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HomeMy WebLinkAboutO-2007-3045 9/10 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM Agenda Date ReqlJested: November 12. 2007 Requested By: Clark Askms Appropriation Source of Funds: Department: Legal Account Number: Report: Resolution: Ordinance:X Amount Budgeted: Exhibits: Ordinance Amount Requested: Exhibits: Notice of Public Hearin2 Budgeted Item: YES NO Exhibits: SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATION Conduct a public hearing to discuss and receive input from the public regarding changing of polling locations for the City of La Porte Elections. ,,1 Date ORDINANCE NO. 2007-~~ AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING NEW POLLING LOCATIONS FOR CITY OF LA PORTE ELECTIONS, CONTAINING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE: Section 1. The City Council of the City of La Porte has caused a review to be made of the effectiveness of existing polling locations for City of La Porte elections, which are located at 6000 West Main street (West Main Street at Underwood; enter off West Main/Spencer), La Porte, Texas 77571, for voters who reside in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 6, and at 301 East Fairmont Pkwy., La Porte, Texas 77571, for voters who reside in Districts 4 and 5. Section 2. The City Council officially finds and determines that the polling location for voters who reside in Districts 4 and 5, situated at the La Porte High School, 301 E. Fairmont Parkway, is not the best available location for voters who reside in Districts 4 and 5. Specifically, the City Council finds that a) voter confusion exists as to the polling place for Districts 4 and 5 because many voters presume that the City Hall Council Chambers serve as a polling location on election day; b) the fact that City Hall Council Chambers serve as a polling location only for early voting contributes to voter confusion among Districts 4 and 5 voters, on election day; c) City Hall Council Chambers are at a physical location which is more convenient to Districts 4 and 5 voters as compared to La Porte High School; d) scholastic, administrative, or other functions of the La Porte Independent School District at the La Porte High School campus may potentially interfere with the polling activities at the current location; and e) other City owned facilities would not serve as a suitable location for Districts 4 and 5 voters, when compared to City Hall Council Chambers. Section 3. The City Council finds and determines that maintaining a total of two (2) polling locations minimizes voter confusion, and allows for the most efficient use of City resources. Sec tion 4. The City Council finds and determines that the existing polling locations for voters who reside in Districts 1, 2, 3, and 6, situated at Baker Middle School, 6000 West Main Street, should remain unchanged. Section 5. The City Council finds and determines that the Early Voting Place, located at City Hall Council Chambers, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, should remain unchanged. Section 6. In consideration of the foregoing findings of fact, the City Council of the City of La Porte hereby establishes the Regular Voting Places and hours for Regular Voting as follows: Districts 1, 2, 3 and 6: 6000 West Main Street (W. Main Street at Underwood; enter off W.MainjSpencer), La Porte, Texas 77571 Districts 4 and 5: 604 West Fairmont Parkway La Porte, Texas 77571 Regular voting by personal appearance shall begin at 7: 00 a.m. and continue through 7:00 p.m. on election day at the above locations. Section 7. The City Council officially finds, determines, recites, and declares that a sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of this meeting of the City Council 2 was posted at a place convenient to the public at the City Hall of the City for the time required by law preceding this meeting, as required by the Open Meetings Law, Chapter 551, Texas Government Codej and that this meeting has been open to the public as required by law at all times during which this ordinance and the subject matter thereof has been discussed, considered and formally acted upon. The City Council further ratifies, approves and confirms such written notice and the contents and posting thereof. Section 8. This Ordinance shall be effective from and after its passage and approval, and it is so ordered. PASSED AND APPROVED, this /Jll-day of AJ 0 J , 2007. By: C~ OF LA PORTE ~t;~~ Alton E. Porter, Mayor ATTEST: ~tWtJV a. ;1j1f/ Mart a A. Gillett City Secretary APPROVED: l~r~ Clark T. Askins Assistant City Attorney 3 THE STATE OF TEXAS) COUNTY OF HARRIS) CITY OF LA PORTE) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of La Porte, Texas will hold a Public Hearing to discuss the changing of polling locations for City of La Porte Elections from 301 East Fairmont Parkway and 6000 West Main Street, to 604 West Fairmont Parkway and 6000 West Main Street, will be held on Monday, November 12,2007, before the City of La Porte City Council in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Texas 77571, beginning at 6:00 p.m.