REPORT TO BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Agreements with the County of Santa Clara for Use of the Santa Clara City Libraries as Vote Centers
Report
BACKGROUND
California Elections Code 12283(b) requires that if a city or county elections official requests that a local public building be made available for use as a polling place or vote center, then the governing body of the municipality shall allow such use. City Charter Section 1013(d) states that the Board of Library Trustees is required to “contract with school, county or other governmental agencies to render or receive library services or facilities, subject to the approval of the City Council.”
DISCUSSION
The County of Santa Clara Registrar of Voters has requested use of the three Santa Clara City Library branches as Vote Centers for the upcoming Primary and General Elections in March 2020 and November 2020. Staff has the space and time allocated to support this important function at Central Park Library, Northside Branch, and Mission Branch. In general, the proposed hours of operation would be from 9-5, with an additional hour at the beginning and end of the day for set-up. The specific hours per location are outlined in the attached agreements.
Central Park Library would be one of up to 25 Vote Centers in Santa Clara County to be open for 11 days including Election Day, and both Northside Branch and Mission Branch would be two of approximately 100 Vote Centers open for four days.
Staff recommends approval of the Vote Center Facility Use Agreements with the County of Santa Clara for Vote Centers at the Central Park Library, Northside Branch Library and Mission Branch Library, in accordance with the requirements of the California Elections Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact other than staff administrative time.
COORDINATION
This item was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Recommend to City Council to approve the Vote Center Facility Use Agreements with the County of Santa Clara for Vote Centers at the Central Park Library, Northside Branch Library and Mission Branch Library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Hilary Keith, City Librarian
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Reserved
2. Vote Center Facility Use Agreement, Central Park Library
3. Vote Center Facility Use Agreement, Northside Branch Library
4. Vote Center Facility Use Agreement, Mission Branch Library