Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections Meeting 04/13/21

Board Members Present: Mr. Darius Maynard, Mr. Joel Hazard, Mr. Mike Kaplan, Mrs. Karen Evans-Daniel, and Mr. Herbert Spangler

Staff Present:  Mrs. Jeanetta Watson, Elections Supervisor, Mrs. Veronica Seals, Chief Registrar, Ms. Charlene Maynard, Administrative Assistant, Mr. Thomas Gillon, Elections Officer, Mrs. Angela Orr, Deputy Registrar, Miss Canetra Ford, Deputy Registrar, and Ms. Carrie Middleton, Deputy Registrar

Board of Elections’ Attorney:  Mr. William Noland

Visitors:  Sandy Tharpe, Georgia Women, Maria Bryant, Macon-Bibb NAACP, Claudia Kirkwood, LWV, Liz Fabian, Center for Collaborative Journalism Mercer University, Carolyn Hargrove, LWV, Elaine Johnson, Peanut Gallery, Donald Pruitt, Commissioner Elaine Lucas, Mary Katz, Civic Ambassadors, Janice Davis, Poll Worker, Teresa Harris, Former Poll Worker, and Jamael S.

CALL TO ORDER:  

Mike Kaplan, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1. Mr. Spangler made a motion to approve the minutes from the Regular Board meeting held Thursday, April 15, 2021.  Mr. Hazard seconded.  Mr. Kaplan, Mr. Maynard, and Mrs. Evans-Daniel agreed.  The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. The Board agreed to attend new Board member development and training on May 5, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Board of Elections office.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS 

Mr. Maynard, Mr. Hazard, Mr. Spangler, and Mrs. Evans-Daniel were sworn in by Sarah Harris, Probate Judge immediately prior to today’s Board meeting.  These appointments will be effective April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2023.

Nomination for Chairperson:

Mrs. Evans-Daniel made a motion to nominate Mr. Darius Maynard to serve as Chairperson.  Mr. Kaplan seconded.  Mr. Hazard and Mr. Spangler seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.  

Nomination for Vice-Chairperson:

Mr. Spangler made a motion to nominate Mr. Hazard to serve as Vice Chairperson. Mr. Maynard seconded.  Mr. Kaplan and Mrs. Evans-Daniel agreed.  The motion passed unanimously.

2. After discussion, concerning the At-Large Board member, Mrs. Evans-Daniels made a motion for Mr. William Noland, County Attorney to submit a letter to Mayor Lester Miller and the Commission expressing their request to keep Mr. Kaplan on as the At-Large Board member for the 2021 – 2023 (2)-year term.  Mr. Spangler seconded.  Mr. Hazard and Mr. Maynard agreed.  The motion passed unanimously.

3. Mrs. Watson stated that at this time, HB 575 which is legislation for the Other Local Option Sales Tax (OLOST) has not been signed by Governor Brian Kemp.

4. The hearing for the Board of Elections fiscal year 2022 budget request will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. via zoom call. 

5. Mrs. Watson stated requisitions for items to be purchased with the CTCL grant funds are being processed.  The deadline to file the grant report expenditures is June 30, 2021.

OTHER BUSINESS:

1. Items from the Chief Registrar, Veronica Seals
   1. Active – 109,692 Inactive – 7,121 Combined Total – 116,813 as of date: April 14, 2021 at 12:09 p.m.
   2. ElectioNet Voter Registration Dashboard Report 
      1. DDS Department Driver Services Applications – 5 
      2. OLVR – Online Voter Registration Applications – 0
      3. Verification of Pending Voters – 0
2. Items from Board Members
   1. Reminder: Please provide (1) 8×10 and (1) 5×7 photograph for our Board member recognition Board

3. Items from the County Attorney – Mr. William Noland 
   1. Resolution of the Macon-Bibb County Commission for Appointment of the At-Large Board Member – Update
   2. Civil Action Suit – Case No. 1:21-cv-01284-ELR
      1. Sixth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, a GA non-profit organization vs. Brian Kemp, Governor of the State of GA
   3. HB 575 (Other Local Option Sales Tax – OLOST) & Resolution of the Macon Bibb County Commission.  Purpose: To request that the Local Legislative Delegation support legislation during the 2021 Session of the Georgia General Assembly to allow for an OLOST referendum to then be held in Macon-Bibb County. Status Update
4. Items from the Supervisor

1. See Correspondence for report
2. Discussion – Additional Office Space Concerns & Liability Issues
3. Workspace liability (Limited movement and high volume of trip hazards)
4. Voting Equipment Storage 
   1. Currently stored in different areas throughout the office.
      1. Out of compliance with security requirements. 
      2. Out of compliance with fire safety protocol.  Equipment is often placed in hallways when trying to prepare for elections and perform inventory.  
      3. Stored outside in mini mobile units. (Liability and risk of being exposed to inclement weather conditions) The mini mobiles are under surveillance.
5. Electrical Challenges
6. Limited space makes inventory of 2400 pieces of equipment and accessories extremely difficult.
   1. Offsite storage would be inconvenient but could be permitted if all security requirements are in place. 
7. Registrars (Limited workspace and storage)
8. Ask the Board members the following questions:
   1. Would you like a county issued email address for Board of Elections communications & correspondence?
   2. Would you like to be added to the correspondence website for elections officials called Firefly?

2. Correspondence: (Copies for Board meeting files)
   1. Civil Action Suit – Case No. 1:21-cv-01284-ELR
   2. SB 202 AS PASSED (Act shall be known and cited as the “Election Integrity Act of 2021
      1. Includes changes to the Official Absentee Ballot Drop Box provision
   3. FY 2021 Budget Performance Report as of April 15, 2021
   4. FY 2022 Budget Submission Overview
   5. Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) Grant Update
   6. Resolution of the Macon-Bibb County Commission authorizing the purchase of (2) Cargo Transit Vans with expenses to be paid from the BOE grant funds
   7. Supervisor’s Report and Recap 2020 – April 2021
   8. I serve as regional facilitator for 12 surrounding counties; planning a may workshop; will be discussing SB 202 and developing best practices.  

ADJOURNMENT:

Mr. Kaplan made a motion for adjournment at 5:06 p.m.  Mr. Spangler seconded.  Mr. Maynard, Mrs. Evans-Daniel, and Mr. Hazard agreed.  The motion passed unanimously.

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