the Guidelines direct that precinct boundaries be respected except in extraordinary circumstances); 3. The plan as submitted must stand as a complete City-wide plan for redistricting (i.e., all pieces of geography within the City must be accounted for in some district); and 4. The plan must comply completely in all respects with these Guidelines and with the instructions attached as Exhibit “2”. Any total deviation in excess of 5% from population equality must be justified in writing with reference to the objective criteria set forth in these Guidelines. A plan must meet the above requirements to be considered by the Council. As described in these Guidelines, each plan will be evaluated for: 1. contiguity; 2. compactness; 3. population deviation; DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 8 4. respect for precinct boundary lines; 5. compliance with the requirements prohibiting discrimination; 6. respect for and adherence to natural geography and building patterns; 7. respect for communities of interest; and 8. any other relevant criteria. To assist in the evaluation of proposed plans each individual submitting a proposed districting plan is required to complete a statistical sheet and description in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “3” and list: a. the total population for each proposed district; and b. the population deviation from the ideal for each district. A complete set of instructions and the statistical report for publicly submitted plans is set forth as Exhibit “2” and Exhibit “3” to these Guidelines and is specifically incorporated herein by reference. C. Written Comments Regarding Redistricting Guidelines and Draft Plans The Council will also receive public input in the form of written comments and objections by the public to any aspect of the districting process, including the adoption of the process or criteria set forth in these Guidelines and to any Draft Plan. Any mem ber of the public desiring to submit written comments to the Council regarding the redistricting process set forth in these Guidelines should submit those comments in writing in the office of the City Clerk during regular business hours between the date of adoption of these Guidelines and Noon on October 28, 2022. Written comments regarding the Draft Plan or any plan proposed by the public may be submitted until Noon on the date of the November 21, 2022, public hearing designated below. D. Committee Hearing and Public Hearing Regarding Plan(s) Upon introduction of the Draft Plan at a special meeting of the Council to be held on November 9, 2022, it is anticipated that the Draft Plan and any public plans will be assigned to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee (the “Committee”). The Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Draft Plan and any public plans at 6:00 p.m. on November 15, 2022 in the Council Caucus Room located on the Third Floor of Carmel City Hall. The hearing will be open to the public. After recommendation to the full Council by the Committee, the full Council shall hold a public hearing at the November 21, 2022, regular meeting of the Council (the “Public Hearing”), for the purpose of reviewing the Draft Plan and any public plans submitted to the Council and to take public testimony and comments regarding the Draft Plan and any plans proposed by the public. The Council shall make any necessary revisions or modifications to the plans under consideration prior to final adoption. As the City Districting Statute requires the adoption of an ordinance to approve a districting plan (the “Ordinance”), unless waived in accordance with Indiana law, the Council shall adopt the Ordinance at two separate meetings of the Council at which a quorum is present. It is presently anticipated that the first reading of the Ordinance will be at the November 9, 2022, special meeting of the Council prior to assignment to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. At the November 21, 2022 Council meeting, a Public Hearing will be conducted prior to the Ordinance being DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 9 considered on final passage.10 Additional meetings and revisions to any plan under consideration may occur at subsequent special or regular meetings at the Council’s discretion. The final adoption of the Ordinance approving a districting plan shall occur no later than December 31, 2022, in accordance with the City Districting Statute and Ind. Code §3-5-10-7. E. Additional Public Meetings Should additional public meetings become necessary at any point in the redistricting process, such meetings will be held and any statutorily required notice shall be given. Notice of all redistricting meetings shall be posted in advance in the office of the City Clerk or as otherwise customarily posted for Council meetings. Parties interested in the redistricting process who desire to be notified regarding any additional public meetings should leave their name, complete address, w ork and home phone numbers, and electronic mail address with the office of the City Clerk and every effort will be made to give such individuals notice of any additional public meetings that may be required.11 Notice to such individuals will be attempted by either regular mail, electronic mail, phone or face to face communication. V. AMENDMENT OF REDISTRICTING GUIDELINES Should it become necessary at any time to amend these Guidelines the Council may do so upon a vote of the majority of the members of the Council at any duly called meeting of the Council. 10 The date of the committee meeting will be determined by the Council and announced pursuant to requirements of Ind. Code §5-14-1.5-5. 11 The term "additional public meetings" refers to meetings not set forth in these Guidelines or in the Notice attached as Exhibit "1". DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 10 EXHIBIT “1” Notice Regarding Division of the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana into Legislative Body Districts Pursuant to Ind. Code § 36-4-6-3, the Common Council of the City of Carmel (the “City”) is dividing the City’s legislative body districts into six (6) single member districts on or before December 31, 2022, for the election of Council Members in 2023 and thereafter. To accomplish this division, the Council has adopted Redistricting Guidelines which are available upon request in the office of the City Clerk, Carmel City Hall, Third Floor, One Civic Square , Carmel, IN 46032 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. The division of the Common Council into legislative body districts will be accomplished pursuant to the following schedule: October 28, 2022 Last Day for Members of the Public to Submit Objections or by Noon Written Comments Regarding the Redistricting Guidelines to the Office of the City Clerk. November 3, 2022 Deadline for Plans Submitted by the Public. Redistricting by Noon Coordinator Makes Draft of City Districting Plan Available for Examination by the Public at the Office of the City Clerk. November 9, 2022 Special Meeting of Council to Introduce Ordinance Adopting 6:00 pm City Districting Plan and Plans Submitted by the