MEETING OF THE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
January 20, 2011
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of Houston Community College met as a Redistricting
Committee on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at the HCC Administration Building, 2nd
Floor, 3100 Main in Seminar Room A, Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Christopher W. Oliver, Chair
Mary Ann Perez, Committee Member
Richard M. Schechter, Committee Member
Dr. Michael P. Williams, Alternate Committee Member
Bruce Austin
Eva Loredo
Sandie Mullins
Neeta Sane
ADMINISTRATION
Mary Spangler, Chancellor
Art Tyler, Deputy Chancellor/COO
Doretha Eason, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor
Renee Byas, General Counsel
William Carter, Vice Chancellor, Information Technology
Charles Cook, Vice Chancellor, Instruction
Diana Pino, Vice Chancellor, Student Services
Margaret Ford Fisher, President, Northeast College
Fena Garza, President, Southwest College
William Harmon, President, Central College
Zachary Hodges, President, Northwest College
Irene Porcarello, President, Southeast College
Betty Young, President, Coleman College
Willie Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer
OTHERS PRESENT
Kim James, System Counsel, Bracewell & Giuliani
Gene Locke, Counsel, Andrews Kurth
Karun Sreerama, Master Planner, ESPA
Alan Ainsworth, President, Faculty Senate
Other administrators, citizens and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Oliver, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:13 p.m. and declared
the Board convened to consider matters pertaining to Houston Community College as
listed on the duly posted Meeting Notice.
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Redistricting Committee – January 20, 2011 - Page 2
DISCUSSION REGARDING REDISTRICTING
Motion – Mrs. Perez moved and Mr. Schechter seconded.
Mr. Gene Locke informed that 2011 is an important year for HCC Trustees and the
voters in their jurisdiction. He noted that the law requires the district lines for HCC’s
single-member district to be redrawn in order to equalize the population in each
district.
Mr. Locke informed that the 2010 census data would be utilized for the redistricting
process and noted the process would entail (1) Board’s consideration, (2) citizens’
input, (3) identifying an agreed upon redistricting plan, and (4) pre-clearance
(approval) by the U.S. Department of Justice. He informed that each member has a
voting population to protect and noted that each member district will experience some
change.
Mr. Locke provided an overview of the tasks necessary to complete the redistricting
process and a proposed timeline for completing the tasks as follows:
Task 1: March – April 30, 2011
• Compute actual population for nine Trustee districts
• Meet with each Trustee individually to answer questions
• Review previous submissions to Department of Justice (DOJ) for extracting of
relevant information
• Compile results of recent HCC elections and results in elections of Alief ISD
and North Forest ISD
• Prepare polarization analysis and prepare summary tables
• Prepare draft Priorities and Principles for Redistricting for Board discussion
Task 2: May 1 – June 15, 2011
• Board adopts resolution establishing the Priorities and Principals for
Redistricting
• Prepare a Redistricting Plan for review
• Offer Redistricting Plan to Board for input
• Prepare analysis of Redistricting Plan
• Set dates for public hearings
Task 3: June 15 – July 10, 2011
• Hold public hearings on Redistricting Plan
• Prepare final plan
• Set final hearing and adoption
Tasks 4: July 10 – August 14, 2011
• Board adopts final Redistricting Plan
• Submission to DOJ
• Provide copy of DOJ submission to Board
• Respond to DOJ as needed
Houston Community College
Redistricting Committee – January 20, 2011 - Page 3
Task 5: July 10 – November 2011
• Coordinate with HCC regarding the election process
• DOJ pre-clearance
Task 6: October – November 2011
• Respond to litigation as needed
Mr. Locke also informed that the census data should be available as early as the
middle of February and noted that he did not want to predict the census peradventure
but would like to present information to the full Board at February meeting. He noted
that model plans would be presented once meetings have been held and input has
been received from the Board. He noted that the deadline to have the plan adopted
by the Board would be September or October 2011.
Mr. Locke apprised that those Trustee districts up for re-election in 2011, which are
IV, V, and IX would probably have to utilize the current population. He noted that
there is a possibly that discussion will have to be held with the DOJ for pre-clearance
Mr. Austin inquired if there is a requirement to adhere to Section V of the Voter’s
Right Act and relating to pre-clearance asked Mr. Locke to elaborate. Mr. Locke
informed that there are two requirements relating to the Voter’s Right Act, Section II
and Section V. He noted that Section II is relating to prohibition against discrimination
of ethnic minorities and Section V requires pre-clearance of any plans. He apprised
that there is a procedure in place for submission for pre-clearance.
(Mrs. Perez stepped out at 3:27 p.m. and returned at 3:28 p.m.)
Mr. Austin informed that demographic data is utilized in regards to the block level and
demographic maps and noted that it would be good to have the ability to adapt
according to the GIS data. He noted that the same data should be able to use to
provide clarity.
Mr. Austin asked counsel to report the implications of the Barkley Strickland case and
provide an analysis of the case. Mr. Locke informed that there are several cases that
will be provided to give an analysis of data.
Mr. Austin asked counsel to review the analysis of the state laws regarding
redistricting.
Mrs. Sane asked if there are any timelines or restraints regarding the redistricting
requirements. Mr. Locke informed that the basic laws states that governmental
bodies upon receipt of data should proceed with the redistricting process. He noted
that the risk of improperly moving forward with the redistricting could cause for
litigation as well as having to answer to the DOJ as to the process delayed.
Mrs. Perez apprised that the public hearings will show transparency on behalf of the
college.
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Redistricting Committee – January 20, 2011 - Page 4
Ms. Mullins asked if the hearings will be just downtown or if they would be throughout
the district service areas. Mr. Locke informed that his recommendation would be to
hold multiple throughout the district.
Mr. Schechter inquired if the process could be completed by July 2011. Mr. Locke
informed that a July 2011 deadline is possible if there are no holdups.
Mr. Oliver noted that he and Mr. Austin were members during the last redistricting
process and noted that the schedule will move forward upon receipt of the census
data.
Mr. Schechter asked if the Board needed to adopt the timeline presented. Mr. Locke
informed that the timeline was for information purposes only.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:37 p.m.
Recorded and Submitted by:
Sharon R. Wright, Manager, Board Services
Minutes Approved: