§ 2.2. Wards.

(a)

Number. The City comprises 13 wards, designated by number. If possible, a redistricted ward keeps the number of the former ward from which its population mostly came.

(b)

Characteristics. The wards must be as equal in population as practicable. Each ward must—

(1)

not have a population more than five percent over or under the mean ward population, according to—

(A)

the latest decennial federal census; or

(B)

a special computation or enumeration ordered by the Charter Commission with respect to any particular block or tract, computed or enumerated as of the same time and in the same manner as the latest decennial federal census;

(2)

consist of a compact, contiguous area, not longer than twice its width, whose boundaries lie wherever possible along the centerline of public ways and, as far as practicable, run due north-south or east-west. A lake, waterway, or other body of water within a ward does not affect these characteristics; and

(3)

minimize change in existing boundaries, except as necessary in order to effect the foregoing criteria.

(c)

Redistricting.

(1)

Policy. The City must redistrict the wards, as this section 2.2(c) provides—

(A)

after each decennial federal census;

(B)

as required by general or special law or by judicial decree; or

(C)

when the number of wards changes;

and may not otherwise redistrict them.

(2)

Commission. For this section 2.2(c)'s purposes, the "Commission" means the Charter Commission.

(A)

Advisory group. The Commission must appoint an advisory group of up to nine eligible voters in the City, who will advise the Commission about redistricting.

(i)

Qualifications. Each advisory-group member must be a eligible voter in the City who has not, within the two years of being appointed—

(I)

held any elected public office;

(II)

appeared on a ballot listing his or her partisan affiliation in any election;

(III)

worked as an employee of any political party (as defined by the Minnesota election law); or

(IV)

worked as an employee for the City in any capacity other than as an election judge.

(ii)

Application. Each applicant for the advisory group must submit an application to the City Clerk on a form that the Commission has approved. The Commission must accept applications for at least 45 days.

(iii)

Diversity. The Commission must appoint the advisory group with due regard for diversity.

(3)

Schedule. Subject to any applicable ordinance, general or special law, or judicial decree:

(A)

Plan. The Commission must adopt a ward-boundary plan, which includes each ward's population and boundaries—

(i)

after a decennial census, as the Minnesota election law provides;

(ii)

when required by law or judicial decree, as the law or decree provides; or

(iii)

when the number of wards changes, 60 days after the amendment takes effect (even if the change takes effect later).

(B)

Public hearings. The Commission must hold at least four public hearings before adopting a ward-boundary plan, and must hold at least two of those hearings after—

(i)

giving public notice of a draft plan or plans for at least seven days before each hearing; and

(ii)

inviting comments from each neighborhood organization recognized by the City Council.

(C)

Adoption. The Commission adopts a ward-boundary plan by a majority of its membership at a meeting of which it has given public notice. The adopted plan takes effect when the Commission files it with the City Clerk.

(D)

Applicability. A ward-boundary plan applies to the first general election for which filing opens after the plan takes effect. A plan does not affect the eligibility or term of any incumbent holding office when the plan takes effect, and does not apply to any special election held before the next regular election.

(4)

Funding. The City Council must provide for the staff and other resources that the Commission needs.

(5)

Ordinances. The City Council may enact any necessary or prudent ordinance implementing this section 2.2(c). No such ordinance applies to any redistricting process that begins within 30 days.

(6)

Jurisdiction. The district court enjoys original jurisdiction over any case arising out of redistricting under this section 2.2(c).

( Ord. No. 2016-086 , § 1, 12-9-16, eff. 3-12-17)