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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDraft Minutes - Board of Civil Authority - 10/07/2024 PAGE 1 BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 7 OCTOBER 2024 The South Burlington Board of Civil Authority held a meeting on 7 October 2024, at 5:30 p.m., in the Auditorium, City Hall, 180 Market St. Members Present: C. Shaw, Chair; T. Barritt, D. Kinville, M. Sunderland, L. Smith, A. Chalnick, E. Fitzgerald, M. Scanlan, H. Rees, L. Benner, L. Vera, A. Gross, B. Gross, C. Wagner, S. Katz Also Present: C. McNeil, City Attorney; R. Doyle 1. Instructions on Leaving the Building in the Event of an Emergency: Ms. Rees provided instructions on leaving the building in case of an emergency. 2. Comments & Questions from the public not related to the Agenda: There were no comments of questions. 3. Follow Up discussion on resident request to review protocols for City Council committee appointments: Mr. McNeill noted that a citizen had been told by the Vermont Secretary of State to reach out to the BCA regarding the process for Council committee appointments. After doing some research and reaching out to the Secretary of State’s Counsel, it has been determined that the Secretary of State was in error. 1VSA Section 314 lays out the proc3ess, and the BCA does not have a role in that process. There has to be a written complaint outlining the issues to the body allegedly in violation of the process. Mr. Shaw asked if being in the BCA Minutes serves as a written complaint. Mr. McNeill said the BCA is not the Board that made the alleged violation, so that is not sufficient. The complaint should go to the City Council or City Manager to be relayed to the City Council. 4. South Burlington Republican Party to discuss the election: This item was not discussed at this meeting. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 7 October 2024 PAGE 2 5. Choose dates for upcoming meeting(s) and pre-processing: Ms. Rees noted that all members have been given a draft schedule for the election. There are a lot of people who want to support the election, and she will add them to the list as long as there is work for them to do. There will be meetings regarding procedures including safety procedures. Ms. Rees noted that any time a ballot comes into the Clerk’s office, it is bar coded, then alphabetized by the day it is received, then secured in the vault until pre- processing. She also noted that ballots are coming in very fast. Mr. Shaw asked about the availability of the high-speed scanner. Ms. Rees said they are waiting for information on this. Mr. Shaw asked if the City could own one. Ms. Kinville said this was discussed and decided to hold off even though there was an approved motion from the BCA to purchase one. Ms. Rees said it could be a request in the FY26 budget. Ms. Kinville noted there is no charge to program the scanner; a sim card plugs right into the computer. The biggest purchase would be the computer which would have to be a new one because it can’t be used for anything else. The one the city used before was a loaner from LHS. Members then agreed on three pre-processing dates: 17 October, 24 October and 1 November starting at 9 a.m. each of those dates. Members also moved to meet and test tabulators on Tuesday morning, 15 October, at 10 a.m. Ms. Rees questioned whether people on the ballot who are not currently on the BCA should be allowed to work at polling places. Mr. Shaw noted that the BCA policy would have to be waived for those people. After a discussion, members agreed to hold to the policy and not have those people work at the polls. Ms. Rees reminded members and the public that the Clerk’s office will close at noon on 4 November and will be closed all day on Election Day (5 November). 6. Other Business No other business was presented. BOARD OF CIVIL AUTHORITY 7 October 2024 PAGE 3 As there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Gross moved to adjourn. Ms. Kinville seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 6:19 p.m.