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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2021-077 CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2021-077 Sponsored by: City Clerk A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA,AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) WITH THE K:ENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH FOR THE CO-ADMINISTRATION OF MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO SIGN K:ENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH JOINT RESOLUTION 2021-001 WHEREAS, each year, the city clerk collaborates with the borough clerk's office to cooperatively administer the annual regular municipal election; and WHEREAS,historically,the borough clerk furnishes voting equipment, programming and testing services,voter pamphlet production and distribution,election board training,ballot printing, and absentee in-person voting for city residents; and WHEREAS,in exchange,the city clerk secures the locations for election board training and election day, provides staff for absentee in-person voting for all borough ballots for the two weeks prior to election day, assists with securing election board workers, and furnishes candidate information and proposition language for the city ballot; and WHEREAS, the costs incurred for the election board workers has historically been split 50/50 between the city and the borough because election day activities involve both city and borough ballots; and WHEREAS, this arrangement between the city and borough has been conducted cooperatively and satisfactorily for many years; and WHEREAS, the purpose of this MOA is to memorialize election activities, in keeping with past practices, and to establish fair, predictable, and equitable costs, responsibilities, and distributions of work for both offices; and WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved KPB Joint Resolution 2021-001 on July 6, 2021. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that: Section 1. The City Manager is hereby authorized to enter into the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Municipal Elections between the City of Seward and the Kenai Peninsula Borough in substantial form as attached herein. Section 2. The Seward City Council hereby authorizes Mayor Terry to sign Kenai Peninsula CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2021-077 ..„1 Borough Joint Resolution 2021-001 for the purpose of intergovernmental administration of borough and city elections. Section 3.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 12th day of July, 2021. T E IT F S ARD, A ri Terry ay AYES: Seese, Casagranda, DeMoss, Baclaan, McClure, Terry NOES: None ABSENT: Osenga ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: il Brenda J. Ball u, MMC City Clerk OfrSEy1'•.. (City Seal)`.c-:...'•P_o•'''•• /•? 00s • d --•— 1 • ; SEAL i • i .• j KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH CITY OF HOMER CITY OF KENAI CITY OF SELDOVIA CITY OF SEWARD CITY OF SOLDOTNA JOINT RESOLUTION NO.2021-001 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH AND COUNCILS OF THE CITIES OF HOMER, KENAI, SELDOVIA, SEWARD AND SOLDOTNA RESPECTIVELY,FOR THE PURPOSE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL ADMINISTRATION OF BOROUGH AND CITY ELECTIONS WHEREAS, Article X, Section 13 of the Alaska Constitution authorizes local government to enter into agreements for the cooperative or joint administration of any function or power, unless otherwise prohibited by law or charter; and WHEREAS, AS 29.35.010(13) provides authority for the Borough to enter into intergovernmental cooperative agreements for the joint administration of a borough function or power; and WHEREAS, historically the borough and five (5) of the cities within the borough (Homer, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward, and Soldotna) have collaborated on the administration of the annual regular municipal election; and WHEREAS, the Borough and the Cities share a common goal and find that it serves public interest to work together to minimize costs, increase efficiencies and to ensure municipal elections are conducted in a fair and consistent way throughout the borough; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH ASSEMBLY AND THE COUNCILS OF THE CITY OF HOMER, CITY OF KENAI, CITY OF SELDOVIA,CITY OF SEWARD AND CITY OF SOLDOTNA: SECTION 1. That the borough administration and administrations for the Cities of Homer, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward,and Soldotna respectively are authorized,upon approval of this resolution by the borough assembly and respective councils for each city, to execute a Memorandum of Agreement substantially in the form of the attached agreement, for the purpose of intergovernmental administration of Borough and City Elections. SECTION 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and the City Councils of the City of Homer, City of Kenai, City of Seldovia, City of Seward and the City of Soldotna. Joint Resolution No.2021-001 Page 1 of 3 • APPROVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH THIS DAY OF ,2021. Brent Hibbert,Assembly President ATTEST: Johni Blankenship, MMC, Borough Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOMER THIS DAY OF ,2021. Ken Castner, Mayor ATTEST: Melissa Jacobsen, MMC,City Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI THIS DAY OF ,2021. Brian Gabriel Sr., Mayor ATTEST: Jamie Heinz, MMC, City Clerk APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SELDOVIA THIS DAY OF ,2021. Jeremiah Campbell, Mayor ATTEST: Heidi Geagel, City Clerk Joint Resolution No.2021-001 Page 2 of 3 II L. APPROVED B THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY IFS A THIS IZ-T' DAY OF ,, , 2021. risty Terry, ayor s%0"•ssss,_ATTES ' O JA_ ••AA F.Sew.q '., Br nda Ballow,MM , City Clerk • • r `SEAL 1 • : ,-.