Agenda - Council - 09/24/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Howell read a portion of the equipment agreement with the County and shared that no responsibility for the function of the equipment will fall on the County. She said she is looking for where they are legally required to use the electronic poll pads. She stated she would like clarification from the County on this. Councilmember Riley asked if the City Clerk would be authorized to bind the City to an agreement like this. City Attorney Knaak said yes, as long as the City Clerk has been authorized to do so. City Clerk Schmidt shared that State Statute 201.225 Subdivision 1 gives Head Election Officials the authority to designate that some or all precincts use electronic rosters. She added that the decision was made in 2018 to start using electronic rosters for any County and above election until the Board decides otherwise. She said the City has no say in changing this for the 2024 election as they are required by the State to use whatever the County decides. Councilmember Musgrove shared that she is open to having a future polling location at either St. Katherine Drexel or PACT Charter School. She added that she would like to have a better agreement with the County for the use of the equipment. She noted that the agreement does not seem to have been done in the best interest of Ramsey. Councilmember Howell said she would like to see if there is any wiggle room in Subdivision 1 of State Statute 201.225. City Attorney Knaak explained that they could try to make a case that Ramsey get an exception to this, but it would have to be decided by the Head Election Official at the County. Councilmember Riley noted that since they cannot change anything for the upcoming election if they should just revisit this topic after the upcoming election. Councilmember Howell said she would like to continue to discuss this before the election as the agreements are not beneficial to the City and would like to see the agreement nullified. Councilmember Riley stated that if they nullify this agreement and they cannot negotiate with the County then the City does not have any election equipment and would have to figure out a new alternative so close to the election. City Clerk Schmidt explained that she works with the County on a daily basis leading up to the election and they offer support to the City and the equipment. City Administrator Hagen shared that Staff could continue to look into this and bring back more information to the Council. City Council Work Session / September 10, 2024 Page 7 of 13