Latest news with #CityClerk'sOffice
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
San Diego budget calls for ending of program to digitize archives
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — As part of the proposed cuts to San Diego's budget to close a more than $258 million deficit, the City Clerk's Office is proposing discontinuing a program focusing on digitizing the city's archives for free public access online. Called the Archives Access and Preservation Program, the city began the initiative more than a decade ago as a way to make its historical artifacts and records easier to view. Previously, historical documents could only be obtained through the public records request process. More than 1,000,000 documents — from photographs and videos to legal records — have been uploaded to the city's website since then, serving as a resource for students' research and for history buffs to explore San Diego of yesteryear. San Diego fire pits: Are they going up in smoke? Under Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed budget, however, the City Clerk's office will wind down this program and return to public records requests as the main way to obtain archival documents that are not already available online. Alongside the program's end, a number of full-time positions associated with it will be eliminated, axing the office's ability to host archival tours and exhibits on San Diego history in the lobby of the City Administration Building. These changes will also impact the City Clerk's passport services, reducing the number of appointments available, according to the draft budget. Efforts to digitize additional historical artifacts will continue, San Diego City Clerk Diana Fuentes said, but it would be more limited in scope and contingent on outside grant funding opportunities through programs like California Revealed initiative. 'Above all, we remain committed to protecting the City's historical records,' Fuentes said. 'We will continue to focus on making it easier for everyone to find what they're looking for by organizing and labeling … our historical records in clearer, more searchable ways.' San Diego Police Department pitches closing Northwestern Division Maintenance of the city's archives is one of the primary responsibilities of the City Clerk, acting as an information gateway for the public to learn more about local government. The clerk is also responsible for overseeing city elections and managing legislative records, among other things. Even as the department is looking at scaling back its archival operations and laying off a number of its staff, the 2026 draft budget would increase its funding by about 8%, going from about $8.1 million allocated in the 2025 fiscal year to $8.2 million. According to the draft budget, the city is expected to save about $807,106 in the cuts, but this will be offset by hikes to salary and benefits for remaining employees and an increase to funding for the department's information technology. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Future of old Hughes Stadium could be on Fort Collins ballots again, despite civic assembly
The clock is now ticking on two petitions proposing the former Hughes Stadium land become a natural area, just as a panel of 20 residents specifically created to explore all the options is getting started. A citizen group wants voters to weigh in on whether the 164-acre plot now owned by the city of Fort Collins should be designated as a natural area, with no other uses allowed.` Four years ago, voters required the city of Fort Collins to purchase the former Hughes Stadium and zone it as Public Open Lands. The zoning district of Public Open Lands can include a natural area, but the 2021 ballot question did not ask whether the parcel should become a natural area, which is limited to even more strict uses than the open lands zoning. Advocacy group PATHS, which stands for Planning Action to Transform Hughes Sustainably, is circulating two petitions. The group was also behind the 2021 ballot initiative. One petition, which calls only for a vote on making the Hughes land a natural area, needs 5,079 signatures to get on the next regularly scheduled election ballot. Another petition includes the natural area question and would also ask voters to block any future sale, lease or conveyance of the land to a third party. This initiative asks for a special election, which requires more signatures, about 7,600. Organizers have 63 days to gather signatures. The Coloradoan has made multiple attempts over several days to contact PATHS organizers to get more information about the effort. None have replied as of the afternoon of April 14. Petitions are due back to the City Clerk's Office with the required number of signatures by 5 p.m. June 11. In April 2021, voters approved the citizen-initiated ballot question that required the city to purchase the land and to zone it as open lands. It passed with 69% of the votes. The approved ballot language, written by the citizen organizers, asked the city to acquire the land "for the purpose of using it for parks, recreation and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and education." But PATHS, on its website, says the "legislative intent" behind the question isn't being honored by the city as it plans for the future of the land. PATHS says the intent was made clear by the "whereas" clauses of the ordinance passed when the measure was referred to the ballot. "What voters understood that they were voting for, was to CONSERVE Hughes as PROTECTED open space like a Natural Area with a the possibility of a SMALL 5-acre wildlife center, with LOW-impact, LOW-maintenance recreation," the website states. Nick Frey, who campaigned for the 2021 ballot issue with PATHS and is a volunteer with the Fort Collins Bike Park Collective, said while he can't be sure of what each individual petition circulator communicated to potential voters, collectively the campaign was about preventing residential development from happening on the site. "We didn't want to irreversibly develop this into a bunch of private housing, and that was it. There wasn't really any discussion about what it should be," Frey said. "It was more like what it could be." After the election, the city began conducting outreach with the community regarding their hopes for the land, based on the legal parameters of the ballot question: for "parks, recreation and open lands, natural areas, and wildlife rescue and education." The city heard from a contingent of people who wanted to see it used, at least in part, as a