The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Sp...ollege, Codwell Hall, 555 Community College Drive, Houston, Texas, 7700
MEETING OF THE
REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE
OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
April 23, 2001
Minutes
The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a meeting of the Redistricting Committee on
April 23, 2001, at the HCCS Administration Building, Chancellors Conference Room, 12th Floor, 3100 Main,
Houston, Texas.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Bruce Austin, Chair
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Herlinda Garcia
James R. Murphy
Michael P. Williams, D.Min.
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Herman Litt
ADMINISTRATION
Bruce H. Leslie, Chancellor
Jose Villarreal, Vice Chancellor, Economic Development
Isabel Nart, Director, Governmental Relations
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Sp...ollege, Codwell Hall, 555 Community College Drive, Houston, Texas, 7700
Brenda Cox, Interim Assistant to the Chancellor
OTHERS PRESENT
Maureen Singleton, Bracewell & Patterson
Gene Locke, Andrews & Kurth, L.L.P.
Rolando Rios, Law Offices of Rolando Rios
Richard Murray, University of Houston
Other administrators, staff and representatives from the news media
CALL TO ORDER
Mr. Austin called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and declared the meeting convened to consider matters
pertaining to the Houston Community College System as listed on the duly posted meeting notice.
HCCS 2000 REDISTRICTING
Gene Locke reviewed legal considerations that govern the redistricting process. The "one person one vote" rule
requires local governments to draw districts that are "substantially equal in population," with a maximum ten percent
deviation in population between the
largest and smallest districts. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ensures protection against racial, ethnic and language
minority discrimination. Mr. Locke explained that the final plan must have preclearance from the Department of
Justice. The Department may refuse to preclear a plan that would lead to retrogression of minority voters.
Preclearance is required before the next trustee election in November 2001.
Mr. Rios gave an analysis of population trends based on 2000 census data released by the Department of
Commerce. Mr. Locke indicated that a number of alternative plans would be developed, beginning with a plan most
like the existing one based on legal considerations. He stated that the firms goal in representing HCCS is threefold:
(1) to provide a legally defensible plan that will pass the Justice Department and one that could be successfully
defended in case of a lawsuit, (2) to provide a plan that is politically acceptable to the Board; and (3) to provide a
plan that is professional and easy to work with. The redistricting team plans to meet with each Board Member to
obtain feedback on the process.
At that point, the firm will develop priorities and principles for redistricting for adoption by the Board. This document
will provide the basic framework for developing a plan that complies with the Voting Rights Act. The Board will have
an opportunity to review the plan (or plans) at a special meeting to be called in June. Public Hearings will be held in
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The Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System held a Sp...ollege, Codwell Hall, 555 Community College Drive, Houston, Texas, 7700
June and July. Mr. Locke recommended holding at least three hearings and no more than six. The redistricting team
will conduct the hearings and a quorum of the Board is not required.
In July and August the Board will adopt the final redistricting plan and Mr. Locke will prepare for submission to the
Department of Justice. He anticipates that preclearance could be expected within 60 75 days. If there are no
challenges from the Justice Department or plaintiffs, HCCS would conduct elections as usual in November and the
election would be called based upon the new plan. He cautioned that a legal challenge would attempt to enjoin
HCCS from holding elections in which case the sitting Board Member would continue to serve until the matter is
resolved
By September or October Mr. Locke should know of any opposition from either the Justice Department or plaintiffs.
He advised that a clean, open process goes a long way in diffusing challenges. The Board Chair asked Mr. Locke
and the team to give a presentation at the upcoming Board Meeting for the benefit of Board Members unable to
attend todays meeting. Dr. Leslie stated that Ms. Nart would serve as primary contact for redistricting matters.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by:
__
Linda Gray, Administrative Assistant
Board Services
Reviewed, Finalized and Submitted by:
__
Herman Litt, Secretary
Board of Trustees
Minutes Approved:
_____________________________
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