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CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES

SPECIAL SESSION

224 S. Jefferson StreetPerry, Florida

May 31, 2001

MEMBERS PRESENT: Shirley Scott, Bill Alexander, Richard Frith, Doug Everett

STAFF PRESENT: Bill Blue and Annette Anderson

Mayor Frith noted that Councilmember Everett had been duly sworn in to take Council seat by JudgeStephen Murphy before the meeting.

Mayor Frith called the meeting to order. The roll was then called by the secretary. Councilmember

Cook had informed the secretary he would be unable to attend. Councilmember Alexander was notpresent when roll call was taken, but arrived at the meeting at approximately 5:08 p. m.

PRESENT ABSENT

Councilmember Cook XCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett XMayor Frith X

SUBJECT OF MEETING: CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE A DECISION AS TO THE TYPE OF

VOTING APPARATUS TO BE USED FOR THE 2001 CITY ELECTION.

Mr. Blue told the Council he had been informed by the Supervisor of Elections that the electronic

(tabulating) equipment had not yet been decertified and could be used in the upcoming city election in

July.

Mayor Frith said Molly Hendry Lilliott, Supervisor of Elections, had requested that the City Council

advise her as to whether paper ballots are to be used or whether electronic voting equipment is to be

used for the upcoming city election. Mayor Frith said his feelings are that the paper ballots would be

easiest and less costly to use, given there will actually only be two candidates running in the election.

Mayor Frith noted that Councilmember Everett would run unopposed, thus filling the District V seat.

Councilmember Everett noted the problems that were experienced in the state with the November 2000

election and asked if there was anything specific to voting equipment in Taylor County. Ms. Lilliott

stated there were no such problems experienced with the equipment locally.

Mayor Frith asked Ms. Lilliott if she had a preference as to the paper ballot or the electronic

equipment. Ms. Lilliott told the Council it did not matter to her, which is to be used, but noted that

electronic voting is more expensive. Ms. Lilliott said the City Council should make the decision.

Councilmember Everett asked how much more it would cost to do the electronic balloting. Ms. Lilliott

explained that a special computer chip would have to be purchased for this election at a cost of

approximately $600 to $1,000. Ms. Lilliott said electronic ballots have to printed on special paper with

special ink and would require some time to receive. Ms. Lilliott estimated the total cost at $1,500 to

$2,000 for the electronic process. Ms. Lilliott explained if the Council were to choose paper balloting,

the ballots could probably be printed by a local printing company and at less cost to the City.

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Page 2, May 31, 2001 City Council Minutes-Special Session

Councilmember Scott asked who would count the ballots. Ms. Lilliott said a canvassing board

comprised of herself, Judge Stephen Murphy, Councilmember(s) and others does this. Councilmember

Everett commented there could be a substantial savings by using the paper ballots and noted this

process had been used and had been successful in past elections. Councilmember Everett asked the

margin for error. Ms. Lilliott explained there is always the chance for under votes or over votes, that

people would do this even with paper balloting. Ms. Lilliott said, personally, she did not see where

there would be any conflict. Councilmember Alexander said he would like to go with the paper ballot.

Mayor Frith noted his preference would be the paper ballot. Councilmember Everett said given the

information received today, the paper ballot would be the prudent way to gosaving taxpayers money.

Councilmember Alexander made a motion that paper ballots be used in the upcoming City election inJuly. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Scott and upon roll call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Cook ABSENTCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett XMayor Frith X

On a related item of discussion, Mr. Blue informed the Council that, under Florida Statutes 100.3605,

the City has the power to amend its Charter, by ordinance, with respect to dates for qualifying and

dates of election without a referendum. Mr. Blue said the Council may not change any qualifying

requirements for candidates in this manner. Mr. Blue asked the Council if they wish him to draft a

proposal of amended charter provision that addresses that issue. Councilmember Scott asked if

changing the election date to coincide with other elections would lengthen the time frame. Mr. Blue

explained that if Florida Statutes were followed, there would be more time between the qualifying

period and the election. Councilmember Everett asked for clarification that a referendum would not be

required to make changes to the Charter regarding dates for qualifying and dates of election. Mr. Blue

stated that was correct. It was the consensus of the Council that Mr. Blue prepares a draft proposal of

an amended charter provision with respect to dates for qualifying and dates of election. Mr. Blue told

the Council no action would be taken until the required public advertising had been done.

On another matter, Mayor Frith said a representative for the Bulldog Summer Baseball team had called

City Hall to request the Councils consideration of extending the period of time to solicit through June

8, 2001. Mayor Frith explained that the individual said the group had missed the first date of

solicitation on May 25. Mayor Frith said the solicitation permit had been approved at the May 22,

2001, Council meeting.

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Page 3, May 31, 2001, City Council Minutes-Special Session

Councilmember Scott made a motion to allow the extension of time for the Bulldog Summer Baseball

to solicit through June 8, 2001. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Everett and upon roll

call vote was as follows:

YEA NAY

Councilmember Cook ABSENTCouncilmember Alexander XCouncilmember Scott XCouncilmember Everett XMayor Frith X

ADJOURNMENT.

There being no further business to come before the City Council at this time, the meeting was

adjourned at approximately 5:30 p. m.

ATTEST:

_______________________________ _________________________________William E. Brynes, City Manager Richard Frith, Mayor

Recorded in Official Minute Book:

___________________________ _________________________________ Annette Anderson, Secretary Date