bike park. Other ideas floated in the outreach period include a natural area, a wildlife center and a place for Indigenous cultural activities, among others. This petition effort was launched just before a 20-person panel known as the "civic assembly" met for the first time to help determine the future of the site. The residents on the panel were randomly selected while also being representative of certain city demographics. They will, over the course of two weekends this spring, get information about the site, the proposals and public feedback. The civic assembly is hearing presentations from different groups, including PATHS, Overland Mountain Bike Association, First People's Conservancy Center and the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, among others. The idea is to use consensus building during facilitated discussions to make recommendations to council, which will be the ultimate decision-maker. The first weekend of the assembly was April 12-13. The next and final weekend, which is set to end with recommendations to council, is May 3-4. Council could make a decision about the land in August, according to a city timeline. A successful citizen initiative could be referred to the ballot in August or September, depending on how long it takes the clerk's office to review signatures and whether there are any protests of the petitions. If voters were to approve the ballot issue, it would override any plans for the Hughes land that were decided by City Council. But it's also possible that City Council could decide to put the civic assembly's recommendations on the same ballot, Ginny Sawyer, policy and project manager with the city, told the Coloradoan. If both ballot issues were to pass, then the measure with the most yes votes would take effect. Colin Russell, one of the delegates to the civic assembly, told the group during its April 13 session that he believes the petition effort undermines the process of the civic assembly. "Twenty people put their heart and soul and time into this, and we worked hard and tried hard and listened and deliberated," Russell told the Coloradoan, saying he initially felt angry and crestfallen. He said he was surprised that PATHS did not talk about their petition effort when they presented to the civic assembly. Instead, city staff informed the panel after all presentations were given. Another delegate, also speaking to fellow civic assembly delegates, noted the citizen group is exercising its rights and following an established process, even if she thinks the timing is discouraging. Sawyer said while council showed its commitment to having an inclusive process by spending $150,000 for the civic assembly to be run by Healthy Democracy, there's also a different system that allows for people to use the initiative process. "Democracy can be messy," Sawyer told the Coloradoan. "We encourage the assembly to take their work seriously and dig in and come up with recommendations that they all can get behind," Sawyer said. "We're not going to stop our process because we do believe it's a unique and inclusive process." This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins group files petitions for another Hughes Stadium land vote
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mayor Mobolade backs putting Karman Line to voters
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — On Monday, April 7, Mayor Yemi Mobolade released a statement in support of bringing the Karman Line Annexation decision to the voters rather than repealing the decision, saying it supports our democratic process. On Jan. 28, the City Council approved The Karman Line Annexation, which would make about 1,900 acres in El Paso County, west of Schriever Space Force Base, a part of Colorado Springs. On Feb. 26, a petition opposing the annexation was submitted to the City Clerk's Office with over 31,000 signatures, far beyond the required 18,696, requesting for the annexation to be put on a ballot for Colorado Springs citizens to decide. The petition cited concerns over issues such as water, housing needs, increased utility costs, and wildlife concerns, among others. Since then, allegations have been brought against the petition organizers, claiming that false information was used to convince voters to oppose the annexation and sign the petition. RELATED STORY: Karman Line letter claims petitioners lied to convince voters Mayor Mobolade's statement referenced the allegations, saying that special interest groups misled the community and weaponized the petition process, but that he supports bringing the annexation to the voters so that they have the chance to make a fully informed decision. On Tuesday, April 8, the City Council is scheduled to vote on whether to repeal the annexation or send it to a ballot. Read Mayor Mobolade's full statement below: Our country is founded on a democratic process that is central to the functioning of a representative government. It is upon us to always respect that process, and to recognize and call out any efforts to subvert that process or the will of the people. The Karman Line annexation was a transparent and thorough two-year process. This annexation was first recommended by Planning Commission, which is comprised of dedicated, unpaid volunteers who thoroughly reviewed the proposal in its entirety. It was then voted on and approved by City Council, who is elected by the people to oversee and vote on such issues. This was by no means a hasty decision. It was made after careful consideration, in-depth analysis of critical issues like water, utilities, and public safety, and meaningful public discourse to ensure we responsibly manage growth with a long-term mindset. Public safety agencies have also expressed support, and Colorado Springs Utilities, another key body involved in city infrastructure planning, has given its approval, assuring there is enough water to support future development. I cannot underscore enough that a rigorous review and democratic process was upheld. What unfolded after that was a misleading campaign sponsored by local special interest groups. They systematically worked to weaponize our democratic petition process by spreading misinformation, attempting to manipulate the facts, and in some cases, outright deceiving people. Now, on Tuesday, City Council once again faces an important decision regarding the Karman Line annexation. Councilmembers will have two choices. One, bring the Karman Line annexation to the ballot to let you decide. Or, two, repeal their decision to annex and, instead, allow local special interest