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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION – SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 2 with the Council. Because ballot drop-offs must be given directly to City staff for review, followed by twice weekly, then every day secure transport by staff, there will be no outdoor/indoor drop-box or unobserved drop offs allowed. Individuals cannot simply put their ballot in our City Hall drop box (mounted on the wall in the entrance leading to the building) nor can they be placed in the plastic bins we are currently using for large plans and permit drop offs. They must be handed directly to staff and processed as indicated above. Mayor Grant questioned how they would be reviewing the ballots. City Clerk Hanson stated this would be completed by a staff member. Mayor Grant explained he did not believe the City should take this on at City Hall. He stated it was his understanding no one in Arden Hills had currently been trained. City Clerk Hanson indicated this was correct. She discussed the process that would be followed by staff to review and certify ballots. She commented further on how residents could bring ballots to New Brighton, Roseville or Shoreview if Arden Hills did not accept ballots. Councilmember Holden agreed with Mayor Grant stating the City did not have staff to spare for certifying ballots. She expressed concern with the fact staff may be exposed to COVID-19 which would be a concern for the City’s already limited number of staff members. Councilmember Scott explained he would be voting absentee this year. He indicated if errors are found on mail-in ballots, a replacement ballot will be sent if time allows. He stated at this time he was not in favor of opening up City Hall to accept ballots. Councilmember McClung stated he had nothing to add. Councilmember Holmes did not support opening up City hall for ballot certification. Council consensus was to direct staff to not allow absentee ballot returns at City Hall. City Clerk Hanson reported the City Council would have to hold a Special City Council meeting on Thursday, November 12th in order to canvas the election results. B. Public Input Regarding the Keeping of Chickens Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated at their August 17, 2020 Work Session, the City Council discussed options to amend the language in the Zoning Code to relax restrictions on raising chickens and on chicken coops in residential districts, based on examples of similar communities’ ordinance restrictions. The City Council opted not to amend the code at that time, but instead to review the ordinance language at a later date. However, at its August 24 meeting, the City Council requested to discuss public input opportunities on the keeping of chickens at an upcoming work session. Councilmember Holden asked if staff had spoken to Roseville, Mounds View, Shoreview and New Brighton regarding any issues these cities were having with chickens.