By Jennifer Stein, Special to Independent Newsmedia

Peoria is asking for feedback on the final maps to redistrict the city council boundaries.

Following the first phase of Peoria’s redistricting process, which included a series of open houses and a citizen map submission process, the city council received an update from the staff Redistricting Committee.

The Committee presented an overview of the feedback received, including the 39 maps received through the online mapping application and recommendation for five finalist maps. The next step in the process seeks input from residents to assist council in their selection of a final map. The public is encouraged to attend any one of six open houses or visit www.peoriaaz.gov/redistricting to review the finalist maps and provide feedback. Feedback must be received by April 21, 2017 in order to be considered.

Redistricting is required pursuant to Peoria’s City Charter after a mid-decade census count to rebalance each of Peoria’s six council districts to have substantially equal population in time for the 2018 elections. This redistricting does not impact school districts.

A staff Redistricting Committee has been coordinating the public engagement process, which began with open houses January 19 through January 26.  Three legal requirements must be incorporated into the map building: districts must have substantially equal population, must be in compliance with the Voting Rights Act and must be contiguous. Other criteria adopted by Council included that districts should be compact, follow visible or man-made boundaries, not contain more than one master-planned age restricted community, preserve communities of interest, and strive for continuity in office.

For more information on Redistricting and the open houses, call 623-773-7282 and visit www.peoriaaz.gov/redistricting.

Editor’s note: Ms. Stein is the Communications Director for the city of Peoria.

 

If you go
Open houses to provide feedback on the finalist maps will take place between April 11–13, 2017. In true open house format, residents may visit any time between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and have been scheduled for:

April 11, 2017
4 p.m.–7 p.m.

• Pinnacle Peak Police Station
23100 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy.
Community  Room
• Maranatha Baptist Church
9120 N. 95th Ave.
Fellowship Hall

April 12, 2017
4 p.m.–7 p.m.
• Sunrise Mountain Library
21109 N. 98th Ave.
Storytime Room
• New Life Community Church
8155 W. Thunderbird Ave.
Starting Point Room

April 13, 2017
4 p.m.–7 p.m.
• Copper Hills Church
27035 N. Black Rock Blvd.
South Building – Conference Room
• Peoria Community Center
8335 W. Jefferson St.
Saddleback Room