HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2019-086 CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2019-086 Sponsored by: City Clerk
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
RESOLUTION 2019-047 TO RECOGNIZE THE RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH'S ELECTION
STAKEHOLDERS GROUP AND DIRECTING STAFF TO EXPLORE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND SIGNING
KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH JOINT RESOLUTION 2019-001
WHEREAS, in February, 2019, the Kenai Peninsula Borough established the Election
Stakeholders Group (ESG) to increase voter participation by developing sustainable election
processes that maximize accessibility and inclusivity; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward was represented on the ESG by Vice Mayor Sue
McClure, and Interim City Manager Jeff Bridges followed by City Manager Scott Meszaros;
City Clerk Brenda Ballou participated on the ESG as a subject matter expert; and
WHEREAS, in July, 2019, the ESG concluded its work and produced a summary of six
final recommendations:
1. Vote by Mail Hybrid: transition the election process from the current polling site
structure to a vote by mail hybrid structure (VBMS) wherein every registered voter is
mailed a ballot packet 2-3 weeks prior to election day; voters drop their ballots at
secured locations, return their ballot by mail, or else vote in person at specified
Accessible Vote Centers (AVC);
2. Education & Outreach Campaign: the KPB Assembly appropriates funds for an
extensive voter education and outreach campaign designed to encourage voter
participation,promote civic engagement, and educate voters about VBMS;
3. Amend Alaska State Statute, Title 29: the KPB Assembly adopts a resolution
requesting the Alaska State Legislature to amend AS 29.26.060(c) in order to allow
ranked voting for runoff elections;
4. Voter Pamphlet: deliver the voter pamphlet to voters via a website, and also provide
hard copies of the voter pamphlets at the Accessible Vote Centers(ACV);
5. Appoint Service Area Board Representatives: transition to appointing KPB service
area board representatives rather than electing them;
6. Eliminate Proposition Statements: eliminate having proposition statements, either for
or against a proposition, from the voter pamphlet; and
WHEREAS, the ESG final report also recommends that the BPB seek support from and
partner with each City to conduct all local elections by mail; and
WHEREAS,because the impact of pursuing these recommendations will be broadly felt
throughout the borough, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly has requested that each City
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2019-086
demonstrate support for this initiative by signing KPB Joint Resolution 2019-001; and
WHEREAS, KPB Joint Resolution 2019-001 recognizes the recommendations of the
ESG, and supports a KPB vote by mail strategy with an implementation target date of October,
2020.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby supports Kenai Peninsula Borough
Resolution 2019-047, and authorizes the Mayor Squires to sign Kenai Peninsula Borough Joint
Resolution 2019-001, recognizing the recommendations of the KPB Election Stakeholders
Group and supporting a KPB vote by mail strategy with an implementation target date of
October,2020.
Section 2.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this
23rd day of September, 2019.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA �r
Sue McClure,Vice Mayor
AYES: Osenga, Seese, Horn,Towsley, Lane, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: Squires
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
renda J. Ballo , MMC
City Clerk
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Introduced by: Dunne, Hibbert
Date: 09/03/19
Action: Adopted as Amended
Vote: 5 Yes,4 No,0 Absent
KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
RESOLUTION 2019-047
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2019-001 OF THE
ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH AND COUNCILS OF THE
CITIES OF HOMER, KACHEMAK, KENAI, SELDOVIA,SEWARD AND SOLDOTNA,
RECOGNIZES THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE KENAI PENINSULA
BOROUGH'S ELECTION STAKEHOLDERS GROUP AND DIRECTING STAFF TO
EXPLORE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly established the Election Stakeholders
Group("ESG")through the direction and adoption of Resolution 2019-006,which
included community members and members from many local governments in the
borough, researched ways to increase voter participation by developing
sustainable election processes that maximize accessibility and inclusivity; and
WHEREAS, after holding many public meetings throughout 2019 the ESG issued a final report
with six specific recommendations regarding potential changes to borough code
and election processes which are intended to achieve guiding principles initially
adopted by the ESG; and
WHEREAS, Joint Resolution 2019-001 details the efforts of the ESG, recognizes its
recommendations and directs staff to explore implementation of the
recommendations;
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI
PENINSULA BOROUGH:
SECTION 1. That the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly adopts Joint Resolution 2019-001.
SECTION 2. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption.
Kenai Peninsula Borough,Alaska Resolution 2019-047
Page 1 of 2
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH THIS 3RD
DAY OF SEPTEMBER,2019.
