2021-09-23 Redistricting Commission minutes (3rd Session)

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MELLON-LACEY: Mr. Chair? Mr. Chair, can you hear me? Sorry I had to come down here. I was trying to do this remotely, but my audio went out. I’ve missed a whole chunk here of what was going on. KOSSOW: Well you actually came in at perfect timing. MELLON-LACEY: When I walked in, I thought there was a motion on the floor. I’m not sure if we’ve ever acted on that motion. KOSSOW: There is currently a motion that’s on the floor regarding to extend the timeline to the end of January. That’s the current motion on the floor and there is a possible amendment, but it needs further discussion. MELLON-LACEY: So if I can just clarify a couple of points. One thing I want to be sure everybody is clear on is that, before you have a draft plan that this Commission has completed, you’re supposed to have finished all of the initial public hearings in each thth district. When I look at this timeline, I think the September 9 through October 13 is kind of preliminary plan that people would be working on. I think the deadline that is kind of critical, is the deadline for the alternate plan for the public which we’ve given as th October 14. Their plans have to be finalized eight weeks prior to the final plan that this body produces. When we start doing the community hearings, it’s not anticipated that you’ve locked into something and that’s it. Because obviously, then you wouldn’t be open to other people’s input. The other thing, and I’m a little confused what you’re asking, Mr. Akamu but, the Mayor can’t give you the extension. The Council can’t give you the extension because it’s in the Charter. The purpose of sending a letter to the Mayor is really just to let him know. I’ve had preliminary discussions with the Corporation Counsel, Judge Strance, regarding this. What was communicated to me from my office is, people need to make an effort to try to meet this timeline because we couldn’t go forward with something to change the deadline and can’t show that we’re actively trying to meet the deadline and a reason for the extension being necessary. So, if this body wants to extend the timeline, then I would have to have that discussion that you’re requesting, Mr. Akamu, with Ms. Strance to determine what our office would do. It would probably be something like writ of mandamus that was provided because it’s not something that the Mayor or the Council have the authority to give. It’s in our Charter and to change the Charter is a monumental undertaking so it could never be completed prior to when this is due. It requires special action. I hope that helps. YOSHINA: This is Dwayne. KOSSOW: Mr. Yoshina. YOSHINA: Yes, thank you. So are you saying then that, assuming that everybody agrees, we’d have to go to the Supreme Court for this? MELLON-LACEY: Well, I think that we start with our local court. It has to be given by the court because it’s our Charter. 17