HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 21603: COVID-19 RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM THURMAN BILL BARITE,MAYOR RON BURTON
CHARLOTTE MOSES.MAYOR PRO TEM CITY MANAGER
City of
COUNCIL MEMBERS: SHERRI BELLARD,TRMC
RAYMOND SCOTT,JR. „ f r t h u _ CITY SECRETARY
CAL J.JONES
THOMAS J.KINLAW III r Texas VAL TIZENO
HAROLD DOUCET,SR. CITY ATTORNEY
KAPRINA FRANK
www.portarthurtx.gov
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
Date: September 22, 2020
To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Ron Burton, City Manager
From: Scott Moore, Assistant City Manager
RE: P. R. # 21603
Introduction:
This Agenda Item intends to seek the City Council's authorization to apply to the Center for Tech
and Civic Life (CTCL) to expand their COVID-19 Response Grant program to all U.S. local
election jurisdictions.
Background:
This grant is backed by a generous$250M contribution,CTCL will provide grants to local election
jurisdictions across the country to help ensure each municipality have the staffing, training, and
equipment necessary to allow every eligible voter can participate in a safe and timely way and
have their vote counted in November. The City of Port Arthur will submit an application in an
amount of$100,000 to help secure voting equipment and comply with the grant guidelines to help
election offices administer safe and secure elections in November.
Ensure Safe, Efficient Election Day Administration
• Maintain open in-person polling places on Election Day
• Procure Personal Protective Equipment(PPE) and personal disinfectant to protect election
officials and voters from COVID-19
• Support and expand drive-thru voting, including purchase of additional signage,tents,
traffic control, walkie-talkies, and safety measures
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Expand Voter Education & Outreach Efforts
• Publish reminders for voters to verify and update their address, or other voter registration
information,prior to the election
• Educate voters on safe voting policies and procedures
Launch Poll Worker Recruitment, Training& Safety Efforts
• Recruit and hire a sufficient number of poll workers and inspectors to ensure polling
places are properly staffed,utilizing hazard pay where required
• Provide voting facilities with funds to compensate for increased site cleaning and
sanitization costs
• Deliver updated training for current and new poll workers administering elections in the
midst of pandemic
Support Early In-Person Voting and Vote by Mail
• Expand or maintain the number of in-person early voting sites
• Deploy additional staff and/or technology improvements to expedite and improve mail
ballot processing
Budget Impact:
"I he budget will consist of Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) grant funds and local match
funds i f necessary.
Recommendation:
This Agenda Item intends to seek the City Council's authorization to apply to the Center for
Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) for an amount of$100,000.
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P.R. No. 21603
09/22/2020 sm
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPLY TO
THE CENTER FOR TECH AND CIVIC LIFE (CTCL) WHICH
EXPANDED THEIR COVID-19 RESPONSE GRANT PROGRAM TO ALL
U.S. LOCAL ELECTION JURISDICTIONS FOR THE 2020 GENERAL
ELECTION
WHEREAS,public gatherings and social distancing requirements across the country have
required municipalities to adjust their delivery of services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which
has created a new normal impacting our daily lives and the way the public engage elected officials
and staff; and
WHEREAS, this pandemic crisis has required municipalities to take steps in providing a
voting environment utilizing the best practices and guidelines to assure registered voters can
exercise their fundamental right to vote in a safe and protected environment; and
WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur is requesting $100,000 in grant assistance from the
Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), which has an October 1, 2020 deadline; and
WHEREAS, it is believed that this grant would assist the City Secretary and the duties
and responsibilities of the Election Office to provide safe and secure polling locations; and
WHEREAS, this Grant project will assist in securing additional election equipment,
procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), personal disinfectant to protect election officials
and voters from COVID-19.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
Section 2. That the City Manager is herein authorized to apply for grant funding to the
Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) to expand their COVID-19 Response Grant program to
all U.S. local election jurisdictions.
Section 3. That a copy of the caption be spread upon the minutes of the City Council.
READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of A.D., 2020,
at a meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
NOES:
Thurman Bill Bartie, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Valecia R. Tizeno, City Attorney
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
Ronald Burton. City Manager
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