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CC – Item 5 – Staff Report Automated Voting System for City Council Chambers stat eport TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL /� FROM: NANCY VALDERRAMA, CITY CLERK / DATE SEPTEMBER 1, 1998 RE: AUTOMATED VOTING SYSTEM FOR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS As you are aware, our present automatic voting machine in the Council Chambers is inoperable. Due to its age, replacement parts are not available. Two companies were located that manufacture similar voting systems, Forespar/ELECTroVOTE and Engineering Dynamics Incorporated. It is my understanding that the Council wishes to retain the vote display board and individual voting switches. Upon discussions with the manufacturers and two different electrical contractors, the consensus was that the City's system is not compatible with the manufacturers' systems, the main reason being the age and non-availability of parts. Forespar concluded after further discussion with the City's electrical contractor, that by modifying their main power unit, the display board could remain. However, the voting switches will have to be replaced with the release type button that lights up on the "Yes", "No" or "ABS" cycle. In other words, it is a single button system that alternately lights up "Yes", "No", or "ABS." The release of the button will allow the vote to be recorded by the Clerk. It should also be noted that both companies manufacture and sell the systems only, they do not install them. Sach's Electric, the City's electrical contractor has agreed to install it. COUNCIL EGq NDA1 SEP 0 88 99 I ITENo. -V.74. 2 Page #2 September 1, 1998 Automated Voting System Should the Council decide to authorize the purchase of an automated system with modifications, the cost breakdown would be as follows: ELECTroVOTE- 5 STATION SYSTEM Power Memory Unit $ 2709.00 Clerk's Display Panel 564.00 Vote Printer 1,076.00 Modifications 472.00 Sach's Electric Installation 1,500.00 TOTAL: $ 6,321.00 Lastly, over 20 cities were contacted to determine what voting system they used. Of those cities, the majority used voice vote, two had an automated system and one City is contemplating purchasing a machine when they redo their sound system. According to Robert Kress, City Attorney, there is no legal requirement that the City Council vote by an automated voting system. agiiems,24 aL,!cir ®vo iii I I I = 1 = 1 I 1 J , I - • • CLECT ©UOO 1TC'M A COMPLETE SYSTEM consists of a Power/Memory unit,a Control unit,a set of Voting Stations and one or more Vote Display Panels.A. system can be as simple or as extensive as the need requires. DESIGN OPTIONS Components are manufactured in several shies.The Voting Stations are available for mounting on the desk top,the desk edge or under the desk with an acrylic see-through port in the desk top.Vote Display Panels are available in many configurations—large panels for public viewing,small panels for voting member viewing,very small panels for individual viewing locations such as the Clerk's desk and there are sets of individual display panels for placement in front of each voting mem- ber's position.Custom Display Panels can be made to meet any special requirement or decor. SEQUENCE OF OPERATION To vote,each member presses the single push button on his Voting Station and then releases the button when his voting choice shows in the viewing port(a polarized screen limits the viewing angle to the voter only).As each Voting Station is activated that status is indicated or..the Control unit.When all voting members present have voted,the "Vote"button on the Control unit is pressed and all vote choices are simultaneously shown on all Display Panels.After a suitable interval the"Reset"button on the Control unit is pressed and the system is ready for a new sequence of voting. SIMPLE INSTALLATION The system is designed for ease of installation.It can be done by main- tenance personnel—NO technical expertise is needed.The system is provided with all the required cables.These are connected with color coded plug and socket connectors—NO soldering or splicing of wires. Fores Mfg.Corp. FORESPAR PRODUCTS CORPORATION 22322 Gilberto Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 Tel.(714)858-8820 Fax(714)858-0505 ' T I. Public meetings, city and county boards,or school board meetings—they all share a common problem. Display Panel()several sMe 'sizes available) Now to vote without the stigma of voting first,last, or casting a tie-breaker. In short how to eliminate the prejudice of roll call voting. Now from Elect-ro-Voten'comes a straight forward MA/OR BRONN • solution designed expressly for the forementioned __ groups.With its ease of operation and affordability Elect-ro-Vote' solves these unique problems and more. MR5 POOOEi ■ IMPRESSIVE ADVANTAGES 111Elect-ro-Vote'"will have an immediate and positive - . MR VASC IIF( _ impact for its users.The key is an ingenious voting sys- tem that incorporates an illuminated display of the vot- DR WILLIAMS ■ ing results...and its easily adaptable to any situation or — decor. , t Elect-ro-Vote"promotes efficiency and a"demo- -- MR RICHARDS ■ cratic sense of fairness:'Taken together these capabili- ties permit the system to: i`� •eliminate stigma of voting first or last. •eliminates discomfort of casting a tie-breaking vote. • aids the hard-of-hearing with a visual display. _MR JOHNSON . •speeds up voting sequence. •allows public to easily follow and evaluate results. YOU RUN THE SYSTEM— IT DOESN'T RUN YOU Operation is virtually"fail-proof."When the voting Control Unit NEP Power Memory Unit sequence is started each member has a voting choice Voting Stations i of"Yes, "No' or 'Abstain!'When all members have (other styles available) • voted,the results are displayed simultaneously. Prior to such display,voles may be changed with complete privacy. Speed. accuracy, and efficiency—all within a system (See back cover for details of operation and ease of installation) designed to serve its users well into the future. Elect-ro-VoteTM a modern tool for today's emerging A PROVEN SYSTEM and everchanging political and business climate. Its • Elect-ro-VoteTM was developed expressly for roll call impressive short and long term advantages translate to i a truly cost effective purchase. voting.The system has been proven through use by many cities. (A list of cities now using Elect-ro-Vote' Call or write today for additional information about is available upon request).Components feature state-of- Elect-ro-VoteJ" the-art electronics and carry an unconditional 2 year warranty. For pricing quotations provide number of voting positions required. I 1 1‘ 11 -11- 1Thr I 1 1 1