- • h .4,.41Ave.i,.., .4.44 $: APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CItilf $A THIS DAY OF , 2021. ssssss....•v, Paul Whitney, Mayor ATTEST: LMichelle M. Saner, MMC, City Clerk L Joint Resolution No. 2021-001 Page 3 of 3 Agenda Statement Meeting Date: July 12, 2021 To: City Council From: Brenda BalIou, City Clerk Agenda Item: MOA with KPB for Elections BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of Seward work cooperatively to administer elections, and the collaboration is very effective for providing safe and secure elections in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible. The city does not own its own election equipment,outside of the voting booths,and must rely upon the borough or state to furnish the actual voting machines.The proposed MOA is not anticipated by the city clerk to have a substantial effect on the budget. INTENT: Enter into a cooperative agreement with the Kenai Peninsula Borough to formalize cost-sharing for elections. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A 1. Comprehensive Plan (document source here): 2. Strategic Plan (document source here): 3. I Other (list): FISCAL NOTE: Approved by Finance De artment: ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes X No RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution 2021-077 to enter a Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Seward and the Kenai Peninsula Borough for elections. Memorandum of Agreement Between Kenai Peninsula Borough and the Cities of Kenai, Homer, Seldovia, Seward, and Soldotna For the Intergovernmental Administration of Borough and City Municipal Elections This Memorandum of Agreement (hereinafter the "Agreement") is by and between the Kenai Peninsula Borough, whose address is 144 North Binkley Street, Soldotna, AK 99669, (hereinafter "Borough") and the participating Cities of Kenai, Homer, Seldovia, Seward, and Soldotna (hereinafter "Cities," or "City") whose addresses are included on the signatory page below, for the purpose of intergovernmental administration of the Borough and the Cities' local municipal elections (hereinafter"municipal elections"). WHEREAS, Article X, Section 13 of the Alaska Constitution authorizes local government to enter into agreements for the cooperative or j oint administration of any function or power,unless otherwise prohibited by law or charter; and WHEREAS, AS 29.35.010(13) provides authority for the Borough to enter into intergovernmental cooperative agreements for the joint administration of a borough function or power; and WHEREAS,historically the borough and five (5) of the cities within the borough(Homer, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward, and Soldotna) have collaborated on the administration of the annual regular municipal election; and WHEREAS,the Borough and the Cities share a common goal and find that it serves public interest to work together to minimize costs,increase efficiencies and to ensure municipal elections are conducted in a fair and consistent way throughout the borough; and WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to memorialize past practices and understandings through this written document which shall constitute their specific agreement on terms and conditions related to roles, responsibilities, permissions and fees associated with the Borough's administration of municipal elections; THE PARTIES THEREFORE AGREE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained in this Agreement and the services and fees provided, as set forth below: 1. PURPOSE AND INTENT This Agreement is established and entered into between the parties for the purpose of jointly administering municipal elections. This Agreement contemplates basic and core election services for municipal elections, including special elections. The Borough Clerk's Office will be primarily responsible for providing the basic and core election services as set out below. The Cities agree to pay the Borough for reasonable costs related to the election services pursuant to the fee schedule established below, or as amended by mutual written agreement of the parties. In-line with current and past practices, the Borough's Clerk's Office will collaborate with the City Clerk's Offices regarding administration of municipal elections. