ICRC adds virtual public meetings

The independent group tasked with redrawing the preliminary map for the 10 City Council district boundaries is hosting additional virtual meetings to give Austinites more chances to offer direct input about its work. The Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission has already held the 10 required public forums, but due to the complications of Covid, decided to add two more public forums via virtual format. ICRC Vice Chair Luis Gonzalez explained in a news release, “When the ICRC began planning for the public forum portion of the redistricting process back in June, the Covid-19 pandemic was a pressing issue to consider. Some residents prefer an in-person option for their public testimony, others are still adhering to social distancing guidelines. Additional virtual forum options were the obvious choice to ensure the ICRC was maintaining a balance between fair access to the process and our concern for public health.” The final virtual forum is Friday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Register in advance for the webinar.