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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020 08-14 CCM Canvass Election MeetingMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BROW LYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL MEETING AUGUST 14, 2020 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council met in Special Meeting called to order by Mayor Mike Elliott at 6000 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Webex. ROLL CALL Mayor Mike Elliott and Councilmembers Kris Lawrence -Anderson and Dan Ryan. Councilmember April Graves was absent and - excused. Mayor Elliott explained that Councilmember Marquita Butler would not be joining the meeting as she is on vacation. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey and City Clerk Barb Suciu, 2020 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION Mayor Elliott stated the purpose of this meeting is to canvass the results of the 2020 Municipal Primary Election, City Clerk Barb Suciu stated the Primary Election was held August 11, 2020. There were 7 candidates on the ballot and the field must be narrowed to 4 candidates. Due to Covid-19, election laws were modified to allow 2 extra days for officials to process absentee ballots, which were received on August 13, 2020. She reviewed the Election Statistics as follows. Marquita Butler —1,498 votes Kris Lawrence -Anderson - 15401 votes Alfreda Daniels — 1,269 votes Sizi Goyah 841 - votes Ms. Suciu stated these 4 candidates will be placed on General Election Ballot on Tuesday, November 3, 2020. Other Statistics: In -Person votes —1,798 Absentee Ballots — 2,528 Total Votes: 4,324 Ms. Suciu stated this represents a 27% voter turnout which is high compared to 2016 and 2018. She added tonight's meeting packet contains data regarding in -person, absentee ballot and total votes for each precinct. She noted City Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution to accept the election results. 08/14/20 -1- Mayor Elliott stated there were reports from residents who tried to vote but they were not on the list of registered voters. He asked whether the City Clerk has any insight into that issue, and whether any other issues arose. Ms. Suciu stated the voter roll is updated every 4 years. She added, if a resident has not voted in 4 years, they automatically drop off the roll. She noted she was not aware of any other issues other than those raised by Mayor Elliott. Mayor Elliott asked whether City Staff are working on an absentee ballot drive -up location, similar to the City of Minneapolis. Ms. Suciu stated she initiated the drive -up ballot box process in Minneapolis. She added there is a drop box in City Hall where residents can deposit their ballots. She noted there is a possibility that CARES Act funding can be used to get a big ballot box, although that can be problematic if it is permanent, as people put other things in the ballot box. Ms. Suciu stated the big ballot box could be outside only during elections, but there would have to be 2 election judges monitoring it at all times, and it must be brought into City Hall at night, and iI is very heavy. Mayor Elliott asked whether the drive -up ballot box would only be available on certain days or at certain times. Ms. Suciu stated City Staff is looking into it, and it will depend upon how many election judges are available. She noted a drive -up ballot box will require additional election judges. Mayor Elliott requested that City Staff deterrnine what additional barriers there are to a drive -up ballot box that can be cleared up so this revision can be made. Mr. Boganey stated City Staff will do whatever is necessary to make voting as easy as possible, especially with respect to the pandemic. He added City Staff will look into the possibility of a drive -up ballot box and provide information to the City Council. He noted it is certainly something that City Staff would want to do. Counciimember Lawrence -Anderson moved and Councilmember Ryan seconded to adopt RESOLUTION N0.2020-63 Regarding the Canvass of the 2020 Municipal Primary Election held on August 11, 2020. Motion passed unanimously (3-0). Mayor Elliott requested that the City Clerk call his name last during a roll call vote. 2021 Budget Meeting Mr. Boganey stated a budget meeting is currently scheduled for Monday, August 17, 2020 but given the nature of this year's budget process, City Staff will not have enough in available to hold a budget meeting. He added the City Council has three work session items that 08/14/20 -2- need to be addressed. He asked the City Council to allow City Staff to present the work session items on Monday August 17, 2020 in lieu of a budget meeting. Mayor Elliott stated he would have lilted the City Manager to check in with him before the meeting to discuss this issue. He added he has been trying to contact City Councilmembers to check their availability and schedule work sessions. He noted two City Councilmembers were not able to join this evening's meeting, and he would like to discuss potential work sessions with all the Councilmembers. Councilmember Ryan stated he is amenable to the suggestion of the City Manager to hold a work session on Monday. He expressed concern that the City Council has not been able to complete enough of their business in a timely manner, although the last Regular Session meeting was disrupted. He noted he is available on Monday, August 17, 2020 to revisit work session items. Mayor Elliott stated he is reaching out to the Councilmembers to schedule two separate work sessions regarding the issues of housing policy and public safety. ADJOURN Mayor Elliott stated he would like to make a motion to adjourn. He called for a second. Mr. Boganey asked to be acknowledged. Mayor Elliott stated there is a motion on the floor. Mr. Boganey stated there was no second. Mayor Elliott stated Mr. Boganey interrupted the meeting. Councilmember Ryan seconded the motion. Mayor Elliott requested that Mr. Boganey proceed. Mr. Boganey stated the CARES funding is atime-sensitive issue which could be addressed at a work session on Monday, August 17, 2020. He added the meeting is already posted and City Councilmembers are scheduled to be available on Monday. Mayor Elliott agreed that the CARES funding should be addressed at Mondays work session. He added he will work to contact Councilmembers to schedule the other work sessions. Vote on the motion to adjourn passed unanimously (3-0). The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m. 08/14/20 -3- STATE OF MIINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) ss. Certification of Minutes CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: 1. That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of an Election Canvass Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on August 14, 2020. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its September 14, 2020 Regular Session. Barbara Suciu, City Clerk Elliott, Mayor 08/14/20 -4-