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 1 of 11 2. BOROUGH'S OBLIGATIONS a. Election and Ballot Programming: i. The Borough Clerk's Office will program the election(s) and ballot(s) for all regular and special municipal elections. ii. Each City will pay an administration fee for this service as set out in Section 3 below. Each City will provide final approval of ballot proofs to the Borough Clerk's Office. iii. Ballots shall be delivered to each City at least 15 days before each regular election and at least 10 days before each special or runoff election. b. Logic and Accuracy Testing i. The Borough Clerk's Office will ensure all ballots and equipment is tested and set for municipal elections. ii. Each City will pay an administration fee for this service as set out in Section 3 below. iii. Copies of the logic and accuracy testing will be provided to each City. c. Voter Pamphlet—to include Borough and Cities candidates and issues i. The Borough Clerk's Office will provide the Cities forms for candidate and ballot propositions submissions, and sample ballots, to be included in the Information Brochure (aka Voter Pamphlet). The completed forms will be submitted to the Borough Clerk's Office camera ready. ii. Each City will pay an administration fee for this service as set out in Section 3 below. d. Shared services for absentee voting i. The Borough Clerk's Office will open an absentee voting site two weeks prior to the regular election and provide for absentee voters to have access to borough and city ballots for all precincts within the borough. ii. This is an in-kind service; there is no administrative charge for this service. e. Election worker recruitment, training, and administration i. The Borough Clerk's Office will,in collaboration with each City,recruit,train, and provide for administration of all shared election workers, to include election judges, election officials, canvass board, election board, and any other similar terms in City or Borough codes referring to election workers. Election workers hired for a regular municipal election will be considered temporary employees of the Borough. ii. Each City will pay or cause to be paid an administration fee for this service as set out in Section 3 below. iii. For the purposes of Workers' Compensation and all other employment related matters Election Workers shall be considered temporary employees of the Borough. iv. Because City of Seldovia is within the Seldovia/Kachemak Bay voting precinct which is a by mail precinct for the borough, the Borough Clerk's MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 2 of 11 Office will only be responsible for hiring an absentee voting official to work on Seldovia/Kachemak elections. f. Equipment delivery and storage i. The Borough Clerk's Office will provide for all necessary election equipment to be delivered to polling sites and absentee voting stations, unless specific arrangements are otherwise made with individual cities. g. Precinct/Polling Site Rental i. In the event a polling site requires a rental charge, the KPB will handle all aspects of securing the site for use. ii. Each City will pay an administration fee for this service as set out in Section 3 below. h. Special elections support i. Section 2(a)through (g) above do not apply to City special elections. ii. Unless specific arrangements are otherwise made with individual cities, the Borough Clerk's Office will program ballots, provide logic and accuracy testing, and provide for use of Borough election equipment for the City's special election which will include print ready artwork to printer, ballot tabulator, ADA compliant tablet, ballot printer, and ballot box per precinct for special elections conducted by a City. iii. Each City will pay an administration fee for this service as set out in Section 3 below. The Borough will not provide for an absentee voting site for special elections conducted by a City. Each City will pick up the Borough election equipment that it will use in its special election. 3. CITIES OBLIGATIONS AND FEES a. The Cities' respective Clerk's Office will open an absentee voting site two weeks prior to the regular election and provide for absentee voters to have access to borough ballots for precincts within or near the city limits. Except that it is understood City of Soldotna and the KPB will share an absentee voting site at the Borough Administration Building located at 144 N. Binkley Street. b. The Cities' respective Clerk's Office will provide all candidate information and proposition language in order to accommodate timelines for ballot programming and voter pamphlet information. c. By signing this Agreement, Cities consent to the following fee schedule: Service Cost Description Ballot Programming $500 per regular See description of services in election 2(a) above. Logic and Accuracy $100 per regular See description of services in Testing election 2(b) above. Voter Pamphlet $100 per page See description of services in 2 c above. