HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - December 18, 1985 (83)d
As
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 4, 1985
COUNCIL AUTHORIZES
PURCHASE OF ELECTION
TABULATION EQUIPMEN1
Following a rerx rt by City Ci_rk Reimche arC',
` COu-nc. l on motion of Council. t'icicber Snider, O son se-cci Q,
' aut?o,_y�ea the purchase of a portable Ivlicro Ballot Counter
from the Martin and ChaE- ran Coagp ny at a cost o a16,OGU
', be used for ballot tabulations at all future City
elections, whit=h amount is to be funded from th-e
Contingency Fud
n.
70UNCIL COMMUNICATI"
TO� THE CITY COUPJCIL DATE NO.
,.FROM: THS ,CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
December 4, 1985
SUBJECT:
PECOMMENDED PURCHASE OF ELECTION TABULATION EOUIP1104I'
Prior to the 1984 General Municipal Election, it was deterT.uaed that
inasmuch as the total number of registered voters in the City of Lodi
exceeded 17,000 that it was becoming too cumbersome to manually tabulate
election results.
A study was done state-wide as to the type of automated election
tabulation equipment that was available, its ease of use, reliability,
and performance.
Following receipt of an indepth report on the matter by the City
Clerk, Council authorized entering into a cozcract with Smurfit
Diamond Packaging Corporation aka Sequoia Pacific Systems Corporation
which covered certain services, the supplying of all paper supplies
dealing with the General Municipal Election and the leasing of their
Datavote Mini -Cuter.
We were most pleased with our association with Sequoia Pacific SysteTro
Corporation. The election night process went without a hitch, and o.e
completed our count and closed city hall before 9:30 PM that evening.
We experienced a 34% voter turnout for that election and the total cost
for the election was $14,196.00 or .F25� per registered voter.
We were assured by Sequoia Pacific Systems Corporation that this
equipment would be available to us at any future election that the City
of Lodi. might hold. Prior to the November 1985 election, we contacted
Sequoia Pacific to confirm the use of the equipment and were told it
would be available. In a second call sometime before the election, we
were told that they were sorry but that the equipment would not he
available.
Because of this experience we are concerned about the availability of
the leasing of this type of equipment for future elections. Once
again, we surveyed various election suppliers and have received a
quotation from Martin and Chad Company for the City's purchase
of the computer equipment needed for automatic election tabulations.
The equipment for which we have received the quotation is a 600 CPM
(cards per minute) portable Micro Ballot Counter approved by the
State of California at a complete cost of $16,000. We have been
assured that the complete system can be delivered at that price in
ample time for our April 8,1986 General Municipal Election.
We have called various cities throughout California about this
equipment and their association with the Martin and Chapman Ccmpwly
and have received outstanding reports on the performance of the
equipment and the service provided by Martin and Chapmman.
Finance Director Robert Holm and I have both seen the equipment
demonstrated and feel confident that it will meet the City's needs for
years to gene. The operation of the. equipment is not cccnplex and can
be handled by City Staff.
The test and accuracy processes will be done under the scrutiny of
Martin and Chagoan and can also be completed by City Staff.
The County of San Joaquin quoted a price of $30,837.00 or $1.50 per
registered voter to conduct the City of Lodi November 1985 election if
there was no consolidation.
Listed below are election costs during the past several years where the
City of Lodi has conducted its own election:
1980 General Municipal Election $16,554.00
1981 Special Election $13,364.00
1982 General Municipal Election $15,039.00
1983 Special Election $12,225.00
1984 General Municipal Election $14,296.00
REDED ACTION:
Because of the cost savings, cost controls, convenience and time fact -or,
it is recommended that the City purchase the heretofore described
portable Micro Ballot Counter from Martin and Chagnan at a cost of
$16,000.
ALICE M. REIMCHE
City Clerk