LEGAL NOTICE

 

Approximately every ten years after the release of the decennial U.S. Census data, the City of Geneva examines its City Council district boundaries to assess the need for changes. The districts are reviewed to assess the appropriateness of the updated population figures with required objectives for fair voting districts. The City is utilizing the Southeast Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission (SEARP&DC) who is using GIS software for analysis and development of updated district plans. The SEARP&DC previously assisted with the changes to the City Council district boundaries after the 2010 U.S. Census.

 

The district plan analysis began through comparing the 2020 U.S. Census population with the existing districts in order to assess if the district populations remained within the accepted population deviation. The most important component of redistricting is “one person – one vote”, which was prevalently instituted after the Baker v. Carr 1962 Supreme Court decision that disallowed districts with substantially varying populations. Subsequent court cases have allowed local government redistricting plans to have a deviation of up to ten percent (10%) between the highest and lowest populated districts.

 

Outcomes of the proposed Plan include changing the districts from a current more than 40% population deviation to a 7.68% population deviation, maintaining District 1 as a strong majority-minority district, and maintaining contiguous districts.

 

 

 

LEGAL NOTICE OF A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY OF GENEVA PROPOSED REDISTRICTING PLAN

 

Notice is given that the Geneva City Council will meet in public session and conduct a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on April 1, 2024, in the Council Chambers in the Geneva City Hall, located at 517 South Commerce Street, Geneva, Alabama, for the purpose of considering proposed changes to the City Council’s voting district boundaries. A copy of the proposed ordinance and voting district map is published below and is also available for public review through April 1, 2024, at the office of the City Clerk at 517 South Commerce Street, Geneva, Alabama 36340, during normal business hours. Notice is further given that anyone interested in being heard on this matter may do so by attending and speaking at the scheduled public hearing or by giving written comments addressed to the City of Geneva, RE: Redistricting, P.O. Box 37, Geneva, AL 36340. Written comments must be received prior to 5:30 p.m. on April 1, 2024.

 

 

            PROPOSED ORDINANCE

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GENEVA TO ADJUST THE BOUNDARIES OF COUNCIL DISTRICTS FOR THE CITY OF GENEVA PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY OF SECTION 11-46-23, CODE OF ALABAMA, 1975.

 

WHEREAS, Section 11-46-23 of the Code of Alabama, 1975, as amended, authorizes the City Council to alter the boundaries of the council districts; and

 

WHEREAS, the City of Geneva is divided into seven (7) Council districts; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Council, upon reviewing the 2020 Census data, has determined that changes in the population of each district warrant adjustments to the district boundaries to ensure equality in the voting process; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Council has presented to the public a map depicting proposed changes to the district boundaries and has provided the public an opportunity to comment on said changes at a public hearing held on April 1, 2024; and

 

WHEREAS, the City Council has duly considered public comments regarding the proposed changes;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GENEVA, ALABAMA AS FOLLOWS:

 

SECTION 1: Pursuant to the authority contained in Section 11-46-23, Code of Alabama, 1975, the City Council of the City of Geneva, Alabama, does hereby readjust and reestablish the boundary lines of the seven (7) Council Districts of the City and the territory composing each such district for purposes of City Council elections such that hereafter, said districts shall be and are described as follows:

 

DISTRICT 1:

 

That certain area in the City of Geneva, Alabama lying within the following described district boundary:

 

Beginning at a point of intersection of West State Highway 52 and the western boundary of the City of Geneva; thence southeast along the centerline of West State Highway 52 to its intersection with West Maple Avenue; thence continue southeast along the centerline of West Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 196) to its intersection with West Fleming Avenue; thence east along the centerline of West Fleming Avenue to its intersection with North Pleasant Street; thence south along the centerline of North Pleasant Street to its intersection with West Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 196); thence southeast along the centerline of West Magnolia Avenue to its intersection with South Cherokee Street; thence north along the centerline of South Cherokee Street to its intersection with West Campbell Avenue; thence east along the centerline of West Campbell Avenue to its intersection with North Choctaw Street; thence north along the centerline of North Choctaw Street to its intersection with West Hart Avenue; thence east along the centerline of West Hart Avenue to its intersection with North Morris Street; thence south along the centerline of North Morris Street to its intersection with East Campbell Avenue; thence east along the centerline of East Campbell Avenue to its intersection with South Merritt Street; thence south along the centerline of South Merritt Street to its intersection with East Promenade Avenue and Earl Minshew Street; thence continue southeast and south along the centerline of Earl Minshew Street to its intersection with East Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 27); thence southwest along the centerline of Earl Minshew Street to its intersection with East Westville Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of East Westville Avenue to its intersection with South Academy Street; thence northeast along the centerline of South Academy Street to its intersection with East Magnolia Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of East Magnolia Avenue to its intersection with South Commerce Street; thence south-southeast and southwest along the centerline of South Commerce Street to its intersection with East Westville Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of East Westville Avenue to its intersection with the Geneva Levee; thence generally northwest along the Geneva Levee to its intersection with Sizemore Highway (State Highway 27); thence southwest along the centerline of Sizemore Highway to its intersection with the Pea River; thence generally northwest along the Pea River to its intersection with the western boundary of the City of Geneva; thence generally north along the western boundary of the City of Geneva to its intersection with West State Highway 52, being the point of beginning.

