Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago met Oct. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
Board Members:
Marisel A. Hernandez, Chairwoman
William J. Kresse, Commissioner/Secretary
Jonathan T. Swain, Commissioner
Staff:
Lance Gough, Executive Director
Adam W. Lasker, General Counsel
James P. Allen, Communications Director [absent]
Lorel Blameuser, Manager-Purchasing
Bill Perez, Coordinator Hispanic Outreach
Geneva Morris, Videographer
Gary Rycyzyn, Consultant
Irish Sheehy
Guests:
Helene Gabelnick, League of Women Voters of Chicago
Judd Ryan, ES&S
Barry Taylor, Equip for Equality
Lora Chamberlain, Clean Count Cook County
I. Call to Order: The Regular Board Meeting was called to order at 9:07 a.m.
II. Roll Call: Chairwoman Marisel A. Hernandez, Commissioner William J. Kresse and Commissioner Jonathan T. Swain were present.
III. Consideration of Agenda: The agenda was approved as presented.
IV. Approval of Minutes:
A. Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of September 12, 2017 Commissioner Swain moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of September 12, 2017, Commissioner Kresse seconded the motion. The Minutes of September 12, 2017 were approved by a 3:0 vote of the Board.
B. Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of September 19, 2017 Commissioner Swain moved to approve the Minutes of the Special Board Meeting of September 19, 2017, Commissioner Kresse seconded the motion. The Minutes of September 19, 2017 were approved by a 3:0 vote of the Board.
V. Executive Director's Report
Executive Director Gough reported that there was a Phase i meeting on Tuesday, October 3rd to discuss the responses to the voting equipment RFP. Mr. Gough provided the Board members with related documents, including a roster for the evaluation committee. The Committee has some non- voting members, including Mr. Gough. Mr. Gough requested, and received, permission to send copies of the proposals to the Commissioners via memory sticks. Mr. Gough will also send non disclosure forms with the memory sticks. Mr. Gough stated that Lorel Blameuser did an excellent job in preparing the materials. Mr. Gough is hopeful that in 2 weeks the Committee will have the top 3 proposals, and will issue a report to the Board.
Mr. Gough stated that there are some personnel matters to be discuss in today's Executive Session.
Mr. Gough then Invited Mr. Barry Taylor of Equip for Equality to address the Board and provide the monthly update on the polling place accessibility project. Mr. Taylor reported:
• All of the polling place surveys are being reviewed with determinations regarding necessary changes to be made.
• The work on a third of the polling places is complete. Reports are being sent to the Board of Elections a rolling basis. The effort is to get many of the needed changes Implemented in time for the March Primary, and, ultimately, all for the November Election. Mr. Gough stated that after we receive all of the reports at the end of the month, we will be meeting with City agencies, which control 50-55% of polling places.
Discussion ensued regarding the Implementation of proposed changes among the Commissioners, the Executive Director and Mr. Taylor.
A. Assistant Executive Director - None.
B. Communications Director
Communications Director Allen reported that his office recently issued two news releases: one related to National Voter Registration Day and Automatic Voter Registration, and a second regarding materials available to campaigns and political organizations as they prepare to file petitions.
Regarding the canvass of voters, the Board is probably going to have over 175,000 returns, which is more than originally expected.
Mr. Allen stated that he is also working with Mr. Peso on budget documents and budget preparations, for both the City and the County.
Vi. Old Business
A. Infrastructure Projects and Changes in Election Administration: Discussed earlier In this meeting.
B. Electronic Poll Books: No further update
C. Voting Equipment: Discussed earlier in this meeting.
D. Legislation General Counsel Adam Lasker discussed with the Board some ideas for possible inclusion In a legislative agenda for 2018, including:
Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting - October 10,2017
• Universal Voting Centers which would benefits both voters and taxpayers.
• Correcting a recent change in the law on Early Voting that expanded the Early Voting period to 40 days. This change was reportedly a typo in the Bill; the period was to remain at 15 days.
A proposal from the Illinois State Board of Elections for changing the timing and place for filing for write- in candidates. A second proposal from the State Board of Elections to allow an Electoral Board to have jurisdiction over the filing of Write-in Declarations.
VII. New Business
A. Attorney Contractor Agreement between Board of Election Commissioners of the City Of Chicago and Barbara Goodman
The Chairwoman stated that Ms. Goodman has been a long time Hearing Officer of the Board and will again provide those services In relation to 2018 Primary and General Elections. In addition, she has served as Assistant to the General Counsel here during the Electoral Board seasons, and she will again provide those services for the 2018 cycle. Before the Board Is an agreement between the Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago and Barbara Goodman for the period of time of October 10,2017 through December 31,2018 at the rate of $200 per hour. Commissioner Kresse moved to approve the agreement and Commissioner Swain seconded the motion. The motion passed by a 3:0 vote of the Board and the agreement with Ms. Barbara Goodman has been approved.
B. Recommendation of Award of contract to AT&T for Metro E Circuit Connections; ASE Line 1 and Line 2.
Mr. Gough requested that the Board defer on. Mr. Gough will send additional information to the Board members this later week, and asked that this matter be on the next meeting's agenda. Without objection, this Item was deferred until the next regular meeting.
VIII. Legal Report: Mr. Lasker has no Legal Report to present, but requested an Executive session for pending litigation.
IX. Financial Report: No financial report
X. Public Comment:
Lora Chamberlain, Clean Count Cook County;
Ms. Chamberlain inquired about the number of canvass returns. Mr. Allen stated that there will be over 175,000 total returns, probably closer to 200,000. Ms. Chamberlain also asked about the State Board of Elections' proposal for legislation regarding write-in candidates. Mr. Laskar responded to the question, clarifying the proposal.
XI. Executive Session: Commissioner Kresse made a motion to go into closed Executive Session to discuss pending litigation in accordance with Section 2(c)ll of the Open Meetings Act and discussion regarding external auditing committees under Section 2{c)29 and personnel matters under Section 2{c)l. Commissioner Swain seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous vote of the Board.
The Board returned to Open Session at 10:48 a.m. The Board took no action in Executive Session. Commissioner Kresse moved to adjourn this meeting and stated that a notice of the next meeting will be posted. Commissioner Swain seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn was passed by unanimous vote of the Board.
The Board adjourned at 10:49 a.m.
https://app.chicagoelections.com/documents/general/BoardMeetingMinutes-2017-10-10.pdf
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