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CR 99-212 Combination Of Precincts Two and Nine December 2, 1999 Council Report 99-21 2 COMBINATION OF PRECINCTS TWO AND NINE Staff recommends approval of the following motion: Move to approve the combination of precincts two and nine to form a new precinct two with the pollinq place of Livinq Waters Christian Church. Overview Recently, Blake School, the polling place for precinct two, changed the parking and pickup/drop-off system at the school. As a result of this action, Blake school is not in compliance with ADA regulations. Staff has investigated other options in and around precinct two and has not found another site that would comply. Staff is recommending that precinct two and nine (Living Waters Christian Church) be combined. The number of registered voters on November 2, 1999 in precinct two was 1024; the number in precinct nine was 767 for a total of approximately 1800 voters. The next largest precinct is precinct three with 1324 voters registered on November 2nd. Primary Issues to Consider · What are the problems with Blake school? · What are the legal issues that might require the change? · What is the response of the residents in precinct two? · What is the time frame? · What other options has staff investigated? · How will voting be conducted with such a large precinct? Supporting Documents · Precinct map showing present precincts with combination outlined in red Council Report Page 2 Primary Issues to Consider · What are the problems with Blake School? During the 1998 Elections, the upper drive was closed for approximately two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. During the 1999 Elections, the drive was closed for one hour during the afternoon. The closing of the upper drive means that all parking is below the hill. The hill is steep and a difficult walk for many, even if not certified handicapped. There are only four parking places by the polling place. The rest of the parking for the precinct is at the bottom of the hill. At best the accessibility is limited. · What are the Legal Issues That Might Require the Change? Election Precincts are governed by ADA regulations. The polling place must be accessible. Blake's access is limited. During the hours that the drop-off lane is closed, it is not accessible. In 1999 that occurred for one hour in the middle of the afternoon. In 1998, it was closed for two to three hours in the morning and again in the afternoon. · What was the response of the residents in precinct two? Approximately 580 letters were mailed to addresses with registered voters in precinct two. I received three written statements, approximately fifteen calls and comments were made on election day at the polling place. The three written statements were in favor of moving the polling place. The calls were split. The residents of the Harley Hopkins Neighborhood asked why the polling place was not being moved to Harley Hopkins Community Center. The Interlachen residents said that they were in favor of combining with nine and voting at Living Waters. A few of the calls were against any change. The Election Judges reported that "Most people commented that they did not care if (the) polling place changed. One said I am 100% in favor of (that)." · What is the Time Frame? The year 2000 is a census year. Because of that and the redistricting that follows, precinct boundaries will be frozen after January 1, 2000. Precincts cannot be combined after January 1 st. The next opportunity to combine the two precincts will be after redistricting, possibly 2002. · What other options has staff investigated? Shepherd of the Hills Church is just outside the boundaries of the precinct. A polling place can be located outside the precinct boundaries, but not more than 3,000 feet from a boundary. Shepherd of the Hills is already used as an Edina Precinct. St. John's Church was looked at. The only area available was in the entryway. St. John's holds a mass every day at 5:30. They would not cancel mass on Election Day. That would not work. Staff discussed Harley Hopkins Community Center. Harley Hopkins would have parking problems. During the time that day care students are dropped off and picked up, parking is very limited. Parking would have to be allowed on the adjoining street where parking is now prohibited. Harley is a building that is being used by the Community Services. I spoke with the person that schedules the facilities for Community Services. She called the facility manager as asked if the facility would handle elections. The answer she received was that parking is very tight. Building staff have difficulties finding parking. For these reasons, Harley Hopkins Community Center would not be a good location for elections. The only other alternative that staff could find would be the combination. · How will voting be conducted with such a large precinct? Living Waters Church has a large area for voting. There would not be a problem putting up additional voting booths and tables. It would require a much larger staff of election judges, so I can't really say that money would be saved. I would probably use close to the same number of election judges. If the roster is separated into four sections and two judges are put on new registrations, the number of voters could be handled very nicely. I do not think there would be unusual waits to vote. Alternatives 1. Approve the new precinct boundaries. 2. Do not approve the new precinct boundaries 3. Continue the item for more information Staff recommends alternative one. I City Clerk I CITY OF HOPKINS Memorandum To: Copy: From: Date: Subject: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Steve Mielke, Jim Genellie Terry Obermaier December 6, 1999 Resolution that Creates New Polling Place When I did the Council Report for the new precinct and polling place, I was not aware that a resolution is needed. The resolution will serve as notice to the Secretary of State and is required by law. The new motion will be: Move to adopt Resolution 99-112, a Resolution Creatinq a New Precinct Two bv Combininq the Existinq Precinct Two with the Existinq Precinct Nine. The Desiqnated Pollinq Place for the New Precinct Two shall be Livinq Waters Christian Church, located at 1002 - 2nd St NE. 1010 First Street South - (612) 935-8474 CITY OF HOPKINS HENNEPIN COUNTY , MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 99-112 RESOLUTION CREATING A NEW PRECINCT TWO BY COMBINING PRECINCT TWO AND PRECINCT NINE AND NAMING LIVING WATERS CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 1002 - 2ND ST NE, AS THE DESIGNATED POLLING PLACE FOR THE NEW PRECINCT TWO WHEREAS, Blake School, the polling place for precinct two has changed their parking and pickup/drop-off system, and; WHEREAS, This change alters the ADA status by leaving the polling place not compliant for periods of time during the day on Election Day, and; WHEREAS, Having no success in finding another location within the present boundaries of the existing Precinct Two that was suitable as a polling place, and; WHEREAS, The City Council of the City of Hopkins wishes to maintain ADA compliant polling places through out the entire City; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, A new Precinct Two shall be created by combining the existing Precinct Two with the existing Precinct Nine. The Designated Polling Place for the New Precinct Two shall-be Living Waters Christian Church, located at 1002 - 2nd St NE. Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins this 7th day of December 1999. By Charles D. Redepenning, Mayor ATTEST: Terry Obermaier, City Clerk