Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — NOVEMBER 18, 2019 9 <br />identified the following polling places: St Katherine Orthodox Church (Highway 96), Boston <br />Scientific (Hamline), Land O'Lakes (Lexington), Bethel College (Bethel Drive), Anderson Center <br />(Pine Tree Drive), Gradient Center (Lexington), and the Pilgrim House (Highway 96). Ramsey <br />County has not discussed elections with these facilities; however, if Council does have an interest <br />in one of those sites the County would then approach the site hosts. <br />City Administrator Perrault commented generally, the Council would need to make a decision <br />by early December to set polling places for the subsequent year; however, elections staff have said <br />there is sufficient flexibility to make a decision after the deadline. Staff would request Council <br />discuss the current sites, and if they would like to combine precincts are continue to consider <br />alternative locations. Two different solutions have been mentioned, the first is combining <br />Precinct 2 and 3 at North Heights, the second solution mentioned is moving Precinct 3 to North <br />Heights and Precinct 2 to the Anderson Center (again, this would need approval from the site <br />hosts). It was requested as part of this discussion to also consider where election signs are <br />allowed to be placed on boulevards, etc. <br />Councilmember Holmes stated there were concerns with having Precinct 2 at North Heights. <br />She recommended the 2020 election be moved back to Valentine Hills Elementary School. <br />Mayor Grant indicated this school may still be under construction. He recommended Precinct 2 <br />be located at a space that has ample parking. He questioned if Bethel University or the Anderson <br />Center should be considered for Precinct 2. <br />Councilmember Holden supported this recommendation. <br />Mayor Grant requested staff locate Precinct 2 at Valentine Hills Elementary School in 2020, and <br />have the Anderson Center as a backup. <br />Councilmember Holmes stated another option would be to have Precinct 2 and Precinct 3 both <br />located at North Heights Church. She commented with better signage, this would be a good <br />option for the City given the fact the church had ample parking. <br />Councilmember McClung explained it would be his preference to keep the polling places similar <br />to what they have been in the past because residents were familiar with this. <br />Mayor Grant recommended the Ramsey County Public Works facility be taken off the list for <br />Precinct 3 because this site does not work. He supported Precinct 3 being located at North <br />Heights Church. <br />Councilmember Scott agreed with these recommendations. <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated it was his understanding <br />construction would still be underway next fall at Valentine Hills Elementary School. <br />Mayor Grant suggested Precinct 2 be located either at the elementary school, if construction <br />allows, or at the Anderson Center. He stated Precinct 1 would be located at Presbyterian Church <br />of the Way. <br />