The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) is working to confront challenges to scheduling public forums in every City Council district given the recent move to Stage-4 of COVID precautions. The commissioners have replaced some in-person meetings with virtual meetings and have also added two virtual meetings to their schedule – Full schedule below. These forums are the ICRC's primary method of receiving public feedback related to the redistricting of the 10 Austin city council boundaries.
"One of the biggest challenges this commission has faced in getting the word out to the public that these forums are happening has been COVID," said Commissioner Dr. Sterling Lands. "People are afraid to congregate, so we are hosting some public forums online via Zoom."
After the Austin City Library closed its branches when the city moved to Stage-4 of COVID precautions, Tuesday's District 6 Public Forum, among others, has moved to a virtual format. The public can still attend the District 6 public forum 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, via Zoom – Details below.
The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (ICRC) continues to focus on gathering feedback in each of the districts as it waits for the 2020 Census data to redraw the boundaries for the 10 city council districts and will host in-person public forums in accordance with Austin Public Health safety guidelines.
Adjusted Schedule of remaining ICRC public forums:
- Tuesday, August 3, 2021, 6-8 p.m., District 6 via Videoconferencing,
Join Zoom Meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/93834842830?pwd=ajNDNzhYRHFDeWxEQ3RFSmh6MExBUT09
Meeting ID: 938 3484 2830
Passcode: 7Fn9ST
- Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, 1-3 p.m., District 3 via Videoconferencing,
Join Zoom Meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/97196422290?pwd=cjVzNDRzNDJ2R09VRk9ML2h3am1jdz09
Meeting ID: 971 9642 2290
Passcode: cwKV8g
- Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, 6-8 p.m., District 2 at Mendez Middle School, 5106 Village Square Dr., Austin, TX 78744
- Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021, 1-3 p.m., District 1 at George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina St., Austin, TX 78702
- Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, 6-8 p.m., District 5 via Videoconferencing,
Join Zoom Meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/97858938245?pwd=RDNmdzNMcFZnaHZiU2tFTHRYUEJpZz09
Meeting ID: 978 5893 8245
Passcode: 1pHMxp
- Saturday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m.-noon, Virtual Public Forum No. 1 via Videoconferencing,
Join Zoom Meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/98899977402?pwd=MW9hS05WMmJOTWVsK1ZFeFJOYXpVUT09
Meeting ID: 988 9997 7402
Passcode: dFc0nd
- Friday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Virtual Public Forum No. 2, via Videoconferencing,
Join Zoom Meeting at: https://zoom.us/j/99080158693?pwd=cjZRODhCYTY3dGwvQzN0NkhtUWoxQT09
Meeting ID: 990 8015 8693
Passcode: H639E4c
Interpretation and/or translation services in Spanish, Chinese, or Vietnamese are available free of charge by advance request. Call 311 or email matthew.dugan@austintexas.gov to request these services 48-hours in advance of a forum.
Public input forums are recorded and made available after the meetings here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live.
Past meetings and agendas can be viewed on the commission's website at: www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/116_1.htm
About the ICRC
The volunteer board of commissioners wants to learn about the unique characteristics of Austin's communities from community members themselves. Community members are familiar with their neighborhoods and have crucial feedback to help the commissioners determine the areas that should remain intact and/or be grouped together. This way they are inviting the public to these public forums.
These volunteers are committed to drawing up a fair, impartial, and inclusive city district map. At these forums, attendees will hear from the ICRC about the process being followed to create the new City Council district maps.
The goal is to have a new district map approved in November.
To contact ICRC commissioners or leave feedback please email: icrc.commissioners@austintexas.gov or by direct mail: Housing and Planning Department, Attn: ICRC, P.O. Box 1088, Austin, Texas 78767.
To find City Council Districts in Austin visit this link and type in an address: https://www.austintexas.gov/GIS/CouncilDistrictMap/
ICRC Information
Commissioners are: Joshua Blank (District 8), Sara Inés Calderón (D2), Erin Dempsey (D10), Camellia Falcon (D7), Luis Gonzalez (D10, Vice-Chair), Errol Hardin (D1), Shaina Kambo (D9), Prabhu Kannan (D5), Dr. Sterling Lands (D4), Hoang Le (D8), Brigham Morris (D3), Christina Puentes (D7, Chair), Eugene Schneider (D6) and Selina Yee (D1).
The ICRC board will hold its weekly commission meeting via videoconferencing 6 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021.
To join the Zoom meeting visit:
https://zoom.us/j/98278207374?pwd=eEhDSFpzNjVlZWFXNGcyYWpOKzZvZz09
Login credentials: Meeting ID: 982 7820 7374 Passcode: iqY34Q