groups who did not like the outcome to unfairly influence the future of our city's growth in place of you, the voters. I offer my full support to our City Council in reaffirming its previous decision and responding to the referenda requirements by sending the question to the voters. To me, this supports our democratic process. The strength of our democracy lies in the will of the people, and it is imperative that we protect and honor that process. As your Mayor, I stand firmly in support of upholding that commitment. I ran on ensuring every voice was represented. By now putting the Karman Line annexation to the ballot, we give a voice to all residents, not just to those who signed the petitions and who may or may not have understood the full proposal. The path forward is clear. We must stand up for what is right. This is true whether or not the final decision is what we want – the end cannot justify the means. We must now and always protect the democratic values and integrity that our country was built on and ensure that Colorado Springs evolves into a city for the many, not just the few. Onward and upward, Mayor Yemi Mobolade Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
5 Superior voters given wrong ballots
Apr. 4—SUPERIOR — An investigation into reports that voters at Zion Lutheran Church received the wrong ballot revealed that four people cast their votes in the wrong election for Superior City Council. Another error was found among absentee ballots. The discrepancies were not enough to potentially impact the outcome of any race. Zion Lutheran Church is the election site for the council's 2nd and 4th districts. Four residents of the 2nd District cast votes in the uncontested race for the 4th District council seat, according to a review of the pollbooks and ballots cast in each district. In the 2nd District, 700 voters logged into the pollbooks, but only 696 ballots were tabulated. Conversely, 729 voters logged into the pollbook for the 4th District, but 733 ballots were tabulated. Documentation was also reviewed from the Central Count location where absentee ballots are tabulated on Election Day. One of the 508 absentee ballots for the 2nd and 4th districts was issued incorrectly. It's not clear whether the ballot was issued to a voter in the 2nd or 4th district. This issue will be among the items the municipal board of canvassers will review when reconciling the election, said City Clerk Heidi Blunt. Due to the anonymous nature of ballot tabulation, Blunt said determining which voters were affected is not possible. The City Clerk's Office was notified at about 12:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, that three voters had received incorrect ballots when voting at Zion Lutheran Church, Blunt said. "I immediately went to this poll site to investigate and offer support to the election inspectors to review practices, retrain as needed and offer additional measures to ensure ballots would be distributed correctly," Blunt said. Blunt said she found election inspectors were following procedures set by the Wisconsin Elections Commission Election Day manual. Ballot distribution is completed by two election inspectors working in tandem. Working with the chief election inspector, additional measures were implemented, including verbal recitation of voter's ward number and visual inspection to assure the correct ballots were issued, Blunt said. Information about the ballot distribution errors will be reported to the municipal board of canvassers when they meet to certify the election Monday, April 7. Blunt said she consulted with the Douglas County Clerk and Wisconsin Elections Commission on how to handle the election reconciliation with the discrepancies. It will be up to the board to determine how it affects the 4th District's final tally, Blunt said. Councilor Jack Sweeney was uncontested in the 4th District and received 762 votes Tuesday. Sixteen write-in votes were also cast in the 4th District, according to unofficial election results. In the 2nd District, Councilor Jenny Van Sickle lost her seat to challenger Sarah Anderson by 57 votes. Mistakes were made, Van Sickle said, adding that she never disputed the results and "immediately and genuinely" congratulated Anderson when the votes were tallied Tuesday. County Clerk Kaci Lundgren said Tuesday's election was unprecedented in terms of voter turnout in a spring election. The April election typically draws fewer than 40% of registered voters to the polls, according to Douglas County election data. The only exception was the 2020 presidential preference election, which drew 44.3% of voters to the polls. Tuesday, 55.9% of registered voters cast ballots countywide; 55.6% cast ballots in the precinct where voters decide the 2nd and 4th district council races. Blunt encouraged voters with questions about their ballots to contact her office at 715-395-7200 or cityclerk@
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Municipal election ballot counting complete
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office has completed its ballot processing for the 2025 Municipal Election and will begin certifying results by April 11. Turnout for the municipal election was historically low, with only 23.55% (78,185) of the 332,001 registered voters in the city returning a ballot, according to the City. District One had the highest voter turnout at 25.4%, while District Four only saw 9.7%. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Low voter turnout for City Council election The unofficial results of the election are as follows: District One – Dave Donelson District Two – Tom Bailey District Three – Brandy Williams District Four – Kimberly Gold District Five – Nancy Henjum District Six – Roland Rainey, Jr. According to the City, the post-election period, now through Wednesday, April 9, allows time for military and overseas citizens' ballots to arrive by April 9 at 5 p.m., and allows voters who did not sign their ballot or voters with signature discrepancies to cure those ballots. Election workers will process those additional ballots on Thursday, April 10 and updated results will be posted at the conclusion of that ballot processing. Results will be certified by Friday, April 11. District City Councilmembers will be sworn in on Tuesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. at the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum. City Council will also hold a leadership meeting that afternoon to elect a Council President and President Pro Tem. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
