Election Commission

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE ELECTION COMMISSION FEBRUARY 27, 2017 Location: Conference Room 202, City Hall, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313 1. Meeting called to order and roll call Chairman Carufel called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m. Commissioners present: John Gardiner (via phone); Joseph Niman, Jr.; and Mark Carufel, City Clerk. Also present: Melanie Ryska, Deputy City Clerk 2. Approval of Agenda. Motion by Niman, seconded by Gardiner, to approve the agenda as presented. Yes: All Motion carried. 3. Approval of meeting minutes of October 18, 2016. Motion by Gardiner, seconded by Niman, to approve the meeting minutes of October 18, 2016 as presented. Yes: All Motion carried. 4. To consider establishment of absent voter counting boards for the May 2, 2017 Special School Election, August 8, 2017 City Primary Election (if necessary) and November 7, 2017 City Election. Chairman Carufel noted that two absent voter counting boars are recommended for the May 2 Special School Election. In the event of an August 8 Primary and for the November 7 City Election, Chairman Carufel requested that the Commission allow up to six absent voter counting boards, noting that the city may implement new election equipment at the August 2 Primary. He explained that, with new equipment, there may be a reduction in staff necessary to process absent voter ballots. Motion by Niman, seconded by Gardiner, to approve two (2) Absent Voter Counting Boards for the May 2, 2017 Warren Consolidated Schools District Special Election, and up to six (6) Absent Voter Counting Boards for the August 8, 2017 Primary and November 7, 2017 City Election, at the discretion of the City Clerk. Yes: All Motion carried. Election Commission February 27, 2017 Page 2 5. To consider consolidation of precincts at the same polling locations for the May 2, 2017 Special School Election, August 8, 2017 City Primary Election (if necessary) and November 7, 2017 City Election. Chairman Carufel explained that in past practice, polling locations that contain two precincts have been consolidated into one precinct for Special and City Elections. The 17 precincts in the Warren Consolidated Schools Special Election can be consolidated into 12 precincts, including a special consolidation of precincts 3 and 35. Voters in precinct 35 will receive a mailed notification of the change in their polling location to precinct 3 for this special election. Additionally, the city’s 45 precincts can be consolidated into to 32 precincts for City Elections in August and November. Motion by Gardiner, seconded by Niman, to approve the consolidation of precincts at the same polling locations for the May 2, 2017 Special School Election, August 8, 2017 City Primary Election (if necessary) and November 7, 2017 City Election. Yes: All Motion carried. 6. Communications from Citizens. None. 7. Old Business. None. 8. New business. Chairman Carufel reported on the anticipated election equipment. He noted that he and the Deputy Clerk Ryska attended a demonstration of the three vendors, certified by the State, along with the other Clerk’s in Macomb County. He further stated that Macomb County will make a decision in March on the type of equipment the city will have to purchase. The Clerk’s office will keep the Commission updated through the process. 9. Adjourn. Moved by Gardiner, seconded by Niman to adjourn the meeting Yes: All Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 a.m. ______________________________________________ Mark Carufel, Chairman City Clerk