Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, September 07, 2021
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THREE FACILITIES USE AGREEMENTS WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY RELATED TO USE OF SITES AS VOTE CENTERS USED FOR GUBERNATORIAL RECALL ELECTION AND CORRESPONDING VOTE CENTER ELECTION PLANS (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (“County”) has requested use of three City of Carson (“City”) sites to be used as vote centers in connection with the upcoming Gubernatorial Recall Election to be held September 14, 2021. The three sites are Foisia Park (Gymnasium), Carson Civic Center (Carson Dominguez Room) and Veterans Park (Gymnasium). City and County will enter into Facilities Use Agreements for each of the three sites in accordance with corresponding Vote Center Election Plans. The County has asked City to waive fees associated with site usage.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. APPROVE Facilities Use Agreements with Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk for use of City sites as vote centers for September 14, 2021 Gubernatorial Recall Election for the following sites: Foisia Park (Gymnasium), Carson Civic Center (Carson Dominguez Room), and Veterans Park (Gymnasium), and corresponding Vote Center Election Plans.
2. AUTHORIZE the City Manager to execute the agreements and Vote Center Election Plans. The agreements will be executed after approval as to form by the City Attorney.
3. WAIVE site-related fees.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate; however, City is required to allow County of Los Angeles access to its sites.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (“County”) has requested use of three City of Carson (“City”) sites to be used as vote centers in connection with the upcoming Gubernatorial Recall Election to be held September 14, 2021. The three sites are Foisia Park (Gymnasium) for a total of 14 days, Carson Civic Center (Carson Dominguez Room) for a total of 7 days, and Veterans Park (Gymnasium) for a total of 7 days. The sites will be needed by County in advance of the election for set up and testing of equipment and following the election for breakdown in accordance with the schedules set out in the Vote Center Election Plans that correspond with each Facilities Use Agreement (attached). Consistent therewith, County has already started the set up process. The City Attorney’s Office reviewed the three agreements and County incorporated all suggested edits.
The County has asked that the City waive fees related to use of the sites which City is free to do at its discretion. If fees are waived, County has indicated that it will be able provide City with a stipend in the amount of $300 per day (for a total of $8,400 for all three sites - 28 total days at $300 per day) and reimbursement for City staff time for each site used as a voting center. It should be noted that historically, the City has not charged County any fees.
If fees are charged County, the fee amounts are listed below:
Carson Civic Center -- $2,750.00;
Foisia Park -- $28,597.20; and
Veteran’s Park -- $27,774.00
It should also be noted that Section 12283 of the Elections Code requires the City to allow use of its sites for polling locations and vote centers when the County makes a request for such use.
(2) If a city or county elections official specifically requests the use of a school building or public building for polling places, or vote centers beginning up to 10 days before the election and continuing through election day, as well as during key dates necessary for drop-off, set-up, and pick-up of election materials, as determined by the elections official, the governing body having jurisdiction over the particular school building or public building shall allow its use for the purpose requested, except that the University of California is encouraged, but not required, to comply with a request made pursuant to this paragraph.
Accordingly, the City Council is urged to approve the Facilities Use Agreements and corresponding Vote Center Election Plans as requested.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Any fiscal impact will be determined based on City Council’s direction regarding the County’s request for fee waivers.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Facilities Use Agreement for Foisia Park
2. Facilities Use Agreement for Carson Civic Center
3. Facilities Use Agreement for Veterans Park
4. Vote Center Election Plan for Foisia Park
5. Vote Center Election Plan for Carson Civic Center
6. Vote Center Election Plan for Veterans Park
Prepared by: John W. Carroll, Chief Deputy City Clerk and City Attorney's Office