The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About20100419 - VIII-C-4 To: Mayor Hicks and City Councilmembers From: Melanie Mesko Lee, Assistant City Administrator Date: April 14, 2010 Re: 2010 Polling Places Recommended City Council Action: Approve the attached resolution, approving 2010 Polling Place sites, which includes no additional polling places, yet three new sites for 2010. Background: After the 2008 elections, there was awareness of some space limitations that current polling locations may present, and an acknowledgment that alternatives may warrant discussion for the 2010 elections. Accordingly, staff has been reviewing the polling locations for the upcoming Primary and General elections. Below is a summary of the review conducted, and staff recommendations for the upcoming election year. Ward 1, Precinct 3 : We were notified in late 2009 that the National Guard Armory would be unavailable for 2010 elections due to construction. Staff has contacted the following locations for th consideration of 2010 polling location: Cornerstone Bible Church (East 10 Street), Country Inn & Suites, Masonic Hall (2103 Vermillion Street), and Hastings Civic Arena. Due to a number of individual and/or multiple constraints, including small meeting rooms, cost, parking, and accessibility, each of these locations were not considered to be a strong fit as a polling location. Recommendation: staff is recommending that Hope Lutheran Church (16898 Michael Avenue) be the polling location for Ward 1, Precinct 3 for the 2010 election. This facility offers the best location, accessibility, space, and value. While technically outside the Ward 1, it is within the boundaries of the precinct requirement established by state statute. It should be noted that staff anticipates that the National Guard Armory will be used for future elections once their renovations are completed. Ward 2, Precinct 1: For several years, Shepherd of the Valley Church has been the polling location for Ward 2, Precinct 1. While the church has always been a gracious host, there have been some site challenges of the polling location because of the stairway and lack of elevator. This facility does have a lower level entrance, however most of the parking space is next to the upper level entrance which voters seemed to prefer using, even with efforts to highlight the handicapped parking access with signage. City staff contacted the following locations as possible polling places for 2010: Hastings High School, Tilden Kindergarten Center, YMCA, Dakota County Government Center, Regina Complex, and Immanuel Bible Chapel. Due to space constraints, lack of availability, cost, and security, each of these locations were not considered to be a strong fit as a polling location. th Recommendation: Staff is recommending that St. John’s Lutheran Church, 202 8 Street West, be the polling location for Ward 2, Precinct 1 for the 2010 and future elections. This facility offers the best location, accessibility, space, and value. Ward 3, Precinct 1: Pleasant Hill Library has served as a polling place for several election cycles. As with Shepherd of the Valley church, the library has always been very accommodating and a gracious host, working with the City for its election needs. However, the library’s space is limited and offers some challenges with voter flow during elections, which became apparent with the large voter turnout in 2008. City staff contacted McAuliffe Elementary School and the Hastings Middle School as possible polling places for 2010. Recommendation: Due to the space, accessibility, and parking, staff is recommending that the Hastings Middle School be the polling location for Ward 3, Precinct 1 for the 2010 and future elections. Staff does not recommend any other changes to the 2010 polling locations. The balance of the 2010 polling locations are recommended to be as follows: Ward 1, Precinct 1 Mail Ballot (Washington County) th Ward 1, Precinct 2 City Hall (101 4 Street East) th Ward 2, Precinct 2 Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (409 9 Street West) th Ward 3, Precinct 2 United Methodist Church (615 15 Street West) th Ward 4, Precinct 1 St. Philip’s Lutheran Church (1401 15 Street West) Ward 4, Precinct 2 Knight’s of Columbus Hall (3075 Vermillion Street) All residents who will be impacted by a change in polling place will receive a postcard notifying them of the change. Additionally, the City will work to publicize the information in a variety of media to ensure the new/different locations are well known in advance of the 2010 elections. Please let me know if you have any questions. CITY OF HASTINGS DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 04- -10 RESOLUTION APPROVING POLLING LOCATIONS IN THE CITY OF HASTINGS FOR 2010 ELECTIONS WHEREAS , staff is recommending the site for some Precinct Polling Places be changed for the 2010 Elections; and WHEREAS , the City of Hastings is required to establish Polling Places for the upcoming Elections by May 10, 2010 and; WHEREAS , a resolution must be passed to approve the Polling Places; and WHEREAS, the following locations are hereby approved as polling places for conduct of 2010 elections for the City of Hastings: Ward 1, Precinct 1 Mail Ballot (Washington County) th Ward 1, Precinct 2 City Hall (101 4 Street East) Ward 1, Precinct 3 Hope Lutheran Church (16898 Michael Avenue) *new* th Ward 2, Precinct 1 St. John’s Lutheran Church, 202 8 Street West *new* th Ward 2, Precinct 2 Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (409 9 Street West) th Ward 3, Precinct 1 Hastings Middle School Auditorium (1000 West 11 Street) *new* th Ward 3, Precinct 2 United Methodist Church (615 15 Street West) th Ward 4, Precinct 1 St. Philip’s Lutheran Church (1401 15 Street West) Ward 4, Precinct 2 Knight’s of Columbus Hall (3075 Vermillion Street) NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Hastings that the Mayor and City Clerk are authorized and directed to sign this resolution, showing the approval of the attached listing of Polling Places. Ayes: Nays: Absent: th Whereupon said resolution was declared duly passed and adopted on the 19 day of April, 2010. Paul J. Hicks, Mayor ATTEST: Melanie Mesko Lee, City Clerk (SEAL)