2015.03.10 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 10, 2015 Page 3 of 4 but reiterated that all polling changes had to be finalized with the City prior to April l s m order to be filed with the County. She noted that she would be sending out maps of the new polling locations to residents once the changes were in place. She explained how she would be recruiting election judges from the local schools in hopes to have the election judges more closely reflect the New Brighton community. Councilmember Burg thanked City Clerk Haarstad for addressing this matter on behalf of the City . Councihnember Strub asked how staff created the new voting districts. City Cleric Haarstad indicated she worked with Ramsey County and reviewed the census database, along with jurisdictional boundaries. Councilmember Jacobsen encouraged staff to provide the public with the new polling location information as soon as possible. City Manager Lotter noted this information would be passed along to the residents and stated the Town Hall meeting may be another venue for the Council to pass this information along to the public. City Clerk Haarstad added that the Secretary of State would have each address coded for its precinct as well, which would allow homeowners to check their precinct online prior to voting this fall Councilmember Bauman questioned the timeline for the new precincts once the Resolution was approved by the Council. City Cleric Haarstad discussed the timeline noting the new map would be posted at City Hall for 56 days. She reported another Resolution would come before the Council after that time to approve the new polling places. She explained this information would be included in an upcoming newsletter. In additioli, an official postcard would be sent out from Ramsey County. Councilmember Bauman inquired if the current polling locations would change. City Clerk Haarstad did not anticipate that the polling locations would change, however, this would be finalized in the coming months as new sites are added She reported that staff would be communicating often with the public reg�u c ing these changes now through the upcoming election. Mayor Jacobsen supported the proposed changes and believed the results would be well- received by the City's voters. Motion by Councilmember Burg, seconded by Councilmember Jacobsen to adopt a Resolution dissolving the combined polling places for PIB and P2. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays - Motion Carried Consider Resolution Establishing New Precincts and Adj usting Existing Precinct Boundaries. City Manager Lotter indicated City Clerk Haarstad would be presenti ng this item to the Council. City Clerk Haarstad reported the Minnesota Secretary of State recommends that precincts serve no more than 1500 to 2000 potential voters. New Brighton's precincts are the largest in Ramsey County with Precinct 3 serving 4010 registered voters in the last election. Staffrecommends the City Council create three additional precincts and adjust the boundaries of the existing precincts to bring the number of voters served in each precincts in alignment with best practices. Councilmember Burg Motion by Councilmember Jacobsen, seconded by Councilmember Burg to adopt a Resolution establishing three new precincts to bring the number of potential voters in each precinct closer to the best practices recommended by the Minnesota Secretary of State. 5 Ayes, 0 Nays-Motion Carried Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates Dean Lotter City Manager Lotter commended City Clerk Haarstad on her efforts to address the voting and precinct situation for the City. He appreciated her activity level with the Clerk's Association and noted she has created a much more efficient process for drafting the Council's meeting 2. ConWerResoluWn E.slabUshmg New Pretends and Adjuslmg Ecisl g Precinct Boundaries. Commission Liaison Reports, Announcements and Updates