Laserfiche WebLink
Conference Call with Redistricting Attorney Bob Bass <br />(If Mayor is elected at- large) <br />June 15, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. <br />Those attending the meeting were Mayor Hashmi, Council Member Lancaster, Council Member <br />Pickle, City Manager John Godwin, City Attorney Kent McIlyar and City Clerk Janice Ellis. <br />Redistricting Attorney Bob Bass met with the group via telephone conference call. <br />For background information, Attorney Bob Bass was the consultant/attorney who was hired to <br />assist the City during the re- districting process in 2011, following the 2010 US Census. <br />The purpose of the meeting was to ask Mr. Bass questions about the feasibility and process for <br />amending the City Charter to provide for election of the City Mayor by citizens of Paris rather <br />than by nomination and appointment. There was also discussion about redistricting of current <br />City Council Districts and what is allowed under the Voting Rights Act. <br />Mayor Hashmi inquired if it was possible to maintain the seven single- member districts and have <br />the Mayor elected at -large by the citizens without having to re- district the existing seven single - <br />member districts. Council Member Pickle wanted to explore having a hybrid system, such as <br />having four single member districts and three at -large districts with the mayor being elected at- <br />large. Council Member Lancaster said she would like to maintain the seven districts but have the <br />mayor elected at -large by the citizens. <br />Mr. Bass responded that if the City Council wants to keep the existing seven single- member <br />districts, they could add an eighth at -large position on the City Council for the Mayor to be <br />elected by the citizens of Paris. He also said that it was feasible to redistrict and remap the <br />current seven council districts down to six single- member districts and have the City Mayor <br />elected at large every two years. Mr. Bass said that it would be difficult to convert seven single - <br />member districts to a hybrid arrangement with 4 single- member districts and 3 at -large districts <br />and maintain those current majority- minority districts in Paris. He is not confident that the <br />Department of Justice would approve such a change and that it could lead to a Voting Rights Act <br />challenge. <br />Mr. McIlyar added that if City Council were to change to a seven plus one system, that would <br />create an 8- member City Council and potential for more tie votes, 4 to 4, unless they amend <br />Charter to say that Mayor votes only when necessary to break a tie vote. Attorney Bass said the <br />best option for creating a Mayor at Large elected by citizens would be to reduce the seven single - <br />member districts down to six single- member districts and have the Mayor elected at large by the <br />citizens every two years. <br />Mr. Bass closed by saying that it would be very important to get community buy -in on any <br />proposed changes to the current City Council and Mayor electoral system. He said that the City <br />Council could appoint a charter review committee to study these issues and make <br />recommendations to City Council. The committee should be made up of members representing <br />