Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of Tamarac Resolution R-2018-126Temp. Reso. #13183 September 14, 2018 Page 1 of 4 CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA RESOLUTION NO. R-2018 - 102'(�' A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE CLOSURE OF BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON ELECTION DAY OR THE RELOCATION OF VOTING PRECINCTS FROM BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT THE COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, over many years, the Broward County Supervisor of Elections has utilized Broward County Public Schools for the purpose of voting precincts for primaries, general and municipal elections; and WHEREAS, while every effort has been made to prevent access to other areas of the school campuses, parents, families and school staff have been concerned about allowing access to the school campuses on election days for people who would not otherwise be allowed on the school campuses; and WHEREAS, during the August 28, 2018 primary in Broward County, there were 154 voting precincts located in 128 different Broward County Public Schools throughout Broward County; and WHEREAS, one school in Tamarac, Millennium Collegiate Academy, serves as a designated polling place; and Temp. Reso. #13183 September 14, 2018 Page 2of4 WHEREAS, according to the Broward County Public Schools 2018/2019 School Year calendar, the schools were open during the primaries on August 28, 2018, and will be closed for an employee planning day for the general election day on November 6, 2018; and WHEREAS, reportedly, other school districts have made adjustments in the public school year calendar to ensure schools are closed on election days to avoid the concern of having people on the school campuses who would otherwise not be permitted on the campuses during the school day; and WHEREAS, Florida Statutes section 102.101 prohibits law enforcement personnel on duty in a polling precinct unless requested by the Supervisor of Elections; and WHEREAS, increasing visible police presence at or outside voting precincts, even when done strictly for safety purposes, may potentially pose a risk of lawsuits related to alleged voter intimidation, as police presence at the polls has been a historic method in areas of the United States to allegedly intimidate voters; Ti e WHEREAS, safety and security of people who live, work, visit, or go to schools in Tamarac is the City's utmost priority; and WHEREAS, taking precaution by closing the schools serving as polling places on election days, including primary, municipal and general elections, will ensure the safety of school campuses, parents, families and school staff and provide more and better access to methods for citizens to cast their votes in elections; and Temp. Reso. #13183 September 14, 2018 Page 3 of 4 WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Tamarac, deems it to be in the best interests of the citizens and residents of the City of Tamarac to support the closure of schools serving and polling places on election day or relocation of voting precincts out of Broward County Public Schools. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC, FLORIDA THAT: SECTION 1: The foregoing "WHEREAS" clauses are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true and correct and are hereby made a specific part of this Resolution. All exhibits attached hereto are incorporated herein and made a specific part of this Resolution. SECTION 2: The City Commission of the City of Tamarac, Florida supports the closure of Broward County Public Schools on election day for primaries, general and municipal elections or relocation of polling places from Broward County Public Schools to other locations in order to provide maximum safety to children, families, and Broward County Public School staff. SECTION 3: The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to all Cities in Broward County, the Broward County Commission, the Broward County School Board, and the Broward County Supervisor of Elections. SECTION 4: All resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. SECTION 5: If any clause, section, other part or application of this Resolution is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional or Temp. Reso. #13183 September 14, 2018 Page 4 of 4 invalid, in part or application, it shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions or applications of this Resolution. SECTION 6: This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption. / 7 PASSED, ADOPTED AND APPROVED this ) 6 day of J-1,12, h IR-11 H R RESSL R MAYOR ATTEST PATRICIA TEUFEL, M CITY CLERK RECORD OF COMMISSION VOTE: MAYOR DRESSLER DIST 1: COMM. BOLTON DIST 2: V/M GOMEZ DIST 3: COMM. FISHMAN DIST 4: COMM. PLACKO I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT I HAVE APPROVED THIS RESOLUTION AS TO FORM SAMUELLS. GOREN CITY ATTORNEY 1