Wayne H. Og , Assen ly ident
ATTEST:
i .21-J �� /As /
Joh i Blankenship, MMC, Borough Clerl Q .•• ••.90 %
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Yes: Bagley,Cooper, Dunne, Hibbert,Smalley
No: Blakeley,Carpenter, Fischer,Ogle
Absent: None
Resolution 2019-047 Kenai Peninsula Borough,Alaska
Page 2 of 2
,
KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
CITY OF HOMER
CITY OF KACHEMAK
CITY OF KENAI
CITY OF SELDOVIA
CITY OF SEWARD
CITY OF SOLDOTNA
JOINT RESOLUTION NO.2019-001
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA
BOROUGH AND COUNCILS OF THE CITIES OF HOMER, KACHEMAK,KENAI,
SELDOVIA,SEWARD AND SOLDOTNA, RECOGNIZING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF
THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH'S ELECTION STAKEHOLDERS GROUP AND
DIRECTING STAFF TO EXPLORE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly established the Election Stakeholder Group
("ESG") through the direction and adoption of Kenai Peninsula Borough ("KPB")
Resolution 2019-006; and
WHEREAS, the ESG was tasked with researching ways to increase voter participation by developing
sustainable election processes that maximize accessibility and inclusivity;and
WHEREAS, the ESG was comprised of assembly members, city council members, city managers, a
representative from the KPB mayor's office and community members with a specific
interest in the electoral process;and
WHEREAS, the ESG was supported by the borough and city clerks as well representatives from the
KPB Legal Department, Information Technology Department, and the Geographical
Information Division;and
WHEREAS, the ESG adopted guiding principles to focus and guide its work, including: maximizing
accessibility and inclusivity of borough elections; improving voter satisfaction and
confidence; making efficient use of public resources; ensuring electing security and
integrity; and, improving voter outreach and coordination with all stakeholders;and
WHEREAS, the ESG, as detailed in its final report, made six specific recommendations regarding
potential changes to KPB code and election processes which are supported by, and
intended to achieve, the stated guiding principles; and
WHEREAS, the ESG chair and vice-chair presented the attached final report and recommendations to
the KPB assembly on August 20,2019; and
WHEREAS, the ESG recommends that the KPB seek support from and partnership with the cities
within the borough to administer all future local elections consistent with the vote by mail
hybrid structure; and
WHEREAS, the ESG recommends that the KPB explore cost sharing with the cities within the KPB
for the purchase and maintenance of election equipment; and
Joint Resolution No.2019-001
Page l of 4
I
WHEREAS, in order to fully educate voters and the public on a new process,the ESG recommends the
KPB and community partners conduct an extensive and comprehensive
communication/education plan; and
WHEREAS, the ESG further recommends collaboration between the KPB and the cities within the
KPB to develop legislation and administrative practices for the administration of local
elections that are consistent with KPB processes, and make efficient use of government
resources;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
ASSEMBLY AND THE COUNCILS OF THE CITIES OF HOMER, KACHEMAK, KENAI,
SELDOVIA,SEWARD AND SOLDOTNA:
SECTION 1. That the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and the city councils for the Cities of Homer,
Kachemak, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward and Soldotna recognize the recommendations of the
2019 Election Stakeholders Group.
SECTION 2. That the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and the city councils for the Cities of Homer,
Kachemak, Kenai, Seldovia, Seward and Soldotna support the KPB clerk and the city
clerks as they continue to explore vote by mail elections with a goal to implement the first
by mail election in October of 2020 as a strategy to increase voter turnout, thus
empowering KPB and city residents with a stronger voice in the democratic process and
in the decisions that directly impact their lives.
SECTION 3. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption of the Kenai Peninsula
Borough Assembly and the city councils within the Kenai Peninsula Borough.
APPROVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH THIS THIS 3RD
DAY OF SEPTEMBER,2019.
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ATTEST: Q� . . 90
aLL-JLA2- 11 '•
Joh i Blankenship. MMC, Borough Cler _ Y
•
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF Wd14`ER THIS DAY OF
,2019.
Ken Castner, Mayor
ATTEST:
Melissa Jacobsen, MMC,City Clerk
Joint Resolution No.2019-001
Page 2 of 4
Ili APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KACHEMAK THIS DAY OF
,2019.
William Overway, Mayor
ATTEST:
Erika Fitzpatrick,City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI THIS THIS DAY OF
,2019.
Brian Gabriel, Mayor
ATTEST:
Jamie Heinz,CMC,City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SELDOVIA THIS THIS DAY OF
,2019.
Dean Lent,Mayor
ATTEST:
Heidi Geagel,City Clerk
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD THIS THIS 23rd DAY OF
September 2019.
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David Squires, Mayor
icoe®o9!� Ste McClure, Vice Mayor
ATT o� •
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111 B enda Ballow,M ,City C erk -;-
'0�/Pj►'••.� 1P' ,o';,�!�.,�e:4. Joint Resolution No.2019-001
I� '4-.......,n('.O'.,i, Page 3 of 4
APPROVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLDOTNA THIS THIS_DAY OF ,,,,al
,2019.
Nels Anderson, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle M. Saner, MMC,City Clerk
Joint Resolution No. 2019-001
Page 4 of 4