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 3 of 11 Shared services for No charge, in kind See description of services in absentee voting service provided 2(d) above. Election worker 50%of wages and Wages are based on the current recruitment,training, employer's share of election worker hourly rate as set and administration FICA for all election by the Division of Elections officials working at polling locations See description of services in within city's 2(e) above. jurisdiction. Equipment delivery and No charge See description of services in storage 2(f) above. Precinct rental or lease 50/50, with a See description of services in fees maximum charge to 2(g) above. the city of$50 if charged by the site City's Special Elections $1500 flat rate See description of services in 2(h) above. 4. ELECTION WEBPAGES AND LOCAL INFORMATION The parties agree that the Borough and each City shall continue to maintain, with each party continuing to bear respective associated costs, its own election webpage and other information items regarding municipal elections. 5. WITHDRAWAL a. If the Borough or a City wants to withdraw from agreement They must provide 4 months' written notice. b. The Borough or a City cannot cancel or terminate this agreement within 90 days of the regular municipal election. 6. TERM OF AGREEMENT This Agreement shall be in effect for five (5) years beginning 5 , 2021 and terminating Glen' 2026. This Agreement is eligible fo o 5-year renewals by mutual write c f the parties. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Rage 4 of 11 7. CITY AND KPB CODE AND STATE LAW This Agreement does not supersede any City or KPB code or state law. If a provision of this Agreement conflicts with KPB or City code or state law,the respective code and state law controls. 8.WORKERS' COMPENSATION; LIABILITY INSURANCE Each Party shall be responsible for the purchase and maintenance of minimum insurance coverage as specified in paragraphs (a) and(b) of this section. Insurance coverage shall be in acceptable form, and for the amounts specified by the Borough, or as required by law, whichever is greater. Insurance coverage shall remain in effect for the life of this Agreement, and any extensions thereto. This insurance shall be primary. a. Commercial general/automobile liability insurance of not less than $1,000,000 combined single limit bodily injury and property damage per occurrence. b. Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability insurance shall be provided for all employees and volunteers as per Alaska State Statutes. 9. DEFAULT Failure of either party to fully perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement will constitute a default. If default is not cured, within 30 days, by full performance under this Agreement, then the non-defaulting party may immediately terminate the Agreement by delivering written notice to the defaulting party. 10.AMENDMENT OF AGREEMENT This Agreement may only be modified or amended by written agreement of the parties. II. COUNTERPARTS; ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and may be executed by way of facsimile or electronic signature in compliance with AS 09.80, each of which when so executed shall constitute an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties. There are no other understandings or agreements between the parties, either oral or memorialized in writing regarding the matters addressed in this Agreement. The parties may not amend this Agreement unless agreed to in writing with both parties signing through their authorized representatives. MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 5 of 11 13. SAVINGS CLAUSE If any provision of this Agreement shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the invalidated provision shall remain in force and effect only to the extent not invalidated and the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect. 14. OBLIGATIONS All of the Borough's and the Cities obligations as specified in Sections 1 and 2 are subject to lawful appropriations, if necessary, for the specific purpose of carrying out the Borough and City's obligations. KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH 144 N BINKLEY STREET SOLDOTNA,AK 99669 By: Charlie Pierce, Mayor Date: ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: Johni Blankenship, Borough Clerk Sean Kelley, Deputy Borough Attorney MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 6 of 11 CITY OF KENAI 210 FIDALGO AVE. KENAI,AK 99611 By: Paul Ostrander, City Manager ATTEST: Jamie Heinz, City Clerk MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 7 of 11 CITY OF HOMER 491 E. PIONEER AVE. HOMER,AK 99603 By: Rob Dumouchel, City Manager Date: ATTEST: Melissa Jacobsen, City Clerk MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 8 of 11 CITY OF SELDOVIA PO DRAWER B SELDOVIA, AK 99663 By: City Manager Date: ATTEST: Heidi Geagel, City Clerk MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 9 of 11 CITY OF SEWARD PO BOX 167 SEWARD, AK 99664 By: , City Manager Date: ATTEST: AendaIou, City Clerlr Cj ® ,. i- v �. L Am- 0 F .h a �g���msrsa�f�w MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 10 of 11 CITY OF SOLDOTNA 177 N BIRCH ST. SOLDOTNA,AK 99669 By: Stephanie Queen, City Manager Date: ATTEST: Shellie Saner, City Clerk MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT—LOCAL ELECTIONS Page 11 of 11