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292 <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards asked if reversion costs will increase if the process taken longer than <br />anticipated and if funding for reversion is contained in the budget. <br /> <br /> Mr. O'Connell replied that it is possible that costs for reversion could increase, but the <br />budget contains no funding for reversion. Additional funding, if needed, would be made by <br />an appropriation by Council from the General Fund. <br /> <br /> The meeting was adjoUrned. <br />President ~ <br /> <br />Cle~lc/ <br /> <br />NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING <br /> <br />A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, April 1 i, 1997 <br />AT t2:00 noon IN THE Second Floor Conference Room. <br /> <br />THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: <br /> <br />Reversion discussion/Meeting with voting district conSUltant <br /> <br />BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR <br /> <br />BY Jeanne Cox (signed) <br /> <br />SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM - April 11, 1997 <br /> <br /> Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. <br />Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano. <br /> <br /> Mr. Clyde Gouldman, City Attorney, said that progress is being made on appointment <br />of a special commissioner to verify the petition signatures. <br /> <br /> Dr. Rudolph Wilson, a Professor at Norfolk State University, the consultant proposed <br />to complete a study of potential voting districts should the City revert to town status, <br />explained that any changes in the voting districts or structure will have to be submitted to the <br />Justice Department for approval, and a major focus will be on whether a fair opportunity has <br />been provided for inclusion of minority representation. <br /> <br /> Mr. Toscano asked if the assumption is that Justice Department clearance would be <br />required after a vote for reversion, and whether it would be possible to have reversion and a <br />situation where districts could not be drawn to satisfy the Justice Department. <br /> <br /> Dr. Wilson replied that his assumption is that Justice Department clearance would <br />occur after reversion, and said that creation of voting districts usually are no problem unless <br />there is shown to be overt acts of discrimination, especially if, all parties are satisfied. Dr. <br />Wilson said that it would not be required to create any districts that are majority <br />African-American unless there would be obvious discrimination in not doing so. Dr. Wilson <br />said that another issue considered is whether candidates for election are residents' candidate <br />of choice. Dr. Wilson said that the 1990 census information would be used to determine the <br />new voting districts. <br /> <br /> Responding to a question from Mr: Cox, Dr. Wilson said fair opportunity for inclusion <br />would be defined using demographics'and history? - <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter.asked if the Justice Department would conSider:the actual:'~6hoOl. ' ~ <br />population when approving districts, for school l~ard elections, referring t°' th~"h~'t~hat the <br />African-American population in the City Schools is significantly higher than that in the <br />general population. Dr. Wilson replied that school boards generally have a larger <br />membership than local governments and it may be necessary to adjust the formula for ele~tli>n <br />of a school board to address that, though there is no legal requirement to do so. <br /> <br /> <br />