HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019/11/12 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Regular Official minutes
Special city council meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
November 12, 2019
1. Call to order
Mayor Spano called the meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
Councilmembers present: Mayor Jake Spano, Tim Brausen, Steve Hallfin, Rachel Harris, Anne
Mavity, Thom Miller, and Margaret Rog.
Councilmembers absent: None.
Staff present: City Manager (Mr. Harmening), Deputy City Manager/Human Resources Director
(Ms. Deno), City Clerk (Ms. Kennedy), Elections Specialist (Mr. Sund), Communications Manager
(Ms. Smith), Senior Management Analyst (Ms. Solano), and Recording Secretary (Ms. Pappas).
Guests: Larry Kraft, Nadia Mohamed
1a. Pledge of allegiance
1b. Roll call
2. Resolutions, ordinances, motions and discussion items
2a. Canvass results of Municipal General Election held on November 5, 2019
Ms. Kennedy reported on the election results. Mr. Sund compared the election statistics
in St. Louis Park with those of Minneapolis’ last three ranked-choice elections.
Ms. Kennedy highlighted the statistic reflecting spoiled ballots totaling 113 which is
1.71%. She noted this result was a direct result of the extensive outreach efforts related
to educating residents on ranked-choice voting. She stated staff will summarize all
information for the council, adding she is proud of her staff, the community and the
election judges for a job well done.
Mr. Harmening also complimented the election judges, and the leadership of Ms.
Kennedy and Mr. Sund. He noted staff ensured this process was successful stating it was
due to the thoughtful planning and outreach and education process.
Councilmember Mavity asked how the spoiled ballot rate in 2019 compared to previous
election years in St. Louis Park. Ms. Kennedy stated staff will provide that information
for council.
Mayor Spano stated he also appreciated the variety of education materials that were
designed and implemented by staff, and investing the time and money in outreach and
education at city events.
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Special city council meeting -2- November 12, 2019
Councilmember Harris agreed and added the most impressive piece of the outreach and
education program were the creative ways staff brought the information to the voters.
Councilmember Rog asked if staff learned anything throughout this process. Ms.
Kennedy stated something new is learned in every election and her staff is in the
process of debriefing and reviewing items that worked, didn’t work, and could be
improved upon. She noted her staff is always looking for ways to improve services to
voting easier for the community.
It was moved by Councilmember Brausen, seconded by Councilmember Mavity, to adopt
the resolution declaring results of the Municipal General Election held November 5, 2019
as follows:
Mayor – Jake Spano
Councilmember at large A – Larry Kraft
Councilmember at large B - Nadia Mohamed
The motion passed 6-0-1 (Mayor Spano abstained).
Ms. Kennedy stated staff will perform a post-election review via hand count of the
ballots cast in the following precincts to ensure the equipment used accurately counted
the ballots as they were marked.
Precinct 12 – hand count of councilmember at large A
Precinct 7 – hand count of councilmember at large B
3. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Jake Spano, mayor
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