6.1. SR 10-10-2011Item #_CL1.
Cry a!
Elk MEMORANDUM
River
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Robert D. Thistle
DATE: October 10, 201 I
SUBJECT: Cities Urged to Offer Comments on Impact of Redistricting
Councilmember Paul Motin has expressed a willingness to attend the public hearing to be
held in Saint Cloud on October 13 on behalf of the City of Elk River. We think it would be a
good idea for the Council to discuss how we would like re-districting for Elk River to
proceed.
I have registered Paul as a presenter in St. Cloud.
Background on Hearing Schedule
A series of public hearings will be held throughout the state in October. (Published Sep
22, 2011)
Now that both the Minnesota Special Judicial Redistricting Panel and the Citizens'
Redistricting Commission have begun the process of gathering information to guide
legislative and congressional redistricting, it is important for cities to submit comments and
concerns about how the panel will draw new election boundaries for state legislative and
congressional districts.
In October cities have the opportunity to provide important insights to identify communities
of interest that should be maintained within the new legislative or congressional districts that
the panel is responsible for creating.
The five-judge Special Redistricting Panel appointed by Minnesota State Supreme Court
Justice Laurie Gildea has announced a series of public hearings to be held throughout the
state during the month of October. Members of the public interested in testifying will have
up to five minutes to address the panel at one of the eight locations listed below.
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Hearing schedule
The public hearings are to be conducted from 6:30-8:30 p.m. The dates and locations are:
Oct. 4-Bloomington
Bloomington Civic Plaza
1800 W. Old Shakopee Road
Oct. 5-St. Paul
Minnesota Judicial Center
Courtroom #300
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Oct. 6-Minneapolis
John B. Davis Educational Service Center
807 Broadway Street Northeast
Oct.10-Cloquet
Fond du Lac Tribal Community College Amphitheater
2101 Fourteenth Street
Oct. 11- Bemidji
Beltrami County Administration Building
County Board Meeting Room
701 Minnesota Ave. NW
Oct. 12-Moorhead
City Hall Council Chambers
500 Center Ave.
Oct.13-St. Cloud
Stearns County Admin. Center
Board Room A
705 Courthouse Square
Oct. 14-Mankato
Blue Earth County Justice Center
Jury Assembly Room
401 Carver Road
Important points about redistricting
This is an opportunity for cities to make the members of the special redistricting panel aware
of the geography and changes that have occurred in the community since the 2002
redistricting, including neighborhoods, matters of historical importance, and significant
features that distinguish the city. In addition, testimony, whether oral or written, can inform
judicial panel members about the key social and economic circumstances that help define the
community as well as any regional matters of significance to the city.
The demographics of the city are also important to emphasize, including the age range of the
city population, languages spoken, education, and employment. In addition, point out any
major employers uz the area and school district boundaries as well as traffic patterns that
influence the flow of commerce and access to other locations beyond the city limits.
Finally, comments on redistricting can emphasize important local interests and
circumstances that either distinguish the city from other locations in the immediate area or
are similar to those of other nearby cities.
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To inquire about opportunities to testify, call (855) 245-0849.
• Learn more about the public hearings from the Judicial Branch website
Other ways to give your testimony
If the city does not have an opportunity to provide oral testimony, it is possible to submit
written comments by Oct. 21. Deliver one original and one copy of the written statement at
one of the public hearings or send one original and one copy of the statement by U.S. mail
to:
Minnesota Special Redistricting Panel
c/o Bridget Gernander, Clerk of Appellate Courts
305 Minnesota Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Statements may also be transmitted by e-mail to: StateRedistrictingPanel@courts.state.mn.us
Once public hearings have concluded, opportunity remains for interested parties to provide
additional proposed redistricting criteria. Following the public hearings, the special
redistricting panel will establish its redistricting principles and announce the scheduling for,
submissions of redistricting plans to be submitted by interested parties.
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