 

DISTRICT 2:

 

That certain area in the City of Geneva, Alabama lying within the following described district boundary:

 

Beginning at a point of intersection of the Pea River and the western boundary of the City of Geneva; thence generally southeast along the Pea River to its intersection with Sizemore Highway (State Highway 27); thence southwest along the centerline of Sizemore Highway to its intersection with East Skyline Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of East Skyline Avenue to its intersection with Hand Mill Creek; thence generally south along Hand Mill Creek to its intersection with an unnamed lake adjacent to the Lakeside Estates and Sherwood Forest subdivisions; thence generally southwest and southeast along the eastern shore of the unnamed  lake to its intersection with Hand Mill Creek; thence south along Hand Mill Creek to its intersection with East Franklin Avenue; thence west along the centerline of East Franklin Avenue to its intersection with South Ward Street; thence southwest along the centerline of South Ward Street to its intersection with the southern boundary of the City of Geneva; thence west and north along the boundary of the City of Geneva to its intersection with the Pea River, being the point of beginning.

 

DISTRICT 3:

 

That certain area in the City of Geneva, Alabama lying within the following described district boundary:

 

Beginning at a point of intersection of East Maple Avenue (State Highway 52) and North Live Oak Street; thence north along the centerline of North Live Oak Street to its intersection with the public right-of-way formerly known as Carver Avenue; thence east along the centerline of the public right-of-way to its intersection with the public right-of-way formerly known as East Booker Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of the public right-of-way to the terminus of East Booker Avenue; thence continue southeast along the centerline of East Booker Avenue to its intersection with East Quarterman Johnson Avenue; thence northeast along the centerline of East Quarterman Johnson Avenue to its intersection with North Commerce Street; thence east along the centerline of the public right-of-way formerly known as East Quarterman Johnson Avenue to its intersection with the public right-of-way formerly known as East Ross Avenue; thence south and east along the centerline of the public right-of-way to its intersection with North Borland Street; thence south along the centerline of North Borland Street to its intersection with East Maple Avenue (State Highways 27 and 52); thence southeast along the centerline of East Maple Avenue to its intersection with Cumbaa Street; thence generally southeast along the centerline of Cumbaa Street to its intersection with East Westville Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of East Westville Avenue to its intersection with South Commerce Street; thence northeast and north-northwest along the centerline of South Commerce Street to its intersection with East Magnolia Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of East Magnolia Avenue to its intersection with South Academy Street; thence southwest along the centerline of South Academy Street to its intersection with East Westville Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of East Westville Avenue to its intersection with Earl Minshew Street; thence northeast along the centerline of Earl Minshew Street to its intersection with East Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 196); thence north along the centerline of Earl Minshew Street to its intersection with East Campbell Avenue; thence west along the centerline of East Campbell Avenue to its intersection with North Morris Street; thence north along the centerline of North Morris Street to its intersection with West Hart Avenue; thence west along the centerline of West Hart Avenue to its intersection with North Choctaw Street; thence north along the centerline of North Choctaw Street to its intersection with West Purvis Avenue; thence east along the centerline of West Purvis Avenue to its intersection with North Morris Street; thence north along the centerline of North Morris Street to its intersection with East High Avenue; thence east along the centerline of East High Avenue to its intersection with North Whitney Street; thence south and east along the centerline of North Whitney Street to its intersection with North Merritt Street; thence east and south along the centerline of North Merritt Street to its intersection with East Hart Avenue; thence east along the centerline of East Hart Avenue to its intersection with North Live Oak Street; thence northwest along the centerline of North Live Oak Street to its intersection with East Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence southeast along the centerline of East Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Live Oak Street, being the point of beginning.

