01-09-2006 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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�:UUNCIL MEETING - JAN � 9 20�6 I2�QUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION ��F ORONO DATE: December 27, 2005 ITEM NO: �/ Dep�rtment Approval: Admiuist�gtor Reviewed: Agenda Section: N�me Lin Vee �, i''/�r' City Administrator's Title Cit Clerk ! � Re ort Item Description: Approv�l of Lease A �`eement for Election Eqttipment with Heimepin County The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) passed by Congress requires the State of Mi�lnesota to implement assistive voting technology (AVT) in 2006 to be in conlpliance with HAVA. The State of Minnesota has been allocated $35 million for this purpose. State legislation requires each county to approve a HAVA Plan as to allocation and responsibilities of the local jurisdictions. The Heiulepin Cotinty Board approved the Cottnty HAVA Plan on November 15, 2005. Heiulepin County will provide the AVT equipment to cities for each precinct, one for city hall absentee voting, and several reserve backup units. The AUTOMARK Voter Assist Ternlinals froni Election Systems & Software has been certified by the Secretary of State's Office as equipment that meets the requirements of HAVA. The AUTOMARK Ternlinals will allow the visually impaired to hear ballot choices through headphones or see them in enlarged type on a video screen, Selections can be made by touching the screen, operating a keypad or, for a severely disabled person, sipping or puffing on an air htbe. Polling places will still utilize the existing optical scan voting equipment but will be required to have an additional assistive voting tenninal available for the scheduled elections in 2006. Hennepin Couuty will ptu�chase the AUTOMARK Tei717inals with their allocation of the federal money and cities will lease the equipment. The lease pa}nnent will cover the cost of the aiuival maintenance contract for each piece of equipment. The lease terms are similax to the current lease with Heimepin CotuZty for the City's optical scan voting equipment. The new equipment will be uuder wat7anty in 2006, therefore the first lease payinent from tl�e City will be due in 2007. The 2007 budget will reflect the estimated lease cost of$1,550 for tlle 5 AUTOMARK tei711inals assigned to tl�e City(1 for each precinct and 1 for absentee voting at city hall). Additioilal annual costs associated with the mandated HAVA compliant equipment may include programming, testing, storage, and trans�ortation. The County has proposed to replace the cui7�ent lease cities have foY�the oplical scan voting equipment with a new lease which incorporates Uoth the existing optical scan voting equipment aud tl�e new AUTOMARK equipment. Tl�e City Attorney has reviewed the agreement. Staff recommends approval of the attached lease agreement to assure compliance with HAVA. COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED: Motion to approve tl�e lease agreement for election equipment with Heiulepin County (Agreement No. A052266).