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292 Ms. Richards asked if reversion costs will increase if the process taken longer than anticipated and if funding for reversion is contained in the budget. Mr. O'Connell replied that it is possible that costs for reversion could increase, but the budget contains no funding for reversion: Additional funding, if needed, would be made by an appropriation by Council from the General Fund. The meeting was adjourned. President ~ Cte NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON Friday, April 11, 1997 AT 12:00 noon IN THE Second Floor Conference Room. THE PROPOSED AGENDA IS AS FOLLOWS: Reversion discussion/Meeting with voting district consultant BY ORDER OF THE MAYOR BY Jeanne Cox (signed) SECOND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM - April 11, 1997 Council met in special session on this date with the following members present: Mr. Cox, Ms. Daugherty, Ms. Richards, Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Toscano. Mr. Clyde Gouldman, City Attorney, said that progress is being made on appointment of a special commissioner to verify the petition signatures. Dr. Rudolph Wilson, a Professor at Norfolk State University, the consultant proposed to complete a study of potential voting districts should the City revert to town status, explained that any changes in the voting districts or structure will have to be submitted to the Justice Department for approval, and a major focus will be on whether a fair opportunity has been provided for inclusion of minority representation. Mn Toscano asked if the assumption is that Justice Department clearance would be required after a vote for reversion, and whether it would be possible to have reversion and a situation where districts could not be drawn to satisfy the Justice Department. Dn Wilson replied that his assumption is that Justice Department clearance would occur after reversion, and said that creation of voting districts usually are no problem unless there is shown to be oven acts of discrimination, .especially if all parties are satisfied. Dr. Wilson said that it would not be required to create any districts that are majority African-American unless there would be obvious discrimination in not doing so. Dr. Wilson said that another issue considered is whether candidates for election are residents' candidate of choice. Dr. Wilson said that the 1990 census information would be used to determine the new voting districts. Responding to a question from Mr. Cox, Dr. Wilson said fair oPportunity for inclusion would be defined using demographics and history,~. : ~' ~'" Ms. Slaughter~asked if the Justice Department would consider'the actu~tl':~6hoo!. ' 'i population when appi~oving districts for school b/~'~d elections, referring t0'the"P~{ :that the. African-American population in the City Schools is significantly higher than-that in the general population. Dr. Wilson replied that school boards generally have a larger membership than local governments and it may be necessary to adjust the fomaula for electibn: of a school board to address that, though there is no legal requirement to do so.