 

DISTRICT 4:

 

That certain area in the City of Geneva, Alabama lying within the following described district boundary:

 

Beginning at a point of intersection of West State Highway 52 and the western boundary of the City of Geneva; thence generally east and north along the boundary of the City of Geneva to its intersection with Enterprise Road (State Highway 27); thence generally southeast along the centerline of Enterprise Road to its intersection with East Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence northwest along the centerline of East Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Borland Street; thence north along the centerline of North Borland Street to its intersection with the public right-of-way formerly known as East Ross Avenue; thence west and north along the centerline of the public right-of-way to its intersection with the public right-of-way formerly known as East Quarterman Johnson Avenue; thence west along the centerline of the public right-of-way to its intersection with North Commerce Street and East Quarterman Johnson Avenue; thence southwest along the centerline of East Quarterman Johnson Avenue to its intersection with East Booker Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of East Booker Avenue to its terminus; thence continue northwest along the centerline of the public right-of-way formerly known as East Booker Avenue to its intersection with the public right-of-way formerly known as Carver Avenue; thence west along the centerline of the public right-of-way to its intersection with North Live Oak Street; thence south along the centerline of North Live Oak Street to its intersection with East Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence northwest along the centerline of East Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Whitney Street; thence north along the centerline of North Whitney Street to its intersection with East Camellia Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of East Camellia Avenue to its intersection with North Morris Street; thence continue west along the centerline of West Camellia Avenue to its intersection with North Forest Street; thence northeast along the centerline of North Forest Street to its intersection with West Lakeshore Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of West Lakeshore Avenue to its intersection with North Choctaw Street; thence southwest along the centerline of North Choctaw Street to its intersection with West Camellia Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of West Camellia Avenue to its intersection with North Iris Street; thence north along the centerline of North Iris Street to its intersection with West Edgewood Avenue; thence west along the centerline of West Edgewood Avenue to its intersection with North Dogwood Street; thence north along the centerline of North Dogwood Street to its intersection with West Hemlock Avenue; thence west along the centerline of West Hemlock Avenue to its intersection with North Wilson Street; thence south along the centerline of North Wilson Street to its intersection with West Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence northwest along the centerline of West Maple Avenue to its intersection with West Meadow Avenue; thence generally northwest along the centerline of West Meadow Avenue to its intersection with North Glendale Street; thence south along the centerline of North Glendale Street to its intersection with West Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence southwest along the centerline of West Maple Avenue to its intersection with West Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 52); thence northwest along the centerline of West Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 52) to its intersection with the western boundary of the City of Geneva, being the point of beginning.

 

DISTRICT 5:

 

That certain area in the City of Geneva, Alabama lying within the following described district boundary:

 

Beginning at a point of intersection of Enterprise Road (State Highway 27) and the northern boundary of the City of Geneva; thence generally east, south, and west along the boundary of the City of Geneva to its intersection with South Ward Street; thence northeast along the centerline of South Ward Street to its intersection with East Franklin Avenue; thence east along the centerline of East Franklin Avenue to its intersection with Hand Mill Creek; thence north along Hand Mill Creek to its intersection with an unnamed lake adjacent to the Lakeside Estates and Sherwood Forest subdivisions; thence generally northwest and northeast along the eastern shore of the unnamed lake to its intersection with Hand Mill Creek; thence generally north along Hand Mill Creek to its intersection with East Skyline Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of East Skyline Avenue to its intersection with Sizemore Highway (State Highway 27); thence northeast along the centerline of Sizemore Highway to its intersection with the Geneva Levee; thence southeast along the Geneva Levee to its intersection with East Westville Avenue (east of South Commerce Street); thence southeast along the centerline of East Westville Avenue to its intersection with Cumbaa Street; thence generally northwest along the centerline of Cumbaa Street to its intersection with East Maple Avenue (State Highways 27 and 52); thence southeast along the centerline of East Maple Avenue to its intersection with Enterprise Road (State Highway 27); thence generally northwest along the centerline of Enterprise Road to its intersection with the northern boundary of the City of Geneva, being the point of beginning.