Public, First Reading on Ordinance Preliminarily Approving a Plan, and Assignment to the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee. November 15, 2022 Public Meeting of the Finance, Utilities and Rules Committee 6:00 pm for Purpose of Reviewing and Evaluating Draft of City Districting Plan and Plans Submitted by the Public, and making a recommendation to the Council. Hearing to be held in Council Caucus Room, Third Floor City Hall. November 21, 2022 Public Hearing for Purpose of Reviewing and Evaluating 6:00 pm Draft of City Districting Plan and Plans Submitted by the Public, Making Revisions to Plan to be Adopted by Council, and to Adopt an Ordinance Approving the Plan on Final Passage. Written comments on any plan must be received by the City Clerk by Noon this day. Within 30 days of Filing of a Certified Copy of the Ordinance Establishing Adoption Districts with the Clerk of the Hamilton County Circuit Court no later than Thirty (30) Days After the Ordinance is Adopted Pursuant to Ind. Code § 36-4-6-3(m). Each of the meetings set forth above will be held in the Council Chambers of the Carmel City Hall, Second Floor, One Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032, and shall begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. The public's participation in the redistricting process is welcomed. All Council meetings are open to the public. The public is invited to submit proposed districting plans that comply with the Redistricting Guidelines adopted by the Council. A Public Plan Submission Kit (including census data) is DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 11 available during normal business hours in the office of the City Clerk set forth above. To be considered by the Council, redistricting plans submitted by the public must comply with the Redistricting Guidelines and must be submitted to the office of the City Clerk no later than Noon on November 3, 2022. DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 12 EXHIBIT “2” Instructions for Submitting District Plans for Carmel The procedures for submitting district plans for the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana is set forth in this Public Plan Submission Kit. For your plan to be accepted for consideration these procedures must be strictly followed. This kit contains the following items supplied on written or digital media: 1. A map of the City showing current precinct boundaries in .pdf format. 2. A map of the existing City district plan boundaries in .pdf format. 3. Excerpts of §3.3 of the Carmel City Code describing current districts. 4. A table of existing precincts and corresponding population statistics. 5. A copy of the Guidelines. 6. Instructions and a summary form for submission of district plans. Plans must be submitted in writing (note instructions below concerning provided forms) to the office of the City Clerk during regular business hours no later than noon on November 3, 2022. Plans submitted after this time will not be considered by the Council. Criteria for Submitted Plans Plans must include all territory within the City and meet the following criteria to be considered by the Council. For more detailed discussion concerning these requirements refer to the “Redistricting Guidelines by the Common Council of the City of Carmel, Indiana” document. 1. Districts must be composed of contiguous territory. 2. Districts must be reasonably compact. 3. Districts must be composed (as nearly as possible) of equal population based on 2020 Federal decennial census data. 4. Districts should conform to existing precinct boundary lines (except as allowed by the Guidelines). 5. Districts should not intentionally dilute the voting strength of any language or racial minority group. Census Data Census data is available on the website of the United States Census Bureau at www.census.gov. The Council will only consider plans using official 2020 census data. Submission of Plans Plans submitted for review must be complete plans for the entire City which provide six (6) districts meeting the above criteria. All geographic territory in the City must be included. Plans must be submitted to the office of the City Clerk, Third Floor, One Civic Square, Carmel, IN 46032 no later than noon on November 3, 2022. Plans submitted should include the following items: DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 13 1. Detailed Description. The plan should be described by listing the precincts or portions of precincts (described by census block, roadways or other natural boundaries) assigned to each district. The plan may use the provided form to enter the district assignments, or precinct assignments may be entered on a spreadsheet by the submitter. 2. Summary Sheet. The summary sheet enclosed in the Public Plan Submission Kit must be completed, dated and signed by the submitter. DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 14 EXHIBIT “3” Summary of City of Carmel Council Redistricting Plan The attached plan is submitted for review and consideration by the Carmel Common Council. Submitter Information Name: ________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________ City: ________________________ State: _____________________ Zip: __________________ Daytime Phone: ________________________ Evening Phone: _________________________ Electronic Mail Address: _________________________________________________________ Do you wish to present testimony to the Council regarding this plan? Testimony will be time limited. _______ YES _______ NO Note: Submitted Plans are the property of the City of Carmel and are part of the public record. They are not returnable. Plan Summary District Ideal Population Plan Population Deviation 1 16,626 2 16,626 3 16,626 4 16,626 5 16,626 6 16,626 Note: Ideal Population for Districts is based on the 2020 Census of Population and Housing Bureau of Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. The population counts are contained in the table included in the Public Plan Submission Kit. “Plan Population” is the total number of persons in each of the districts as proposed in the submitted plan. “Deviation” is the positive or negative number obtained by subtracting the Plan Population value from the Ideal Population Value. Date Plan Submitted: _________________________, 2022. Signature of Submitter: ____________________________ DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC 15 If plan is being submitted on behalf of an organization or entity other than the above Submitter, please identity the organization or entity below: Name of Organization: ___________________________________________________________ Address of Organization: _________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________________ Name/Phone Contact: ____________________________________________________________ Electronic Mail Address: _________________________________________________________ Note: Plans must be submitted no later than Noon on November 3, 2022, and meet the requirements contained in the Redistricting Guidelines, adopted by the Council, to be considered by the Council. DocuSign Envelope ID: B4BB984F-AF84-4C32-868B-08D19A03AAFC