Title
Resolution to Approve and Accept a Grant from the Center for Tech and Civic Life for the City's Safe Voting Plan Application and Appropriate Funding ($417,268) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The City Clerk's Office, with support from the former Michigan director of elections, was invited to prepare and submit a grant application to the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) for funding for the November 2020 election under the grant opportunity for safe voting. The City's plan was approved, and funding has been awarded in the amount of $417,268.00. The grant award must be used exclusively for the public purpose of planning and operationalizing safe and secure election administration.
Highlights of the funding include resources for an additional "client seat" for our recently purchased high-speed absentee ballot tabulator, applications for absentee ballots and postage for all remaining voters who have not yet applied for ballots, staffing for the UMMA satellite office and City Clerk's Office extended hours, ballot drop boxes, marketing materials, and bonus pay for the City's 500 plus election inspectors for work during the pandemic.
The Center for Tech and Civic Life recently expanded their COVID-19 Response Grant program to all U.S. local election jurisdictions, backed by a $250,000,000 contribution from Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg.
Staff
Prepared by: Jacqueline Beaudry, City Clerk
Reviewed by: Betsy Blake, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: John Fournier, Assistant City Attorney
Approved by: Tom Crawford, Interim City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The City Clerk identified additional needs related to the safe and successful conduct of the November 2020 election;
Whereas, A Safe Voting Plan was prepared for the Office of the City Clerk;
Whereas, The City's Safe Voting Plan was submitted to the Center for Tech and Civic Life for consideration for funding; and
Whereas, The Center for Tech and Civic Life has awarded the City of Ann A...
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