05-13-2020 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 13, 2020 The City Clerk stated that staff expects more residents will vote Absentee by mail to avoid going to the polls. She explained that Early Voting could also be busier than usual if people feel they are safer voting during this time versus on Election Day. She reported that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, staff anticipates there will be less people willing to serve as election judges this year. She explained that Ramsey County will be providing early in -person voting locations for any Ramsey County residents at most, or all, of the suburban county libraries. She stated that since the County will not be providing a location in Little Canada, the City must determine if they wish to provide Early Voting at City Hall or direct Little Canada residents to other nearby Ramsey County locations such as the Roseville Library and possibly the Maplewood Library. The City Clerk explained that if the City were to offer Early Voting, it could bring more than 200 people to City Hall for the Primary Election, and over 500 people for the General Election. She noted that the Council Chambers would need to be used for the Early Voting and at least five Election Judges hired. She explained that City staff must determine how many election judges will be needed and start recruiting very soon. She stated that considering the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for social distancing that is likely to continue for several more months, staff is recommending that the City of Little Canada not provide Early Voting at City Hall for the 2020 Primary and General Elections. She noted that by opening City Hall to hundreds of additional people, there are great safety concerns for city staff, election judges, and voters, along with the other residents and customers that visit City Hall on a regular basis. Little Canada residents have other nearby locations if they choose to vote early, and the Ramsey County locations are open later in the evenings and on weekends. The City Clerk explained that City Hall would still be available for residents to vote in -person Absentee beginning 46 days before each election, although staff would also recommend that all voting at City Hall end when Early Voting begins in order to reduce the number of people coming in City Hall and eliminate more voting confusion. City staff recommends not holding Early Voting at City Hall for both elections, but at minimum, not during the Primary Election in August. Torkelson stated that he feels that Early Voting should be offered at Little Canada City Hall. Montour suggested seeing if enough Election Judges would be willing to work before snaking a decision. Keis stated that if Ramsey County is already providing this service nearby, it is not hard for residents to instead go to one of the libraries to vote. Keis introduced the following resolution and moved its adoption: RESOLUTIONNO. 2020-5-67 — APPROVE NOT HOLDING EARLY VOTING AT LITTLE CANADA CITYHALL DURING THE 2020 PRIMARY & 2020 GENERAL ELECTIONS The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Fischer. Roll Call Vote: Keis/Torlcelson/Fischer/Montour/McGraw Ayes (3). Keis, McGraw and Fischer. Nays (2). Torkelson and Montour. Resolution declared adopted. 7