Agenda Packets - 2013/10/28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT FOR NEW VOTING SYSTEM ACQUISITION AND OPERATION This Agreement is made by and between Ramsey County, through the Ramsey Comity Elections Office (hereinafter "County"), and the cities of Arden Hills, Falcon Heights, Gem Lake, Lauderdale, Little Canada, Maplewood, Mounds View, New Brighton, North Oaks, North St. Paul, Roseville, St Anthony, St. Paul, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, and White Bear Lake and White Bear Township (collectively referred to as the "Municipalities"), WHEREAS, the County and the Municipalities ("Parties") are "governmental units" as defined in Minn. Stat. §471.59; and WHEREAS, pursuant to Mimi. Stat. §471.59, the Parties, through actions of their governing bodies, are authorized to enter into a joint powers agreement for the exercise of commonly held or similar powers; and WHEREAS, the Parties entered into a Joint Powers Agreement in 2001 for the purchase and operation of a new voting system, with a ten year term and automatic two year extensions; and WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the 2001 Joint Powers Agreement, the County prepares ballots and compiles election results for all state, federal, county, municipal and school district elections for the Municipalities; and WHEREAS, efficient ballot preparation and the timely compilation of election results depend upon the use of a uniform voting system throughout the County, and the use of a uniform voting system for all elections enhances election judge and voter understanding of the voting process and helps to provide equitable treatment for all voters, regardless of the type of election; and WHEREAS, Congress mandated the use of an assistive ballot marking device in all polling places and in- person absentee voting locations for use by voters with disabilities, through enactment of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 ("HAVX ); and WHEREAS, the Minnesota Legislature mandated the central counting of all absentee ballots under uniform state laws and procedures in Laws of Minnesota 2010, Chapter 194, effective in 2010; and WHEREAS, the Parties have reached agreement on 1) the need to replace the existing voting system and to implement a new voting system throughout the County in time for use for the 2014 state elections; and 2) the funding formula for the new voting system; and WHEREAS, state funds for the acquisition and operation of voting systems originating from grants received by the County under the Help America Vote Act must be expended by the County no later than March 31, 2014, or be returned to the State of Minnesota; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings and agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows: Joint Powers Agreement for New Voting System — 2013 Page I of 19