HomeMy WebLinkAbout22076 - RESOLUTIONS - 10/17/2007 RESOLUTION NO. 22076
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING A
VOLUNTARY PILOT CITY POLLWORKER PROGRAM,
ALLOWING CERTAIN CITY EMPLOYEES TO WORK AT
THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY, AS ELECTION
OFFICERS.
WHEREAS, the City Council recognizes that the foundation of democracy is dependent
upon ensuring the integrity and accuracy of the electoral process through the volunteer
services of knowledgeable, capable individuals who staff the polling locations in the City
of Palm Springs; and
WHEREAS, it has become increasingly difficult to recruit capable, reliable election
officers to work the polls on election day; and
WHEREAS, City employees are a natural resource to serve in this capacity through
their public service experience and ability to communicate effectively State laws and
regulations to the public; and
WHEREAS, the conduct of elections has become incredibly complex and partnerships
between the County and the City will further result in an improved election day process,
and will provide a reasonable benefit to the City, its residents and voters.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS DOES HEREBY RESOLVE
AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Voluntary Pilot City Pollworker Program is hereby approved.
a. City employees, on a voluntary basis, may request to work at the polls on
election day as election officers. (Approximately 6:00 AM to 9:30 PM). Employees will
receive their normal daily salary and benefits (but no overtime) from the City while being
reassigned. Volunteer employees will not be required to use accumulated leave
balance, and will be accounted as if they were reporting for a regular work day.
Additionally, the employee will receive the stipend paid by the County of Riverside
(currently $125.00 for Inspectors or $90.00 for Precinct Officers, plus $20.00 for
attending training) for the volunteer community service work beyond his/her normal
work day.
b. City employees who desire to volunteer their service as election officers
will apply through the City Clerk, who shall coordinate such service with the County of
Riverside, Registrar of Voters.
Resolution No. 22076
Page 2
C. State law requires that election officers attend a training session prior to
each election. The training will be conducted by the Registrar of Voters and scheduled
at a time which will not impact the City employee's regular work assignments.
d. The Registrar of Voters shall keep the City Clerk apprised and informed of
City employees who volunteer for service on election day in terms of their attendance.
e. The Registrar of Voters shall pay City employees their election day
stipend at the same time and in the same manner as all other community service
pollworkers (generally within 2 to 3 weeks of election day).
f. Sworn and critical public safety employees, and City Clerk staff are not
eligible to serve as City Pollworkers on election day.
g. City employees that are 100% grant or other program funded, that
prohibits work on other than the grant and/or funded programs, are not eligible to serve
as City Pollworkers on election day.
h. All employee requests are at the discretion of the Department Director, to
ensure the Department is adequately staffed for that day.
i. City employees must be assigned to a Palm Springs voting precinct. In
general, the Registrar of Voters may only assign one City employee to each voting
precinct, unless extenuating circumstances exist and are approved in advance by the
Program Administrator.
j. City employees must be at least 18-years old on election day, and
registered to vote in California.
k. The City Manager or his/her designee shall be the Program Administrator
for the voluntary Pilot Program, and may promulgate further rules and/or regulations to
effectuate the program, that are not inconsistent with this resolution.
SECTION 2. The pilot Voluntary City Pollworker program is in full force and effect
through the February, 2008, Statewide Primary Election, and shall only be extended by
further action of the City Council.
SECTION 3, The City Clerk is hereby directed to prepare a report, within 45-days after
the expiration of the pilot program, outlining the success and effectiveness of the pilot
program, along with recommendations for a permanent program if appropriate.
Resolution No. 22076
Page 3
ADOPTED THIS 17T" DAY OF OCTOBER, 2007.
David H. Ready, C' 'pager
ATTEST:
mes Thompson, City Clerk
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS )
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 22076 is a full, true and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Springs on this 17th day of October,
2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Foat, Councilmember McCulloch, Councilmember Mills,
Mayor Pro Tern Pougnet, and Mayor Oden.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
;jies Thompson, City Clerk
ity of Palm Springs, California