 

DISTRICT 6:

 

That certain area in the City of Geneva, Alabama lying within the following described district boundary:

 

Beginning at a point of intersection of North Trinity Street and West Hemlock Avenue; thence east along the centerline of West Hemlock Avenue to its intersection with North Dogwood Street; thence south along the centerline of North Dogwood Street to its intersection with West Edgewood Avenue; thence east along the centerline of West Edgewood Avenue to its intersection with North Iris Street; thence south along the centerline of North Iris Street to its intersection with West Camellia Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of West Camellia Avenue to its intersection with North Choctaw Street; thence northeast along the centerline of North Choctaw Street to its intersection with West Lakeshore Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of West Lakeshore Avenue to its intersection with North Forrest Street; thence southwest along the centerline of North Forrest Street to its intersection with West Camellia Avenue; thence southeast along the centerline of West Camellia Avenue to its intersection with North Morris Street; thence continue southeast along the centerline of East Camellia Avenue to its intersection with North Whitney Street; thence south along the centerline of North Whitney Street to its intersection with East Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence southeast along the centerline of East Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Live Oak Street; thence south-southeast along the centerline of North Live Oak Street to its intersection with East Hart Avenue; thence west along the centerline of East Hart Avenue to its intersection with North Merritt Street; thence north and west along the centerline of North Merritt Street to its intersection with North Whitney Street; thence west and north along the centerline of North Whitney Street to its intersection with East High Avenue; thence west along the centerline of East High Avenue to its intersection with North Morris Street; thence south along the centerline of North Morirs Street to its intersection with West Purvis Avenue; thence west along the centerline of West Purvis Avenue to its intersection with North Choctaw Street; thence south along the centerline of North Choctaw Street to its intersection with West Campbell Avenue; thence west along the centerline of West Campbell Avenue to its intersection with South Cherokee Street; thence south along the centerline of South Cherokee Street to its intersection with West Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 196); thence northwest along the centerline of West Magnolia Avenue to its intersection with North Pleasant Street; thence north along the centerline of North Pleasant Street to its intersection with West Fleming Avenue; thence west along the centerline of West Fleming Avenue to its intersection with West Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 196); thence northwest along the centerline of West Magnolia Avenue to its intersection with North Trinity Street; thence northeast along the centerline of North Trinity Street to its intersection with West Purvis Avenue; thence generally northeast along the centerline of West Purvis Avenue to its intersection with North Iris Street; thence generally north along the centerline of North Iris Street to its intersection with West Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence northwest along the centerline of West Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Trinity Street; thence north along the centerline of North Trinity Street to its intersection with West Hemlock Avenue, being the point of beginning.

 

DISTRICT 7:

 

That certain area in the City of Geneva, Alabama lying within the following described district boundary:

 

Beginning at a point of intersection of West Maple Avenue (State Highway 52) and West Magnolia Avenue (State Highway 196); thence east along the centerline of West Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Glendale Street; thence north along the centerline of North Glendale Street to its intersection with West Meadow Avenue; thence generally southeast along the centerline of West Meadow Avenue to its intersection with West Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence southeast along the centerline of West Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Wilson Street; thence north along the centerline of North Wilson Street to its intersection with West Hemlock Avenue; thence east along the centerline of West Hemlock Avenue to its intersection with North Trinity Street; thence south along the centerline of North Trinity Street to its intersection with West Maple Avenue (State Highway 52); thence southeast along the centerline of West Maple Avenue to its intersection with North Iris Street; thence generally south along the centerline of North Iris Street to its intersection with West Purvis Avenue; thence generally southwest along the centerline of West Purvis Avenue to its intersection with North Trinity Street; thence southwest along the centerline of North Trinity Street to its intersection with West Magnolia Avenue; thence northwest along the centerline of West Magnolia Avenue to its intersection with West Maple Avenue (State Highway 52), being the point of beginning.

 

SECTION 2: In accordance with the requirements of Section 11-46-23, Code of Alabama, 1975, the City Clerk is hereby directed to file a certified copy of this ordinance with the Judge of Probate of Geneva County, Alabama together with a map or plat of the City depicting the Voting Districts as herein divided and described.

 

SECTION 3: This Ordinance shall become effective upon its publication or posting as required by law. 

 

SECTION 4: All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances which conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed.

 

SECTION 5: All sections of this Ordinance are hereby declared to be severable; and if any word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section of this Ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid by the judgment or decree of any Court or competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any of the remaining words, phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this Ordinance.

 

ADOPTED and APPROVED this the _____ of _______, 2024.